The lawsuit, which was filed in a New York court, seeks at least $4 billion in damages for the attack. The suit was filed by the Anti-Defamation League — a Jewish advocacy organization — and is the largest case against foreign countries in connection with the attack.
This comes as the Israeli army ordered a mass evacuation of Palestinians from much of the southern Gaza city Khan Younis on Monday, July 1, signaling troops are likely to launch a new ground assault into the strip’s second-largest city.
Lawmakers grill college presidents over rise of antisemitism on campuses
Congress grilled university presidents on Dec. 5 over the rise of antisemitism on their campuses. Students have been vocal about their experiences with some saying they feel like their lives are in danger.
“Thirty-six hours ago, I — along with most of campus — sought refuge in our rooms as classmates and professors chanted proudly for the genocide of Jews,” said Eyal Yakoby, a Jewish student at the University of Pennsylvania during a news conference.
A recent report by the Anti-Defamation League found 73% of Jewish college students and 44% of non-Jewish students “have experienced or witnessed antisemitism since the start of this school year.”
Lawmakers on the House Education Committee pressed the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Institute of Technology for more than five hours over the treatment of Jewish students, particularly since the Hamas attacks in Israel Oct. 7.
The Republican-led committee started the hearing with a moment of silence for Israelis lost or taken hostage. Then, the committee played a video montage highlighting college students calling for “intifada” – a term used to call for violence against Jewish people.
During opening statements, Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., made comments about each of the higher educational institutions, directing strong remarks toward Harvard University President Dr. Claudine Gay.
“Harvard also, not coincidentally but causally, was ‘ground zero’ for antisemitism following Oct. 7,” Foxx said.
Dr. Gay acknowledged that she has seen a “dramatic and deeply concerning rise in antisemitism” around the world, the country and her campus. She also said she has seen a rise in Islamophobia since the Israel-Hamas war started two months ago, saying Jewish and Muslim leaders, faculty members and students are scared after experiencing grief, fear and trauma.
During these difficult days, I have felt the bonds of our community strain. In response, I’ve sought to confront hate while preserving free expression. This is difficult work and I know that I have not always gotten it right.
Harvard President Dr. Claudine Gay
“During these difficult days, I have felt the bonds of our community strain,” Dr. Gay said during her opening remarks. “In response, I’ve sought to confront hate while preserving free expression. This is difficult work and I know that I have not always gotten it right.”
Dr. Gay also said Harvard does not permit speech that either incites violence or threatens safety and that Harvard students must follow a code of conduct.
“Again, we are deeply committed to free expression,” Dr. Gay said. “But when speech crosses over into conduct that violates our policies–policies against bullying, harassment, intimidation–we do take action.”
During questioning, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., engaged Dr. Gay, Harvard’s first black female president.
“Dr. Gay, a Harvard student calling for the mass murder of African Americans is not protected free speech at Harvard, correct?” Stefanik asked.
“Our commitment to free speech,” Dr. Gay said before being interrupted.
“It’s a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ question. Is that correct?” Stefanik asked. “Is that okay for students to call for the mass murder of African Americans at Harvard? Is that protected free speech?”
Dr. Gay was unable to answer the question. Stefanik then asked Dr. Gay about Harvard students chanting “intifada” on campus.
“So based on your testimony, you understand that this call for intifada is to commit genocide against the Jewish people in Israel and globally, correct?” Stefanik asked.
“I will say again that type of hateful speech is personally abhorrent to me,” Dr. Gay explained.
“Do you believe that type of hateful speech is contrary to Harvard’s code of conduct or is it allowed at Harvard?” Stefanik asked.
“It is at odds with the values of Harvard,” Dr. Gay said.
“Can you not say that it is against the code of conduct at Harvard?” Stefanik asked.
“We embrace a commitment to free expression, even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful,” Dr. Gay said. “It’s when that speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies against bullying, harassment and intimidation.”
“Does that speech not cross that barrier?” Stefanik asked. “Does that speech not call for the genocide of Jews and the elimination of Israel?”
Dr. Gay could not say whether the call for intifada against Jews is considered harassment rather than protected free speech.
