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The Herald Scotland
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Pro-Iran protests are alarming. Why do people hate Israel?
Now that Israel - and the United States - have taken military action against Iran (the authoritarian state that sponsors anti-Israel terrorist groups like Hamas) and its nuclear program, many so-called pro-Palestinian protests have morphed into pro-Iran demonstrations. Over the weekend, such protests took place around the country - and the world. Activist groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and the People's Forum that applauded the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, are the same ones that rallied in New York City to oppose the attacks on Iran. "We demand an immediate end to US and Israeli attacks on Iran and its sovereignty," the groups said in a statement on Sunday, June 22. It would be one thing if this were just an anti-war movement. But it's much more than that. That's evident from the people carrying signs in support of Iran and against Israel. It's no surprise that anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, who led the disruptive and often violent protests at Columbia University in 2024 and was recently freed from months in federal immigration detention, joined one of the anti-Israel demonstrations wrapped in a Palestinian flag. Similar events were held in other Western cities, including London. It makes me wonder: Do these activists really know whom - and what - they're supporting? Opinion: Trump is winning on immigration - and Democrats are falling right into his trap In Iran, freedom does not exist. So what are Westerners thinking? I would rather think these protesters are cheering for terrorists out of ignorance or stupidity than that they honestly side with the religious extremists who exert full control over the Iranian people. But it's hard to tell. The National Students for Justice in Palestine, for instance, put out a statement on Instagram: "The empire will fall, from Gaza to Tehran," which called Israel a "Zionist vassal state" of the United States. The same group openly celebrated the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. One thing is certain. Many of those who are chanting in favor of Iran and Palestine - particularly women and LGBTQ+ people - would not be treated favorably in either country. The human rights abuses in Iran are well-documented. Amnesty International sums up the situation in Iran this way: "Authorities further suppressed the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Women and girls, LGBTI people, and ethnic and religious minorities experienced systemic discrimination and violence. Authorities intensified their crackdown on women who defied compulsory veiling laws, the Baha'i community, and Afghan refugees and migrants. Thousands were arbitrarily detained, interrogated, harassed and/or unjustly prosecuted for exercising their human rights. Trials remained systematically unfair. Enforced disappearances and torture and other ill-treatment were widespread and systematic. Cruel and inhuman punishments, including flogging and amputation, were implemented. The death penalty was used arbitrarily, disproportionately affecting ethnic minorities and migrants." Opinion: Democrats scream democracy is in peril ... while proving that it's absolutely fine Most Iranians don't support the regime they live under. Americans should know better. It's jarring to see so many people in America, which has the greatest set of freedoms in the world, cheering for a regime that has zero respect for the rights of its citizens. Abbas Milani, codirector of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution, recently told Fox News that 80% of Iranians are opposed to the ruling regime, although most live in fear of expressing what they really think. Opinion: Imagine surviving the Holocaust only to be attacked in America. It happened in Colorado. On the day Israel launched its air strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Iranian people via video that Israel was "clearing the path for you to achieve your objective, which is freedom." Following the Israeli strikes, one Iranian, on the condition of anonymity, told the BBC: "The enemy has been killing us slowly for decades. The enemy is the Islamic Republic!" Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. It's a shame that Americans - and others in the Western world - would rather cheer for the authoritarians than for the freedom of an oppressed people. Standing up for Iranians' freedom actually would be something worth fighting for. Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@ or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Cheers for Iran? Pro-Palestinian protesters shockingly side with terrorists.
