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Actress Patricia Heaton Mobilizes Christians to Combat Anti-Semitism in America

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Actress Patricia Heaton Mobilizes Christians to Combat Anti-Semitism in America

Edited by: Fern Sidman

Actress Patricia Heaton, renowned for her roles in “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle,” is calling on Christians to actively oppose the growing tide of anti-Semitism in the United States. In an  interview on Saturday with Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade, Heaton expressed her shock and dismay at the lack of response from churches following the release of disturbing body cam footage from Hamas terrorists, which showed graphic acts of violence during the October 7th massacre in which 1200 Israelis and others were brutally murdered.

“You could see that body cam footage from Hamas where they were gleefully murdering people, and I was astonished and horrified, and then I looked around, assuming that the churches would also be horrified and outraged, and I wasn’t hearing anything. It was like crickets,” Heaton recounted to Fox’s Kilmeade. Motivated by this silence, Heaton took to Instagram to challenge her followers, asking, “If you had been a German during World War II, don’t you hope that you would have been a German who stood by your Jewish neighbors and hid your Jewish neighbors? Well, today is your opportunity, and I still believe that.”

Heaton is among the founders of the October 7 Coalition, an organization that has emerged in response to the recent rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the United States. Fox News reported that this network of Christians is dedicated to speaking out against hatred and supporting the Jewish community, especially in the wake of attacks by Hamas on Israeli residential areas last October, which have since escalated into ongoing conflict.

The coalition is collaborating with JewBelong, a nonprofit organization committed to raising awareness about anti-Semitism and promoting Jewish inclusivity. According to the information provided in the Fox News report, together, they are launching a nationwide campaign featuring pink and white billboards with potent messages aimed at combating hate. Fox News also reported that some of the billboards read, “Jewish students deserve to be safe on campus” and “You don’t have to be a Jew to protect Jews.”

Archie Gottesman, the founder of JewBelong, noted a troubling trend of silence within the Jewish community since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began. As per the Fox News report, this silence, according to Gottesman, calls attention to the need for initiatives such as those spearheaded by the October 7 Coalition to galvanize action and foster solidarity.

By leveraging her public platform, Heaton hopes to inspire others to take a proactive stance in protecting their Jewish neighbors and ensuring that history does not repeat itself.

“Those of us who are speaking out have been feeling very, very alone,” Heaton shared with Kilmeade during the Fox News interview/ She emphasized the statistical reality that Jews make up only 2% of the U.S. population. “Even if all of them spoke out, it’s not enough. We need allies,” she stressed during the Fox News interview. pointing to the necessity of a broader coalition to effectively combat anti-Semitism.

The need for such a coalition has become increasingly apparent amid a disturbing rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the nation. Colleges and universities have reported numerous hate incidents, and Jewish-owned businesses have also been targeted. These acts of hate are not just theoretical; they manifest in tangible and terrifying ways. The Fox News report  cited some examples including a New York deli was defaced with a swastika, a chilling reminder of the Nazi regime’s symbol of hate. In a particularly egregious case, a retired pastor was found to have drawn a swastika on his Jewish neighbor’s groceries, highlighting the pervasive and insidious nature of such bigotry.

Perhaps the most harrowing incident occurred in Las Vegas, where a special needs Jewish student came home with a swastika etched into his back. Fox News also reported that this grotesque act of violence sparked outrage and prompted legal action, illustrating the severe emotional and physical toll these hate crimes inflict on victims and their families.

Heaton drew a stark parallel between today’s anti-Semitism and the horrors of the past, particularly the Holocaust. “Maybe back in 1939, people didn’t know what was going on. We know what’s going on, and it is up to us as Christians to do something about it,” she asserted during the Fox News broadcast.

Heaton’s call to action is not just about raising awareness but about inspiring tangible change. “The Jewish people are feeling very, very alone and they need to know we will stand by them,” she emphasized during the Fox News interview. Her message is clear: the fight against anti-Semitism is not just a Jewish issue but a human issue that demands a unified response.

New York City is witnessing a disturbing trend in hate crimes, particularly anti-Semitic incidents, which are on pace to increase for the fourth consecutive year, according to a June 6th report on the Fox News web site.  Recent data highlights a significant surge in these crimes, coinciding with a rise in anti-Israel demonstrations on major college campuses.

According to the most recent data available, New York City recorded 276 hate crime complaints by May 31, a notable increase from the 210 incidents reported during the same period in 2023. As per the information provided in the Fox News report, this uptick is almost entirely attributable to a significant rise in anti-Semitic incidents, which jumped from 97 to 164. These numbers indicate a worrying trend in the Big Apple, where anti-Semitism continues to be the most prevalent form of hate crime.

The spike in anti-Semitic incidents has closely followed a wave of anti-Israel demonstrations at prominent universities, including Columbia University and New York University. Fox News reported that  Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, pointed out the clear connection between these campus activities and the rise in street-level hate crimes. “That’s no coincidence,” Giacalone remarked to Fox News as he emphasized how the rhetoric and images from these demonstrations influence public behavior.

Giacalone explained to Fox News, “What we’ve seen on college campuses has carried over into the street, so to speak. People see this, they get bombarded with these images from TV and social media, and then act upon it.” This observation highlights the powerful role media and public demonstrations play in shaping societal attitudes and behaviors, often leading to real-world consequences.

Giacalone criticized university leaders for their inadequate response to early complaints of anti-Semitism during the anti-Israel protests. He argued that their inaction and, in some cases, protection of professors who have propagated anti-Israel sentiments for years, have exacerbated the situation. “Not only did they not act, but they’re also protecting their professors that have been teaching this stuff for decades,” Giacalone told Fox News. This failure, he suggests, has allowed anti-Semitic attitudes to flourish unchecked on campuses, contributing to the broader rise in hate crimes.

Recent events at Columbia University have highlighted the increasingly visible and contentious issue of anti-Semitism. Faculty members reportedly aided student protesters by physically blocking critics from accessing a makeshift encampment on school grounds. They formed a human chain around students wearing keffiyehs, a symbol often associated with Palestinian solidarity, to shield them from opposition, as was indicated in the Fox News report. This encampment, which had taken over a portion of the university’s Hamilton Hall, was eventually dismantled after school leaders requested intervention from the New York Police Department (NYPD).

The increase in anti-Semitic incidents in New York City is reflective of a larger, concerning trend. The data suggests that anti-Semitism remains deeply entrenched and is being perpetuated through various societal channels, including higher education institutions, according to the Fox News report.  The recent surge in hate crimes can be seen as part of a broader pattern of intolerance that is not confined to New York but is also observable in other parts of the United States and around the world.

 

Thinking of Spending Time on the French Riviera This Summer?  Think Again !!

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Thinking of Spending Time on the French Riviera This Summer?  Think Again !!

Jews from America and around the world have often made the French Riviera their preferred summer vacation destination; spending several weeks or even months there.  Tragically, times have changed as the most egregious manifestations of anti-Semitism have become all too commonplace throughout France, especially since the brutal Hamas massacre of 1200 Israelis and others in southern Israel on October 7th. In the immediate aftermath of the sadistic assault, an avalanche of anti-Israel hatred has been unleashed globally and it is particularly pronounced in France. This should come as no surprise to any student of history, as France has morphed into a hotbed of visceral Jew hatred in the last several decades.

Having said this, it would be well advised for Jewish travelers to seek alternative destinations for their upcoming summer vacations rather than spending their hard earned dollars in a country that is replete with government endorsed anti-Semitic policies. Moreover, safety concerns should take precedence in any decision making process regarding the selection of any vacation destination.  Scholars on contemporary anti-Semitism have noted that statistics reveal that Jew hatred in Europe and the United States has increased dramatically; to the point where some have compared it to pre-Holocaust Europe; circa 1938. Others have said that this perennial form of prejudice is totally off the charts; an ominous phenomenon that is on a grease slide with no brakes.

The recent European elections in France have reignited an age-old question that carries profound weight and urgency: “Est-ce bon pour les juifs?” — “Is it good for the Jews?” This question, typically emerging during periods of crisis, takes on an existential dimension in the current political climate. For the first time in French history, the country stands on the precipice of being governed by coalitions from both ends of the political spectrum, each harboring the specter of anti-Semitism.

