Israel Watch

Suspect IDed as Elias Rodriguez of Chicago– www.chicagotribune.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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A suspect in the Wednesday fatal shootings of two members of the Israeli Embassy near the Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., has been identified as a Chicago man.

Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago was being held for questioning, authorities said Thursday. He was being interviewed early Thursday by D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department as well as the FBI, according to officials.

Authorities alleged he walked into the museum after the shooting, was detained by event security and began chanting, “Free, free Palestine,” officials said.

At an address for him on the North Side, police could be seen blocking the street. By 8:15 a.m., a stream of heavily armed men, the letters FBI inscribed on their backs, were seen leaving the apartment building. More agents remained.

Neighbors on the block were startled to open their doors to the sight of federal agents clogging the street. “That’s terrifying,” one woman said when told why they were outside her home.
On Thursday morning, Gov. JB Pritzker said in a statement he was “horrified” to hear of the shooting and disclosed that a member of his staff was attending the event.

World leaders condemn shooting of Israeli Embassy staff in D.C. as Israel blames antisemitic incitement– www.cbsnews.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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World leaders reacted Thursday morning to the killing of two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., as the Israeli government blamed the attack on “antisemitic incitement” by other countries, “especially from Europe.”

Washington’s chief of police said the suspect in the attack, identified as a Chicago man, shouted “free, free Palestine,” as he was taken into custody.

The victims were identified as a young couple, Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA,” President Trump said in a statement on his Truth Social platform. “Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was “shocked by the shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC.”

Israel accuses Europe of ‘antisemitic incitement’ after Washington shooting– www.channelnewsasia.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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JERUSALEM: Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused unnamed European officials on Thursday (May 22) of “toxic antisemitic incitement” he blamed for a hostile climate in which the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington took place.

Israel has faced a blizzard of criticism from Europe of late as it has intensified its military campaign in Gaza, where humanitarian groups have warned that an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid supplies has left the Palestinian enclave on the brink of famine.

Saar did not name any countries or officials but said the climate of hostility towards Israel was behind the shooting of the embassy staffers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim outside a Jewish museum in Washington on Wednesday.

Saar, at a news conference in Jerusalem, said the attack was a direct outcome of “toxic antisemitic incitement against Israel and Jews around the world” since Hamas militants’ cross-border attack on Israel in October 2023.

“There is a direct line connecting antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement to this murder,” he said. “This incitement is also done by leaders and officials of many countries and organisations, especially from Europe.”

Ilhan Omar Refuses to Condemn Murder of Two Israeli Embassy Staffers in DC– slaynews.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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Radical Democrat Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) has refused to condemn the shocking murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers on the streets of Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening.

Omar was asked for comments about the fatal shooting by reporters.

However, Omar, the first Somalia-born lawmaker elected to Congress, refused to address the fatal shooting and angrily walked away.

“I’m going to go for now,” Omar told reporters when asked if she would react to the shooting.

WATCH:

Trump, Vance Speak Out on the Killing of Israeli Diplomats – PJ Media– pjmedia.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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Trump slammed antisemitic hate and offered condolences to the bereaved. Vance extended his prayers for the victims, Christian Israeli Yaron Lischinsky and his girlfriend Sarah Milgrim, along with their families and co-workers.

On Truth Social, Trump posted, “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”

Meanwhile, Vance posted a photo of the victims, who were set to be engaged as Yaron had bought an engagement ring, and wrote, “My heart breaks for Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, who were murdered last night at the Capital Jewish Museum. Antisemitic violence has no place in the United States.” He added, “We’re praying for their families and all of our friends at the Israeli Embassy, where the two victims worked.”

The ‘pro-Palestinian’ movement is pro-terrorist– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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It is time to stop pretending that the “pro-Palestinian” movement is anything but a pro-terrorist movement with people who are either malicious antisemites or the most gullible, ignorant bleeding hearts who consume every bit of terrorist propaganda put in front of them.

Two Israeli Embassy staffers were murdered in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday by a left-wing terrorist. The terrorist yelled, “Free, free Palestine!” after being detained and donned a keffiyeh. Too many on social media decided to call this “senseless violence” when, in reality, it makes all the sense in the world. Murdering Israeli civilians is what Hamas, which governs Gaza, does. Murdering Israeli civilians is what started this latest war, when Palestinians invaded Israel and massacred 1,200 Israeli men, women, and children. A pro-Palestinian terrorist gunning down two civilians in Washington, D.C., is a logical continuation of pro-Palestinian violence.

