Latest news with #anti-Israel
New York Post
14 minutes ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Hamas' cease-fire ‘counteroffer' is just a demand for Israel to give up the war
Hamas on Saturday announced it had 'responded to' the latest ceasefire proposal from US envoy Steve Witkoff, apparently seeking assurances that Israel won't simply go back to eliminating it when the 60-day pause is up. Reality check: The terrorists are only talking because they're losing, badly — losing whatever support they had from ordinary Gazans as well as militarily. Hamas' main hope is to somehow manipulate Team Trump's peace efforts into a license to survive — to somehow have the war end with it intact in Gaza, still in power and with its sponsors and enablers again resupplying it. Advertisement To that end, it aims to leverage President Donald Trump's hopes to end the bloodshed as well as: Israeli public opinion, include the deep desire to recover the 20 or so still living hostages as well as the remains of the dozens who've died in captivity, plus general war-weariness and partisan opposition to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition Sympathy for its other hostages: Gaza's 2 million civilians. Hamas has never cared a whit for their lives or well-being, except as potential recruits, human shields and reason for an influx of aid that the terrorists can siphon off for their use. It will happily martyr any or all of them for the cause of destroying Israel — even as it pretends to make concessions in their name to serve its true agenda. Advertisement Its de facto fifth column all across the West, including the 'tentifada' fanatics and fools on Columbia and other campuses, and all the politicians and media figures who buy the terrorists' propaganda. The dogged self-deception of the international 'peace process' veterans, still imagining that a 'two-state solution' is the key to resolving all the region's conflicts — an 'answer' that's now a complete fantasy that disregards every development of the last three decades. Arab rulers' inability to simply abandon decades of anti-Israel propaganda even though they (mostly) recognize it no longer serves their most urgent needs. Israel's current offensive has already taken out hundreds more Hamas fighters and yet another round of leadership, including the last Sinwar. The IDF is poised to take full control of Gaza, clear the final bunkers and tunnels and crush the remaining terror brigades. Advertisement And Jerusalem has cut off Hamas' resupply, refusing to allow aid to enter Gaza without firm controls that ensure it goes straight to civilians. Not allowing the terrorists to capture it — and to charge civilians for access to any of it — has helped turn the tide of public opinion: Ordinary Gazans increasingly know the war continues only because Hamas won't surrender or even negotiate a departure of its remaining forces. Witkoff's latest offer would have Hamas turn over 10 living hostages and a dozen or two bodies, in exchange for 125 terrorists serving life sentences plus another 1,000-plus jailbirds and a 60-day ceasefire and ongoing talks toward a full peace settlement. But Hamas knows full well that Netanyahu won't end the war until the terrorists are all dead, surrendered or expelled from Gaza: He refuses to allow for any possibility of another Oct. 7, and Israeli public opinion so far supports him. Advertisement So the terror group's counteroffer is to demand some kind of guarantee that Washington won't let the IDF resume operations when the 60 days are up, as well as the resumption of aid entering under UN or similar auspices, without Israeli controls. As things stand, Hamas is toast within months. To get hostages returned, Israel will allow it a respite — and so risk some development (Netanyahu's ouster, a drastic shift in the region, Washington concluding it needs the war ended; who knows?) that would let the terror group hang on in Gaza. Unless Team Trump decides to overrule Israel's unchanged war goals, Hamas will have to settle for that hope of a lifeline, or no deal is happening.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Imagine Dragons sparks debate after waving Palestinian flag during Italy show
Imagine Dragons recently sparked outrage with a political stunt during their concert in Milan, Italy. On Tuesday, the band's frontman, Dan Reynolds, picked up a Palestinian flag, waved it before draping it across his shoulders. Video clips of the controversial act have since gone viral on social media, with netizens comparing it to Radiohead's confrontation with an anti-Israel protester mid-show last year. In the viral clips, Reynolds is also seen kissing the Palestinian flag before tossing it back to the crowd. The move sparked severe debate among netizens. While pro-Palestinian supporters applauded the move, Jewish fans criticised the 37-year-old singer. Comedian Matt Lieb wrote, 'Omg radiohead has now been lapped by IMAGINE DRAGONS?!?' While a pro-Palestinian fan wrote, 'Very nice to see more people showing support.' 'imagine dragons once again proving they're the best at everything EXCEPT music,' yet another said. 'Wow. The worst band to ever exist is far better than Radiohead. Incredible,' one more fan added, referring to the English rock band's controversial statement during a Melbourne show in October 2024. At the time, a heckler called on the band to 'condemn the Israeli genocide of Gaza.' Lead singer Thom Yorke fumed, urging the protester to 'come up here and say that. right now.' 'Come up on the f---ing stage and say what you want to say,' Yorke challenged as the audience cheered. 'Don't stand there like a coward. Come here and say it. You want to p--- on everyone's night? C'mon,' the 56-year-old added. But the protester did not accept Yorke's challenge, leaving him annoyed. 'Okay, you do. See you later then,' he said before storming off the stage as the crowd booed. However, the rock singer returned after the protester was removed by security.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- General