The National Rally’s (RN) unprecedented success in last week’s elections for the European Parliament has sent shockwaves through France. Under the leadership of Jordan Bardella, a protégé of Marine Le Pen, the RN secured over 30% of the vote, outpacing President Emmanuel Macron’s party and closely followed by the Socialist list led by Raphaël Glucksmann. This victory, however, is more than a mere numerical triumph; it signifies a disturbing shift in the political landscape.

Historically, the RN has been confined to specific regions, but its latest victory shows a broader appeal, extending even to Île-de-France, including Paris, traditionally a bastion of anti-RN sentiment. Moreover, the party has attracted demographic groups that previously shunned it, such as older and university-educated voters. This shift in voter base underscores a growing normalization of the RN’s ideology, which remains fundamentally ethno-nationalist, anti-immigrant, anti-European, and anti-pluralist, despite efforts to cleanse its image.

Marine Le Pen’s strategic rebranding of the RN, distancing it from its Nazi-adjacent, anti-Semitic, and Vichy sympathizer roots, including expelling her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, has undoubtedly played a role in this success. Yet, the core tenets of the party remain unchanged. The RN’s façade of respectability belies a deeply ingrained anti-Semitic undercurrent. Jean-Marie Le Pen’s infamous assertion that the Holocaust was a “detail of history” casts a long shadow over the party’s rhetoric and policies.

Moreover, the simultaneous rise of anti-Semitic sentiments on the far-left compounds this threat. While the RN’s anti-Semitism is overt, the far-left’s anti-Semitic tendencies often masquerade under the guise of anti-Zionism, complicating efforts to combat them. This dual-front menace necessitates a robust and unequivocal response from all sectors of French society.

Case in point: The Jewish News Syndicate web site recently reported that “a French district court banned all Israeli nationals from participating in Eurosatory, the largest international exhibition for land and air-land defense and security.

The decision follows the May 31 announcement by the French Armed Forces Ministry banning all Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at the show. Seventy-four Israeli firms were set to exhibit at the event, which takes place every two years at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center.

Under the May 31 ban, individual Israeli citizens were still permitted to attend the trade show, which takes place on June 17-21. However, an anti-Israel group challenged that concession in French court. They argued that Israeli citizens might act as intermediaries for their country’s defense firms.

The court agreed, ordering the trade fair to ban all Israeli citizens, maintaining that allowing them into the event was a loophole that might permit the participation of Israeli defense companies through their representatives.

The court called the event organizers’ decision to allow Israelis into the fair blatantly illegal. The court also called on Eurosatory’s organizers to post the decision at the entrances of the exhibition center where the event is held.”

In a dramatic move that has sent shockwaves through the French political landscape, President Emmanuel Macron took to national television on the night of the European election results to announce the dissolution of the National Assembly and the calling of new legislative elections. This unprecedented decision, only the second time in the 66-year history of the Fifth Republic, comes at a critical juncture as France grapples with the rising tide of extremism and anti-Semitism.

Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure aptly captured the sentiment of this historic moment, proclaiming, “We have succeeded. A page of French history is now being written.”

At the heart of this coalition lies a significant ideological rift between Jean-Luc Mélenchon of Defiant France and Raphaël Glucksmann of the Socialist Party. Mélenchon’s recent assertion that France has only a “residual” amount of antisemitism has sparked outrage and underscored the deep divisions within the left. Glucksmann, a vocal critic of Mélenchon’s stance, has been adamant that any coalition agreement must include unequivocal commitments to fundamental principles.

In a recent radio interview, Glucksmann emphasized that all parties involved in the coalition have agreed on key issues: recognizing the October 7 events as a terrorist massacre, committing to the fight against anti-Semitism, and supporting Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression. These principles, he argues, are non-negotiable and essential for the coalition’s credibility and moral standing.

Glucksmann’s insistence on these points is a response to Mélenchon’s evasiveness on matters of anti-Semitism and international solidarity. By securing agreement on these principles, Glucksmann aims to ensure that the coalition stands on a firm ethical foundation.

The upcoming legislative elections in France have cast a long shadow over the nation’s Jewish community, leaving many in a state of despair and confusion. A recent poll by the French Institute of Public Opinion (IFOP) reveals a stark reality: 92% of Jewish respondents believe that the extreme-left La France insoumise (LFI) is responsible for the rise of anti-Semitism in France, while only half attribute the same to the Rassemblement national (RN). This sentiment is so pervasive that nearly 60% of respondents would consider leaving France if an LFI member became prime minister, compared to 37% under an RN government.

This data underscores a profound crisis of trust and safety among French Jews, who find themselves trapped between two political extremes, both marred by anti-Semitic associations. The emergence of a new Popular Front coalition, aimed at challenging both Macron’s Renaissance Party and Le Pen’s National Rally, has yet to provide the reassurance or hope that many in the Jewish community desperately seek.

The palpable sense of unease was eloquently articulated by Rabbi Delphine Horvilleur in a recent sermon in Paris. Drawing from the Torah, she highlighted its role as an inspiration for the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen and the constitutions of Western democracies. Yet, she lamented the current state of the Republic, likening the Jewish community’s plight to an exile in the desert, uncertain of when, or if, they will find a place of safety and acceptance.

This metaphor of the desert is a powerful reminder of the Jewish historical experience of wandering and searching for a homeland. Today, French Jews face a similar existential uncertainty, exacerbated by the political landscape. The extreme-left’s failure to unequivocally condemn anti-Semitism and the extreme-right’s historical and ongoing associations with anti-Semitic ideologies create a scenario where the community feels besieged on all fronts.

The mainstream political discourse must unequivocally reject anti-Semitism in all its forms. This involves holding accountable those who perpetuate hate, regardless of their political affiliation, and fostering an environment where diversity and inclusion are celebrated, not vilified. Educational initiatives, community outreach, and stringent legal measures must be employed to counteract the normalization of anti-Semitic rhetoric.

In conclusion, the question “Is it good for the Jews?” encapsulates a broader concern for the health of French democracy. The rise of the National Rally and the persistence of anti-Semitic attitudes across the political spectrum represent a significant threat to the Jewish community and to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. It is imperative that French society confronts and dismantles these toxic ideologies, ensuring that the country’s political future is one of inclusion and respect for all its citizens.

Shame on Barbra Streisand – Self Described Feminist Who Remained Silent on Rape of Israeli Women by Hamas

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Shame on Barbra Streisand – Self Described Feminist Who Remained Silent on Rape of Israeli Women by Hamas

Edited by: TJVNews.com

The Genesis Prize Foundation (GPF) honored Barbra Streisand on June 6th at a special event in Los Angeles, celebrating her as the recipient of the 10th anniversary Genesis Prize. According to a press release from the foundation, Streisand, a multifaceted artist known for her work as an actor, director, producer, author, screenwriter, singer, and songwriter, was recognized for her lifelong pursuit of “social justice” and her unwavering commitment to being a “force for good.”

Established in 2014, the Genesis Prize has been described by TIME Magazine as “The Jewish Nobel Prize.” The annual $1 million award honors individuals who have achieved outstanding professional success, contributed significantly to humanity, and demonstrated a strong commitment to Jewish values. The inaugural laureate was Michael R. Bloomberg, the former Mayor of New York City, businessman, and philanthropist. Other distinguished past honorees include Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Natan Sharansky, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Robert Kraft, Steven Spielberg, and Itzhak Perlman.

The Genesis Foundation claims that Streisand’s activism and philanthropic endeavors are deeply rooted in her Jewish values and upbringing, embodying the principles of tikkun olam, or repairing the world. They say that she has dedicated much of her life to social justice, fighting discrimination, and addressing inequality.

In line with the tradition of all Genesis Prize laureates, Streisand has chosen to donate her $1 million prize to several nonprofit organizations that align with her values and priorities. The funds will support initiatives in women’s health, climate change, truth in the public sphere, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The organizations benefiting from her generosity include: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) which assists in bringing Muslim immigrants to America, United 24: A Ukrainian government initiative aimed at collecting charitable donations to support Ukraine. Women’s Heart Alliance: Focused on combating heart disease in women through awareness, research, and prevention. League of Conservation Voters Education Fund: Works to promote environmental education and advocacy. National Resources Defense Council: A nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. UCLA Center for Truth in the Public Sphere: An institution committed to promoting truth and combating misinformation in public discourse.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Stan Polovets, Founder and Chairman of The Genesis Prize Foundation,  emphasized Streisand’s connection to her Jewish identity, which has been a driving force behind her activism: “We honor her exemplary connection to her Jewish identity. This connection inspires and empowers her to be a force for good in this world – just as our Jewish tradition prescribes.”

