Thursday, February 20, 2025

02/20 Links Pt2: The Great Erasure Is Here; Sky News Australia Antisemitism Summit; The Terrorist Propaganda to Reddit Pipeline

From Ian:

Their Time Is Up
Enough with the sophistry about international laws and human rights. The crucibles in which these ideas were forged, raging with the fires of century-old conflicts, have now cooled down and crumbled. To pretend as if we must now take seriously a torrent of treaties long after the framework guaranteeing their efficacy—if such a framework ever existed in earnest—is sheer lunacy. We’ve seen the United Nations. We’ve seen the International Court of Justice. We’ve seen the Red Cross. To take any of these decrepit and callous concubines of evildoers seriously is not an option any morally or intellectually serious person should ever entertain.

Enough also with the insufferable ululations about Jewish morality and its arc which somehow always bends towards having mercy on the monsters who devour our children. As my dear friend and teacher Rabbi Meir Soloveichik noted in a celebrated article more than two decades ago, hate, too, is a Jewish virtue. The very next holiday on the Jewish calendar, in fact, Purim, is a celebration of the time, long ago, when Jews arose and dispensed with 75,000 of their pursuers, realizing that justice meant not only reversing Haman’s evil decree but forcing all those who were only too eager to partake in the slaughter to face the consequences of their actions. Like them, we, too, are fighting millions of little Hamans, murderous marauders who will grow emboldened the more we offer them mercy.

Which brings us back to earth, to the realm of the real, the practical, and the political. President Trump’s proposal to empty Gaza of its inhabitants is, if we’re honest, more merciful than any Gazan deserves, offering the savages who heard Kfir Bibas sob without showing a shred of basic human decency the one thing that precious baby will never have—a chance of a good and peaceful life elsewhere. Nevertheless, we must embrace this proposal, because at its heart is the one true and inescapable sentiment: Israelis can no longer be expected to live in proximity to those who desire nothing more than their death.

Negotiating with some other Palestinian group won’t do: The PLO, the PFLP, et al are merely a different shade of murderous. Nor is there much value to the fantasy that the same patient reeducation that cleansed so many Germans of the Nazi inflammation might work in Gaza, too. Gazans aren’t, as some Pollyannish accounts would have us believe, long-suffering innocents who had the misfortune of living through decades of Hamas indoctrination; they’re faithful adherents of a stern interpretation of a still-young religion who believe there is glory in putting the enemies of God to the sword. We can, and should, respect their fierce heart. We can, and must, insist that their hands be nowhere near our necks.

Sadly, Israel is showing a growing lack of resolve which is no longer possible to ignore or explain away as some clever bit of tactical genius. Is it possible that Bibi Netanyahu is playing a very long game of five-dimensional chess with the world, holding out on the real prize, which is smiting the regime in Iran? Maybe! But meanwhile, closer to home, nothing is done. A few days ago, a very wise friend wrote to share this startling thought: for the past 18 months, we’ve all listened to Israel’s best and brightest, including Netanyahu himself, go on the sort of podcasts beloved by the self-appointed best and brightest of the American Jewish community, saying that if only they had the proper American support, they would’ve waged a very different war against Hamas.

Now, American support is manifest. Now, an American president possessing uncommon moral clarity and candor is advocating for the opening of the gates of hell. And rather than live up to a year of tough talk, Israel equivocates, looking weak, wounded, and confused. Those exploding beepers were a marvel. The killing of Nasrallah was a thing of beauty. But you don’t win wars and secure the peace with a sprinkling of daring commando acts or a dash of excellent air raids. You win wars and secure the peace by making your enemy realize that they had lost, and in the Middle East, as anyone who has ever consulted a history book could tell you, that means only one thing: seizing land.

Israel, then, must annex Judea and Samaria right now, if only to appear as certain of its right to its ancestral homeland as, say, Senator Tom Cotton. It must enthusiastically advocate for Trump’s plan, or some other arrangement that leaves Gaza empty of Gazans. It must take one long look at Kfir Bibas’ coffin and realize precisely what happens when evil is met with too many clever arguments and not enough swift deeds.
Seth Mandel: The Great Erasure Is Here
Hennigan notes that the word “Mossad,” which is in Sabra’s backstory, isn’t mentioned in the movie. He doubted she’d even be back in another film and observed that “Unless Trump also takes over Marvel Studios, Sabra is definitely not getting her own movie.”