When pressed by Rep. Nathaniel Moran, R-Texas, on whether any Harvard students had faced suspension or expulsion, Dr. Gay said she would have her office get back to the committee with those details.
“Have any students been expelled or disciplined for bullying, harassment, or these actions that you’re listing?” Rep. Moran asked Dr. Gay.
“I can assure you we have robust student disciplinary processes and we use them,” Dr. Gay responded.
“No, no, no, no, no, I didn’t ask about your processes,” Moran said. “I asked if any student has been disciplined or removed from Harvard, as a result of the bullying and the harassment that’s taken placed based on their antisemitic views in the past months since the Oct. 7 attack.”
“We consistently apply our policies,” Dr. Gay said.
“So have any students, can you give me a number?” Moran asked. “Has it been two? Ten? Twenty? Or have there been zero students who have been disciplined for their activity? Not their speech, their activity.”
Dr. Gay could not provide a number and said she would follow up with specifics later.
Democrats questioned the university leaders, too. Rep. Susan Wild, D-Penn., asked University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill to determine if calling for intifada amounted to incitement of violence.
“You saw a video at the beginning of this and to the extent of protests at Penn were referenced,” Wild said to Magill. “Did you see that video as an example of hate speech or speech that would incite violence?”
The, the chanting, I think, calling for intifada or global revolution — very disturbing — and I can imagine many people’s reaction to that would be one of fear. So, I believe at a minimum that it is hateful speech that has been and should be condemned.
University of Pennsylvania President Elizabeth Magill
“That video, just as a human being, was very hard to watch,” Magill responded. “The, the chanting, I think, calling for intifada or global revolution — very disturbing — and I can imagine many people’s reaction to that would be one of fear. So, I believe at a minimum that it is hateful speech that has been and should be condemned. Whether it rises to level of incitement of violence under the policies at Penn and the city of Philadelphia follow, which are guided by the United States Constitution, I think is a much more difficult question. The incitement to violence is a very narrow category.”
Magill acknowledged UPenn is working to implement new strategies to help combat antisemitism on campus. The new measures were announced last month and focus on safety, security, engagement and education.
None of the university presidents could give a direct answer on if calling for intifada amounted to incitement to violence against Jews. They could not provide numbers for if or how many of their students had faced consequences according to their school’s codes of conduct for calling for intifada.
Each witness did condemn Hamas’ terror attack and all responded “yes” when asked if Israel has a right to exist.
House Republicans have proposed cutting federal funding by 25% to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, which is responsible for investigating hate crimes on campus.
Elon Musk visited Israel on Monday, Nov. 27 amid accusations of antisemitism against him and his social media platform, X. Musk’s itinerary included a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The two men toured a community previously attacked by Hamas and live streamed a conversation on X. The visit came after several controversial incidents earlier this month that led advertisers to withdraw from X.
On Nov. 15, an X user wrote that Jewish communities promote “hatred against whites.” Musk replied with “you have said the actual truth.”Musk went on to make a statement against the Anti-Defamation League, writing that the organization “unjustly attacks the majority of the West.” The Anti-Defamation League’s CEO, Jonathan Greenblatt, condemned the thread on X.
“At a time when antisemitism is exploding in America and surging around the world, it is indisputably dangerous to use one’s influence to validate and promote antisemitic theories,” Greenblatt wrote.
Following Musk’s tweets, progressive nonprofit Media Matters published a report that said advertisements on X were being placed alongside antisemitic content. Advertisements for IBM, Oracle, Xfinity, Apple, and Bravo were shown above and below posts touting Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
X filed a lawsuit against Media Matters. Musk has denied the antisemitism allegations, stating, “nothing could be further from the truth.”
Conspiracies fill social media as search continues for accused Maine shooter
A massive manhunt in Maine is still ongoing as of Friday, Oct. 27, as law enforcement searches for 40-year-old Robert Card. Card, an Army reservist, is accused of killing 18 people and wounding more than a dozen others in a mass shooting on Oct. 25 in Lewiston.
Police say Card shot numerous victims inside a bowling alley and a restaurant. Investigators then found Card’s vehicle at a boat dock and have advised residents of Lewiston and nearby communities to shelter in place.
