Cheating, Cheating, Cheating!

From The UK Telegraph 7/7/24:

Biden campaign team ‘gave journalists specific questions to ask president’

Radio hosts say they were handed eight to choose from sparking accusations he is unwilling to give unscripted answers 

"Joe Biden’s team gave radio hosts a pre-selected list of questions to use when interviewing him, as the president’s campaign scrambled to control concerns about his age.

"Two interviewers in Philadelphia who spoke with Mr Biden on Wednesday said they were prompted by his team to ask specific questions, sparking accusations that the president is unwilling to give unscripted answers.

"The Biden campaign team is struggling to control a media narrative that he is too old to seek re-election, following his disastrous television debate performance on June 27 and a series of gaffes since.

"Andrea Lawful-Sanders, a host on WURD Radio, said the Biden campaign told her which questions she could ask before she spoke with Mr Biden on Wednesday, for an interview to be aired on Thursday.

"She told CNN the local station had been given eight questions to choose from, and that she had selected four for the interview.

“The questions were sent to me for approval [and] I approved them,” she said, while a second host who spoke to Mr Biden that day told ABC that he “didn’t get a chance to ask him all the things I wanted to ask”.

"The Biden campaign said the questions were only suggestions, and that the hosts were free to ask whatever questions they liked. A spokesman said the campaign would not suggest questions for future interviews."

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Well, I should hope not! This is quite a scandal, and you can just imagine the 24-hour-a-day news coverage if this had been Trump rather than Biden.  Remember "Russia! Russia! Russia!"?

This is nothing more than cheating, cheating, cheating!  Boy, what a week!

Dr Ruth's COVID Brief for 7/6/24

Here's a rare and very succinct warning from Dr Ruth Ann Crystal today, and I hope people will take this seriously:

"I wasn't going to post this week, but COVID is surging, so I wanted to share some data without a research summary. SARS-CoV-2 levels are quite high in many places in the United States now. I would definitely recommend wearing a good fitting N95 or KN95 mask on airplane flights and public transportation now. 

"Have a good rest of your weekend,

"Ruth Ann Crystal MD"

How to Stomach These COVID Symptoms

I had forgotten about these symptoms, so it's good to be reminded.

From the 7/5/24 New York Times:

This May Be the Most Overlooked Covid Symptom: Gastrointestinal issues are a common but often unrecognized sign of infection.

"In January 2020, a man who would become known as the first documented Covid-19 patient in the United States arrived at an urgent care clinic.

"Two of his symptoms, a cough and a fever, were among those that would become known as the telltale symptoms of Covid. But the patient had also experienced two days of nausea and vomiting.

"Many of us associate Covid with respiratory issues. But some people who get sick with the virus never experience a sore throat, coughing or body aches, said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. Certain people end up feeling more like they have food poisoning than anything else.

"That’s because coronavirus is “like throwing a bomb in your body,” said Dr. Ken Cadwell, a professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania who studies how Covid affects the gut. “You’re going to feel that in multiple different organs, not just the lungs.”

"With Covid cases climbing, and the so-called “FLiRT” variants fueling yet another summer spread, here’s how to spot, and address, the lesser-known gastrointestinal symptoms.

Recognizing and resolving stomach symptoms

"In some people, gastrointestinal symptoms hit during the first few days of an infection, before they develop a fever and cough. But many people who only experience stomach symptoms “never think of it as Covid,” Dr. Chin-Hong said.

"Diarrhea is a common Covid-related gastrointestinal symptom, Dr. Chin-Hong said. People can also lose their appetite, and experience nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting.

"Covid doesn’t look the same every time you get infected, said Dr. Davey Smith, an infectious disease specialist at the University of California, San Diego. You might have cold and flu symptoms during one bout of the virus, and gastrointestinal symptoms the next time. Paxlovid, an antiviral medication that reduces the risk of severe disease, can also cause diarrhea.

"Hydration is important for anyone with Covid, but drinking enough fluids is critical if you experience diarrhea or vomiting. If you’re struggling to hold food down, stick to bland foods like toast and bananas, said Dr. Adrienna Jirik, a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic.

"Those who share a bathroom can take steps to avoid contaminating the area with the viral particles in your waste, like opening a window to improve ventilation.

A refresher on other Covid symptoms

"The most common variants currently circulating appear to cause the same symptoms we’ve seen in other recent strains of the virus.