- Yahoo
Rep. Ritchie Torres demands investigation of socialist-leaning Park Slope Food Co-op over alleged anti-Israel hate
The Park Slope Food Co-op is cooking up anti-Israel hate — and must be investigated by the city and state, a Bronx congressman urged this week. Rep. Ritchie Torres fired off letters Friday to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and other city and state honchos demanding the state Division of Human Rights and NYC Commission on Human Rights probe allegations of 'an insidious pattern of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination' against Jews — or anyone who is pro-Israel at the crunchy Brooklyn co-op. 'Anti-discrimination laws must be rigorously and impartially enforced — without exception,' the Bronx Democrat wrote Friday. The socialist-leaning Union Street institution has long been locked in a holy war over Middle East politics, highlighted by members in 2012 voting down joining an international boycott of Israel products during a contentious meeting that became ripe for mockery by Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.' But in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, members who support the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement have seized control of the co-op's governance, according to Torres and members sympathetic to Israel. 'The cumulative effect is the creation of a hostile environment for Jews, particularly those who affirm a connection to the Jewish homeland,' wrote Torres, who is mulling a run for governor. Zara Watkins, a co-op member who opposes the BDS movement, said she was menaced and cursed at last Halloween for wearing a costume paying tribute to the Israeli-made product Sabra hummus. One man 'seething with rage' repeatedly circled her while 'muttering' under his breath, and another dropped an F-bomb and gave her the finger over her costume, she recalled. 'It really shook me up,' said the lawyer, adding her complaints to the co-op's 'dispute resolution committee' were blown off. Jewish co-op member Ramon Maislen said he tried to thwart efforts by a pro-boycott campaign, known as the Park Slope Food Co-op Members for Palestine, to take over the PSFC's leadership last year by running for a seat on the co-op's board of directors. Maislen, 43, said he not only lost to the pro-BDS faction, but was verbally abused by Israel-hating members on many occasions despite trying to broker a peaceful solution. He and other members said they fear it's only a matter of time before the new leadership institutes a boycott on Israel products, without having members vote on it. 'We feel let down by the co-op's leadership, which has done nothing to fester out the hatred that has been simmering,' said Maislen, who heads a political action committee called 'Brooklyn BridgeBuilders' that has raised more than $56,000 to help defeat anti-Israel Park Slope Councilwoman Shahana Hanif in the June 24 Democratic primary. The real estate developer filed his own complaint with the state Human Rights Division in October over alleged harassment against members opposing the campaign to boycott Israeli products. The harassment allegedly included pro-BDS members spewing Nazi slogans at Jews and sneering they 'smell of Palestinian blood.' The complaint is still pending. Reps for Park Slope Food Co-op Members for Palestine could not be reached for comment, but they wrote in an open letter that they back a boycott on Israel-made products to ensure the co-op is 'not supporting an apartheid government and unfolding genocide.' Joe Holtz, co-founder of the food co-op, said the PSFC 'is against discrimination of any kind' and declined further comment. The co-op, founded in 1973, requires its 16,000-plus members to work 2.75-hour shifts every six weeks, in exchange for the privilege of purchasing heavily discounted groceries and voting on store policies. The city intends to review 'the troubling events at the co-op' and will respond to Torres 'with more information,' said mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari. 'Mayor Adams has been clear that far too often we see antisemitic propaganda masquerading as activism, and it has led to an unacceptable rise in antisemitism throughout our city and country,' said Askari. 'This is on full display in incidents at the Park Slope Food Co-op — where Jewish people are being harassed simply for being Jewish.' Hochul spokesperson Matthew Janiszewski said the governor has a long history of taking 'aggressive action to fight antisemitism in New York,' but he added the office cannot comment on pending investigations before the Division of Human Rights.