Polovets is a prominent American businessman and philanthropist, recognized for his significant contributions to the international energy sector and his innovative philanthropic endeavors. His career spans across high-stakes ventures and influential board memberships, reflecting his versatility and leadership.

Polovets gained prominence through his pivotal role in the establishment and operation of TNK-BP, one of the largest joint ventures in the global energy industry. TNK-BP, a collaboration between the Russian company TNK and British Petroleum (BP), was formed in 2003 and quickly became a powerhouse in the energy sector. Under Polovets’s leadership, the venture controlled more than 18% of Russia’s total oil production. His strategic acumen was critical during the company’s decade-long operation, culminating in its historic divestment. In 2013, TNK-BP was sold for a record $55 billion, marking one of the largest transactions in the industry’s history.

Barbara Streisand’s past is quite telling. Having aligned herself with liberal, leftist causes dating back to her support for Daniel Ellsberg and other prominent leftists, Streisand describes herself as a feminist and a liberal and that for her, politics is not a private matter.

Streisand openly supports liberal politicians. She performed at a fundraiser for Bill Clinton when he was running for president; she also supported Hilary Clinton’s 2008 campaign, then shifted her support to Barack Obama when he won the nomination. She adds that she was horrified by Donald Trump’s presidency and wrote the song “Don’t Lie to Me” in protest against him.

To give an example of her political views, Streisand’s official website has reposted an article from the New York Times—written shortly before the 2016 election—discussing the impact of liberal feminism and Obama’s presidency on white men in the US. In brief, the article says that many white men, who are generally used to having power, respect, and money, have failed (or refused) to change with the times. Therefore, Trump’s popularity was the result of men’s fury at a world that they believe is leaving them behind. While the facts and details of that article are open for debate, the fact that Streisand’s website is hosting it implies that Streisand believes what it says.

The Barbra Streisand Center for Truth in the Public Sphere is the first of four planned centers of the Barbra Streisand Institute and had its inaugural lecture on September 12, 2023. Streisand gave the opening remarks, wherein she discussed the importance of truth in politics and the damage caused by lies, especially what she called the “Big Lie” that Biden had stolen the 2020 election.

Barbra Streisand,1962. Credit: Library of Congress, New York World-Telegram & Sun Collection via Wikimedia Commons.

Since October 7th, Streisand has been strangely silent on social media concerning Hamas’  brutal massacre of 1200 Israelis and others and the abduction of 250 others. This really comes as no surprise as Streisand identifies as a liberal and has done little or nothing in the way of supporting Israel during this crisis. She understands full well that the woke, progressive crowd has dominated the political narrative in Hollywood for many years now and as such, she labors assiduously not to appear too Jewish or to rally around her people, lest her image as a liberal “do gooder” be shattered to pieces. The fact of the matter remains that she has never really championed any Jewish cause, other than asking that people donate to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. She has never called for the destruction of Hamas, but rather spends her time these days defending and promoting Joe Biden, in the real fear that he may lose the upcoming presidential election in November.

She does nothing to hide her seething animosity towards Donald Trump and has never acknowledged the fact that under his leadership, the US embassy in Israel was finally moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and that the Golan Heights are now officially recognized as Israeli territory.  This does not impress Streisand as her main objective is to see a suicidal two state solution implemented in Israel in order that Israel will ultimately be destroyed by Hamas and Hezbollah.

Earlier this month Streisand took to her account of X.com and posted the following:  “I was honored to receive a call from the President of Israel @Isaac_Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog discussing the 10th Anniversary @TheGenesisPrize, which I was so grateful to receive this year.  We rejoiced in the rescue of four Israeli hostages, and discussed the ongoing hope that all the hostages be released immediately, peace remain an imperative for all, and that a goal of a two-state solution is never lost.  I look forward to working together with The First Lady on future initiatives that can help end the suffering in the region, and highlight the treatment of female hostages.”

Om June 12th, Streisand also posted the following:  “It goes without saying that hostages are suffering and must be released now. There is an additional horror for female hostages. What they endure in terms of sexual violence should be – as the UN said, “clear and convincing” to all. It should also be unequivocally denounced.”

It is quite curious that Streisand, after eight months since the now infamous Hamas attack on Israel, has finally piped up about the horrific rapes and mutilations of Israeli women and girls by the Iranian-backed terrorists from Gaza.  After all, she has identified as a feminist for decades but when it came to speaking out for Jewish women who were savagely and sadistically raped, she remained mum, until this point.

It is also noteworthy to mention that in her recent post on X.com, she linked to a New York Times article from March about the veracity of the rape allegations against Israeli women. Where was she from March until now?  Being with rallying the troops for Joe Biden?

Could it possibly be that now that she has won the Genesis Prize, the time has come to payback Israel for helping her to support all the non-Jewish and even anti-Jewish causes she has dedicated herself to? Could it be that the Herzogs and others behind the scenes at the Genesis Prize selection committee now have the authority to ask Streisand to speak up for her people rather than proudly aligning herself with those that seek our destruction and hers as well?

We will let those who commented on her posts on X.com have the final say. In reaction to Streisand’s post on receiving a call from Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife Michal, someone named “ConserValidity” said:  “Great Barbara. Did you mention how hard you’re fighting to reelect the leader of the Jew hating “squad”, Biden – who reversed Trump’s sanctions to enrich “Death to Israel” Iran, which has been funding rapist barbarian Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis – as they wage war on Israel?” He added: “Oh, don’t forget to throw in the fact that you’re loyally supporting the people who, in the middle of Israel’s war: Are blocking needed weapon shipments, which have already been approved by congress, in order to save the Hamas Islamist Nazis.”

Someone named D Mozer also responded to Streisand’s post by saying, “Shame on you and your implied support for a 2 state solution so revered by Barbra the communist … I detest Traitors …”

In regards to Streisand’s post about the “additional horror for female hostages” and what they endure in terms of sexual violence, Streisand’s detractors did not hold back in their responses on X.com.

Reaction from Stella Paul – “Why are you finally speaking out now? Got a record to promote? It’s been 8 months and your Democrat friends support this anti-Semitic horror.”

Reaction from Florida Mama – “What took you so long? Are you afraid of upsetting your friends and fans?”

Reaction from Olia – “Did you just get a memo from Democratic Party that it’s running low on donations from major Jewish donors and needs a boost on social media? There is no other way to explain your sudden change of silence about Israeli hostages.”

Reaction from maitri – “There are no words that I as a Jew can say to you without being suspended. You have betrayed your own people by still believing in this administration that has stabbed Israel in the back for your own insecurity and desire to fit in . Used to admire you. Not anymore.”

Reaction from GardenGuru – “Very brave Babs, finally. Quoting the anti-Semitic UN, a nice touch.”

 

 

Saudi Arabia Drifts Away from Washington and the Dollar

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Mises Wire-Ryan McMaken

Earlier this week, those of us who follow news about the US dollar’s global status noticed numerous claims that the US-Saudi petrodollar agreement had “expired” and that the Saudis would now sell oil for many currencies other than dollars. Some versions of the story even claimed the Chinese yuan would replace the dollar.