"In addition to digestive discomfort, people commonly develop a sore throat, congestion or a runny nose, head and muscle aches, fever or chills, a cough and fatigue. In severe cases, they can struggle to breathe. While some people who get sick lose their sense of taste or smell, that symptom is far less common now than it was earlier in the pandemic.

"Any of these symptoms can hit days after spending time with someone who has the virus. If you know you’ve been exposed, it’s important to keep an eye out for all the symptoms, including gastrointestinal ones, Dr. Chin-Hong said.

“If everybody in your house has Covid and you have diarrhea, then you have to put two and two together,” he said."

Dani Blum is a health reporter for The Times

Even The Dead Are Targets of Antisemitism

Jewish graves were already being vandalized before October 7, 2023, but things have gotten worse since then. In fact, the first thing I did after October 7 was to go to the cemetery to make sure my parents' graves and the cemetery itself were untouched. That's the kind of worry we have to live with.

What kind of people enjoy vandalizing cemeteries?  This is pure spite and evil, but they are never caught and punished, while the families of the dead are further traumatized.

Here's the latest disgusting example:

FBI Offers Reward for Info on Jewish Cemetery Vandalism in Cincinnati as Photos Reveal Extent of Damage

"The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for vandalizing two historic Jewish cemeteries in Cincinnati, Ohio, this past week.

"At least 176 gravesites were targeted at Tifereth Israel and Beth Hamedrash Hagadol cemeteries located in the Covedale Cemetery Complex sometime between June 25 and July 1. Although numerous signs at the entrances to the cemetery warn of surveillance cameras, none can be seen at the gravesite. There was also no apparent security presence during the incident.

"Toppled and smashed gravesites were seen near several large gaps in the surrounding fence, which allowed vandals easy access to the cemetery.

"The incident appeared to be motivated by antisemitism, although the specific gravesites damaged were attacked at random. 

"In the past few days, families have returned to identify the names on fallen gravesites. Stones were also placed on several of the vandalized headstones as a way to remember those who have passed away.

“Due to the extensive damage and the historical nature of many of the gravestones, we have not yet been able to identify all the families affected by this act,” the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati said a statement. “Our community [is] heartbroken.”

"US President Joe Biden condemned the antisemitic vandalism on X/Twitter.

“The vandalism of nearly 200 graves at two Jewish cemeteries near Cincinnati is despicable,” read a tweet from his official account. “This is antisemitism and it is vile. I condemn these acts and commit my administration to support investigators in holding those responsible accountable to the full extent of the law.”

"According to the the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati, numerous law enforcement agencies — including the FBI, Cincinnati Police Department, and the Green Township Police — are investigating the incident. Until the investigation concludes gravestones will remain overturned.

"The Covedale Cemetery Complex features gravesites that date back to the 1800s, when Cincinnati had a large immigrant Jewish community. Dov Behr Manischewitz — founder of the Manischewitz company in 1888 — along with his wife, Natalie, are buried in Beth Hamedrash Hagadol Cemetery. 

"The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released a report in April showing antisemitic incidents in the US rose 140 percent last year, reaching an all-time high. Most of the outrages occurred after Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, during the ensuing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

"For those with information on the Covedale Cemetery Complex vandalism, the FBI has set-up a hotline at 513-421-4310."

----------------------

At least nobody had the audacity to mention "islamophobia" this time.

A COVID Subvariant: It's Not A 'FLuQE'

Well, this news from Australia is worrisome. First it was FLiRT, now it's FLuQE. And whatever happens in Australia and England in regards to COVID usually happens here in America, too. At least the Australians are taking it seriously:

New Covid-19 strain FLuQE is contributing to a 'sicker than normal' winter season in Australia

"Australians have been warned that a new Covid-19 strain is contributing to a 'sicker than normal' winter season.

"KP.3, also known as FLuQE, is a subvariant of the previously most dominant strain FLiRT and contains a new mutation that makes it more infectious.

"The FLiRT family are all descendants of the JN.1 variant, which caused masses of infections in Australia and in many other countries six months ago.

"Specialists fear that FLuQE means Australia is in the midst of a rising new wave of Covid infections.

'We're sicker than usual this winter, and we're seeing a lot of things circulated simultaneously,' Professor Paul Griffin of the University of Queensland told SBS.

'That means a very significant proportion of the population is infected or has recently been infected.'

"As well as FLiRT, case numbers show Australia is experiencing waves of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), mycoplasma pneumonia and whooping cough.