New York Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
NYC teachers getting anti-Israel literature in DOE schools
Hateful anti-Israel propaganda has slipped into city Department of Education literature and schools at least five times in the past two months, The Post has learned. In the latest instance, faculty members at a large Brooklyn elementary/middle school received an email Monday with the subject line: 'How Much Jewish Wealth From The Black Slave Trade Was Used To Help Create Israel?' Among a dozen links to inflammatory texts, the email includes several articles branding Jews as former slave owners; a piece by Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakahn claiming 'Jewish behavior has ill-affected Black people and others;' and a Palestinian children's workbook decrying 'bullies called Zionists.' 4 Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos has vowed to crack down on dissemination of 'politically one-sided materials deeply offensive to the Jewish community.' Andrew Schwartz / 'It's clearly an attack,' a Jewish teacher who received the diatribe in her DOE email told The Post. The incident is evidence of rising antisemitism in NYC schools and other educational institutions since the Israeli-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023, experts say. The emails came from think.285@ an encrypted account hiding the sender's identity. The teacher asked that she and her 'amazing' school, which she described as close-knit and harmonious, not be named. 'There was never an issue with antisemitism — not once,' she told The Post, adding she wears a Star of David at work. 'It wouldn't be fair to drop such a stain on the school. I would put my last penny on the fact that I don't think it's a person from the school' who sent the offensive missive. 4 The links to antisemitic literature in an email sent to Brooklyn teachers include a Palestinian children's handbook that refers to 'bullies called Zionists.' Obtained by the New York Post Like many other NYC schools, the Brooklyn school posts its teachers' DOE email addresses on a public website. Two assistant principals were 'horrified' by the cyber stealth, but the teacher has not discussed the emails with the principal — who did not address them with staff. It's the latest in a series of anti-Israel attacks popping up in DOE communications. In early April, schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos apologized after a 17-page 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' was linked in a newsletter sent to teachers and parents. 4 Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos apologized in early April after a 17-page 'Stop Gaza Genocide Toolkit' was linked in a newsletter sent to teachers and parents. Weeks later, a 'Teacher Career Pathways' newsletter for master teachers in the city's 1,800 schools called for student voices to be heard on the 'genocide in Gaza.' In a DOE crackdown on 'politically one-sided materials that are deeply offensive to the Jewish community' being disseminated, Aviles-Ramos halted the release of mass communications sent to educators, students and parents without her approval. At the same time, an anti-Israel group, the Labor for Palestine Network, sent an email blast to city teachers on their DOE accounts calling for a May Day strike and other 'civil disobedience' to protest the Gaza war. The DOE said it would investigate. Last month, a flyer distributed in several Manhattan schools urged teachers voting in their union elections to back a campaign to divest pension funds from Israel. 4 Elias Rodriguez, 31 of Chicago, is charged in the May 21 murders of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, D.C. Katie Kalisher via Storyful The flyers came after the cold-blooded murder of two young Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. by a gunman who yelled, 'Free Palestine.' The United Federation of Teachers disavowed the flyers. The DOE said it removed them from schools. Karen Feldman, a middle-school teacher and Holocaust educator studying the rise of antisemitism in NYC public schools, said the mounting incidents 'point to a systemic issue.' 'We must all demand stronger oversight and safeguards to ensure public institutions do not become platforms for hate,' she said. Asked whether the Brooklyn school had reported the emails, a DOE spokeswoman said, 'We are investigating this matter and will address it as appropriate with disciplinary action, community engagement, and educational intervention.' Officials said the DOE has identified who sent previous anti-Israel emails, but would not elaborate on 'personnel matters.'
