(JTA) — The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who drove his pickup truck into a row of Jewish protesters at a detention facility in Rhode Island has resigned from his position.
On Wednesday, Captain Thomas Woodworth drove into a row of protesters who were sitting on the ground and blocking the entrance to the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls. The protest was organized by the new Jewish group Never Again Action, which opposes ICE and United States immigration policy.
Woodworth was placed on leave from his job on Thursday, and police and the state attorney general’s office began investigating the incident. The next day, Wyatt announced that Woodworth had resigned.
“Captain Thomas Woodworth resigned from his position at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility on Friday, August 16, 2019,” the statement read. “The incident which occurred on August 14 remains under active investigation by the Rhode Island State Police and under internal investigation by the Wyatt.”
Two people were hospitalized as a result of the incident, according to the group, including one person with a broken leg and internal bleeding. Three more protesters were hospitalized after being pepper sprayed by other officers.
On Thursday night, Fox Business personality Lou Dobbs accused the protesters of “assault” and said the driver was “within his rights” to drive into the row of protesters. He was interviewing former ICE acting director Tom Homan.
“In jurisdictions all around the country, by the way, what they committed is assault,” Dobbs said, later adding to Homan that the protesters were “complaining about the fact that he sought to do what was within his rights, which is proceed to park his vehicle and go to work.”
Homan responded, “Well, exactly,” and went on to criticize protesters of ICE.
The Advocate General for the European Court of Justice (ECJ) issued a June 13 non-binding opinion stating that the European Union (EU) product labels should specifically state if a product came from Israeli occupied territory.
The Washington Free Beacon reported on Aug. 9 that “the European Union is poised to mandate that Israeli products made in contested territories carry consumer warning labels” according to multiple sources. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) subsequently tweeted on Aug. 12, “Mandatory labeling of Jewish products, what could go wrong?”
Mandatory labeling of all Jewish products. What could possibly go wrong? https://t.co/qCGPLTJkag
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach tweeted on Aug. 16 that he was going to put an ad in the Aug. 17 edition of The New York Times on the matter.
Get ready for a powerful full page ad in tomorrow’s @nytimes condemning the @EU for their attempt to label Jewish products from the Biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria in #Israel. Europe has been labeling and shaming Jews for hundreds of years, most notoriously in the 1930’s.
The aforementioned tweets stems from the advocate general, Gerard Hogan, argued that “a product originating in a territory occupied by Israel since 1967, the indication of the geographical name of this territory and the indication that the product comes from an Israeli settlement if that is indeed the case” so consumers can make ethical decisions on the products they buy. His non-binding ruling is in regards to a 2018 case involving the Israeli Psagot winery, which is located in a West Bank settlement north of Jerusalem, fighting against the French government’s efforts to label the product as originating from occupied territory.
Lawfare Project Executive Director Brooke Goldstein, whose organization is representing Psagot, told the Journal in a phone interview that EU trade regulations currently require product labels to disclose the product’s geographic location of origin; Hogan’s opinion moves the geographic designation into a political realm, Goldstein argued.
“It’s like saying… we’re labeling everything that comes from Crimea as illegally occupied by Russia,” Goldstein said, adding that Hogan is saying the EU has “to redo the entire labeling product system based on the whims of politicians and what’s happening in terms of who’s violating what international law.”
Goldstein also pointed out that if the ECJ, which consists of a panel of 15 judges, ends up adopting a ruling akin to Hogan’s non-binding opinion, “it will be challenged as discriminatory if only applied to Israel,” which is why she doesn’t think the ECJ will rule as such.
“The only purpose of singling out Jews and labeling is to influence consumer choice, not to educate them, influence them… boycott Jews living in territory which under international agreements – including the Oslo Accords – they are legally allowed to be,” Goldstein said.
According to Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the European Commission adopted regulations requiring products from the West Bank to be labeled as being from illegal settlements in occupied territory, but “the commission has no recourse against countries that do not apply the regulations and no lawsuit has been brought to date against a vendor who declined to apply them.”
No official timeline has been given for when the ECJ will rule on the matter.