A couple points here. First, the comics industry was built by Jews. Everyone making movies about comic-book heroes, and raking in the dough from ticket prices and licensing agreements, is doing so on the backs of the Jews who made it possible. As has been noted, “Jews created the first comic book, the first graphic novel, the first comic book convention, the first comic book specialty store, and they helped create the underground comics (or ‘Comix’) movement of the late ’60s and early ’70s. Many of the creators of the most famous comic books, such as Superman, Spiderman, X-Men, and Batman, as well as the founders of MAD magazine, were Jewish.”

Is this the “cultural genocide” I’ve heard so much about from smug college kids? It must be.

Indeed, the founder of Marvel Studios itself is Israeli, though Avi Arad left the company two decades ago, before it was bought by Disney. The current president of Marvel Studios is Kevin Feige, and it is safe to say he knows exactly what he’s doing. Nothing in a Marvel Studios production is an accident; every detail is intentional.

A second facet to this, one buried in the details but interesting to ponder nonetheless, was discussed by a writer for Gizmodo. The piece regurgitates long-debunked Hamas propaganda about the conflict, though the flip side of that coin is that the writer is therefore fairly straightforward in justifying the Sabra hate.

The writer notes that at one point the comics made sure to show Sabra expressing guilt over harming innocent Palestinians. “But in the years since that issue, as Sabra was moved even more specifically in the direction of being a supportive agent of the Israeli state, her reconciling with her duty and her nation’s ongoing persecution of the Palestinian people all but vanished, even as international criticism of Israel’s government has grown.”

That is, Sabra was problematic because she wasn’t entirely a symbol of Jewish guilt. “While many of Marvel’s national heroes have worked with their governments at times in their careers, Sabra was introduced as not just Israel’s national hero, but an agent of the Mossad, the Israeli intelligence agency. That gave her an explicit connection to the actions of the Israeli government that, if anything, Sabra… has been pushed further and further into embracing after she was first introduced.”

Sabra, then, is a patriotic Israeli. She’s a hero, but only to those who believe the Jews deserve same rights to self-determination and security as everyone else. Which is, apparently, not many people in Marvel Studios’ target audience.
Stephen Pollard: ‘For Peter Beinart, focusing on the right of Jews to be secure from terrorists is immoral’
That has been given full rein in his latest book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza. This is a book that not only need never have been written but that does not need to be read.

Its most obvious pointlessness is that it is simply boring, a predictable regurgitation of every slander against Israel. We get ethnic cleansing, apartheid, massacres and all the usual stuff. Why bother with Beinart when this is the everyday diet of the media? Beinart jazzes it up with a rant against anyone even vaguely associated with speaking up for Israel in the wake of the October 7 massacre. If that sounds repulsive, it is because it is. Beinart goes through the motions of condemning what happened on October 7 but spends far longer attacking those who have stood up for Israel since then. As he writes at the start, in his “note to my former friend”: “I consider your single-minded focus on Israeli security to be immoral and self-defeating.” Think about that for a second (because that is all it is worth). For Beinart, focusing on the right of Jews to be secure from terrorists is “immoral”.

If you’re worried about the impact on Jews of having to live alongside Palestinians in a single state – if you’re worried, that is, that they would be slaughtered – then don’t be, because Beinart says it worked in South Africa so it will work in the new not-Israel state. And that’s it. That is the entire basis on which he thinks the world should take the leap into deciding that the Jews no longer need a state.

Actually, that’s not quite it because we are all wrong to have noticed an increase in antisemitism since October 7. It hasn’t happened. We know this because Beinart asserts it, and he is so much wiser than the rest of us. Chants of ‘from the river to the sea’ are “ironic” because “there already is a country that extends from the Mediterranean to the Jordan”. Oh, clever point! It’s not about Jew hate at all but rather is used by those crafty Zionists: “Labelling the slogan antisemitic — even genocidally antisemitic — turns public attention away from how Israel is treating Palestinians now, especially in Gaza, and redirects attention toward how Palestinians might treat Jews were they in charge. It replaces the actual subjugation that Palestinians experience as an oppressed people with the theoretical subjugation that Jews might experience were the shoe on the other foot.”