"Prof Griffin, who is an infectious diseases physician and clinical microbiologist, said he does not recall 'a time where we've had all five of those things circulating in such high numbers'.

'What this virus has done many times, and continues to do, is that it's changed significantly.

'Certainly in our country, FLuQE, or KP.3, has passed FLiRT, or KP.2.'

"Data from NSW Health showed the first FLuQE cases were first recorded in the state in late March.

"Within two months, by late May, FLuQE had taken over as the dominant variant circulating in the state.

"NSW and Queensland have each seen a surge in whooping cough infections - a potentially deadly respiratory infection, most serious in babies under 12 months old.

"Together, the two states have already recorded more than 10,000 cases this year.

"Flu cases are also surging across Australia, with 16,777 cases recorded in NSW alone last week, which is around double the number reported two weeks before."

The Laurel & Hardy White House: That's Another Fine Mess Dems Have Gotten Us Into

Beege Welborn has a typically Beege-ish column at HotAir about Biden's debate debacle and the ensuing Democratic panicky reaction:

Welp...A Few Uncharitable Thoughts From Me About POTATUS Being Publicly Peeled

Here's my favorite part:

"You know what else is really sticking in my craw?

"There is so much speculation about "Does he stay or does he go?"

"If he goes - drops out of the campaign, says he'll sit out - he can't be incapable of running for reelection but capable of running the country. 

"If Biden pulls out, he and his gang of sporty thieves are GONE NOW. He has to resign as president.

"Who and what does that leave us?

  

"Oh, dear God.

"That the first woman president of the United States should be THAT BRAYING, NASAL TONED, VACUOUS CREATURE is so utterly and horribly appalling as to be unthinkable. Honest to God - how could she be any better than the vegetable we have now?

"The whole affair makes me ill - so ill. And so damned angry I want to spit."

----------------

That goes for me, too.  I don't want a DEI President or Vice President. I never even wanted this Vice President, and I still don't even know what her accomplishments are -- if any. WE didn't vote for them, so why should we suffer for 4 more years?

If somehow we end up with her as President, I can't even imagine what America is going to look like, but I know our enemies will be ready to take full advantage of our weakness.

Happy July 4 (If It's Not Hijacked by Violent Antisemites)

The police and the National Guard should be activated and ready today for whatever may come.  This brazen terrorism-with-no-consequences cannot be allowed to continue.  Already today, this happened in Australia, and I have a sick feeling it will happen many times today: 

"Four pro Palestine protesters were arrested for climbing the roof of Australia's Parliament House on Thursday in a security breach condemned by lawmakers, on the same day a ruling party senator quit over the government's stance on Palestine.The protesters stood on the roof of the in Canberra building for around an hour, unfurling black banners including one which read "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free", a common refrain of Pro Palestine protesters."

If you can somehow get past security in Parliament, what is to stop these Jew-haters from breeching synagogues, the White House, the Washington Monument, and our other national landmarks? And what's to stop them and other terrorists from carrying on attacks today? They are telling us what's on their agenda -- the terrrorization and traumatization of Jews.

Do you think these acts of violence would be tolerated and excused if their victims were black? You can be sure the answer would be no.

-------------------------------------

 Pro-Hamas groups planning to crash Fourth of July with riotous US protests

"Pro-Hamas groups are planning to disrupt Fourth of July celebrations marking US Independence Day in Philadelphia and New York City with “All Out for Gaza” protests, demonstrating again an ideological link between their anti-Zionism and anti-Americanism.

“Philly, mark your calendars: July 4,” said an announcement circulated on social media by two groups, The Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC) and CodePink, the latter of which has ties to the virulent antisemite Louis Farrakhan through its proxy Linda Sarsour and has itself promoted antisemitic conspiracies of Jewish power and control.

"The Philly Palestine Coalition, meanwhile, came under national scrutiny in December when it organized what lawmakers and other government officials described as an antisemitic demonstration targeting a restaurant owned by American–Israeli Michael Solomonov, making outlandish accusations against the famed chef and the Jewish state. The group has a history of backing the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas, calling for the destruction of Israel, and ridiculing victims of Hamas’ violence.

"The two groups made clear in their latest social media announcement that Thursday’s planned demonstrations won’t just be protests against Israel but the US as well.