The reports appear to have originated either in India or in publications that cater to crypto investors. Fervor over the story was large enough that economist Paul Donovan at UBS felt the need to clarify that there have not actually been any big, new developments in Saudi-US currency relations.
It now seems clear that these reports of an alleged formal petrodollar “contract” did indeed get several key facts wrong. First of all, the Saudis’ turn toward embracing currencies other than dollars is not new. Moreover, there is no known formal treaty or contract between the US and Saudi Arabia—least of all one with an expiration date.
One could reasonably argue, however, that these reports of the decline of the petrodollar are only wrong in their particulars. The reports do reflect a real-world trend, however, and that’s likely why the stories about the end of petrodollar may seem plausible to many. The Kingdom of Saudi Araba (KSA) has been increasingly moving further away from the US orbit in recent years, and this is reflected in an increased willingness to settle oil deals in non-dollar currencies. There are also other indications that the Saudis are more and more willing to embrace Washington’s adversaries—such as China and Iran and Russia—in spite of Washington’s objections. While short run changes may seem minor, the current trend in US-Saudi relations points to an overall and significant decline in US global influence.
What Is a Petrodollar?
So, what is this petrodollar “deal” that is under threat? It’s an informal deal—dating from 1974—between the US and Saudi Arabia under which the Saudis agree to sell oil only for dollars. The deal also stipulates that the Saudis will invest their excess dollars in US Treasurys. Why does this deal exist? From the American perspective, the deal helps to prop up the US dollar. It is not a coincidence that the deal dates form the early 1970s in the wake of the 1971 Nixon Shock and the closing of the gold window. Moreover, the deal maintains a ready market for ever-growing amounts of US Treasurys as federal deficit spending continually grows.
When the Americans conceived of the petrodollar arrangement, the KSA was the largest oil-producing country and a dollars-only trade ensured continued prestige for the dollar. For the Saudis, this close relationship brings certain implied security guarantees from Washington. That is, the Saudi regime knows that so long as it remains an important component of dollar policy, the US will intervene militarily, if necessary, to ensure the continued existence of the Saudi state.
New Threats to the Petrodollar System
Over time, however, geopolitical realities evolve and Saudi willingness to engage in non-dollar oil trades finally became a publicly-stated policy of the KSA regime in January 2023. As we reported here at mises.org last year, the Saudi finance minister stated that “There are no issues with discussing how we settle our trade arrangements, whether it is in the US dollar, whether it is the euro, whether it is the Saudi riyal.” At the time, this was indeed a new development, and it was the end of a multi-year period during which there were persistent rumors that the Saudis would move away from the dollar. In 2019, for example, Arab News reported that Riyadh “has rejected the suggestion that it is considering selling oil in currencies other than the traditional US dollar.” By 2023, things had apparently changed.
Further changes in Saudi policy continued throughout the year. In mid-2023 the Saudis began to import record levels of fuel oil from Russia, further solidifying trade relations between the two countries. Given how Washington has attempted to cut Russia out of the dollar economy, growing trade between the Russians and the Saudis further drives a need for trade in currencies other than dollars. Then, in November of 2023, The KSA and Beijing signed a currency swap agreement designed to “expand the use of local currencies”—i..e, non-dollar currencies.
Breaking Free of the US Axis
Taken by themselves, these developments might seem like no big deal. After all, the Saudi riyal currency is still pegged to the dollar—for now. Taken in the larger context, however, these recent developments illustrate how the Saudis are moving away from the established monetary and geopolitical order that the US has imposed on nearly the entire world since the end of the Cold War.
In March of 2023, the Saudis participated in a China-brokered deal to re-establish diplomatic relations with Iran. The KSA had long been at odds with the Iranian regime as the two states vied for dominance in the Persian Gulf region. Naturally, Washington has encouraged the Saudis to help the US isolate Iran. Although the US publicly praised the China-brokered deal when it became public, the deal is clearly a blow to US influence in the region. Moreover, if there is any doubt that Washington privately disapproves, we need look no further than the fact the Israeli regime opposed the deal.
Six months later, a September 2023 report from the foreign policy think-tank Stimson concluded that Saudi movements away from the dollar were not mere bluffs from Riyadh. They were, rather, part of a larger diplomatic effort by the Saudis to gain more flexibility in dealing with major global powers like the Chinese and the Russians. Or, as the authors put it, the “Saudis are demonstrating that they have other options in the new multipolar world order.”
From the Saudi perspective, the US has provoked Riyadh’s disenchantment with its American “partner.” US criticism of the Saudi regime over the Jamal Khashoggi murder and the Saudi blockade of Qatar have not been forgotten in Riyadh. Moreover, some members of the US Congress continue to publicly raise uncomfortable questions about the Saudi regime’s connections to the 9/11 attacks. The fact that the Washington foreign-policy establishment mostly looks the other way on frequent human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia—while selling immense amounts of arms to the Saudi regime—is not enough to keep the Saudi regime complacent.
Other recent developments suggest this trend isn’t going away. For example, after receiving an invitation to the G-7 summit for the first time ever, the Saudi regime declined the invitation with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman claiming that he had to personally oversee Hajj pilgrimage activities in Mecca. Days later, the Crown Prince was nonetheless sure to send his foreign minister to Nizhny Novgorod in Russia for this week’s BRICS summit.
High-level personnel in Riyadh can apparently make time for BRICS—which Saudi Arabia has been invited to join, and which has become a de facto anti-US bloc—but not for the G-7.
The cooling relationship between Riyadh and Washington does not prove there will be an immediate and major change to the dollar economy or to the US’s continued dominance in the Middle East. The trend is nonetheless continued evidence of an ongoing relative decline in US control over global currency markets and the geopolitical order.

‘They’re Going To Start Punching You’: Jerry Seinfeld Responds To Pro-Palestine Heckler As Crowd Cheers

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Сomedian Jerry Seinfeld. Photo Credit: Wikipedia.org
(Daily Caller) Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who is Jewish, responded to a pro-Palestine heckler Sunday at a stand-up show in Sydney, Australia as the crowd cheered him on.
Seinfeld took the stage at the Qudos Bank Arena, where he was interrupted by the shouts of an anti-Israel demonstrator. The comedian worked the protester’s interjection into his routine, sending his audience in hysterics.

“Oh! We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen. He solved the Middle East! He solved it!” Seinfeld exclaimed as the audience roared. “It’s the Jewish comedians — that’s who we have to get! They’re the ones doing everything!”
Seinfeld told his heckler to “keep going” before evoking the support of his audience.
“Go ahead, keep going!” Seinfeld urged the heckler. “They’re going to start punching you in about three seconds, so I would try to get all of your genius out so we can all learn from you.”
The crowd clapped and cheered as security appeared to escort the protester out of the venue, video shows. The demonstrator continued to chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as he was dragged out.
“By the way, imagine if this guy actually did solve the—” Seinfeld began.
“Get out!” one audience member was heard yelling at the protester, prompting Seinfeld to release a chuckle.
“You’re really influencing everyone here. We’re all, we’re all on your side now,” Seinfeld teased. “You have made your point so well — and in the right venue. You’ve come to the right place for political conversation.”
The audience went wild at Seinfeld’s continuous rebuke of the protest. (RELATED: ‘You Got Me On Fox News In My Underwear?’: ‘Seinfeld’ Actor Dishes On Comedy In The Age Of ‘Political Correctness’)
“Tomorrow we will read in the paper: ‘Middle East 100% Solved Thanks To Man At The Qudos Arena Stopping Jew Comedian.’ They stopped him, and everyone in the Middle East went, ‘Oh my God, let’s just get lost. We can’t do that.”
“Because I know there are problems here. With, uh, indigenous Aboriginal people and the whites — they have problems here. So maybe to solve that, I will screw up Jim Jefferies in a show in New York,” Seinfeld joked. “If this works, that will work. We have to go 20,000 miles from the problem and screw up a comedian. That is how you solve world issues.”
Seinfeld is no stranger to pro-Palestine protesters. Dozens of anti-Israel demonstrators made a spectacle as they walked out of the Jewish comedian’s commencement speech at Duke University in May.

