All articles tagged with #hamas attacks
The U.S. Department of Education alleges Columbia University no longer meets accreditation standards due to its handling of antisemitism following Hamas attacks on Israel, risking loss of federal funding; the university disputes the claims and continues to work on campus safety and compliance.
Quentin Tarantino has decided to shelve his planned final film, "The Movie Critic," following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which has deeply affected him due to his Israeli family ties. This decision has left Brad Pitt, who was set to star in the film, particularly devastated. The project had been progressing well with significant financial backing and tax incentives from California, but Tarantino's change of heart has led him to reconsider his future projects while focusing on his family.
Jerry Seinfeld became emotional while discussing his recent trip to Israel after the October 7 Hamas attacks during an interview with Bari Weiss. He also addressed the anti-Israel protests he has faced in the U.S., including being heckled during a stand-up gig and a commencement speech. Seinfeld expressed his support for Israel and reflected on the powerful impact of his visit.
Germany will provide a one-time payment of $236 to 113,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel to help them cope with the impacts of the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, with a total compensation of $27 million. The payments are aimed at providing support in the wake of the deadly attacks and are being distributed in cooperation with the Claims Conference and the Israeli government. This move is seen as a gesture of solidarity and support from Germany to Israel, given the special relationship between the two countries due to the Holocaust.
Germany will provide a one-time payment of $236 to 113,000 Holocaust survivors in Israel to help them cope with the impacts of the Hamas-led October 7 attacks, with a total compensation of $27 million. The payments are aimed at providing support in the wake of the deadly attacks and as a gesture of solidarity from Germany to Israel, with the German government emphasizing its special relationship with Israel due to the Holocaust.
French President Macron led a ceremony at the Invalides military complex in Paris to honor the 42 French and dual French-Israeli nationals killed in the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, describing it as "the largest antisemitic attack of our century." The somber event, the first of its kind held outside of Israel, included a tribute to the victims, with three chairs left empty to mark the hostages believed still in captivity. Macron condemned the rise in antisemitic attacks and drew parallels between the 7 October attacks and jihadist attacks in France. The presence of far-left France Unbowed (LFI) members at the ceremony sparked criticism, with relatives of the victims and hostages expressing disapproval.
Senator John Fetterman criticized Harvard for hosting Palestinian professor Dr. Dalal Saeb Iriqat, who blamed Israel for the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, calling it "truly appalled" and stating that such hate has no place in sanctioned dialogue. Harvard defended the event, stating that the purpose is to provide a venue for debate and discussion, including views that many may find repugnant. The series will feature speakers with diverse perspectives, including former senior adviser to President Trump Jared Kushner and former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Salam Fayyad.
Palestinian prisoners and rights organizations have reported a surge in abuses and torture in Israeli jails following Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks, with one group alleging that prison officers are seeking "revenge" on inmates. The number of "security inmates" has risen by 66%, with reports of sexual assault, humiliation, and degradation. Israeli officials deny the allegations, but rights groups express concern that the treatment of prisoners may lead to radicalization and create more determined opponents.
CNN, the New York Times, the Associated Press, and Reuters have denied having any prior knowledge of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, following allegations that freelance photographers may have been embedded with the terrorist group. The media outlets stated that they were not aware of the attacks and have severed ties with the photographers in question. The Israeli government has accused the photographers of being accomplices to the attacks, but the media organizations have refuted these claims, emphasizing that their journalists were documenting the events as they unfolded.
A senior Hamas official abruptly ended a BBC interview when questioned about the killing of Israeli civilians by the terrorist organization. The official claimed that the deaths were unintentional and a result of attacking military targets, but evidence suggests that Hamas deliberately targeted civilians. Following the Hamas attacks, Israel has responded with airstrikes on Gaza, leading to a rising death toll and a potential escalation of the conflict.
Screenwriter Dan Gordon, known for films like "The Hurricane" and "Wyatt Earp," has resigned from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) due to the guild's silence on the Hamas attacks on Israel. Gordon, a veteran of the Israel Defense Forces, criticized the WGA for taking stands on other social justice issues but failing to condemn the attacks. He has elected "financial core" status, which limits his participation in guild activities. The WGA leadership issued an apology, explaining their distinction between domestic and international issues. While some writers have condemned the attacks and criticized the WGA, others have urged the guilds to reject pressure to issue a statement, fearing it could be seen as endorsing Israel's response.
In response to the recent Hamas attack in southern Israel, civilians from various backgrounds are volunteering to support the war effort. Chava Kovacs, an ultra-Orthodox mother of seven, and her husband have been hosting a Sephardi haredi family of eight who fled from Ashdod since the beginning of the war. Despite their differences, the families have formed a bond, with Chava's children enjoying showing their new friends around. The Kovacs family has received help from a local kindness kitchen and is making extra food to accommodate everyone. This experience has allowed Chava to get closer to the example of Henny Machlis, a renowned figure known for her charitable work and hospitality. Chava hopes that her children will remember this time as a positive experience amidst the war.
President Biden will deliver an address from the Oval Office on Thursday to discuss the U.S. response to Hamas' attacks against Israel and Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The speech comes after Biden's trip to Israel, where he expressed support for the country and emphasized the need for humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The president is also planning to ask Congress for a $100 billion aid package that includes funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific countries. The U.S. has sent significant aid to Ukraine but warns that additional support may be delayed without action from Congress. Emergency aid for Israel has bipartisan support, but efforts to provide funding have stalled.
President Joe Biden recalled the car crash in 1972 that killed his wife and daughter while meeting with Israeli first responders in Tel Aviv. He shared his own experience of trauma after receiving a phone call informing him of their deaths. Biden also acknowledged the nurses who treated his surviving sons. The president strongly condemned the recent Hamas attacks on Israel, labeling them as atrocities and comparing them to the worst ravages of ISIS.
Piers Morgan criticized Pro-Palestinian protests in Europe, particularly in Berlin, where Jews were warned not to publicly express their faith due to anti-Israel sentiment. Morgan condemned the demonstrations for lacking criticism of Hamas' attacks on Israeli citizens and called the spread of disinformation, including by the BBC, "complete nonsense." Germany has cracked down on pro-Palestinian demonstrations following violent incidents, and Israel declared war on Hamas after rocket attacks and invasions. Morgan described the protests and rhetoric surrounding the attacks as "completely disgusting."