Columbia U. graduation back on schedule after pro-Palestinian protests prompted 2024 cancellation– www.thecollegefix.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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Pro-Palestinian students hold separate ‘People’s University for Palestine’ ceremony off campus

Columbia University plans to hold its traditional institution-wide commencement ceremony on Wednesday after cancelling it in 2024 due to pro-Palestinian protests.

On Sunday, a group of pro-Palestinian students held their own, independent commencement off campus under the name “People’s University for Palestine.” Still, some in the university community fear there will be disruptions at the Wednesday event, the Westside Rag reports.

“The University has been preparing for Commencement and taking precautions to ensure safe and successful events,” Columbia President Claire Shipman’s office said in a statement to the news outlet.

“Commencement will honor more than 16,000 new graduates, and our hardworking students deserve a joyful day of celebration with their families,” Shipman’s office stated.

The report continues:

George Washington U. Student Banned Over Anti-Israel Remarks at Graduation Speech– legalinsurrection.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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The student lied about what she was going to say in the speech. Something very similar just happened at NYU.

The Guardian reports:

George Washington University student banned after pro-Palestinian graduation speech

A graduation speech at George Washington University has resulted in the graduate being banned from the campus after she used the platform to criticize the university’s ties to Israel and express support for Palestinians.

During Saturday’s commencement for the Columbian College of Arts & Sciences, part of GWU in Washington, DC, graduating senior Cecilia Culver delivered remarks to the graduating class of nearly 750.

Culver condemned the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza, criticized GWU’s connections to Israel, and urged the audience to withhold donations from the college and push for financial transparency, as well as for the college to divest from Israeli-linked companies.

“I am ashamed to know my tuition [fee] is being used to fund this genocide,” Culver said from the stage. “I call upon the class of 2025 to withhold donations and continue advocating for disclosure and divestment.”

Trump administration halts Harvard’s ability to enroll international students– www.yahoo.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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The Trump administration has said it is halting Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.

On Thursday, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration notified Harvard about its decision following ongoing correspondence regarding the “legality of a sprawling records request”, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The records request comes as part of an investigation by the homeland security department in which federal officials are threatening the university’s international student admissions.

The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, posted a copy of the letter on X, formerly known as Twitter. In it Noem said: “I am writing to inform you that effective immediately, Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification is revoked.”

Will Iran kill nuclear negotiations with terrorist attacks in the West?– www.washingtonexaminer.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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President Donald Trump, who seeks to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, wants to secure a new nuclear agreement with that country. Trump’s motive is honorable. Difficult diplomacy is preferable to military strikes on Iran. But numerous complications stand in the president’s way, and perhaps none of these complications is more significant than the growing threat of Iranian terrorist attacks.

Yes, formalizing a viable Iran nuclear agreement represents a big challenge in and of itself. For one, Iran has engaged in more than two decades of deceptive conduct via its covert research of nuclear warheads. Any deal would thus need to ensure prompt inspection access to any sites suspected of being used to conduct illicit nuclear weapons research. The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action had woefully inadequate safeguards in this regard.

Another difficulty arises in the Trump administration’s new insistence that Iran suspend all nuclear enrichment, even at very low purity levels, in return for any deal. This demand conflicts with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s belief that his Islamic Republic should be allowed to engage in some enrichment as a matter of honor. Khamenei might well regard the risks of U.S. military action as less concerning than the loss of prestige and regime confidence that would go with suspending all enrichment activities. Allowing Iran to maintain its nuclear facilities, albeit in a nonoperational status, might allow the regime to save face. But probably not.

Highly Enriched Uranium Stand-Off May Scuttle New Iran Deal– freebeacon.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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The latest back-and-forth on a nuclear deal between the United States and Iran hinges on enrichment, and the question may put nails in the coffin of any new agreement.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday, after weeks of mixed messages, that no future accord can allow Iran the right to enrich uranium.

“We have one very, very clear red line, and that is enrichment,” Witkoff told ABC’s This Week anchor Jonathan Karl. “We cannot allow even 1 percent of an enrichment capability.”