NON-SHOCK POLL: 75% of Palestinians ‘satisfied’ with Hamas terror war

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Palestinian mourners and gunmen wave the green Hamas flag at the funeral of a Palestinian terrorist who was killed in an Israeli military raid in Nur Shams, October 20, 2023. (Nasser Ishtayeh/Flash90
(JNS) — The Palestinians’ satisfaction with Hamas’s performance in the war against Israel has reached its highest point since the terror group’s Oct. 7 massacre, while support for the Palestinian Authority and its ruling Fatah faction has plummeted, according to a poll published on Wednesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research.
When asked to rate the performance of various Palestinian actors during the war, Hamas took the lead among the respondents with 75% satisfaction, up five percentage points since March.
The opinion poll recorded a slight drop in support for the Hamas-led Oct. 7 massacre of some 1,200 people in Israel. Two-thirds said the terror group was “correct” in launching the murderous attack, down by four percentage points compared to three months ago.
However, Palestinians’ belief that Hamas’s terror assault “revived international attention” to their cause and could “lead to increased recognition of Palestinian statehood” rose by six points to 82%.
Fifty-one percent believe that Hamas terrorists are “the most deserving” of leading the Palestinian people, up from 49% three months ago. Meanwhile, 16% believe the P.A.’s Fatah faction is the most deserving.
According to the survey, 60% of Palestinians are in favor of disbanding the P.A. Only 9% of respondents expressed satisfaction with the performance of Mohammad Mustafa, who was appointed the governing body’s prime minister by Mahmoud Abbas in March.
Almost three-quarters of Palestinian Arabs believe that the government headed by Mustafa will fail to carry out reforms demanded by the Biden administration and Arab nations, according to the poll.
In a hypothetical election between Abbas and Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, the latter terrorist would receive 43% of the vote, while only 11% would choose the current P.A. leader. Haniyeh received the highest support since before the war when 24% preferred him.
Almost 60% of Palestinians said they saw the “return of Hamas” in Gaza as the preferred outcome for the conflict, followed by 25% that preferred a “new P.A. under an elected president, parliament and government.”
The Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research polled 1,570 Palestinian adults throughout Gaza, Judea and Samaria between May 26 and June 1. (The margin of error was +/- three percentage points, the NGO said.)
The Biden administration wants the P.A. to assume control of Gaza after the completion of Israel’s military operation against Hamas. Jerusalem vehemently rejects that due to Ramallah’s support for terrorism.
The U.S. State Department in December refused to rule out the possibility of Hamas terrorists retaining power or joining a Palestinian Authority-led governing body for the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria.
“Palestinians’ voices and aspirations must be at the center of post-crisis governance in Gaza, unified with the West Bank under the P.A.,” a U.S. government spokesperson told JNS, adding, “Ultimately, the future of Palestinian leadership is a question for the Palestinian people.”

Trump Allies Hope His Daughter Tiffany’s Father-In-Law Can Help Flip Arab American Votes in Michigan

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Tiffany Trump, Michael Boulos and Lara Trump return from a break at Manhattan Criminal Court, Tuesday, May 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, Pool)
(AP) — Donald Trump’s allies are working to win over Arab American voter s who are unhappy with President Joe Biden’s support for Israel.
The effort is led by Massad Boulos, whose son married Tiffany Trump, the former president’s younger daughter, two years ago. Boulos, a Lebanese-born businessman, is now using his connections in the Arab American community and meeting with its leaders in Michigan, home to many Arab American Democrats who are disenchanted with Biden.
But any apparent political opportunity for Trump may be limited. Many Arab Americans remain offended by Trump’s ban, while in office, on immigration from several majority Muslim countries and other remarks they consider insulting. Trump also has criticized Biden for not being a strong enough supporter of Israel.
In interviews with The Associated Press, Boulos outlined his outreach efforts and discussed his plans. Those who have met with him shared their thoughts on whether the strategy is working.
An unknown emissary
Boulos, who is frequently overseas managing a Nigerian-based conglomerate, first became directly involved in U.S. politics in 2019 when he met Trump. At the time, his son Michael was dating Tiffany Trump.
Before the 2020 election, Boulos assisted with Arab American outreach in a minor role. His involvement has significantly expanded this year as Trump allies aim to exploit divisions within Biden’s Democratic base. Boulos is working closely with an Arab Americans for Trump group that has set up operations in Arizona and Michigan.
The Michigan meetings
In May, Massad and Michael Boulos traveled to metro Detroit with Richard Grenell, a key foreign policy adviser to Trump and his former ambassador to Germany, to meet with a group of close to 40 Arab American activists from across the country.
A little over a week later, Boulos returned for a more extensive round of engagements. He conducted individual meetings with several prominent community leaders and organized larger gatherings, each drawing nearly 50 Arab American community members.
Those who have engaged with Boulos so far are skeptical about the impact of these efforts. They note a lack of substantial evidence supporting the assertion that Trump is the better candidate for Arab Americans.
“Massad is unable to convince people to come to Trump’s side because he hasn’t offered anything substantial to the community,” said Osama Siblani, a publisher of the Arab American News in Dearborn.
Electoral impact
Both major parties have focused on the Arab American vote due to the community’s significant population in Michigan, which is expected to play a decisive role in the presidential election.
Trump won Michigan by just over 10,000 votes in 2016. Biden retook the state for the Democrats in 2020 by a roughly 154,000-vote margin.
Michigan holds the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the nation, with more than 310,000 residents of Middle Eastern or North African ancestry, according to the most recent census.
More than 100,000 Michigan Democratic primary voters in February cast ballots for “uncommitted” in the presidential race, enough to pick up two delegates. In two Muslim-majority Michigan cities, including Dearborn, which holds close to 110,000 people, the “uncommitted” vote defeated Biden in the Democratic primary.
The Trump connection
Boulos is the latest relative to rise in Trump’s political circle. The former president has a long history of putting family members and their relatives in key roles in his campaigns and at the White House.
Recently, Trump handpicked his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as the Republican National Committee’s co-chair.
During his first term, he appointed his daughter Ivanka as a senior White House adviser and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to oversee major issues such as Middle East peace, criminal justice reform and the government’s coronavirus response.
Boulos calls Trump a “family friend.” But Boulos insists that his outreach efforts so far have been “more of a personal effort to reconnect with friends.” He adds that the key messages emerging from meetings with Arab Americans are communicated to Trump and influenced a recent statement on the Middle East posted on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social.
But to some attendees of the meetings, the direct connection to Trump matters little when Boulos can’t make promises on future policy.
“Family members are are fine. But at the end of the day, we have to sit down with someone who’s going to be a policymaker,” Siblani said. “And knowing Trump, only Trump can sit down and talk about his policy.”

