Reporters castigating Israel and US support ejected from Blinken’s final press briefing

Two journalists accusing Israel of genocide and other atrocities were expelled from Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s final press conference, in one case getting dragged out while repeatedly screaming, “Why aren’t you in the Hague?” In addition, Blinken said he was “confident” that an impending ceasefire in Gaza and Israel would be implemented on Sunday […]

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Rubio, in Israel-heavy confirmation hearing, says US should revoke visas for ‘a supporter of Hamas’

In a Senate confirmation hearing that often turned to discussion of Israel, Marco Rubio voiced his view that the United States should revoke the visas of any “supporter of Hamas” in the country. The Florida GOP senator, who is President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of state, also used his Wednesday hearing to back an […]

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Pete Hegseth, in Senate confirmation hearing, blames Oct. 7 on US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, said in his Senate confirmation hearing that the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel were the direct result of President Biden’s 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. Elsewhere in his contentious hearing, he said he supported Israel “destroying and killing every last member of Hamas,” and defended […]

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Jewish groups pushed Meta to crack down on hate speech. Now, the company is reversing course.

Six months ago, Jewish groups celebrated a policy win when Meta banned the use of “Zionist” as a coded slur against Jews and Israel. Now, the same organizations are condemning the company for dramatically loosening restrictions on speech across its social media platforms. “It is mind-blowing how one of the most profitable companies in the […]

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‘I can’t picture myself without going to the temple’: LA teens mourn their synagogue’s destruction

LOS ANGELES — The Shabbat service was in many ways standard fare: Hundreds of Jews gathered to light candles, sing prayers, rise for reflection and eat challah, together. But there was a big, and unexpected, difference this week for members of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center: Instead of convening in their synagogue’s 80-year-old building, […]

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