“For the past 9 months, this country’s continued to support, fund, and oversee this ongoing genocide and warmongering all over the world,” the announcement continued, referring to the US government’s overall backing of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

“This July 4th, join us as we stand with the resistance and support Palestine, not AmeriKKKa!” the post continued, combining “America” with the infamous acronym of the Ku Klux Klan. “We don’t celebrate the legacy of genocide, colonialism, and slavery that July 4th symbolizes but struggle for true liberation for all.”

"The post concluded with emojis of the Palestinian flag.

"The Philadelphia protest will take place in Rittenhouse Square, while the New York City protest will take place in Union Square, located in the Manhattan borough.

"Similar to far-right, white nationalist organizations, CodePink has, through its campaigns and social media activity, attempted to undermine the legitimacy of the state by spreading falsehoods about the foreign policy objectives of the US and its allies, including Israel, which it has spuriously accused of committing a genocide in Gaza and manipulating US elections.

"One of CodePink’s board members is lawyer Huwaida Arraf, an anti-Zionist activist who has shared on social media atrocity propaganda manufactured by Hamas to misrepresent Israel’s actions in the Palestinian territories. He was also the co-founder of International Solidarity Movement (ISM), a group that was linked to terrorists in a 2004 investigation conducted by the FBI.

"CodePink publicly boasts ties to other groups linked to terror, including American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), an advocacy group that, according to a landmark report published last year by the National Association of Scholars (NAS), “retains ties to terrorist groups operating in the Palestinian territories.”

"In 2019, CodePink defended US Rep. Ilhan Omar’s (D-MN) saying that support for Israel is “all about the Benjamins, baby,” an evocation of antisemitic tropes concerning Jewish influence through money. In a statement posted to its website, the organization accused Jews of attacking “people of color,” a tactic that has been appropriated by far-right groups to defend minority public figures of color who embrace and traffic in antisemitic conspiracies.

“Everyone who works in Washington, DC knows that when an elected official crosses AIPAC [the America Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying organization in the US], uses its enormous power to exact revenge,” CodePink said. “We are seeing it now as they try to destroy a brand new, inspirational congresswoman: Ilhan Omar. We won’t stand for it again. Every moment that we allow false accusations of anti-Semitism [sic] to dominate the national conversation, we ignore the actual issues … The pro-Israel lobby has been looking for any reason to attack Ilhan Omar, but don’t let them dictate the terms of the debate.”

"The Philly Palestine Coalition (PPC) was the principal orchestrator of illegal “Gaza Solidarity Encampments” at the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, according to an investigative report by The Washington Free Beacon, demonstrations which resulted in dozens of antisemitic incidents, vandalism, and hate speech.

"At the University of Pennsylvania, protesters, students, and non-students who were sent there by PPC vandalized a statue of Benjamin Franklin. At Drexel University, during the time of PPC’s involvement in protests, the Raymond G. Perelman Center for Jewish Life was vandalized, with the perpetrators removing large channel letters spelling out Perelman’s name from a brick structure bearing the building’s name.

"A month later, Drexel University was pushed into lockdown when the PPC-backed group “Drexel Palestine Coalition” (DPC) set up an encampment and flooded it with non-students. DPC then demanded that the school adopt the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel and “terminate” its Hillel and Chabad chapters.

“These organizations must be replaced by non-Zionist Jewish ones that in no way support the ongoing genocide, occupation, or apartheid in Palestine,” DPC said in a statement posted on social media.

"DPC also demanded that the university abolish its police, grant amnesty to any protester charged with violating school rules, and reduce the salary of the university’s president John Fry by “60 percent.” Footage of their demonstration showed some aggressive behavior, including the dismantling of police barricades.

“Since Oct. 7, we have seen pro-Hamas activists abuse the First Amendment to rationalize their support for terrorism under the guise of ‘free speech,’ turning America on its head by spreading anti-American values,” Asaf Romirowsky, an expert on the Middle East and executive director of Scholars for Peace in the Middle East told The Algemeiner on Tuesday. “With July 4th around the corner we are now seeing yet again another egregious attempt by pro-Hamas groups, including CodePink, to subvert our democracy by presenting anti-democratic values as ‘democratic’ but instead showing their roots in an ideological nexus of Marxism, Communism, and antisemitism.”

"He continued, “The continuous attempt to push their unbridled defenses of Hamas in every aspect of American life is part of a consistent strategy to marginalize and exclude Israelis and Jews from the American zeitgeist as a pretext for increasingly crude antisemitism.”

How About An Operation Warp Speed For Nursing Home Vaccinations?

