NEWSLETTER SUMMARY

IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER:
– French synagogues cancel prayers; Jews advised to hide amid riots
– Hasan Piker defends using insults toward Jews
– Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ tour funded an anti-Israel organization

TOP STORY

Recent riots in France have escalated into chaos. Synagogues have suspended Sabbath prayers, and frightened Jewish residents are being told to remove their skullcaps and stay indoors. Violent crowds waving Palestinian flags have been clashing with police, looting numerous shops, and spreading over 1,300 anti-Semitic messages on social media. The unrest has led to over 2,400 arrests as panic continues to spread throughout the country.

SPEWING HATE

Twitch streamer Hasan Piker has faced significant backlash after defending his use of derogatory terms, including “inbred” and “Zionist pig,” directed at political opponents. In an interview with NPR, he dismissed the intensity of his words, suggesting that they weren’t meant to be taken literally and claimed that criticism he faces arises from anti-Muslim sentiments. The Israeli-American Council condemned his remarks as harmful, dehumanizing hate speech.

CASH FOR TERROR

Rapper Macklemore has initiated a “Free Palestine” tour after being dropped from Ed Sheeran’s lineup due to his anti-Israel actions. This decision has sparked outrage since proceeds from the tour are intended to support the radical Palestinian Youth Movement, a group that openly celebrated the October 7 attacks. A number of Jewish organizations are now calling for accountability from those funding such extremists.

JUSTICE DENIED

A grieving family member of Shiri Bibas and her two toddlers, who were tragically killed after being taken into Gaza on October 7, is now bringing their case to the International Criminal Court. They have accused Iranian officials of funding Hamas and criticized the ICC for perceived double standards, demanding that warrants be issued for those responsible for these atrocities.

CAMPUS CLAMPDOWN

Under pressure from the Trump administration, the University of North Carolina has decided to make changes to address 18 federal probes regarding antisemitism and race-based admissions. Measures include banning protest masks, implementing mandatory antisemitism training, and employing color-blind admissions processes. While UNC has avoided financial penalties and does not admit guilt, they are now under strict federal oversight until 2028 to maintain funding.

GUEST EDITORIAL

Former New York Post editor David Christopher Kaufman contends that Barack Obama and Kamala Harris are out of touch due to their anti-Israel posturing aimed at Black voters. He argues that African Americans are more focused on domestic issues like crime and unemployment rather than the situation in Gaza, labeling claims of shared struggles as a myth and citing polls showing solid Black support for Israel.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“The Jewish people know what happens when hatred becomes acceptable. Throughout history, pogroms and persecution were fueled by lies that portrayed Jews as less than human. The Holocaust showed the world where the systematic dehumanization of Jews can lead.” – The Israeli-American Council, responding to Hasan Piker’s comments.