Authorities believe Card could be in a 15-foot lake boat. The Coast Guard dispatched a vessel and a plane to search the waterways, and investigators deployed divers and sonar equipment to either find a body or more evidence connected to Card.
“I think that every minute that this goes on, we’re more and more concerned, you know, because what’s the next thing that’s going to happen?” Michael Sauschuck, commissioner of Maine’s Department of Public Safety, said during a news conference. “And we understand that, and that’s why we’re working 24/7 to bring this individual to justice and to try to bring some closure and some overall safety to our communities.”
Meanwhile, all kinds of rumors and speculation are spreading on social media. Numerous verified accounts on X made posts claiming the Maine shooting was a “false flag.”
According to the Anti-Defamation League, a false flag is “a term used by conspiracy theorists to suggest that various world events and crises, such as terrorist attacks and mass shootings, were actually orchestrated by governments or sinister forces in furtherance of a political or social goal, such as gun control or sowing public fear.”
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, one day before the Maine mass shooting, Vice President Kamala Harris posted on X: “Congress must pass an assault weapons ban. President Joe Biden will sign it.”
Wednesday night, just hours after the mass shooting, Laura Loomer, a popular podcaster with more 635,000 followers posted in response to Harris.
“1 day ago. Interesting. And tomorrow @JoeBiden is giving a speech on a proposal for an assault weapons ban at 1 pm EST? Wow. Interesting timing with what just happened in Lewiston, Maine tonight. Imagine that,” Loomer wrote.
Mandy AMC, a self-proclaimed “conspiracy realist” with a verified X account, posted a poll to the platform asking thousands of her followers if they believe the Maine shooting was a false flag event. According to the results, 45% of respondents said “yes.”
Israel Prime Minister urges Elon Musk to stop hate speech on X
On Monday, Sept. 18, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, met with Elon Musk in hopes to thwart antisemitic hate speech on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. This was after Musk blamed the Anti-Defamation League for trying to “kill” his platform.
Musk, without evidence, accused the ADL, a non-profit that fights against antisemitic, extremism, and hate, of causing a 60% decrease in U.S. ad revenue. Since then, Musk has responded to users on X who have voiced antisemitic ideals.
In their meeting, Netanyahu urged Musk to find a balance between the First Amendment and stopping hate speech.
I hope you find, within the confines of the First Amendment, the ability to stop antisemitism or roll it back as best you can, but also any collective hatred of a people like the one antisemitism represents. I urge and encourage you to find the balance.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu
“I hope you find, within the confines of the First Amendment, the ability to stop antisemitism or roll it back as best you can, but also any collective hatred of a people like the one antisemitism represents. I urge and encourage you to find the balance,” Netanyahu said.
While Musk said he is openly against hatred toward any group and anything that promotes hatred and conflict, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech.
“Free speech at times means that someone you don’t like says something you don’t like,” Musk said.
Musk added there are hundreds of millions of posts on any given day, and among those posts, he said some will be bad.
Netanyahu said regardless of what is or isn’t free speech, openly condemning hatred is essential.
“The vile things that are said, I don’t care if they come from the hard left or from the hard right, or white supremacist or, I don’t know, the ultra progressives, for me that is something that I condemn and I that it is important to,” Netanyahu said.
The two went on to agree that combating hate speech by preventing the use of bots to amplify antisemitic views would help. Musk added that adding a small monthly cost to use X would make using bots to boost hate speech harder.
About 200 protesters gathered outside of the Tesla factory in Fremont, CA, as the two met, against the Israeli government’s judicial remodeling. Netanyahu said he is trying to prevent political overreach by limiting the powers of Israel’s supreme court.
The other side argues this shift only removes oversight and encourages corruption. Netanyahu noted that he will focus on this issue when he returns to Israel.
Musk threatens to sue Anti-Defamation League, teases more Twitter Files
More Twitter Files could arrive as soon as next week, and the Anti-defamation League (ADL) could soon be slapped with a defamation lawsuit from Elon Musk. This, according to Musk himself, who made a series of posts on X over the weekend.
“Since the acquisition, The @ADL has been trying to kill this platform by falsely accusing it & me of being anti-Semitic.” Musk said. “Our U.S. advertising revenue is still down 60%, primarily due to pressure on advertisers by@ADL (that’s what advertisers tell us), so they almost succeeded in killing X/Twitter!”