UN: Funding, word count limits kept Hamas human shields off blacklist

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A Palestinian boy wearing a Hamas headband aims a toy gun during a rally after prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, July 28, 2014. Photo by Sliman Khader/Flash90.
(JNS) The United Nations’ point person on a report blacklisting Israeli forces’ treatment of Palestinian children says the decision to minimize Hamas’s use of human shields is partially a result of low funding and allowable word counts.
Virginia Gamba, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres’s special representative for children and armed conflict, addressed the media on Thursday, as the 2023 so-called “list of shame” was made public.
The annual Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) report is intended to embarrass those designated on the list into performing corrective action with regards to their alleged violations against children, including killing, maiming, recruitment, abduction, sexual violence, denial of humanitarian assistance and attacks against schools and hospitals.
Guterres blacklisted the Israeli security forces, Hamas’s Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and affiliated factions and Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Al-Quds Brigades. It is Israel’s first time on the blacklist.
The European Union jointly condemned Hamas’s use of human shields in a November statement. So did Guterres. But, the CAAC report includes only one sentence on Hamas’s utilization of the tactic, which is central to the terrorist group’s military strategy and to understanding the casualty toll among Gazan children in the current Israel-Hamas war.
“If we put everything in the annual report on every situation, it will have at least a thousand pages. So, we have to choose very carefully what makes it to the report or not, if the figures must go there, as much context as possible,” Gamba told JNS in response to a query on the startling omission.
“But we have always been deterred from putting into context each one of these paragraphs because of word count,” she said. “Perhaps by saying it here, I will be heard.”
Gamba asserted she has asked for waivers on the word count for her annual report, which is dictated by U.N. Security Council resolutions and other restrictions, and which she called “inappropriate.”
She also said, “It is mostly a financial issue and an issue of a standard across the U.N. system. I’m not saying that if I had more room, you would have more answers.”
Reports of human shields
Gamba explained that, unlike other U.N. data that relies on Hamas figures, her office will place in the annual CAAC report only statistics that her office verifies.
Those “verified” numbers differ greatly from the more-publicized and referenced Gazan casualty figures disseminated by the U.N. Office of the Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs.
That often means, she said, that many reports of the use of human shields by Hamas, especially with the onslaught of incidents during the war in the final quarter of the year, could not be investigated and verified in time for the report, which only covers activity through Dec. 31.
But, Gamba said, any “late verification” would be included in future reports.
Critics have disputed OCHA’s numbers, which rely on Hamas data, and have said many of the figures provided by Hamas are mathematically impossible. However, international media continue to use them. Those numbers also are cited as evidence against Israel for the purposes of international judicial prosecutions and proposed boycotts and arms embargoes.
A senior U.N. official told JNS last week that the numbers used by Gamba’s office in the CAAC report “cannot be verified by the press or the government cannot give a figure,” claiming that Gamba’s office doesn’t take figures from governments as part of its verification process.
Gamba told JNS, “I think when we talk about late recognition by the United Nations that children have been used as human shields, and that this recognition will lead, for verification purposes and monitoring purposes, to late verifications, I think we possibly might be able to see more information on this specific attribution on who specifically was using children as human shields in the next annual report.”
Unique standards
Meanwhile, JNS queried Gamba on the inclusion of other peculiar information in this year’s CAAC report.
The report claimed that Israeli armed and security forces were responsible for the maiming of 1,975 Palestinian children in 2023. However, 1,187 of those cases—63%—were a result of tear gas inhalation.
Israel is the only country in the report which was tagged for a violation for using tear gas—a common riot dispersal tactic throughout the world.
Additionally, Gamba’s office defines the maiming of a child as “any action that causes a serious, permanent or disabling injury or scarring or mutilation.”
There are no reports JNS could find of any such injuries to Palestinian children as a result of tear gas inhalation, and Gamba did not dispute this.
Further, JNS asked Gamba three times why her office would publish data on the maiming of children that did not fall within its own definitions, given the damage it does in the public sphere to Israel.
Gamba would not directly answer that question.
Instead, she explained that there are co-chairs of the working group or task force assigned to each country on CAAC matters, and it is ultimately up to them to report violations to her,
“The way it is interpreted in the field depends on each violation in each situation, because they are unique,” said Gamba. “The expression of violence against children is expressed differently in different situations.”
Gamba said that she agrees “entirely” that the working group of U.N. staff dealing with Israel is “the only situation that has been informing us of tear gas inhalation under the rubric of maiming. Is this correct or not correct? All I can tell you is it’s not for me to decide what is correct or not. It is the MRM [monitoring and reporting mechanism] guidelines that allow that type of broad interpretation.”
While Gamba insisted that Guterres was aware of the anomaly and did not use the tear gas inhalation data in his decision to blacklist Israel this year, it appears to be an example of what the Israeli government says are unique and double standards held against it throughout the CAAC report.
A senior U.N. official told JNS earlier in the week that how violations are sometimes interpreted on the ground “is a problem” and “a work in progress.”
Gamba insisted on Thursday that she is working to update the reporting mechanisms in order to end such anomalies.
Better than some U.S. medical plans
JNS also queried Gamba about why the CAAC report flagged Israel for violations of denial of medical care to Palestinian children.
The report claimed that of 20,920 applications for medical care in Israel for Palestinian children, 15% (3,227) were denied or not approved in time for scheduled appointments.
That proportion of denial of care is lower than some U.S. government-backed medical plans for children of poor families, according to a U.S. inspector general report, again showing a lack of context the Israeli government has complained about in the data gathering of Gamba’s office.
CAAC guidelines also state that a denial of medical care violation must be for care “indispensable to children’s survival.”
And among the relatively small proportion of denials, the CAAC report gives no indication about why that care was denied—for example whether there was a lack of a verified doctor’s appointment paperwork or a technical issue with paperwork, or whether those appointments were later rescheduled.
There also seemed to be no verification that those cases were life-threatening in nature. The Israeli government says it was not asked by Gamba’s office about any of those purported violations so that it could review the details with Gamba’s staff.
Again, Gamba insisted that Guterres did not factor the denial of care violations into his decision to blacklist Israel.
Instead, she said, she has been working with the Israeli government since December 2002 to speed up permits for medical care for Palestinian children and the process resulted in higher approval rates than indicated in the report, until Oct. 7.
Gamba added that she has “ordered denial of humanitarian access technical guidelines that will indicate clearly to monitors when there is a real denial of humanitarian access as a violation of CAAC,” as opposed to a technical issue or a non-life-threatening situation.
“So we hear you,” she said. “There is a need to better understand this.”
She said she has been working on this particular issue with Israel since December 2022 to see how permits could be sped up.
“Ultimately, this worked,” she said, as denial of care rates were lower until Oct. 7.

Outrage after IDF announces daily ‘humanitarian pauses’ along south Gaza route

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Palestinians shop for food in Rafah, the southern Gaza Strip. Nov. 13, 2023. Photo by Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90
( JNS) Right-wing ministers in the Israeli government lashed out on Sunday after the Israel Defense Forces announced it would observe daily 11-hour “humanitarian pauses” in its operation against Hamas terrorists along a route in southern Gaza to increase aid shipments into the area.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the move, claiming it runs contrary to decisions made by the Security Cabinet.
“The one who decided on a ‘tactical truce’ to introduce humanitarian aid, especially at a time when the best of our soldiers are falling in battle, is evil and a fool who should not continue in his position,” he tweeted.
The announcement came a day after eight Israeli troops were slain in the Tel Sultan neighborhood of Rafah city, marking the deadliest day for the IDF in Gaza in six months.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich charged that humanitarian aid, the majority of which is seized by Hamas terrorists, “keeps it in power and may put the achievements of the war down the drain.
“The way the humanitarian effort in the Gaza Strip has been managed, with most aid reaching Hamas and helping it maintain civilian control over the Strip in direct contradiction to the war’s objectives, has been wrong for months,” Smotrich tweeted on Sunday afternoon.
“This morning’s disconnected announcement in the foreign media about a ‘humanitarian pause’ along the aid supply route from Kerem Shalom to the European Hospital in [Khan Yunis in] the center of the Strip did not reflect any change on the ground,” he stressed. “This route has existed since the start of the Rafah operation and is intended to allow the entry of aid by international organizations, in line with the flawed existing approach.
“The IDF chief of staff and defense minister have adamantly refused for six months the only path to victory: Conquering the Strip and temporarily imposing military rule until Hamas is destroyed. Sadly, Prime Minister Netanyahu either doesn’t want to or cannot force this upon them,” claimed the Religious Zionist Party leader.
According to the IDF, the decision to pause fighting between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. along the Salah al-Din Road leading from the Kerem Shalom Crossing north towards Khan Yunis was made following “additional related discussions with the U.N. and international organizations.”
In an English-language statement, the IDF noted that this is another step in the aid efforts carried out by it and the Defense Ministry’s COGAT unit since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. “The IDF will continue to support humanitarian efforts on the ground,” the army said.
Just over an hour after the initial announcement on Sunday of the “tactical pauses,” IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari clarified in Hebrew that “there is no cessation of fighting in the southern Gaza Strip, and the fighting in Rafah continues. In addition, there has been no change regarding the introduction of goods into the Gaza Strip.”
He emphasized: “The axis carrying the goods will be open during the day, in coordination with international organizations, for the transportation of humanitarian aid only.”
In November, Jerusalem agreed to observe hour-long humanitarian pauses in its operation in northern Gaza following pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden. At the time, the IDF downplayed the truce, emphasizing that “these tactical pauses are limited in time and area.”

Urban Warfare Expert: Israel’s Lessons Learned in Gaza Will ‘Save American Lives’

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By Joshua Klein (Breitbart)

Israel’s military lessons learned from battling Hamas in Gaza, amid diverse modern warfare challenges, are set to significantly improve U.S. military readiness and “save American lives,” according to retired United States Army major and urban and subterranean warfare expert John Spencer, who highlighted the strategic importance of adapting such insights to enhance American tactical responses and training protocols.

Spencer, a world-renowned expert on urban combat who serves as chair of urban warfare studies at the Modern War Institute (MWI) at West Point and who recently returned from a visit to Israel’s front lines, argued that Israel’s actions in Gaza “will be studied by many militaries.”

“The lessons learned by Israel in Gaza — from dealing with the information warfare in the age of social media, facing an enemy in an urban defense they prepared for 15 years, facing an enemy using lawfare, human shields, trying to get their own population killed, and prevent humanitarian efforts to aid their entire population to the immense challenge of underground warfare…. will make the U.S. military better and more ready to face future challenges,” he wrote.

“It will save American lives,” he added.

Drawing on historical precedents, Spencer pointed to the U.S. military’s deep analysis of Israel’s strategies during its 1973 Yom Kippur War, which led to significant tactical reforms.