Israeli media reports identified the victim, a male and a female, as being between the ages of 17 and 20. The male sustained life-threatening injuries and the female victim had moderate injuries, according to Magen David Adom. Both are being treated in the hospital.
Police shot dead the car’s driver as he exited his rolled-over vehicle, according to The Times of Israel. A subsequent report said he was later identified as Alaa Harimi, 26, of Bethlehem, who was driving a stolen car.
Israel’s decision to bar Representatives Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib from entering the country is being criticized from across the political spectrum— and I can see why.
Regardless of where you sit politically, it’s bad optics for a country that bills itself as “the only democracy in the Middle East” to act as if it has something to hide. I know that Israeli law gives Israel the right to block entry to those who support BDS, and that Omar and Tlaib gave them plenty of ammunition. As Bari Weiss wrote in a New York Times column criticizing Israel’s decision,
“I have strong feelings about the noxious views of Ms. Omar and Ms. Tlaib. I believe that the B.D.S. movement, which both women support and which, crucially, is not about ending the occupation but about denying Jews the right to self-determination anywhere between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, is anti-Semitism in hip, new clothes.”
From Israel’s standpoint, though, the problem is that this animosity toward the Jewish state is not the major story. It’s the decision to bar Omar and Tlaib that has sucked up most of the media attention and turned the Congresswomen into victims.
Hardly anyone is talking about the unfairness and irresponsibility of two U.S. Representatives visiting a major American ally and completely ignoring that ally.
As Alan Dershowitz tweeted, “Allowing them in [would] expose their hypocrisy in boycotting Israel, while themselves demanding that they not be boycotted by Israel.”
More importantly, the other story that has gotten lost is Omar and Tlaib’s published itinerary, which dismissed Israel and focused on the Palestinian agenda. Hardly anyone is talking about the unfairness and irresponsibility of two U.S. Representatives visiting a major American ally and virtually ignoring that ally.
Had they gone on the trip, that dereliction of duty would have been glaring. They would have been the offenders, not the victims.
I might even have written a column asking the Congresswomen: “Why are you afraid to meet Israelis?” In particular, I would have suggested they visit the New Israel Fund (NIF), an organization committed to improving Israel’s democracy.
In a part of the world where despots, dictators and theocrats are used to hiding any bad news, Israel should have flaunted its messy democracy.
I’ve written before that the NIF is a dramatic demonstration of Israel’s democracy in action. While most Jews on the right abhor the NIF because it supports groups that constantly bash Israel and focus on its faults, for me, this freedom to bash, this freedom to confront and protest any perceived injustice is a test of a true democracy.
Because they were barred from entering this democracy, Tlaib and Omar are now turning the tables and ridiculing Israel’s very claims of being a democracy and a free society. A visit to the NIF would have disrupted their narrative. Had they refused to visit the NIF or any other Israeli group fighting for social justice, their anti-Israel animus would have been in full view.
Transparency is the essence of democracy. In a part of the world where despots, dictators and theocrats are used to hiding any bad news, Israel should have flaunted its messy democracy. In that scenario, the bad optics would have been on U.S. politicians hiding from Israel on their visit to Israel.
Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) deleted and apologized for an Aug. 15 tweet accusing United States Ambassador to Israel David Friedman of having allegiance “to a foreign power.”
Lieu was responding to a statement from Friedman, an Orthodox Jew, earlier in the day defending Israel’s decision to bar Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) from the country. “You are an American,” Lieu wrote in the since-deleted tweet. “Your allegiance should be America, not to a foreign power. You should be defending the right of Americans to travel to other countries. If you don’t understand that, you need to resign.”
The California congressman made similar comments on CNN the same day.
Lieu tweeted later in the day, “It has been brought to my attention that my prior tweet to @USAmbIsrael raises dual loyalty allegations that have historically caused harm to the Jewish community. That is a legitimate concern. I am therefore deleting the tweet.”
It has been brought to my attention that my prior tweet to @USAmbIsrael raises dual loyalty allegations that have historically caused harm to the Jewish community. That is a legitimate concern. I am therefore deleting the tweet.
