The Times of Israel (TOI) is reporting that Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of Britain’s Labour Party, was once part of a Facebook group that was laced with anti-Semitic and anti-Israel content.
Members of the Palestine Live Facebook group that Corbyn was reportedly part of frequently shared content from anti-Semites like David Duke and posted anti-Semitic slurs such as “ZioNazi” and “JewNazi.” Anti-Semitic conspiracy theories about Jews running the media and being involved in the 9/11 terror attacks permeated the group.
The group was a secret job on Facebook, meaning that members had to be invited and approved by the group admin.
There were a few instances where Corbyn posted in the group, including him lauding the UK parliament’s decision “to unilaterally recognize the state of Palestine” and referring to a Norwegian doctor who has banned from Israel as his friend. He was in the group for at least year before leaving in 2015, when he became leader of the Labour Party.
Corbyn’s spokesperson issued a statement that did not mention the group.
“Jeremy condemns anti-Semitism in all its forms in the strongest possible terms,” the spokesperson said. “He does not want the support of anti-Semites, who have no place whatsoever in the Labour movement.”
The TOI report would be the latest example of Corbyn being tied to anti-Semitic individuals and organizations. Corbyn has previously referred to the Jew-hating terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah as “friends” and was supportive of Deir Yassin Remembered, which is filled with Holocaust deniers. Corbyn also once worked for Iran’s state media outlet Press TV. Anti-Semitism has also risen within the ranks of the Labour Party since Corbyn took over as leader of the party.
In June, Corbyn was dangerously close to becoming prime minister of Britain.
Yet another congressional Democrat has been found to have past association with virulent anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan, as Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), the third-highest ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives, reportedly stood onstage with Farrakhan in 2011.
The Daily Caller highlighted an article from the Final Call, which is a news outlet promulgated by Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam, stating that Clyburn attended a town hall featuring Farrakhan despite being urged by Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wisenthal not to go. Clyburn even stood onstage with Farrakhan and thanked the anti-Semite “for offering up a number of precepts that we ought to adhere to.”
Clyburn issued a statement to The Daily Caller that read, “I have fought all my life to advance the cause of social justice and equality, and I have always opposed bigotry in all its forms.” His statement did not mention Farrakhan and didn’t respond to The Daily Caller’s request to condemn Farrakhan.
Clyburn is the latest Democrat to face questions over previous ties to Farrakhan. Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) has twice told The Daily Caller himself that he is personally fond of Farrakhan despite his anti-Semitism while Davis’ office keeps trying to downplay his warmth toward Farrakhan. On Mar. 8, Davis issued a statement denouncing Farrakhan, stating: “Let me be clear: I reject, condemn and oppose Minister Farrakhan’s views and remarks regarding the Jewish people and the Jewish religion.
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the deputy chair of the Democratic National Committee, received a “four Pinocchios” rating from The Washington Post for claiming that his ties to Farrakhan ended before he ran for Congress. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna Romney McDaniel called on DNC Chair Tom Perez to address Ellison’s ties to Farrakhan.
“Keith Ellison’s long pattern of lies about his ongoing relationship with Louis Farrakhan, who the Anti-Defamation League calls ‘America’s leading anti-Semite,’ has put a stain on the Democrat Party,” McDaniel said. “Anti-Semitism has no place in American politics, Tom Perez must address this issue.
Another Democrat who is under fire for his past ties to Farrakhan, Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), responded to such questions by attacking the Republican Jewish Coalition for calling on him and six other Democrats with ties to Farrakhan to resign and tried to claim the RJC was hypocritical for not condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Facing scrutiny for his ties to anti-Semitism, Rep. André Carson (D-IN) attacks Jewish organization. Says the Jewish group has no “credibility with me” https://t.co/SWfrjmpPRwpic.twitter.com/DD6RK94Fqk
There is an active hostage situation occurring in a California veterans home, according to various news reports.
At around 10:20 am, a call came through alerting law enforcement of an active shooter at the Veterans Home of California-Yountville. A man reportedly dressed in black and body armor while carrying an automatic weapon entered the home and fired multiple shots in Building G, the Madison Building. The shooter is believed to have fired 15-30 shots.