“By March 1974 the U.S. military had opened no fewer than 37 separate studies on Israel’s action during [the] Yom Kippur War, including one seven volume data report on weapon systems still classified today,” he noted. “American servicemen walked the battlefields with Israeli military commanders who hard fought on them quickly after the war ended.”

“The lessons caused major changes, especially in the U.S. Army,” he concluded. “Gaza will be equally impactful.”

The longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance has significantly enhanced both nations’ military, security, and technological sectors, helping the U.S. integrate Israeli innovations to maintain a competitive edge globally. The alliance also facilitates vital intelligence sharing, especially on regional threats and counterterrorism, enhancing U.S. national security.

In addition to bolstering regional stability, cooperation between the two countries has significantly advanced critical military technologies, like missile defense, while also strengthening economic links as U.S. tech firms build major R&D centers in Israel, driving key innovations across multiple sectors, including cybersecurity and medical technology.

The collaboration in military research and technology, leveraging Israel’s advanced capabilities and combat experience, is invaluable for U.S. defense innovation.

In April, Spencer warned of setting a dangerous precedent if Hamas is allowed to survive, while slamming countries who are “playing [right] into Hamas’s strategy” by attempting to halt Israel’s operations in Gaza aimed at destroying the terror group’s capabilities.

In January, he slammed Hamas’s use of “human sacrifice” tactics and warned that if Israel did not completely dismantle the terror organization that “massive genocidal attacks” and the taking of civilian hostages would be replicated by terrorists across the globe.

In November, Spencer described the mission being carried out by the IDF in Gaza as “very successful,” while deeming Hamas an “existential threat” whose strategy is to “create their own civilians’ deaths and get the world to react” in order to prevent the IDF from eliminating their military capabilities — “and it is working.”

Joshua Klein is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaKlein.

Pentagon press secretary takes questions from Islamic terrorists

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Sabrina Singh (@DepPentPressSec) / X
By Daniel Greenfield, Frontpage Magazine
The Biden administration negotiates with terrorists so why not take questions from them too?
During some of the press circuses during the Trump administration, it was pretty obvious that basic standards for what a press outlet had gone down the toilet. Playboy shouldn’t have a correspondent at press briefings.
And now neither should Hezbollah.
On Wednesday, Sabrina Singh, deputy Pentagon press secretary, fielded a question during a briefing about tensions on the Israeli-Lebanese border from Al Mayadeen, a Lebanese outlet with ties to Hezbollah. She also took a follow-up question from the publication.
“The Pentagon is answering questions put to it directly by Al Mayadeen, a Hezbollah propaganda outlet. What the hell is any U.S. government spokesperson doing talking to Hezbollah?” wrote Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and director of its Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East.
Al Mayadeen was launched during the Syrian Civil War to provide a counterpoint to Al Jazeera siding with the Sunnis. Israel shut it down after Oct 7.
But you can look at Al Mayadeen headlines such as…
“‘Israel’ would lose war against Hezbollah within 24 hours”
“Israeli officials’ jaws drop over Hezbollah’s complex operations”
and
“The scenario of overthrowing the regime in #Iran is impossible and this is completely out of the question.”
…and decide just what it is.
The Biden administration has however decided that its personnel are journalists and the Pentagon should answer their questions.

‘Palestine’ painted on Park Avenue Synagogue

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NYC is set to welcome a new architectural marvel into its iconic skyline—a multi-billion-dollar office tower at 350 Park Avenue. Credit: Foster + Partners

An unknown vandal or vandals defaced the wall of the Park Avenue Synagogue, one of the largest synagogues in Manhattan.

On Friday, the word ‘Palestine’ was found written in green ink or paint on the wall of the synagogue.

The word was written under the Biblical verse “How great are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel” (Numbers 24:5), directly under the word “Israel.”

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident. So far, no arrests have been made.

Synagogue Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove said during services on Friday night, “It’s actually with a heavy heart that we begin Shabbat services tonight … The facility is OK, we are all safe, and it is shocking and it is distressing.”

Experts urge House committee to go after university pocketbooks over Jew-hatred

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By Andrew Bernard, JNS
Experts told the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday that Congress ought to use its power of the purse to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
“We are seeing a kind of perfect storm of student violent extremism, professorial politicization, undisclosed foreign funding and often feckless and weak administration,” said Kenneth Marcus, founder and chairman of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law.

“Most of these institutions are tax-exempt and need to be held accountable if they do not meet the requirements of their tax-exempt status,” Marcus told the committee. “That’s true of the universities and also some of the organizations that have been fomenting hatred.”
The Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for taxation, is one of six House committees investigating the wave of antisemitism on college campuses in the aftermath of Oct. 7.
Thursday’s hearing also included testimony from recent Cornell University graduate Talia Dror, Columbia University professor Shai Davidai, American Jewish Committee CEO Ted Deutch and Jonathan Pidluzny, a director at the America First Policy Institute.
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Thursday’s hearing was less explosive than the grillings that university presidents have received in recent months that led to the resignation of the president of Columbia and contributed to the resignation of the president of Harvard University.

The sharpest exchanges Thursday included partisan disagreements about the extent to which “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives contribute to Jew-hatred.
“DEI teaches that the world is made up of oppressors and the oppressed, victims and those with privilege,” Pidluzny said. “Jews are coded as the oppressors by virtue of their political and economic success.”
“This is what creates a kind of permission structure for students to join in with the true radicals cheering for Hamas terrorists who deliberately kill children and rape hostages,” he added.
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) disagreed with that perspective.

“Such claims not only misconstrue diversity, equity and inclusion but also basically pit one minority group against another,” he said. “DEI responds to decades of systematic exclusion of people of color from higher education in states like mine in Texas.”
“It seeks to create a culture of respect and understanding for all. Both communities of color and Jewish Americans are all too familiar with the very real prejudice that they’ve endured,” he added.
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The hearing also probed the influence of foreign donations to American universities, with some congressmen questioning whether the 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity status was intended to permit universities to receive billions of foreign dollars.
Repeated mentions of Qatar at the hearing—both as the host of the Hamas political leadership and as a multi-billion dollar donor to U.S. higher education institutions—prompted pushback from the Qatari embassy on Friday.

“Qatar has no desire or ability to influence anything that happens on U.S. university campuses,” the embassy stated. “It is flatly untrue, for example, that Qatar is the ‘largest foreign donor to U.S. universities’—a claim made to imply dark motives, and to undermine the strong U.S.- Qatar security and trade partnership.”
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) welcomed the testimony from Thursday’s panel but questioned the efficacy of congressional hearings in combating bigotry.
“It’s amazing that we think we can have a meeting of the Ways and Means Committee to come together to try to figure out what the heck is wrong with what’s going on in the world today,” he said. “The seeds of hate are sown long before the freshman year.”
“I am amazed that we think there’s a political answer to a human problem,” he added.

Biden brags about using ‘extreme pressure,’ threats against Israel

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The best encouragement the students received was from President Joe Biden, who, when asked about anti-Semitism on college campuses, condemned it but then added that he was just as concerned about “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.” It was, as Alan Dershowitz and Andrew Stein wrote in The Wall Street Journal, a “very fine people” moment for the president. Photo Credit: AP
By World Israel News Staff
President Joe Biden told a left-wing journalist that he is wielding “extreme pressure” against Israel and that he has threatened consequences should Jerusalem not follow his agenda, in a bizarre interaction that was posted to social media platform TikTok.
At a White House event for influencers, left-wing journalist Jonathan Katz approached Biden and asked him about his characterization of anti-Israel campus protests as antisemitic.
Katz also asked Biden why he sent some $26 billion in military aid to Israel when far-left voices in his Democratic party are accusing Israel of genocide.
Despite an aide attempting to intervene to prevent him from speaking to Katz, Biden decided to answer the questions.
“Israel’s security in the region is essential. And that’s fundamentally different than how Israel acts in Gaza,” Biden said.
“As you probably know, I’ve been putting extreme pressure on the Israelis to open up more humanitarian access in Gaza. And I think we’re getting close.
“I’m pushing hard. [Israel is] not going to volunteer to” provide additional humanitarian aid to Gaza, Biden added.
Other attendees at the event then approached Biden and spoke to him.
While Katz did not interrupt their conversations, he remained in the president’s vicinity, waiting for him to elaborate further.
However, when Biden noticed that Katz had not walked away, he suddenly began speaking aggressively to the journalist.
“I see you’re a typical press guy. I can trust you as far as I can throw your phone,” Biden said. “And I have a good arm, I can throw it a long way.”
The president then abruptly changed tact, saying “My point is this…I have made very clear to the Israelis what they have to do in the near term, and if they don’t, what’s going to happen.”
When Katz questioned if that meant the U.S. would cut off funding to Israel should Jerusalem not adhere to American demands, aides swooped in and hustled the journalist away from Biden.
The president reportedly has a testy relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with American media reports claiming that Biden referred to him as an “a-hole” and “bad f-ing guy” in private conversations.