Beinart uses the same logic to defend usage of the phrase “intifada” and other slogans such as, “when people are occupied, resistance is justified”. Indeed for Beinart the phrase “Israel has a right to defend itself” is actually worse and more threatening than “intifada” or “resistance is justified.”

Perhaps one should feel sorry for Beinart, who is so consumed in his loathing of Israel that he appears to have lost all sense. He writes that spraying anti-Zionist graffiti on the walls of an Israeli embassy and a synagogue are equally fine because “they are both, in their essence, Zionist institutions.” Despite him insisting that Zionism is entirely separate to Judaism, a synagogue is nonetheless a “Zionist institution”. Go figure.

But in any case, none of this is antisemitic, he maintains, just as nothing we have seen on campus since October 7 is about Jews: “The data is clear: the vast majority of campus progressives distinguish between Jews and Israel.”

But how can one feel sorry for someone who now devotes his life to spreading such calumnies about Israel, about Jews, and about those who speak up for Israel and Jews. As for whether to shake Beinart’s hand: would you?


Jake Wallis Simons: At long last, we have the BBC’s smoking gun moment
Has the BBC been caught bang to rights at last? On Monday night, the broadcaster aired a documentary about Palestinian children caught up in the Gaza war which is claimed to have been narrated by a 14-year-old scion of “Hamas royalty”, whose father is allegedly a minister in the jihadi pseudo-government.

Abdullah, the English-speaking teenager fronting the 60-minute propaganda film, is a seasoned performer, having previously starred in a Channel 4 news package shortly after the pogroms of October 7. (On that occasion, the role of his “father” was played by another man who appears to be his uncle, who has been accused of unsavoury links to terrorism.) “We try to calm ourselves down with words like ‘I’m still young and I still have a future and I don’t want to die’,” he told the great British public. “I repeat these words constantly to calm myself down. I’m basically lying to myself.”

To yourself, Abdullah? OK. Fast-forward to this week and “Hamas Boy” was back, this time on Auntie. Some of the scenes were so hammy that it was impossible for anybody still benefiting from critical faculties to watch them without an eye-roll.

“Trying to get drinkable water is a very hard task,” he told viewers sombrely as his cart rolled past stalls selling bottled water, soft drinks, bread, vegetables, clothing and pet food. A few minutes later, we met 10-year old Ranat, who had started an “online cooking show with her sister” as a distraction from the “constant pressure of this war”. The cameras observed her picking out pumpkins in the bountiful market and visiting a grocery shop bursting with produce. “I love cooking and creating food content,” she said. There followed further scenes of people carving kebabs from glistening boulders of meat, buying sweets measured out on scales, relaxing on the beach and working out in a gym while quenching their thirst from large bottles of chilled water.

Nobody is saying that there’s no suffering in Gaza. The documentary was a high-production blend of the real anguish of war – which can only draw true sorrow from all feeling people – with unsubstantiated claims, Hamas dezinformatsiya and soft-lens attempts to pull the heart-strings. Be in no doubt: for all the kernels of truth, this was clever propaganda.

For one thing, there was not a single image of a gun, let alone a terrorist, either living or dead. Jihadis were invisible when wounded civilians were seen and great prominence was given to claims that Hamas was nowhere near any target. Why was this? After all, the Strip is bristling with men-at-arms, particularly in areas targeted by the IDF.

The simple answer is one we have known for years: Hamas has always censored all footage of its terrorists in order to curate the false impression that Israel is waging war on civilians. The BBC’s failure to inform viewers of this censorship immediately discredited its reporting at the root, as all true scenes of innocent suffering were shorn of vital context. Exactly as Hamas intended.
BBC warned to pull Gaza documentary 'featuring son of Hamas official'
The BBC is under pressure to withdraw a documentary about life in Gaza which was allegedly narrated by the son of a high-ranking Hamas official.

The corporation is facing questions over Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone, originally broadcast on Monday, including what bosses knew about the child narrator and whether they failed to disclose his background.

Last night the BBC apologised for its failure to include the child’s Hamas family connection in the film.

The documentary will be re-edited to acknowledge the fact before being repeated.