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday denounced Witkoff’s remarks, describing calls for the Islamic Republic to give up enrichment entirely as “nonsense.”

Iran’s Pezeshkian seeks dialogue on nuclear program as US negotiations continue– www.foxnews.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian spoke over the weekend, reiterating Iran’s commitment to dialogue and desire for a civilian nuclear program.

The Iranian leader addressed navy officials in Bandar Abbas, discussing the ongoing negotiations for a deal with the United States.

“We are not seeking war, we favor negotiation and dialogue, but we are not afraid of threats either, and we will in no way retreat from our legal rights,” Pezeshkian said.

Compared to previous Iranian presidents, Pezeshkian has emerged as a more level-headed and reformist leader, aiming to reach new understandings with the West, according to Politico.

Israel’s military encircles last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza: report– www.foxnews.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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Israel’s military encircled two of the last functioning hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip, staff and aid groups say, as the World Health Organization is warning that the activity is “stretching the health system beyond the breaking point.”

The development comes as an Israeli military spokesperson said Wednesday that “We are entering a new phase, different in size and strength, to achieve the war’s objectives of returning the kidnapped soldiers and defeating the terrorist [group] Hamas.

“Forces from the 401st Brigade and the Givati Brigade, under the command of the 162nd Division, began operating in the northern Gaza Strip, where they identified and destroyed suspicious buildings in the area and eliminated dozens of Hamas terrorists,” IDF Col. Avichay Adraee wrote on X.

The Indonesian hospital and al-Awda hospital are among northern Gaza’s only surviving medical centers, according to the Associated Press.

Harvard president takes 25% pay cut amidst funding loss due to Trump battle– www.thecollegefix.com

pgnewser May 22, 2025 0

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Decision follows another $450 million federal funding curb

Harvard University’s president will have a smaller paycheck soon, due to his decision to take a 25 percent pay cut.

President Alan Garber, who likely makes at least $1 million, has refused to comply with the Trump administration’s demands concerning DEI and antisemitism. Instead, the university will continue to lose hundreds of millions in federal funding.

President Garber (pictured) made the announcement recently as a show of solidarity with faculty and staff who are facing pay freezes. “More than 80 faculty members — from several schools and academic units — have pledged to donate 10 percent of their salaries for up to a year to support the University if it continues to resist the Trump administration,” The Harvard Crimson reported.

The Ivy League university is also freezing spending elsewhere, according to The Harvard Crimson.

The student newspaper reported:

In March, Harvard hit pause on faculty and staff hiring, directing schools to curb discretionary spending, reassess capital projects, and halt new multi-year commitments. In April, Harvard told employees it would not award merit pay raises to faculty and non-union staff in fiscal year 2026. And earlier this week, Faculty of Arts and Sciences professors were instructed to develop contingency plans for how their departments would handle budget shortfalls — as administrators acknowledge they expect long-term financial fallout.

This is not the first time Garber has reduced his pay in the wake of challenges affecting Harvard. In 2020, as provost, he took a similar 25 percent cut in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Then-President Lawrence S. Bacow and several deans also accepted temporary reductions as Harvard confronted a projected $750 million revenue shortfall.

U.S. says Israel won’t be involved in Gaza aid distribution– www.cbc.ca

pgnewser May 9, 2025 0

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A U.S.-backed mechanism for distributing aid into Gaza should take effect soon, Washington’s ambassador to Israel said on Friday ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to the Middle East, but he gave few details.

Gaza’s residents are facing a growing humanitarian crisis with Israel enforcing a months-long blockade on aid supplies to the small Palestinian enclave in the third year of its war against militant group Hamas.

Ambassador Mike Huckabee said several partners had already committed to taking part in the aid arrangement but declined to name them, saying details would be released in the coming days.

Federal Judge Orders Release of Tufts University Student Accused of Aiding Hamas on Bail– townhall.com

pgnewser May 9, 2025 0

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A federal judge in Vermont on Friday ordered the Trump administration to release Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk on bail after she was accused of aiding the terrorist group Hamas.

Oturk’s arrest occurred in late March when immigration agents approached her on the street while she was walking with friends outside her home in Somerville, MA. The agents placed her in handcuffs and drove her to Vermont. Afterward, she was transported to a Louisiana prison.