It's jarring to see so many people in America, which has the greatest set of freedoms in the world, cheering for an Iranian regime that has zero respect for the rights of its citizens. Since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack against Israel, I have observed with great concern the large number of college students and others in the United States who quickly sided against Israel – and in effect cheered the terrorists as 'liberators.' Recent protests have made that perverse trend even more alarming. Now that Israel – and the United States – have taken military action against Iran (the authoritarian state that sponsors anti-Israel terrorist groups like Hamas) and its nuclear program, many so-called pro-Palestinian protests have morphed into pro-Iran demonstrations. Over the weekend, such protests took place around the country – and the world. Activist groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and the People's Forum that applauded the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, are the same ones that rallied in New York City to oppose the attacks on Iran. 'We demand an immediate end to US and Israeli attacks on Iran and its sovereignty,' the groups said in a statement on Sunday, June 22. It would be one thing if this were just an anti-war movement. But it's much more than that. That's evident from the people carrying signs in support of Iran and against Israel. It's no surprise that anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil, who led the disruptive and often violent protests at Columbia University in 2024 and was recently freed from months in federal immigration detention, joined one of the anti-Israel demonstrations wrapped in a Palestinian flag. Similar events were held in other Western cities, including London. It makes me wonder: Do these activists really know whom – and what – they're supporting? Opinion: Trump is winning on immigration – and Democrats are falling right into his trap In Iran, freedom does not exist. So what are Westerners thinking? I would rather think these protesters are cheering for terrorists out of ignorance or stupidity than that they honestly side with the religious extremists who exert full control over the Iranian people. But it's hard to tell. The National Students for Justice in Palestine, for instance, put out a statement on Instagram: 'The empire will fall, from Gaza to Tehran,' which called Israel a 'Zionist vassal state' of the United States. The same group openly celebrated the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. One thing is certain. Many of those who are chanting in favor of Iran and Palestine – particularly women and LGBTQ+ people – would not be treated favorably in either country. The human rights abuses in Iran are well-documented. Amnesty International sums up the situation in Iran this way: 'Authorities further suppressed the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Women and girls, LGBTI people, and ethnic and religious minorities experienced systemic discrimination and violence. Authorities intensified their crackdown on women who defied compulsory veiling laws, the Baha'i community, and Afghan refugees and migrants. Thousands were arbitrarily detained, interrogated, harassed and/or unjustly prosecuted for exercising their human rights. Trials remained systematically unfair. Enforced disappearances and torture and other ill-treatment were widespread and systematic. Cruel and inhuman punishments, including flogging and amputation, were implemented. The death penalty was used arbitrarily, disproportionately affecting ethnic minorities and migrants.' Opinion: Democrats scream democracy is in peril ... while proving that it's absolutely fine Most Iranians don't support the regime they live under. Americans should know better. It's jarring to see so many people in America, which has the greatest set of freedoms in the world, cheering for a regime that has zero respect for the rights of its citizens. Abbas Milani, codirector of the Iran Democracy Project at the Hoover Institution, recently told Fox News that 80% of Iranians are opposed to the ruling regime, although most live in fear of expressing what they really think. Opinion: Imagine surviving the Holocaust only to be attacked in America. It happened in Colorado. On the day Israel launched its air strikes on Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the Iranian people via video that Israel was 'clearing the path for you to achieve your objective, which is freedom.' Following the Israeli strikes, one Iranian, on the condition of anonymity, told the BBC: 'The enemy has been killing us slowly for decades. The enemy is the Islamic Republic!' Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. It's a shame that Americans – and others in the Western world – would rather cheer for the authoritarians than for the freedom of an oppressed people. Standing up for Iranians' freedom actually would be something worth fighting for. Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@ or on X, formerly Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.
Memri
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Memri
Columbia University Activist Mahmoud Khalil in Rally to Celebrate His Release from ICE Detention: I Did Nothing Wrong; U.S. Government Is a Killing Machine; Israel Is the Top Threat to U.S. Foreign Po
Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University activist released from ICE detention, spoke at a rally held in his honor on June 22, 2025. Khalil declared that 'there isn't a shred of evidence that what I did or said is wrong,' and called the U.S. government a 'killing machine.' Responding to allegations that his speech undermines 'U.S. foreign policy on combating antisemitism,' he said that Israel is 'the top foreign policy threat to the U.S.' He called it 'ironic' that such accusations were coming from Senator Marco Rubio, who he claimed 'regularly meets with new Nazis.' Khalil also accused Columbia University of failing to protect pro-Palestinian students, saying that they have been targeted by 'Israel-aligned groups' on campus who feel emboldened to continue to harass and harm them. Khalil, draped in a Palestinian flag, led chants against Columbia University. He stood alongside Manolo De Los Santos, executive director and founder of the People's Forum, as well as other members of the organization. Manolo De Los Santos and the People's Forum have been reported to maintain financial ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
The Citizen
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Award-winning Carletonville teacher fights for rights of Lesotho nationals