This is inexcusable, and everyone should be outraged.  Have people forgotten the 170,000 residents who died from COVID?

From NPR Shots section: Nursing homes falling farther behind on vaccinating patients for COVID

"It seems that no one is taking COVID-19 seriously anymore, said Mollee Loveland, a nursing home aide who lives outside of Pittsburgh.

"Loveland has seen patients and coworkers at the nursing home die from the virus.

"Now she has a new worry: bringing COVID home and unwittingly infecting her infant daughter, Maya, born in May.

“She’s still so tiny,” said Loveland, whose maternity leave ended in late June. Six months is the earliest an infant can get vaccinated for COVID.

"Loveland is also troubled by the possibility that the nursing home could experience a summer COVID surge, just like last year.

“It’s more amplified with the breathing issues because of how humid it is, how hot it is, how muggy it is,” she said.

"Between her patients’ complex medical needs and their close proximity to each other, COVID continues to pose a grave threat to Loveland’s nursing home — and to the 15,000 other certified nursing homes in the U.S. where some 1.2 million people live.

"Despite this risk, an April report found that just four out of 10 nursing home residents in the U.S. have received the most recent COVID vaccine, which was released last fall. The analysis drew on data from October 16, 2023 through February 11, 2024, and was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

"The CDC report also revealed that during January’s COVID peak, the rate of hospitalizations among nursing home residents was more than eight times higher when compared to all U.S. adults, age 70 and older.

Billing complexities and patient skepticism

"The low vaccination rate is partly driven by the fact that the federal government is no longer picking up the tab for administering the shots, said Dr. Rajeev Kumar, a Chicago-based geriatrician.

"While the vaccine remains free to patients, clinicians must now bill each person’s insurance company separately. That makes vaccinating an entire nursing home more logistically complicated, said Kumar. 

"Kumar is president of The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, which represents clinicians who work in nursing homes and similar settings, such as post-acute care, assisted living and hospice facilities.

“The challenges of navigating through that process and arranging vaccinations, making sure that somebody gets to bill for services and collect money, that's what has become a little bit more tedious,” he said.

"(In April, after the study was released, the CDC recommended that adults who are 65 or older get an additional dose of the updated vaccine if it's been more than four months since their last vaccine. That means that going forward, most nursing home patients who have had only one shot in fall or winter are not considered up-to-date on the COVID vaccine.)

"Another issue is that Kumar and his colleagues are encountering more skepticism of the COVID vaccine, compared to when it first rolled out.

“The long term care population is a microcosm of what’s happening across the country, and unfortunately, COVID vaccine reluctance remains persistent throughout the general public. It’s our most significant challenge,” according to an emailed statement from Dr. David Gifford, chief medical officer at AHCA/NCAL, which represents both for-profit and not-for-profit nursing homes.

"Nursing aide Mollee Loveland also has observed doubts and misinformation cropping up among patients at her job: “It’s the Facebook rabbit hole.”

"But there are ways to push back against bad information, and states show wide variation in the proportion of nursing home residents who have been recently vaccinated.

"For example, in both North and South Dakota, more than 60% of nursing home residents in those states have gotten at least one COVID shot since early October.

Building trust through relationships

"One major medical system operating in the Dakotas, Sanford Health, has managed more than two dozen nursing homes since a 2019 merger with the long-term care chain the Good Samaritan Society.

"In some of these nursing homes more than 70% of residents have been vaccinated since early October — at one Sanford facility in Canton, South Dakota, the rate exceeds 90%.

"Sanford achieved this by leveraging the size of the health system to make delivering the vaccine more efficient, said Dr. Jeremy Cauwels, Sanford’s chief medical officer. He also credited a close working relationship with a South Dakota-based pharmacy chain, Lewis Drug.

"But the most crucial factor was that many of Sanford’s nursing home patients are cared for by doctors who are also employed by the health system.

"At the majority of Sanford’s North and South Dakota nursing homes, these clinicians provide on-site primary care, meaning patients don’t have to leave the facilities to see their doctors.

"Another benefit of this integration is that Sanford clinicians and nursing home staffers both have access to the same patient medical records, which helps them keep track of which patients have and have not been vaccinated.

"These employed doctors have been critical in persuading patients to stay up-to-date on their COVID shots, said Cauwels. For example, a medical director who worked at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Canton was a long-serving physician with close ties to that community.