The BBC said: “We followed all of our usual compliance procedures in the making of this film, but we had not been informed of this information by the independent producers when we complied and then broadcast the finished film.”

Danny Cohen, the ex-BBC Director of Television, said the programme should be pulled from the iPlayer and repeat showings cancelled, pending an independent investigation into concerns that the documentary may have breached the broadcaster’s own editorial standards and compliance rules.

He said: “At an absolute minimum, audiences and licence fee payers, should have been made aware that the son of a Hamas leader is in it.”

Leo Pearlman, managing partner of TV production company Fulwell 73 and executive producer of the Gavin & Stacey Christmas specials, called the film “propaganda aimed at influencing the West”.

Cohen, Pearlman, other prominent Jewish figures including actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, as well as anonymous BBC staff, signed a letter urging BBC Director-General Tim Davie to take action.

The row is the first major test for BBC Chairman Samir Shah, an award-winning current affairs filmmaker, who has said the BBC should conduct a “deep, systematic” review of its coverage of the Middle East conflict.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism called on Shah to personally intervene in the row and fast-track an investigation into whether the film broke the BBC’s editorial guidelines.


Sky News Antisemitism Summit: Alex Ryvchin outlines plan of action to defeat crisis of hate
Sky News Australia's Antisemitism Summit has concluded, with Co-Chief Executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin outlining a plan to defeat the rising tide of hate.

Co-organised and hosted by award-winning Sky News investigative journalist Sharri Markson, together with Mr Ryvchin, the timely summit brought together current and former political leaders, law enforcement chiefs, policymakers, legal experts, and Jewish community leaders, to discuss and develop tangible solutions to combat the rising tide of antisemitism so that all Australians may live freely and safely. ‘Plan of action’ to defeat antisemitism

Co-Chief Executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin has concluded the summit by outlining a plan of action to defeat antisemitism.

Delivering his closing address, Mr Ryvchin listed 15 steps he believes should be taken to tackle the crisis.

The prominent Jewish leader has called for both major parties to support the plan, and work with the community to implement the steps.

Mr Ryvchin’s steps were divided into seven categories: national security, education, universities, preachers and charities which spread hate, the Migration Act and citizenship, social media and cultural institutions:
- Declaration of a National Emergency on antisemitism and establishment of a Joint Counter-Terrorism Taskforce
- Uniform policing guidelines, including training for law enforcement officials on understanding antisemitism and how hate crimes should be prosecuted
- Antisemitism education to be included in the national curriculum
- More public awareness and advertising campaigns, particularly for younger Australians, aimed at debunking the ideology of antisemitism
- National ban on encampments on Australian university campuses, as well as prohibiting the disruption of lectures by protesters
- Creation of a judicial inquiry into antisemitism at universities, which should investigate possible foreign funding of student protests
- Universities to disclose all sources of funding from foreign governments and foundations
- Tougher legislation to overcome restrictions on disciplinary action against academics
- Repeal of charity status and funding from religious and charitable institutions if they promote racism or display terrorist symbols
- Greater scrutiny of the use of funds administered by charities to ensure, for example, that funds are not used to support terrorism
- Immigration officers must be trained to recognise antisemitism, with applicants to be assessed under the character test on whether they have promoted antisemitism
- The Migration Act should be enforced or amended to ensure antisemitic conduct is grounds to reject a new visa, or cancel an existing one
- New social media legislation such as Algorithms Regulation laws should be introduced to counter foreign interference
- For cultural institutions, a condition should be placed on government grants issued to festivals and individuals that recipients do not spread racism, or they risk grant cancellation
- Balance of representation on literary and cultural festival boards, as well as among senior staff tasked with programming decisions
Alex Ryvchin outlines plan of action to 'defeat antisemitism' in Australia

Special Envoy criticises Albanese govt’s ‘reactive’ response to antisemitism
Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, has sharply criticised the government's "reactive" approach to antisemitism, urging for a proactive strategy.

The Albanese government-appointed envoy has argued the “reactive” response has done little to address the scourge of antisemitism plaguing Australia.

In her remarks at the Sky News Antisemitism Summit on Thursday, Ms Segal outlined her comprehensive plan to combat the hatred fuelling attacks on the Jewish community.

"All that has been done by government, by society leaders, by some religious leaders, has been reactive," Ms Segal said.