A respected local educator and community leader is calling for fair treatment of Lesotho nationals living and working in the Merafong area. Mr. Lillo Shale, a senior teacher at Letsatsing Combined School and a multiple award-winning mathematics educator, continues to advocate for the rights of Basotho residents through the organisation he founded, the People's Forum. Shale, who hails from Lesotho, has lived and taught in the area for many years and is well-known for his school's strong matric performance. He says South Africans often forget how deeply connected the two nations are. 'People must remember that Lesotho is one of only a few countries completely landlocked within another,' explains Shale. 'This restricts our development, and many of our citizens are forced to seek work in South Africa, particularly in areas like Merafong.' Basotho Contributions and Challenges Shale highlights the historic role that Basotho workers played in building South Africa's mining industry and notes that many senior employees in local mines still come from Lesotho. Despite these contributions, he says many Lesotho nationals face discrimination, exploitation, and unfair treatment, especially when it comes to employment rights and documentation. 'Many Basotho workers are dismissed illegally and have no legal recourse,' he adds. 'Others live in fear due to their undocumented status, even though Lesotho has improved its internal systems to track births and identities—something South Africa could easily use to verify legal entry.' Shale contrasts the treatment of Lesotho nationals with citizens from other countries like Zimbabwe, who, he claims, often receive more lenient treatment. He also points out that South Africa relies heavily on Lesotho's water resources, making a more cooperative and respectful relationship essential. A Call for Respect and Recognition The People's Forum, founded by Shale in September 2019, aims to advocate for Lesotho nationals and push for policy changes that reflect their shared history with South Africa. 'We are not asking for favours,' says Shale. 'We are asking to be treated as human beings. The historical and geographical relationship between our countries should mean something.' According to Shale, there are an estimated 3,000 Lesotho nationals living in the Merafong area, many of whom are undocumented and vulnerable. Contact Information: For more information about the People's Forum, contact Mr. Lillo Shale at 073 323 5795. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inside New York's Protest Against ICE Raids: 'We Should Be Putting Resources Towards Life'
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Carved onto the front of the New York State Supreme Court Building are words once written by George Washington: 'The true administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government.' The quote, which emphasizes the justice system as a stabilizing political force, loomed over thousands of protestors like a specter on Tuesday at Manhattan's Foley Square, the site of several federal immigration courts where plainclothes officers, emboldened by the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, have arrested dozens of migrants attending routine case hearings over the past few weeks. The protestors had mobilized within 24 hours, spurred on by a call to action amplified by several local organizations including the People's Forum, Damayan Migrant Workers Association, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network. For days, images and videos from Los Angeles—where thousands are rallying against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and deportations—have flooded social media and news feeds. The struggle has ignited dozens of more protests across the country. 'People are seeing that ICE is invading their communities,' says David Chung, an organizer with the People's Forum. 'They're seeing that ICE is spending all of these resources that they claim that immigrants are taking and they're ready to stand up and fight back.' After protests broke out in LA last week, Trump deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to quell demonstrations. Instead, the military presence has only escalated already jittery tensions. On Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for the legally questionable deployment, which the Pentagon estimates will cost $134 million. 'That's money that could be actually used to feed hungry people here, house homeless people here,' says Chung, who immigrated to the U.S. from Korea at three years old. 'All we're saying is that we should be putting resources towards life, towards the people, and that's why we're protesting.' For Beth Levy, an attendee at Tuesday's event and the chair of the Immigration and Justice Committee of an Indivisibles chapter that covers part of the Bronx and Westchester, the deportations are a horrifying callback to the past. 'It reminds me of the Holocaust,' she says. 'Innocent people, even people without status, deserve asylum and the right to be here.' As different speakers stepped up to the mic, the demonstration at Foley Square remained as peaceful as it was emphatic, though there was a general sense of weariness of being perceived as the right kind of protestor. Over the past week, media outlets have inevitably characterized protests in LA as 'violent,' a descriptor that gives vandalism or a tossed rock the same—or even heavier—weight than, say, the LAPD aiming their flash bangs and rubber bullets against unarmed protestors (and, in one case, an Australian journalist during a live broadcast). Indeed, later on Tuesday night in New York, a faction of the protestors returned to Foley Square, near a government building where arrested migrants have been detained. Officers in riot gear were filmed dragging individuals by their backs and slamming them to the ground as they crossed the street. Addressing the crowd onstage that afternoon, Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour encouraged critics to reorient their understanding of violence. 'The root of this problem is not protestors,' Sarsour said. 'The root of this problem is masked men who are kidnapping mothers and fathers and students.' Half a year into the second Trump administration, it's an understatement to say that trust between exhausted Americans and public officials has deteriorated beyond partisan lines. For years, advocates have called for the abolition of ICE, Sarsour added. 'Liberals and Democrats called us radical. Democrats defended ICE and, in fact, gave them more resources,' she said. 'So I'm not really feeling the clutching of pearls when it's you, the Democratic party and Democratic leadership, that gave ICE the resources and tools to attack our communities.' As helicopters and drones whirred overhead and dozens of New York Police Department officers lined barricades along the streets, New Yorkers raised bright yellow posters that read 'ICE Out of New York' and 'Stop the Deportations Now.' They marched west, stopping traffic on Broadway, where throngs of Big Buses bearing tourists looked on and outdoor dining spectators raised their phones to record. They chanted to the beat of drums and brass instruments, reciting, 'El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!' They wore keffiyehs and pins, they offered masks and water bottles, they passed anti-fascist pamphlets and fliers, and they waved upside-down American flags. In this city, the cacophony of honking is nothing new, but as halted drivers joined the passing parade by blasting their own horns, it sounded something like a jubilant chorus. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