“An appropriate one-on-one conversation with someone who cares about you and has a history of doing so in the past, for us, has resulted in much better numbers than other places have been able to get to nationally,” said Cauwels, who added that Sanford still needs to work on reaching the remaining patients who haven’t gotten the recent COVID shot.

"Sanford’s success shows that the onus of getting patients vaccinated extends beyond nursing homes, said Jodi Eyigor, the director of nursing home quality and policy for LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes. She said primary care providers, hospitalists, pharmacists and other health care stakeholders need to step up.

“What conversations have occurred before they walked into a nursing home’s doors, between them and their doctors? Because they’re probably seeing their doctors quit frequently before they come into the nursing home,” said Eyigor, who notes these other clinicians are also regulated by Medicare, which is the federal health insurance program for adults who are 65 and older.

Critics: shot uptake linked to residents’ dissatisfaction

"Still, nursing homes are required to educate patients — as well as staff — about the importance of the COVID vaccines. Industry critics contend that one-on-one conversations, based on trusted relationships with clinicians, are the least that nursing homes should do.

"But many facilities don’t seem to be doing even that, according to Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a watchdog group that monitors nursing homes. A 40% recent vaccination rate is inexcusable, he said, given the danger the virus poses to people who live in nursing homes.

"A study from the Journal of Health Economics estimates that from the start of the pandemic through August 15, 2021, 21% of COVID deaths in the U.S. were among people who live in nursing homes.

"The alarmingly low COVID vaccination rate is actually a symptom of larger issues throughout the industry, according to Mollot. He hears from patients’ families about poor food quality and a general apathy that some nursing homes have toward residents’ concerns. He also cites high rates of staff turnover, and substandard, and even dangerous, care.

"These problems intensified in the years since the start of the COVID pandemic, Mollot said, causing extensive stress throughout the industry.

“That has resulted in much lower care, much more disrespectful interactions between residents and staff, and there’s just that lack of trust,” he added.

"Mollee Loveland, the nursing aide, also thinks the industry has fundamental problems when it comes to daily interactions between workers and residents. She said the managers at her job often ignore patients’ concerns.

“I feel like if the facilities did more with the patients, they would get more respect from the patients,” she said.

"So when administrators announce it’s time for residents to get the newest COVID vaccine, Loveland said, they often are simply ignored, even if it puts their own health at risk."

This story comes from NPR's health reporting partnership with KFF Health News.

Infuriating: Anti-Jewish Attacks in America in June 2024 Alone

Here’s a Partial List of Assaults on American Jews in June, by Alexander Joffe at The Algemeiner:

"Street protests targeting Jews and Jewish institutions, and institutions deemed supportive of Israel, escalated in June and were characterized by threats of violence and antisemitic rhetoric. Among the most notable incidents was a Los Angeles march by keffiyeh clad and masked protestors organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement and Code Pink, where Jews were physically assaulted outside of a synagogue.

"The confrontations spilled over into the surrounding Jewish neighborhood, where a number of Jews were beaten and sprayed with mace. Reports indicate Los Angeles police, who had been warned about the event, were initially instructed to stand down and then protected protestors and prohibited Jews from entering the synagogue. Several injuries and one arrest were reported.

"President Biden condemned the Los Angeles attack without naming the perpetrators as did Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass and other local politicians including Governor Gavin Newsom, all within a 30-minute period. The protests were defended by anti-Israel activists and the ACLU (for the non-violent part) on the grounds that the real estate fair was “political activity.”

"In another egregious example, protestors from Within Our Lifetime (WOL) in New York City besieged an exhibition about the Nova music festival massacre of October 7. Police rushed the waiting viewers into the exhibition space while protestors lit flares and shouted “long live intifada” and “Israel go to hell.”

"In another pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah protest, a two-mile long group organized by the People’s Forum, Palestinian Youth Movement, and the ANSWER Coalition encircled the White House. Protestors shouted “We don’t want no two states, we’re taking back 48” and “kill another Zionist now” while vandalizing local monuments with slogans including “Death to Amerikkka,” “Death to Israel,” “Death to Zionists,” and “Al-Qasam make us proud. Kill another soldier now.”

"No arrests were made, and mainstream media reported only slogans such as “free Palestine.”

"Other public events have been co-opted by anti-Israel protests, notably gay pride parades. In Philadelphia the pride parade was blocked by anti-Israel protestors who shouted “Now, Now, Now, Now, Burn Israel to the ground.” The Washington D.C., and Denver pride parades were similarly disrupted.