New York Post
7 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Rep. Ritchie Torres demands probe of Park Slope Food Co-op
The Park Slope Food Co-op is cooking up anti-Israel hate — and must be investigated by the city and state, a Bronx congressman urged this week. Rep. Ritchie Torres fired off letters Friday to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and other city and state honchos demanding the state Division of Human Rights and NYC Commission on Human Rights probe allegations of 'an insidious pattern of harassment, intimidation, and discrimination' against Jews — or anyone who is pro-Israel at the crunchy Brooklyn co-op. 'Anti-discrimination laws must be rigorously and impartially enforced — without exception,' the Bronx Democrat wrote Friday. Advertisement 3 Rep. Ritchie Torres called on both the city and the state to probe the well-known Park Slope Food Co-Op for discrimination. Matthew McDermott The socialist-leaning Union Street institution has long been locked in a holy war over Middle East politics, highlighted by members in 2012 voting down joining an international boycott of Israel products during a contentious meeting that became ripe for mockery by Comedy Central's 'The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.' But in the wake of Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 terror attacks on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza, members who support the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement have seized control of the co-op's governance, according to Torres and members sympathetic to Israel. Advertisement 'The cumulative effect is the creation of a hostile environment for Jews, particularly those who affirm a connection to the Jewish homeland,' wrote Torres, who is mulling a run a run for governor. Zara Watkins, a co-op member who opposes the BDS movement, said she was menaced and cursed at last Halloween for wearing a costume paying tribute to the Israeli-made product Sabra hummus. One man 'seething with rage' repeatedly circled her while 'muttering' under his breath, and another dropped an F-bomb and gave her the finger over her costume, she recalled. 3 Zara Watkins, a co-op member, paid tribute to Israel with a Sabra Hummus costume – but faced backlash from other members. Obtained by the NY Post Advertisement 'It really shook me up,' said the lawyer, adding her complaints to the co-op's 'dispute resolution committee' were blown off. Jewish co-op member Ramon Maislen said he tried to thwart efforts by a pro-boycott campaign, known as the Park Slope Food Co-op Members for Palestine, to take over the PSFC's leadership last year by running for a seat on the co-op's board of directors. Maislen, 43, said he not only lost to the pro-BDS faction, but was verbally abused by Israel-hating members on many occasions despite trying to broker a peaceful solution. He and other members said they fear it's only a matter of time before the new leadership institutes a boycott on Israel products, without having members vote on it. Advertisement 'We feel let down by the co-op's leadership, which has done nothing to fester out the hatred that has been simmering,' said Maislen, who heads a political action committee called 'Brooklyn BridgeBuilders' that has raised more than $56,000 to help defeat anti-Israel Park Slope Councilwoman Shahana Hanif in the June 24 Democratic primary. 3 The Park Slope Food Co-op has more than 16,000 members. J.C. Rice The real estate developer filed his own complaint with the state Human Rights Division in October over alleged harassment against members opposing the campaign to boycott Israeli products. The harassment allegedly included pro-BDS members spewing Nazi slogans at Jews and sneering they 'smell of Palestinian blood.' The complaint is still pending. Reps for Park Slope Food Co-op Members for Palestine could not be reached for comment, but they wrote in an open letter that they back a boycott on Israel-made products to ensure the co-op is 'not supporting an apartheid government and unfolding genocide.' Joe Holtz, co-founder of the food co-op, said the PSFC 'is against discrimination of any kind' and declined further comment. Advertisement The co-op, founded in 1973, requires its 16,000-plus members to work 2.75-hour shifts every six weeks, in exchange for the privilege of purchasing heavily discounted groceries and voting on store policies. The city intends to review 'the troubling events at the co-op' and will respond to Torres 'with more information,' said mayoral spokeswoman Sophia Askari. 'Mayor Adams has been clear that far too often we see antisemitic propaganda masquerading as activism, and it has led to an unacceptable rise in antisemitism throughout our city and country,' said Askari. 'This is on full display in incidents at the Park Slope Food Co-op — where Jewish people are being harassed simply for being Jewish.' Hochul spokesperson Matthew Janiszewski said the governor has a long history of taking 'aggressive action to fight antisemitism in New York,' but he added the office cannot comment on pending investigations before the Division of Human Rights.
