All articles tagged with #pro israel
UCLA police arrested 18-year-old Edan On for a violent attack on a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, marking the first arrest related to the incident. On, identified by CNN and confirmed by his mother, was booked on suspicion of felony assault with a deadly weapon. The attack has led to intense scrutiny of UCLA's security measures and law enforcement's response.
More than 20 progressive groups have formed a coalition called Reject AIPAC to counter pro-Israel groups' efforts to challenge liberal members critical of Israel's military offensive in Gaza. The coalition aims to protect and promote pro-Palestinian members and candidates, highlighting national polling showing Democratic voter alignment with their stances. AIPAC, which has historically wielded immense clout in Washington, has shifted its strategy to challenge Democratic incumbents in primaries and is expected to spend over $50 million this cycle targeting progressive candidates.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer is set to challenge Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the Democratic primary for a suburban New York House seat. The race is expected to become a battleground for Democratic divisions over support for Israel, as Latimer is staunchly pro-Israel while Bowman has supported pro-Palestinian stances. Pro-Israel groups are likely to back Latimer, while Bowman has received early endorsements from fellow Squad member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Working Families Party. Latimer, who has a strong record of winning elections, is expected to receive support from local and national Jewish leaders. The race will likely focus on Bowman's stance on Israel, as well as his lack of presence in the district and a recent misdemeanor charge.
The upcoming special election in a New York district with a significant Jewish population is expected to be highly competitive. Former Rep. Tom Suozzi is likely to be the Democratic candidate, known for his strong pro-Israel stance. On the Republican side, Nassau Country legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip, an Ethiopian Jewish refugee with ties to the local Persian and Orthodox Jewish communities, is seen as a top contender. Both candidates are expected to make a play for the Jewish vote, with Israel and fear of antisemitism being key issues. The outcome of the election will be influenced by the impact of the scandal involving former Rep. George Santos and the GOP's ability to maintain support in the district.
New York Mayor Eric Adams has condemned the "vile show of antisemitism" that occurred at Hillcrest High School in Queens, where a Jewish teacher had to hide in a locked office as pro-Palestinian students rampaged through the school. The demonstration was sparked by the teacher sharing a photo of herself at a pro-Israeli demonstration on social media. The incident resulted in the arrest of an 18-year-old for allegedly posting threats. Mayor Adams emphasized that such hatred will not be tolerated in any of the city's schools. The NYPD's counterterrorism bureau is investigating potential threats arising from the incident.
A teacher at Hillcrest High School in Queens, New York, was forced to hide in a locked office as hundreds of "radicalized" students rioted for nearly two hours after discovering that she had attended a pro-Israel rally. The students organized a protest over the teacher's Facebook profile photo showing her at the rally, resulting in chaos and vandalism throughout the school. The NYPD responded to the incident, and the teacher was safely escorted out of the building. The incident highlights concerns about antisemitism and teacher safety in schools. Several students involved in organizing the riot may face suspensions.
A college professor, Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, pleaded not guilty to charges of personally inflicting "great bodily injury" on Paul Kessler, a pro-Israel demonstrator who died following a confrontation at a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Thousand Oaks, California. Ventura County authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime but stated that they currently lack evidence to support hate crime charges. Alnaji's lawyer claims that video footage will clear his client, suggesting that Alnaji unintentionally hit Kessler while defending himself against profanities and a phone being shoved in his face. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are urging witnesses to come forward with information.
Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted and attacked a pro-Israel prayer rally in Cape Town, South Africa, resulting in the cancellation of the event. The protesters threatened and assaulted pro-Israel demonstrators with guns and knives. The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) stated that Mandla Mandela, Nelson Mandela's grandson, was one of the main instigators of the violence. The clashes between the two groups escalated, with police using stun grenades and water cannons to disperse the violence. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies condemned the violence, while the Cape Town Mayor condemned the disruptions and hate speech from both sides.
Paul Kessler, an elderly Jewish man, died during a clash with a pro-Palestinian protester in Los Angeles. Kessler, seen as a symbol of strength against growing antisemitic hate, was protecting his belief in the right of Jewish people to live without fear. Witnesses claim he was beaten over the head with a microphone after being stalked by the protester. While his death has been ruled a homicide, the cause of his fall remains unclear. The incident has raised concerns within the local Jewish community, but religious leaders are urging caution and trust in law enforcement. A small private vigil was held in Kessler's memory, and investigators are seeking video evidence to determine criminal culpability.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Office in California has stated that they do not have video footage of the "actual incident" that led to the fatal injury of a Jewish man during a pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstration. Paul Kessler, 69, died after striking his head in a fall during an altercation with a suspect supporting Palestinians. The sheriff's office is actively investigating the case and is seeking any available video evidence. Conflicting witness accounts and the lack of footage make it difficult to determine the exact nature of the interaction between the two individuals. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
A pro-Palestinian college professor, Loay Alnaji, was questioned by police at the scene of Paul Kessler's death in Thousand Oaks, California. Kessler, a pro-Israel activist, died after sustaining injuries during a clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine protesters. The death has been ruled a homicide, and the investigation is ongoing. Alnaji, who has not been named as a suspect, was filmed speaking to a police officer at the scene. He is a professor of computer science at Moorpark College, and his faculty profile has been taken down.
A witness claims that the Jewish man who died during a clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters in California was "stalked" by his alleged attacker, who struck him with a megaphone moments before his fatal fall. The witness recounts how the attacker first approached him and put the megaphone against his ear before moving on to the victim, who was standing across the street with an Israeli flag. The victim sustained serious head injuries and later died in the hospital. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing.
Authorities in Southern California are investigating the death of a Jewish man, Paul Kessler, who fell and struck his head during a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator at a demonstration in Thousand Oaks. Conflicting witness accounts have made it unclear what led to the fall, and investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a hate crime. No arrests have been made, and officials are asking for video footage to aid in their investigation. Tensions have been escalating in the United States amid the Israel-Hamas war, and authorities are urging the public to refrain from spreading rumors or misinformation.
The Democratic Party is experiencing a major split over pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian factions, which could potentially tear the party apart for a "generation," according to a Wall Street Journal report. Progressive and leftist politicians and commentators are engaged in a public battle over Israel, with some feeling abandoned by the party and others believing that the party does not care about pro-Palestinian factions. This division has led to declining poll numbers for President Biden among young and minority voters. The debate over the Israel-Hamas war has also spilled into the White House, with Muslim leaders criticizing Biden for not showing enough empathy for Palestinians.
Tensions have escalated on college campuses in the United States as students react to the Israel-Hamas war. Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian student groups are clashing, with some blaming Israel for the violence and others expressing support for Palestinian resistance. The situation has raised concerns about potential antisemitic violence and has led to divisions among students and university leaders. Lawmakers are emphasizing the need to distinguish between Hamas's actions and support for the Palestinian people more broadly. The conflict has reignited frustrations on both sides and has sparked debates about vilifying Palestinians and fostering hate crimes against Arabs. Campuses are now grappling with how to support their students during this uncertain period.