"In one June incident, the homes of Brooklyn Museum trustees were vandalized by WOL activists with red paint, red triangles symbolizing Hamas targets, and the words “blood is on your hands.” The home of the head of the board, Anne Pasternak, was painted with the words “White Supremacist Zionist.”

"The museum has been targeted repeatedly by pro-Hamas protestors, who have now attacked the institution for permitting arrests of protestors who took over part of the building.

"Among the official responses to escalating pro-Hamas violence have been calls to reinstate mask bans which had been aimed at the Ku Klux Klan. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City mayor Eric Adams, and Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass — all Democrats — spoke in favor, while the ACLU and “civil liberties”advocates expressed opposition.

"A group took credit for three firebombings on the University of California at Berkeley campus in “in retaliation for UCPD’s violent assaults on vulnerable student demonstrators and to punish the university of kkkalifornia system for supporting the genocidal Zionist-Israel entity.” The Columbia University Jewish Voice for Peace chapter expressed support for the perpetrator.

"Efforts were made to disrupt remaining campus activities. At Columbia University, an encampment was set up to harass attendees at alumni weekend.  Building takeovers also occurred at Cal State Los Angeles and Oregon State University. At Cal State, the takeover trapped a number of staff members inside the building, including the president, and vandalism was widespread. No arrests have been made.

"University and local authorities continue to take little or no action against protestors. Notably, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg dropped most charges against students and others arrested for taking over a building at Columbia University.

"Harassment of Jewish students and campus organizations remained steady in June. The University of Southern California Chabad house and the University of Minnesota Hillel building were vandalized. Student for Justice in Palestine (SJP) remains at the forefront of targeting Jews on campus. At the University of Pittsburgh, the SJP chapter demanded , among other things, that the Hillel chapter be banned from campus for its support of Zionism.

"Direct SJP protests were also held at the Baruch College Hillel, which included banners stating “Hillel stands with genocide,” “It is right to rebel, Hillel go to hell,” and “Synagogue of Satan.” The masked protestors also wore Hamas and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) headbands.

"Faculty support for anti-Israel students was highlighted by the events surrounding publication of a tendentious and absurd paper by the Columbia Law Review that alleged “nakba” should be a new category in international law. After secretly soliciting and then circumventing the normal review process the paper was accepted. The board of directors then asked the student editors to delay posting the piece online leading to accusations of censorship.

"The student editors then published the piece and leaked the story to the media while the directors shut down the website. The piece was later published with a board disclaimer regarding the irregular process. The incident illustrated how student activists have helped subvert international law by controlling law reviews and surrounding discourse.

"In the K-12 sphere, walkouts occurred across the country, and support of anti-Israel activities at the New York City Department of Education was also shown by the fact that it had hired prominent BDS activist Debbie Almontaser to conduct “workshops” on the Gaza war for teachers. Jewish teachers complained that the materials presented were deeply anti-Israel.

"The predictable targeting of Jews by teachers and parents reached its peak in June at a fifth grade commencement ceremony in Brooklyn when a Jewish family was physically attacked by an Arabic-speaking family shouting “Free Palestine!” “Gaza is Ours!” and “Death to Israel.”

"A presentation made by teachers to high school students in the Fort Lee, New Jersey, Public School District — which described Hamas as “armed resistance,” the “Nakba” as “the ethnic cleansing of Palestine and near destruction of Palestinian society,” and the Gaza war as “genocide” — is another event criticized after the fact. The tendentiousness of the presentation was explicitly recognized by the teachers who confiscated students’ cellphones and warned in advance that it was “biased.”

"Most egregiously, efforts are being made by schools to institutionalize anti-Israel bias and Palestinian narratives in the guise of outlawing “anti-Palestinian racism.” At the Toronto District School Board, proposals were adopted in June to outlaw this supposed hatred. While the Toronto proposal was vague, other cases indicate that objecting to the Palestinian narrative of the nakba, Palestinian descriptions of Zionist as racism, and demands for Israel to be erased, are examples of “anti-Palestinian racism.”

"The June political primaries showed the pivotal place of Israel and antisemitism at all levels of American politics. In the most closely observed race, Westchester County Executive George Latimer defeated Squad member Rep. Jamaal Bowman by a large margin in a New York Democratic primary. Bowman blamed the loss on Israel supporters, Jews, and AIPAC.