"Incidents have been forcibly condemned after they have occurred. Improved legislation has been introduced.

"But prosecution has not followed. This approach has left us, Jewish Australians, feeling vulnerable and it has failed to address the root causes of the problem."

Ms Segal’s criticism highlighted concerns about the lack of meaningful action to provide a sense of security for the Jewish community.

In response, Ms Segal detailed her plan that includes both immediate and long-term measures to combat this growing issue.

The first step would be to identify foreign influence fuelling antisemitism after federal police confirmed it was investigating the possibility.

The second step involved strengthening Australia’s federal laws to ensure that antisemitic crimes were met with strong legal consequences.

“We must ensure that federal laws result in prosecutions,” she said, pointing to growing concerns over the lack of serious legal repercussions.

Amid these demands, the special envoy warned about the federal funding of individuals promoting antisemitic messages in the community.


Sharri Markson and Alex Ryvchin address Sky News Antisemitism Summit

Amir Maimon reveals ‘concern’ from Israel over Australia's rising antisemitism

‘Experts in the field’: Sharri discusses results from Sky News Antisemitism Summit

Holocaust survivors respond to scourge of antisemitism in Australia

‘Not something that could be allowed to just fester’: John Howard speaks at Antisemitism Summit

Josh Frydenberg delivers 'powerful' speech at Antisemitism Summit

Sharri Markson speaks with Peter Dutton at the Sky News Antisemitism Summit

Peter Dutton commits to ‘reforming’ Migration Act if elected

Jewish people 'have an inner strength that is unbreakable': Chris Minns

Sharri Markson reflects on ‘wise’ words of Justice Micheal Lee at Antisemitism Summit

AG heckled at Sky News Antisemitism Summit as he defends Albanese govt’s record
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has been heckled at the Sky News Antisemitism Summit while attempting to defend the Albanese Government's record on supporting Jewish Australians.

During a speech to the summit on Thursday, Mr Dreyfus was interrupted several times as frustrations with federal Labor spilled over, with some of the attendees taking issue with his characterisation of how the government was tackling antisemitism.

The MP for Isaacs in Melbourne's south-east was met with his first jeers early on his speech when he declared: "The Australian Government stands with Jewish Australians in the fight against antisemitism whenever and wherever it occurs".

Some members of the audience appeared to be shouting "that's not true" as they interrupted Mr Dreyfus.

Mr Dreyfus faced further heckling when he stated: "Since the very first protest in Australia that crossed the line from legitimate political expression to expressions of antisemitic sentiment, the Australian government has expressly condemned words and acts of hate directed at Jewish people".

Once person in the audience could be heard saying "ask your foreign minister".

The remark may have been in reference to Penny Wong being criticised for having "not shown the level of understanding, empathy or compassion that our community expects and deserves, especially during these troubling times where antisemitism is on the rise in Australia".

More heckling could be heard as Mr Dreyfus said "the Albanese government has not just talked about antisemitism, we have acted and we will keep acting", while some people were seen walking out as he said "we have enacted the toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes".
Labor's Mark Dreyfus heckled while speaking on government's work to tackle antisemitism

‘A lot of disappointment’: Jewish community member explains Dreyfus ‘hostility’
Marnie Perlstein, a Jewish community member, has issued scathing criticism of the Albanese government's failure to tackle antisemitism, after Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus was heckled at a summit addressing the issue.

At Sky News’ Antisemitism Summit on Thursday, Mr Dreyfus, the nation’s most senior Jewish politician, was interrupted multiple times as audience members’ frustrations with Labor were made clear.

The Attorney-General was initially met with jeers and boos from attendees when he declared: "The Australian government stands with Jewish Australians in the fight against antisemitism”, with some audiences members appearing to shout, “that’s not true”.

Mr Dreyfus faced further heckling when he said the Albanese government had “expressly condemned words and acts of hate directed at Jewish people" since the first “expressions of antisemitic sentiment”.

Further jeers were heard when he talked about how Labor had “acted and we will keep acting” on the issue, and people were seen walking out as he said "we have enacted the toughest laws Australia has ever had against hate crimes".

Speaking to Sky News host Chris Kenny, Ms Perlstein explained the audience was "understandably angry" over the government’s prolonged lack of action on antisemitism after it first surged following Hamas' October 7 attacks.