The gunman is holding three people hostage; they are said to be women employees.
Law enforcement officials have surrounded the area and are warning people nearby to avoid the area. The home has taken steps to evacuate the facilities and is currently on lockdown. There are no reported injuries yet.
The Napa Valley Register is reporting that while the gunman has not been identified, he is 36 years old and was recently discharged from The Pathway Home, which helps veterans who deal with “emotional trauma.”
The Yountville Veterans Home is the biggest veterans home in the country, housing 1,000 disabled veterans who served in various wars. It’s located in Napa County.
I began the day with 9 miles in my tank. My usual station was about 8 miles away. Too close for comfort?
The human condition often has us pushing the boundaries. We want to go further, faster, higher. We want to have the last word in arguments, proving our points.
But how do we know when we have gone too far? How do we know when silence is better than words, or when taking a time out is healthier than accelerating?
Rabbi Ibn Ezra once taught, “Those who persist in knocking will succeed in entering.”
But Maimonides taught, “Teach your tongue to say ‘I don’t know’, and you will move forward.”
Friends, there are no crystal balls. Most of the time we arrive at the gas station. But we all run out of gas at times as well. So we spend our lives pushing boundaries, acknowledging the challenges, and seeking that moment in time of balance.
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
A change in perspective can shift the focus of our day – and even our lives. We have an opportunity to harness “a moment in time,” allowing our souls to be both grounded and lifted. This blog shows how the simplest of daily experiences can become the most meaningful of life’s blessings. All it takes is a moment in time. Rabbi Zach Shapiro is the Spiritual Leader of Temple Akiba, a Reform Jewish Congregation in Culver City, CA. He earned his B.A. in Spanish from Colby College in 1992, and his M.A.H.L. from HUC-JIR in 1996. He was ordained from HUC-JIR – Cincinnati, in 1997.
Audio and video released by the Broward County Sheriff’s office reveals that the school resource officer on Majory Stoneman Douglas’ campus did in fact hear gunshots inside the school, yet told officers not to enter the building.
The Miami Herald reports that then-Deputy Scot Peterson can be clearly hear saying on radio dispatches, “I think we have shots fired, possible shorts fired —1200 building.”
Peterson proceeded to remain “at the southeast corner of Building 12” and ordered officers to lock down the school. Peterson can be heard telling an officer who thought he heard gunfire outside that the shots were going off inside Building 12, yet Peterson nor any other police officer from the Broward County Sheriff’s Department entered the building during.
In fact, Peterson said over the radio as 911 calls were going out that “no one comes inside the school.”
When the shooting stopped, Peterson told officers on the radio dispatch to “stay at least 500 feet away at this point.” The first officers to enter the school were officers from the neighboring Coral Springs city, 11 minutes from when the first gunshot was fired.
Peterson had previously issued a statement defending himself by saying that he thought that the gunshots had originated from outside:
#BREAKING: Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson releases a statement through his attorney, saying: "the allegations that Mr. Peterson was a coward and that his performance, under the circumstances, failed to meet the standards of police officers are patently untrue." pic.twitter.com/f5wZFMVy4f
Peterson resigned when reports first came out that he didn’t enter the building during the shooting. Sheriff Scott Israel said at the time that he was “devastated” and “sick to my stomach” that Peterson never went in. However, Israel has absolved himself from any blame for Peterson not going in. Department policy states that officers need “to engage an active shooter and eliminate the threat,” per the Miami Herald.
In total, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office received 45 calls about the shooter or his brother from 2008 to 2017, yet did nothing to prevent the shooting from happening.
Whether you live near Main Street, Park City, Utah or you are in town to ski and celebrate, I can promise the food, service and company will be fantastic at Firewood. We chose to go there to celebrate my very first art sale at Artworks Park City. Carl, Heather and I were ready to enjoy our evening but were unprepared for the great lengths the team would go to accomodate us. I have several food challenges which were no problem at Firewood. We dined on incredible food and even tasted new things that quickly became favorites.