Since the acquisition, The @ADL has been trying to kill this platform by falsely accusing it & me of being anti-Semitic
The ADL published a report back in May of 2023 accusing the social media platform of hosting an array of antisemitic tweets. The ADL cited more than 2,000 accounts that were reinstated by Musk under his free speech campaign when he acquired Twitter.
One account in support of Musk’s ADL lawsuit is the well-known Libs of TikTok account. Libs of TikTok took things a step further, calling for Musk to release more Twitter Files regarding any communications from the ADL about removing or censoring certain accounts.
“Please consider releasing all communications and providing full transparency on the ADL & all other organizations who have pushed to censor certain accounts on Twitter/X,” Libs of TikTok said on X. “Sincerely, Thousands of users who have been suspended, throttled, silenced, and shadow banned.”
Dear Elon,
Please consider releasing all communications and providing full transparency on the ADL & all other organizations who have pushed to censor certain accounts on Twitter/X.
Sincerely,
Thousands of users who have been suspended, throttled, silenced, and shadowbanned. pic.twitter.com/ZcvoBSvR84
Musk said a giant data dump would clear the air, hinting that his team could potentially release those files. As for the lawsuit, Musk said it would be ironic to sue the ADL for defamation, but it would also be the reasonable course of action.
In an emailed statement, the ADL said it is “unsurprised yet undeterred that antisemites, white supremacists, conspiracy theorists and other trolls have launched a coordinated attack on our organization.” The organization added “this type of thing is nothing new.”
GOP senator says calling white nationalists racist is a matter of ‘opinion’
An exchange between Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins is drawing criticism on Capitol Hill after Tuberville argued that white nationalism and its definition are a matter of “opinion.” His comments were made during an interview on CNN.
During the exchange, Collins defined a white nationalist as “someone who believes in the superiority of the white race.” Tuberville responded by saying, “Well, that’s some people’s opinion.”
This story is considered a media miss by the right, as it is being underreported by right-oriented news outlets and mostly covered by left-oriented outlets, according to the Straight Arrow News Media Miss tool.
Tuberville was invited on CNN to clarify statements he made during a previous interview with a Birmingham radio station in May. In that interview, when asked whether he believed white nationalists should be allowed to serve in the military, Tuberville responded, “I call them Americans.”
Despite facing criticism, Tuberville has reiterated this stance on white nationalism, arguing that the term is merely a “cover word” used by Democrats to engage in identity politics.
In the CNN interview, Tuberville also emphasized his opposition to racism, stating, “If that white nationalist is a racist, I’m totally against anything that they want to do, because I am 110% against racism.”
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, white nationalist groups espouse white supremacist or white separatist ideologies, often focusing on the alleged inferiority of non-white persons. Their primary goal is to create a “white ethnostate,” the legal advocacy organization says.
This Merriam-Webster and other dictionaries concur with similar definitions.
The Anti-Defamation League states that white nationalism is a term that originated among white supremacists as a euphemism for white supremacy.
Polling data indicates that the majority of Americans are against white supremacy. However, there is a notable political discrepancy in which side sees it as a significant problem in the country.
A joint poll conducted by YouGov and Vice News last year found that approximately 60% of Republicans identified white supremacy extremism as either a major problem or somewhat of a problem. In contrast, about 93% of Democrats held that position, per the poll.
Furthermore, separate polling carried out by the African American Research Collaborative reveals that nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans were worried or very worried about elected officials remaining silent or failing to speak out against white nationalists and extremists. Concerns were particularly higher among Black and Latino voters.
What was the antisemitic film that got Nets star Kyrie Irving suspended?
Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving and the team said they will each donate $500,000 to the Anti-Defamation League after Irving tweeted a link to a movie that features antisemitic tropes. Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said on Twitter that the organization could not “in good conscience accept” Irving’s donation.
“I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility,” Irving said in a statement. But that wasn’t the apology NBA officials expected, and Irving has now been suspended from the team indefinitely.