“There was a lot of disappointment firstly because the Jewish community is… understandably angry with the Albanese government and they're understandably angry that it took 14 months before anything serious started to happen and before we even saw one arrest,” she said.

“So there was a lot of hostility towards his address.”
'Brilliant': Antisemitism Summit sent an 'important message'

Never Again? The Fight Against Modern Antisemitism and Historical Erasure: Jonathan Sacerdoti
Jonathan Sacerdoti's keynote lecture at the 'Remaking the Promise of Never Again' conference in London.

"Never again"—a promise or a hollow refrain?

In this powerful and urgent lecture, Jonathan Sacerdoti examines how the meaning of "never again" has been diluted, repurposed, and in some cases, turned against the very people it was meant to protect. From the horrors of the Holocaust to the atrocities of October 7th, he exposes how history is being rewritten, antisemitism is resurgent, and the world is once again looking away.


DEBUNKED: Did Netanyahu FAKE His Jewish Identity? | Hodge Twins

The Terrorist Propaganda to Reddit Pipeline
The r/Palestine network coordinates across Reddit, Discord, X, Instagram, Quora, and Wikipedia, manipulating search engines and AI models like ChatGPT to spread its messaging — a practice known as “data poisoning”

The network systematically launders propaganda from US-designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad Key subreddits infiltrated by the network include r/Documentaries (20m members), r/PublicFreakout (4.7m), and r/therewasanattempt (7.2m), misleading millions into believing its content is organic

Through coordinated vote brigading, subreddit moderation, and content manipulation, the network influences public perception while evading platform moderation and legal consequences Reddit’s trust and safety team has been repeatedly warned about the network’s activities but has failed to act, allowing terror-linked propaganda to proliferate
NHS wellbeing worker on trial for attack on arms factory in Palestine Action protest
An NHS mental health worker is facing trial for allegedly causing criminal damage during a protest at a Kent arms factory in 2023.

Joe Ballesteros, 30, a trainee psychological wellbeing practitioner at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, is accused of vandalising Instro Precision Ltd’s facility on November 6, 2023, along with two other activists from the radical protest group Palestine Action.

Ballesteros, from Muswell Hill, North London, describes himself as an "NHS worker who has taken direct action in support of Palestine" and has been publicly fundraising for his legal fees.

He was charged last June along with Laura Sharples, 26, from Eastleigh, and Eleanor (El) Herndlhofer, 29, from Totnes, Devon. The trio are set to appear at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 14.

Herndlhofer works for a National Lottery-funded environmental group, Transition Together, while Ballesteros supports patients with anxiety and depression at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which serves 2.5 million people.

The protest saw activists block two entrances to the factory, using lock-on devices to chain themselves together. Red paint was sprayed across the entrance to symbolise “Palestinian blood spilt by Elbit’s weaponry,” according to Palestine Action.

Protesters also unfurled banners reading “Join the Resistance” and displayed an image of an activist in overalls wielding what appeared to be a sledgehammer.

Ballesteros has so far raised £2,339 of a £2,500 target to cover his costs. On his fundraising page, he wrote: “Hi, I'm Joe, and in November 2023, I took direct action for Palestine against Instro Precision Ltd at their weapons factory in Kent.”

Palestine Action has staged a series of disruptive protests targeting arms manufacturers which they say are linked to Israel. Last August, five of its activists were jailed for a combined five years and two months after causing more than £1 million in damage to Thales UK, an arms factory in Scotland.


Since Oct. 7, Washington University in St. Louis has quietly opened its doors to Jewish students
During Lauren Eckstein’s freshman year at Pomona College, her grandparents pledged $1.2 million to the private school toward a scholarship to support refugee students.

They gave the money, a press release said at the time, in honor of their family’s own refugee background, having fled antisemitism in Europe.

That was in December 2022. Less than one year later, following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel, Eckstein herself was looking to leave the Los Angeles college after experiencing antisemitism on a campus that was, and continues to be, a hotspot of pro-Palestinian activism.

