News from June 28 to July 4
Cynthia McKinney's antisemitic tweet, a Rabbi stabbed in Boston, and honorable mentions
I hope you had a great July 4th! As always, feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, concerns, or ideas for how to make News of the Jews better at newsofthejews@gmail.com. You can follow me on Twitter @skaps1. If you are looking to watch something Jewish or Israeli, definitely check out the News of the Jews Media Guide! Since it was a holiday weekend, this week’s edition is just going to feature some short news blurbs and honorable mentions.
Former Representative Cynthia McKinney appears to blame “Zionists” for 9/11 in antisemitic tweet:
What happened? Former six-term Georgia Democratic Congresswoman and former Green Party Presidential nominee Cynthia McKinney posted a photo on Twitter last Monday of a puzzle of the World Trade Center in flames with its missing piece labeled “Zionists did it.” McKinney’s tweet is the latest in a trend of antisemitic posts and comments that she has made in the past, including posts about the political and financial influence of Jews and the pro-Israel community, among others. At first, Twitter did not remove the tweet, claiming it was “strong political commentary,” but soon removed it, stating that it violated their user rules. The tweet has since reappeared and remains on McKinney’s Twitter.
What are people saying: Here are some highlights:
David Harris, American Jewish Committee (AJC) CEO: “This blood libel — trying to shift blame for the 3000 deaths on 9/11 from al-Qaeda to “Zionists” — is one of the most outrageous examples of antisemitism imaginable. Note: It comes from an ex-Congresswoman, whose hatred for Israel & those who support it clearly knows no bounds.”
New York Democratic Congressman Jamaal Bowman: “At a time when antisemitic hate is increasing nationwide & solidarity has never been more important, this is what we're not going to do. This is antisemitic. It is hateful. It is misguided and ignorant.”
Georgia State Senator Butch Miller: "Cynthia McKinney's comments are indefensible, as well as nuts. Next year, I'll introduce legislation to change the name of the road in DeKalb that's named for her because we refuse to honor those who spew hate.”
Further reading:https://news.yahoo.com/former-house-democrat-posts-meme-163200545.html
Chabad Rabbi stabbed outside Jewish facility in Boston:
What happened? On Thursday, Rabbi Shlomo Noginski was stabbed eight times by a man armed with a knife and gun outside of a Chabad facility that serves as a day school and summer camp for Russian-speaking Jews in the Brighton area of Boston. Here’s how Chabad described the incident: “According to a report, Noginski was sitting on the front steps of the Shaloh House on his cell phone. The suspect approached him, drew a gun and asked Noginski to take him to his car. When the suspect attempted to force Noginski into the car, the rabbi tried running across the street to a small park called Brighton Common, where the suspect stabbed Noginski multiple times in the arm. As the rabbi tried to fend off the attacker he raised a commotion, finally causing the suspect to flee. The suspect was apprehended by police almost immediately.”
Police have since named the suspect as 24-year-old Khaled Awad and charged him with assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and assault and battery on a police officer. Noginski was treated at a local hospital and is now recovering in his home.
What are people saying: Here are a few highlights:
Massachusetts Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley: “Rabbi Noginski and his family are in my prayers tonight. While we await further details & pray for his recovery, let me say plainly that all of our neighbors deserve to live free from fear. Antisemitism is a clear and persistent threat to our communities.” (The stabbing occurred in her district)
Robert Trestan, New England Regional Director of the Anti-defamation League: “Facts emerging from the stabbing of a Rabbi in Brighton, MA yesterday include multiple indicators pointing towards antisemitism. We call on the Boston Police Department Civil Rights Unit to investigate yesterday’s violent attack as a hate crime. Boston’s Jewish community is angry, living in fear, and needs answers, accountability, and security.”
Jeremy Burton, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston: “The Jewish community is angry. And the Jewish community is united. At a time of rising violence and anti-Semitism across this country, no Jew, no building, no part of our community, no neighborhood will stand alone. And we expect – we demand – that we have the right to live, to walk in the streets, to be visible or not visible as Jews, to gather together, to celebrate and to live our lives as Jews fully, with joy and without fear.”
Further reading:https://apnews.com/article/ri-state-wire-ma-state-wire-religion-fe4f0bdb7af1a7eb9b33fd494ac4cbf3
Honorable Mentions:
“Not just neo-Nazis with tiki torches: Why Jewish students say they also fear cloaked anti-Semitism” by Mallory Simon (CNN)
“Adam Fox named hockey’s top defenseman, first Jewish player to win a major NHL award” by Marc Brodsky (JTA)
“New Israeli Diaspora minister travels to comfort Jews in Surfside — and looks to mend US ties” by Ron Kampeas (JTA)
“Lapid inaugurates Israeli Consulate in Dubai: ‘We created the incredible’” by Lahav Harkov (The Jerusalem Post)
“An inside look at the Israeli rescue effort in Surfside” by Yaakov Lappin (JNS)
“These are the Jewish victims of the Surfside building collapse” by Ben Harris and Shira Hanau (JTA)
“Police probing state’s payment for $15K jacuzzi at Netanyahu home – report” (Times of Israel)
“Tokyo Olympics: All the Jewish athletes to watch” by Emily Burack (JTA)
“Iran said to restrict UN inspectors’ access to Natanz nuclear site after attack” (Times of Israel)
“Meet the Jewish trio who just raised $1.35 million for Surfside” by Louis Keene (Forward)
“Israel cybersecurity firms raise record $3.4b, 41% of global sector investment” by Shoshanna Solomon (Times of Israel)
“Biden kneels before Orthodox adviser to Israel’s president after learning she has 12 children” by Cnaan Lipshiz (JTA)
“Leah Goldin’s years-long crusade to bring her son home” by Melissa Weiss (Jewish Insider)
“Ilhan Omar derided for ‘bigoted’ comments directed at Jewish colleagues in Congress” (JNS)
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