Broadway celebrates a packed and varied theater season with the 2024 Tony Awards

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The stage appears before the start of the 75th annual Tony Awards on June 12, 2022 in New York. The 76th Annual Tony Awards will broadcast live from the United Palace in New York on Sunday, June 11, 2023. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
(AP) — The 28 Broadway shows that earned at least one Tony Award nomination are hoping Sunday is the day the sealed envelopes break in their favor.
The three-hour main telecast from New York City’s Lincoln Center will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ starting at 8 p.m. Eastern, with a free pre-show on Pluto TV at 6:30 p.m.
The awards cap a Broadway theater season that had something for everyone — fun musicals like “Back to the Future,” sweeping romance in “The Notebook,” political rallying cries like “Suffs” and intimate ensembles like “Mother Play” and “Appropriate.” Filipinos took center stage in “Here Lies Love” and autism was explored in ”How to Dance in Ohio.”
“I think it has been a year of real flexibility. I also think Broadway is in a time of transformation,” said Tonys host Ariana DeBose. “A total of 36 productions opened on Broadway this season alone and each one spoke to a very different audience. I do believe that we are learning, ‘If you build it, they will come.’ So we are continuing to find our voice and who Broadway wants to be.”
DeBose has said she expects the show to move “like a Broadway show” — in other words, briskly and with scene changes in front the audience. “We want to give you a full Broadway experience,” she said.
At the Tony Awards, a veteran host with plenty of stars and songs on tap
Nicole Scherzinger will anchor the “In Memoriam” section and the late Chita Rivera will get a separate tribute from Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Bebe Neuwirth.
Some key awards to watch
Two shows share the most nominations with 13: a piano prodigy’s coming-of-age in “Hell’s Kitchen” and the back-and-forth struggles to create a rock album in the play “Stereophonic.” They are competing in different categories, best new musical and best new play.
Of the 26 competitive categories, two are virtual locks: “Stereophonic,” a critical and box office triumph, and “Merrily We Roll Along,” the Stephen Sondheim- George Furth musical that flopped when it premiered on Broadway in 1981 but is the strong favorite for best musical revival.
A case could also be made that ”Appropriate,” Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play about a family reunion in Arkansas where everyone has competing motivations and grievances, will comfortably earn the best play revival award.
Looking to beat “Hell’s Kitchen” for the top new musical crown are “The Outsiders,” an adaptation of the beloved S. E. Hinton novel and Francis Ford Coppola film; “Illinoise,” the dance-heavy, dialogue-less stage adaptation of Sufjan Stevens’ 2005 album “Illinois”; “Suffs,” based on the American suffragists of the early 20th century; and “Water for Elephants,” which combines Sara Gruen’s 2006 bestseller with circus elements.
Hoping to knock down “Stereophonic” are “Mother Play,” Paula Vogel’s look at a mother and her kids spanning 1964 to the 21st century; “Mary Jane,” Amy Herzog’s humanistic portrait of a divorced mother of a young boy with severe health issues; “Prayer for the French Republic,” Joshua Harmon’s sprawling family comedy-drama that deals with Zionism, religious fervency and antisemitism; and “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” Jocelyn Bioh’s comedy about the lives of West African women working at a salon.
The leading actress in a musical race is between veteran Kelli O’Hara in “Days of Wine and Roses” and “Hell’s Kitchen” newcomer Maleah Joi Moon. On the play side, Sarah Paulson from “Appropriate” is expected to win the best lead actress trophy over a challenge by Jessica Lange in “Mother Play.”
On the men’s side, former “Hamilton” standout Leslie Odom Jr. from “Purlie Victorious” is up against “Succession” star Jeremy Strong in the revival of “An Enemy of the People,” while Jonathan Groff is the favorite to win on the musical side for “Merrily We Roll Along,” competing against Eddie Redmayne in “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” and Brian d’Arcy James from “Days of Wine and Roses.”

Residents and communities preparing for heat wave that will envelop Midwest and Northeast next week

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TJV news
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AP
(Ap) Things are about to heat up in much of the U.S. with dangerously hot temperatures in the Midwest and Northeast next week, prompting health officials to urge people to make plans now to stay safe.
The heat wave follows an earlier-than-usual one in the Southwest last week, which saw triple-digit temperatures in cities like Phoenix, where there were 645 heat-related deaths last year.
Last year the U.S. had the most heat waves — abnormally hot weather lasting more than two days — since 1936. In the South and Southwest, last year was the worst on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The next heat wave will ramp up Sunday in the center of the country before spreading eastward, the National Weather Service said, with some areas likely to see extreme heat in reaching daily records. The heat wave could last all week and into the weekend in many places.
Here are some things to know:
What areas will see extreme heat?
There will be areas of extreme heat — when there’s little or no overnight relief — from eastern Kansas to Maine, according to a National Weather Service heat risk map. Heat will build over the Plains states on Sunday, where there will be extreme heat by Monday that spreads eastward into the Great Lakes states and Northeast.
Las Vegas logs another record-high but weeklong heat wave losing grip on US Southwest
Temperatures will be in the mid- to high-90s in many areas and likely will be at daily records in the Ohio Valley and Northeast, with the dew point making some areas feel as hot as 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius), the weather service said.
It’ll be the Detroit metro area’s worst heat wave in 20 years or more, with temperatures forecasted in the mid-90s and heat indices around 100 F (38 C) starting Monday and potentially lasting into the weekend, National Weather Service meteorologist Steven Freitag said. There’s a chance the area could see its first 100-degree day since July 2012.
Although nighttime temperatures will dip into the 70s, providing some relief, the duration of the heat can have a cumulative and potentially dangerous effect on the body, Freitag said.
What are the dangers of extreme heat?
Heat-related illness can be deadly if not recognized and treated early, and often starts with muscle cramps or spasms, experts say. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke could follow.
Young children and infants, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic medical conditions are especially vulnerable, as are those who can’t get around well or who live alone.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion may include heavy sweating and fatigue; a weak pulse; skin that’s cool, pale or clammy; and headache, dizziness, nausea and fainting. The person should be moved to an air-conditioned space and offered sips of water. Loosen their clothing and apply cool, wet cloths or put them in a cool bath. Seek medical help if they vomit.
A person suffering heat stroke may experience headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness and a body temperature above 103 F (39.4 C). They also may have hot, red dry or damp skin; rapid pulse and faint or lose consciousness. The CDC advises people to call 911 immediately and, while waiting for help, use cool cloths or a cool bath and move them to an air-conditioned space, but do not give them anything to drink.
How can you stay safe?
Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space and limit outdoor activities, experts said. If you don’t have air conditioning, find out if your community will open cooling centers. But even those with air conditioning should plan ahead in the event of a power outage, said Freitag, from the National Weather Service. Limit outdoor activities to the morning or, better yet, don’t go outside, he said.
Other tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
1. Drink plenty of water and take a cool shower or bath.
2. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing, and use your stove and oven less.
3. Check on friends and relatives, especially those without air conditioning.
Communities also can prepare by opening cooling centers in places like schools and libraries. Some also send text messages to residents or have hotlines that people can call for help.
In Franklin County, Ohio, the office on aging is distributing fans to residents 60 and older, spokeswoman Kristin Howard said.
And some businesses whose employees work outside say they will start earlier to avoid the worst heat.
“When you get this sort of heat, any outdoor activities has to be a short duration (preferably) … in the early morning hours,” said Freitag. “But otherwise, there really shouldn’t be any outdoor activity with physical exertion during the peak of the day.”

 

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