Chef John Murcko lovingly designed and built the restaurant literally. He handmade the wood tables and the big door at the back of the main dining room! Many repurposed materials were used and we loved the exposed brick walls of the historic building at 306 Main Street. If you can get a reservation, sit at the chef’s table called Chef’s Library and Murcko will serve you his mouthwatering menu through the window and talk to you all night.
You can see the hardwood-fueled open flame of the Infierno 154, the fourteen foot long Grillworks with four modular grilling stations, a central fire station, as well as a 48-inch rotisserie, where your food is being created through floor-to-ceiling glass windows which were salvaged from a Midwestern schoolhouse which provide an unobstructed view of the kitchen.
Murcko uses locally sourced ingredients and the menu rotates with the seasons. Over the last thirty years, Chef Murcko has opened more than 25 restaurants in Park City as well as in Sun Valley and he is thrilled to be sharing his favorite style of cooking with his family, long time friends and new friends like you at Firewood.
He carefully selects different woods like cedar, cherry or maple to enhance the flavor of the dishes. Murcko said, “Open flame cooking is a passion of mine and I have enjoyed sharing this unique dining style with my family around the holidays for many years. I know Firewood guests will love the rich flavors, nuanced variety in the entrees and the truly multi-sensory culinary experience. It’s an honor to have a restaurant on Main Street and I love serving my family and friends in the best mountain town in the world.” He is passionate about food, family and great dining.
Do not worry if you do not eat meat as Murcko has a vegan main which was developed by the team in a Chopped-style competition. The chefs were given ingredients and the staff voted on their favorite which is a cauliflower and avocado cake with wild mushrooms, spaghetti squash, cashews and chimichurri. Before or after dinner, make sure to visit downstairs at The Nickel Bar for cocktails.
Are you wondering what did we eat? Honestly, with our server Victoria’s suggestions, we tried almost everything on the menu. First of all, we loved the Crumb bread from Logan and the Pallazzo della Torre wine that Greg recommended. Not only do they use cherry wood for the salmon and branzino, they smoke the sugar cubes for the drinks! Carl recommends you definitely try a Manhantan. I prefer Prosecco and Greg brought me one made from Moscato grapes. My new favorite is the Viatto.
To begin our festival of food, we had Beef Tartare, Baked Gnocchi with Pesto, Pork Belly and Juniper spiced Elk Loin. Heather said, “I ate two things I would not have tried and they are both really good and maybe my new favorites. The steak tartar with horseradish panna cotta and the pork belly with tarragon.” Carl’s favorite was the Elk Loin and I loved the gnocchi.
For salads we shared the Orange salad with fennel seed and champagne vinaigrette and the coal roasted beet salad with figs.
For dinner, Heather said, “The cherry wood smoked brisket is a symphony for my mouth, complex and goes together marvelously.” It comes with goat cheese smashed potatoes and was my personal favorite. I also liked the Branzino which Carl and Heather recommend with the Orange Salad. Carl chose the Lamb Chop with duck confit, pork belly and pickled onions. We were so happy with our dinner choices and to celebrate together in this wonderful space. I loved watching the chefs at work through the glass windows and we were thrilled to be invited to visit Chef Murcko.
For dessert, I loved the chocolate soufflé torte. It was so great that I knew I would have to come back again the same week and have it again which I did. Heather and Carl loved the Olive Oil Cake. When we came back later in the week for dessert only, Carl had the amazing and unique homemade gelato flavors including Pistachio, Honey chamomile and Hazelnut Orange Blossom. We also learned about Benjamin’s trip to Nepal and Victoria’s competitions in the X Games. The entire team is well traveled in places, activities and knowledge of food.
Lisa Niver, Chef John Murcko, Heather Fudala and Carl Law at Firewood Park City
When Heather declared, “I wish I had more room in my stomach.” Carl said, “I wish I had another stomach!” Everything was made to the highest standards of quality and taste. There are seasonal changes to the menu but whatever they have when you arrive, I am certain that the food will be outstanding, the service will be remarkable and you will have an amazing dining experience!