From The New York Times:

In seeking her release, her lawyers have accused the government of detaining her in unconstitutional retaliation for protected speech. The main evidence against her appears to be an essay critical of Israel that she helped to write in a Tufts student newspaper last year.

Video footage of Ms. Ozturk’s detention went viral, leading to public outrage of her treatment by critics who say the government is abusing the immigration system to deport international students.

Ms. Ozturk has spent six weeks in detention in Louisiana and has endured unsanitary conditions that have triggered increasingly severe asthma attacks, her lawyers said in court documents.

Trump drops Israel ties in talks with Saudi Arabia – report– en.globes.co.il

pgnewser May 9, 2025 0

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US President Donald Trump has foregone the condition originally set in negotiations with Saudi Arabia, and is prepared to discuss cooperation on a Saudi civilian nuclear project even without normalization of the country’s relations with Israel, according to a report by Reuters today.

The previous US president, Joe Biden, made expansion of the Abraham Accords to include Saudi recognition of Israel a condition for nuclear cooperation.

Iran issued urgent nuclear warning as new revelations put deal at risk | World | News– www.express.co.uk

pgnewser May 9, 2025 1

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Iran has been significantly expanding its covert nuclear weapons development since 2009, it has emerged. New intelligence uncovered by Iranian opposition group NCRI reveals that the regime’s Organisation of Defensive Innovation and Research (SPND) is running a secret programme to boost nuclear warhead capability, including mounting them on ballistic missiles able to strike targets over 1,900 miles away. The revelations come as Tehran prepares for a fourth round of proposed nuclear talks with the US in Muscat next week, with experts predicting they may derail negotiations.

At the heart of this effort is the Ivanaki (Eyvanekey) facility, a sprawling 2,500-acre site in Semnan Province, northern Iran. Publicly, it is presented as a paint and chemical production site operated by Diba Energy Sina. In reality, it is used for the construction of nuclear weapon components.

Operational since around 2013, Ivanaki is one of several covert facilities established after Iran’s previous nuclear weapons programme, the Amad Plan, was exposed and halted in 2003.

Iran Distances Itself from Embarrassing Houthis as Trump Nuclear Talks Stall– www.breitbart.com

pgnewser May 6, 2025 0

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The government of Iran adamantly insisted on Sunday that it had no involvement in an escalated terrorism campaign against Israel by the Yemeni Houthi jihadist movement, which announced this weekend it would attempt to blockade Israeli skies entirely.

The post Iran Distances Itself from Embarrassing Houthis as Trump Nuclear Talks Stall appeared first on Breitbart.

Far-Left Michigan AG Drops All Charges Against Anti-Semitic Protesters, Shocking Attorneys– freebeacon.com

pgnewser May 6, 2025 0

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Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel (D.) on Monday dropped all charges against seven anti-Semitic protesters arrested last year at the University of Michigan, a move that shocked even the protesters’ lawyers.

Even though Nessel acknowledged that “based on the evidence, a reasonable jury would find the defendants guilty of the crimes alleged,” she said the case had devolved into a “circus-like atmosphere” following months of court delays and allegations of bias on her part, Detroit’s FOX2 reported. Nessel stood by her original decision to pursue felony and misdemeanor charges but said the proceedings were no longer a “prudent use of my department’s resources” and moved to dismiss the cases.

Nessel, who became Michigan’s attorney general in January 2019, has been no stranger to controversy.

Israeli minister says Gaza must be ‘entirely destroyed’– www.foxnews.com

pgnewser May 6, 2025 0

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A right-wing Israeli minister says victory for Israel won’t come until Gaza is “entirely destroyed” and Palestinians are forced out into other countries.

Israeli Finance Minister Bazalel Smotrich made the statement during a Tuesday appearance at a conference on Jewish settlements in the West Bank. While Smotrich is a senior Israeli official, his statement does not represent the official policy of the Israeli government.

“Within a year we will be able to declare victory in Gaza,” he told attendees. “Gaza will be entirely destroyed, civilians will be sent to… the south to a humanitarian zone without Hamas or terrorism, and from there they will start to leave in great numbers to third countries,” Smotrich said, according to the Agence France-Presse.

“Israel does not intend to withdraw from territories the IDF captures, not even as part of a deal to release hostages,” he added.