“I had gone home and was finishing my semester online due to the targeted antisemitism I experienced,” she told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

Eckstein had already sensed campus hostility toward Israel prior to Oct. 7. But after the attacks, she recalled, her friends “started to give me dirty looks” following her decision to post pro-Israel messages on social media. She saw pro-Palestinian protesters staging demonstrations in dining halls and other common areas; she felt that university faculty, including her history professors, were backing the protesters. “I didn’t feel comfortable going back,” she said.

“I have a great deal of respect for my grandparents donating the money for refugees,” Eckstein said. But when it came to finding a comfortable atmosphere for herself as a Jewish student, she sought a safe haven halfway across the country: at Washington University in St. Louis.
Eleven charged after University of Leicester Pro-Palestine 'occupation'
Eleven people have been charged in connection with the alleged occupation of a building at the University of Leicester. Pro-Palestine demonstrators allegedly entered the university's Attenborough Tower during the night on Friday, November 15, last year, and refused leave.

Leicestershire Police officers attended the scene after being called by security staff and made multiple arrests. A force spokesperson said today (Wednesday, February 19) that all 11 individuals had been charged with aggravated trespass.

They have all been released on bail. The 11 are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court over the coming weeks.


Israeli citizen detained for months by Palestinian police, in breach of Oslo Accords
An Israeli citizen has been in Palestinian Authority detention in the West Bank for five months without any legal recourse or help from Israeli authorities.

According to his family and lawyers, 21-year-old Muhammad Odeh was detained by Palestinian security forces in September on allegations that he robbed a truck transporting cigarettes through PA-controlled territory in the West Bank.

“His status isn’t clear — there are no charges filed against him, there is no trial underway… he is on standby,” Odeh’s lawyer, Reda Anbusi, told The Times of Israel.

Despite the fact that his arrest by Palestinian police blatantly violates the Oslo Accords, Israeli authorities responsible for Odeh’s return have not managed to secure his release, though they are aware of the matter. The case was first reported by Shomrim -The Center for Media and Democracy in Israel, last week.

Odeh’s father, Abdallah, filed two complaints with West Bank police regarding the arrest, but both were closed months ago.

“No one is able to give me any answers. Each agency pushes [the issue] off onto other agencies,” lamented Abdallah, who characterized his life since his son’s arrest as frantically running from place to place, turning to both Israeli and Palestinian officials for help.

Meanwhile, the 21-year-old is in great distress, enduring harsh conditions in a Nablus detention facility, according to his lawyer Reda Anbusi, who is in contact with Odeh by weekly phone calls.


Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik on Using His Voice to Stand with Israel
Join Robert and Ericka as they welcome hit singer-songwriter John Ondrasik to Of The People to discuss his pro-Israel advocacy and why using his platform to stand for truth, freedom, and justice matters now more than ever.

About Our Guest – John Ondrasik:
Known by his stage name Five for Fighting, John’s music captivates listeners with his heartfelt lyrics and memorable melodies. Hits like “Superman” and “100 Years” have become well-known anthems, reflecting the complexities of life and the human experience in a way that resonates with his audience. A steadfast friend of Israel and the Jewish people, Robert and Ericka were honored to collaborate with John at the Israel Appreciation Day 2024 event. His support and dedication is truly making an impact in the fight against antisemitism.


Idan Amedi onstage for 1st major show since being wounded in Gaza
Singer and actor Idan Amedi returned to the stage Wednesday night for his first major concert since being seriously wounded during his reserve duty in Gaza last year.

In front of a 8,000-strong crowd in Jerusalem, Amedi preformed his new single “Superman,” dedicated to the memories of Alexei, Akiva, Gavriel and Eliran, his friends who were killed in Gaza.

Perhaps best known for his role on the hit TV show “Fauda,” Amedi was seriously injured by an explosion on January 8, 2024, as he served in the Combat Engineering Corps reserves in Gaza. Six soldiers were killed and several others, including Amedi, were injured in the incident, which was apparently accidentally caused by troops.

At the Jerusalem concert, Amedi spoke in depth about his experience, detailing his first moments in the hospital, his complicated emotions, and his recovery.

“On January 8th [2024], I arrived at Sheba Hospital, burned and sooty, sedated and intubated,” Amedi told the audience, according to the Kan broadcaster. “The name ‘Anonymous, 22 years old’ was written on my arm tag,” said the 37-year-old performer.

He told the crowd that he felt like he had lived “a whole life in one year.”




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