After the Zionist Organization of America asked him for an apology, Lieu replied, “You are correct, I wrote the initial tweet. I should have been aware at the time I wrote the tweet that, as applied to Amb Friedman, it raised dual loyalty issues that have historically harmed the Jewish community. I’m sorry for writing it. That’s why I deleted it.”
You are correct, I wrote the initial tweet. I should have been aware at the time I wrote the tweet that, as applied to Amb Friedman, it raised dual loyalty issues that have historically harmed the Jewish community. I'm sorry for writing it. That's why I deleted it.
Lieu also tweeted that Reps. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) and Steve Scalise (R-La.), neither of whom are Jewish, need to have allegiance to America first; those tweets are still up.
Hey @RepMoBrooks: A reminder that you are an American Member of Congress. Your allegiance should be to America. We are Americans first. You should be defending the right of Americans to travel to other countries. Get it? https://t.co/4FhRWXsLJP
Hey @SteveScalise: You are an American Member of Congress. Your allegiance should be to America, not to a foreign government. You should be defending the right of Americans to travel to other countries. If you don't understand that, you should find another line of work. https://t.co/LIyX7l0C3c
The Anti-Defamation League tweeted, “We appreciate @Tedlieu’s swift apology for the comments he made and it is important that he recognized the meaning of his words. It is critical for all leaders to understand the #antiSemitic trope of dual-loyalty.”
We appreciate @Tedlieu’s swift apology for the comments he made and it is important that he recognized the meaning of his words. It is critical for all leaders to understand the #antiSemitic trope of dual-loyalty. More here:https://t.co/HUYOm0i6uZhttps://t.co/PiPxkUHQud
Friedman tweeted, “Congress recently passed a resolution condemning BDS [boycott, divestment and sanctions]. Last night I was condemned by a US Congressman for ‘dual loyalty’ — classic anti-Semitic charge — simply because I followed US policy by supporting Israel’s right to oppose BDS. My head is spinning from the hypocrisy.”
Congress recently passed a resolution condemning BDS. Last night I was condemned by a US Congressman for “dual loyalty” — classic anti-Semitic charge — simply because I followed US policy by supporting Israel’s right to oppose BDS. My head is spinning from the hypocrisy.
Clusters of pink balloons were spotted throughout Los Angeles on Aug. 15 to celebrate Amazon Prime’s multi-award-winning series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” The show, created by Amy Sherman-Palladino and her husband Dan Palladino, tells the rise of a female Jewish comic in 1950s New York.
Nominated for 20 Emmys this year, Season 3 won’t be available to stream until Dec. 6,but with a push from Amazon, more than 30 businesses changed their store prices for one day only to match 1959 price tags.
From Glendale to Santa Monica, thousands of Angelenos took their Maisel Day maps — provided by “Maiselettes” promoting the show at every business location — and waited in line at hair salons, delis, bakeries, ice cream parlors, comedy clubs, movie theaters and hotels for discounted rates.
Whitney, one of the Amazon “Maiselettes” inside Drybar in Burbank. (Photos by Erin Ben-Moche)
If people weren’t standing in physical lines, their cars were wrapped around the Chevron station in Santa Monica, where hundreds waited to fill up for 30 cents a gallon. The Santa Monica Police Department shut down the gas station halfway through the day due to gridlock.
While some showed up to the different businesses for the discounts, many were willing to stand in more than one line and chat about their favorite streaming show.
Twenty-seven-year-old Oyuki Limon lined up at 11 a.m. at the Haagen Dazs Ice Cream shop in Glendale for an 88-cent scoop. (Normally a regular scoop is $4.99). Limon came with her mom, who wore a teacup dress. Limon’s 20-year-old friend Yesenia Perez was also there.
“I love the show,” Limon said. “It’s my favorite. I just love her [Miriam ‘Midge’ Maisel, played by Rachel Brosnahan] so much. She is so inspiring and she is a strong woman. It’s so cool to see, in that time period especially.”
Perez also raved about the show. “It’s so cool to see a woman play a character that isn’t weak,” she said. “She picks herself up and tries to pick others up around her. I love every minute of it.”