"Another key test will come in August when Rep. Cori Bush faces a Democratic primary challenge in Missouri, and Rep. Debbie Wasserstein-Schultz (D-FL) is facing a challenge from a Jewish anti-Zionist.

"In the international sphere, the Maldives announced that it was banning Israelis from entering. After an outcry and calls for a boycott of the country by the Jewish community, the Maldive government announced it was reconsidering. One consideration was apparently the fact that the edict as written banned Arab citizens of Israel in addition to Jews.

"Anti-Israel bias continues to dominate and divide the various communities in the arts, with attacks from Palestinian supporters leading to sudden revocation of corporate support for festivals and other events. In Britain, Barclays has dropped support for music festivals after protests from artists regarding the firm’s alleged business relationship with Israel. Several festivals boycotted Barclays, which has been long targeted by the anti-Israel movement including recently vandalizing of branches around Britain.

'Similarly, the investment firm Baillie Gifford ended its support for all book festivals in Britain after being attacked for its minor business links with Israel and alleged relationship with fossil fuel. Critics note that continued attacks on corporate sponsors will undermine arts funding in Britain and jeopardize the existence of book festivals. A similar process is emerging in the US where the South by Southwest festival announced it would no longer accept support from the US Army or weapons companies after boycott threats from various bands.

"The politicization of Wikipedia, where a handful of anti-Israel editors have now elected to ban the ADL as a source, parallels that of the media, albeit behind the fig leaves of anonymity and decentralization. The use of Wikipedia as a source for generative artificial intelligence training promises to expand and cement anti-Israel bias and antisemitism."

The author is a contributor to SPME, where a significantly different version of this article was first published.

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Remember: this is only a partial list of assaults only on American Jews, and only in June. Imagine what a full list on all Jews since October 7, 2023, must be like. The fact that most of these attacks go unpunished is sickening.

Thanks a Lot, Turkey(s)!

‘Vile’ Turkey refuses to refuel Israeli plane after emergency landing

Human rights lawyer calls incident “outrageous, gross violation” of international law.

By World Israel News Staff

"Turkish authorities refused to allow an Israeli plane to refuel in order to reach its final destination after it made an emergency landing in Antalya, likely violating international aviation law and effectively trapping the plane on Turkish soil for hours.

"The drama began when a passenger suffered a medical emergency aboard an El Al flight bound for Tel Aviv, which had departed from Warsaw, Poland on Sunday morning.

“After consulting with the doctor who treated the passenger on the plane, it was decided that it should land urgently in order to evacuate the passenger to the hospital as soon as possible,” El Al said in a statement.

"Because the passenger needed immediate medical attention, the plane was forced to divert and make a landing at the nearest airport, Antalya Airport in southwest Turkey.

"But despite receiving permission for the landing, it was clear that Turkish authorities saw the arrival of the El Al plane as an opportunity to lash out against Israel.

"Turkish airport authorities refused to allow the plane to refuel, when it needed to do so in order to continue to Tel Aviv.

"Passengers were not given permission to leave the plane, and were forced to sit for hours on the tarmac while the El Al captain and crew attempted to obtain fuel for the flight.

"Following a wait of several hours, the plane departed without refueling for nearby Rhodes, Greece. There, the plane refueled, departed, and finally landed safely in Israel.

"After media reports emerged about Turkey’s refusal to allow the plane to continue its journey, officials claimed that the El Al captain “decided to leave” shortly before “fuel was to be provided.”

"Notably, the statement was a tacit admission that Turkey had delayed refueling for hours. The claim that the authorities had agreed to provide fuel is dubious, and appeared to be an attempt to save face by the Turkish government.

“This is outrageous, and gross violation of international law,” wrote human rights lawyer Arsen Ostrovsky on social media platform X.

"Ostrovsky noted that in 2023, “after massive earthquake in Turkey, Israel was one of first to provide aid. And now Erdogan’s regime, a NATO ally by the way, does this? Vile and unconscionable!”

"Since the October 7th massacres, the Turkish government has banned all direct flights between Israel and Turkey and repeatedly expressed support for the Hamas terror group.

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I suppose if the arriving plane had had a huge 'Palestinian' flag on it rather than the El Al logo and Star of David, it would have been welcomed with open arms and cheering throngs at the airport.

These antisemites are Nazis, pure and simple. This kind of blatant, unapologetic hatred is typical. Even a medical emergency doesn't move them. This behavior is what every antisemite is emulating.

They had better hope they don't have an emergency of their own any time soon, because they won't find any Jews who will respond.