Irving, who has 4.6 million Twitter followers, faced criticism after sharing Ronald Dalton Jr.’s film, “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America”. The movie asserts that Black people have been lied to about their heritage and that they are the true Israelites. It also claims that Jewish ships brought Black slaves to Jewish-owned ports in the U.S.
The film is based on a controversial book by Dalton, in which he implies that early “European Jewish” teachings established the base for anti-Black racism “even before the KKK”. It also claims that “famous, high-ranking Jews” have admitted to worshiping “Satan or Lucifer”, and that “Jewish controlled news media” is a brainwashing tool “helping Satan deceive the world.”
In an interview with More&More books in 2021, Dalton said that people of color aren’t represented in the Bible even though, he claimed, they are the Israelites.
“The white image of Christ is a European construct to deceive us,” Dalton said.
Following the Twitter backlash, Irving admitted to watching the movie and defended his post. But in his statement, he clarified his stance.
“I do not believe everything said in the documentary was true or reflects my morals and principles,” Irving said in the statement.
Biden democracy speech; N Korea launch; Irving tweet response
President Joe Biden warned in a speech that democracy itself is in peril; North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles; and Kyrie Irving took responsibility for his apparent support of an antisemitic film. These stories highlight the Daily Rundown for Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.
Biden democracy warning – In a Wednesday night speech, President Biden warned that the U.S. system of governance is under threat from former President Donald Trump’s election-denying lies and the violence Biden said they inspire. In the speech, which was similar to one Biden made back in September, he referred to last week’s attack on Paul Pelosi as an example of said violence.
“This institution, this intimidation, this violence against Democrats, Republicans and nonpartisan officials just doing their jobs are the consequence of lies told for power and profit,” Biden said. “We must vote knowing what’s at stake and not just the policy of the moment, but institutions that have held us together as we sought a more perfect union are also at stake.”
Latest North Korea missile launch – In keeping with a recent trend, North Korea filed more missiles Thursday. This includes a possible failed intercontinental ballistic missile that triggered an alert for residents in parts of central and northern Japan to seek shelter.
“I can’t go out to sea with peace of mind. It’s dangerous,” a Japanese fisherman said Thursday. “I thought it was someone else’s problem, but it’s dangerous and I have to be careful.”
Irving takes “responsibility” for tweet – Kyrie Irving said Wednesday he took responsibility for the negative impact on the Jewish community that was caused by his apparent support of an antisemitic film on Twitter. Last week, Irving posted a link to the film “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America.” The owner of the Brooklyn Nets, Irving’s team, described the film as “based on a book full of antisemitic disinformation.”
While not explicitly apologizing for his tweet, Irving and the Nets announced they will each donate $500,000 to groups that work to eradicate hate.
“I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day,” Irving said in a joint statement with the Nets and Anti-Defamation League. “I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community and I take responsibility.”
Adidas cuts ties with Ye over antisemitic comments, set to take $246M hit
In a statement, Adidas announced it “has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately” in the wake of controversy over antisemitic comments the rapper formerly known as Kanye West made. According to the Tuesday statement, the company will “end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies.”
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” the company said in the statement. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
Earlier this month, Twitter and Instagram booted Ye from their platforms over posts the social networks said violated their policies. In one post on Twitter, Ye said he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” according to internet archive records. The quote, an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON.
“You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda,” West said in the “death con” tweet. It drew a sharp rebuke from the Anti-Defamation League, which called the tweet “deeply troubling, dangerous, and antisemitic, period.”
Adidas faced pressure to cut ties with Ye after the antisemitic comments, with celebrities and others on social media urging the company to act. On Tuesday, Adidas said it would suffer a “short-term negative impact” of about $246 million “on the company’s net income in 2022 given the high seasonality of the fourth quarter.”
The Adidas announcement is the latest fallout from Ye’s comments. Others include:
Ye’s talent agency, CAA, dropped him.
MRC Entertainment announced Monday that it is shelving a documentary about Ye.
The Balenciaga fashion house cut ties with Ye last week, according to Women’s Wear Daily.
JPMorganChase and Ye have ended their business relationship (this was in the works before the comments).
Ye has ended his company’s association with Gap.
Ye has told Bloomberg that he plans to cut ties with his corporate suppliers.