Josie Cienna in her 1950s custom design outfit waiting in line at Deluca’s Italian Deli. Photo by Erin Ben-Moche
Around the corner at Deluca’s Italian Deli, which was selling a deli-style turkey sandwich for $2, Josie Cienna, 31, stood in line for about 10 minutes. A historical costumer, she was rocking one of her own original 1950’s inspired designs. She said she also loves the show for its feminist themes.
“[I love the] humor, the pushing boundaries for feminism in the 50s, taking charge and taking ownership of herself.” For the upcoming season, Cienna said, “I just want Midge to go further with [the idea that] she really doesn’t need the man, she just needs herself. Every character in that show is so complex I love it.”
Some food stops were so popular they were sold out before lunchtime. Lauren Tominac, 23, had been serving rose coffee at Philz Coffee in Glendale since 8:30 a.m. but by 11:45 a.m. they ran out. The rose coffee — an iced coffee with rose-infused cream — is pink in color, making it perfect for Maisel Day. Tominac said the first customer asking for the 50-cent “Maisel” drink came in at 6 a.m.
Tominac’s mother introduced her to the show but Tominic said she wasn’t as obsessed as some of the customers she served. After Maisel Day she is considering watching it again. “From what I’ve seen it’s hilarious,” she said. “This is definitely my push to sit down and watch it.”
The busy line out of the door at Canter’s Deli on Fairfax. Photo by Erin Ben-Moche
Around noon, lines that were once manageable at Pink’s Hot Dogs, Mel’s Drive-In, Canter’s Deli and Art’s Deli, had nearly doubled. That didn’t necessarily put a damper on the day. While waiting, people chatted about the Catskills, Sherman-Palladino’s writing chops and Susie Myerson (Played by Alex Borstein). Predictions for the upcoming season were mentioned but were often cut short when some people complained they hadn’t yet caught up with Season 2.
At Canter’s there was both a sit down service and an express line for the 99-cent sandwiches. One mensch left with his sandwich and gave it to a homeless person.
Although most of the people who showed up to the events throughout the day were women, there were a handful of men who stood in line, including L.A. native and nice Jewish boy Mike White.
The “Maisel” pastrami sandwich at Canter’s, which happened to be cheaper than the Coke ordered with it. Photo by Erin Ben-Moche
White said he learned about Maisel Day on Twitter and was happy to be in the right neighborhood at the right time to snag a 99-cent pastrami sandwich at Canter’s Deli.
“I’m a big fan,” White said. “My favorite is Alex Borstein. And Tony Shaloub (who plays Miriam’s father) is just fantastic. It reminds us of a simpler time, even though I wasn’t around for it. I learned a lot.”
At Canter’s, there was both a sit-down service and an express line for the 99-cent sandwiches. One mensch left with his sandwich and gave it to a homeless person. Neighboring businesses that weren’t involved in Maisel Day also undertook simple acts of kindness by passing out ice water to those in line sweating from the heat.
One of the T-bird employees at Big Sugar Bakeshop handing out pink vanilla cupcakes. Photo by Erin Ben-Moche
In Studio City, people waited in line for 25-cent pink vanilla cupcakes at Big Sugar Bakeshop. Inside, the store played “Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin and employees dressed as T-Birds handed out baked goods.
Maisel Day was an opportunity to enjoy something fun. At around 2:30 p.m. on Ventura Boulevard many of those who had come out for the Maisel experience said they hadn’t checked their phones or the news all day.
Marion Blake standing in line at Arts Deli rocking her vintage 1950s dress on Maisel Day.
Among them was Marion Blake, 28, who had also dressed up for the occasion. She’d already been to two locations: the French bakery and tearoom Laduree, and the Starring By Ted Gibson hair salon.
“I think it’s really rad,” Blake said. “I think if Amazon were to do this more frequently, that would be really awesome. I think it’s really cool celebrating Midge and celebrating all the awards this show has won, and this really strong feminist character. Seeing so many people come out today has been cool, too.”
This story has been updated to include the Season 3 release date and trailer.
(JTA) — Sen. Bernie Sanders suggested that Israel should not receive foreign aid from the United States if it stands by its decision to deny entry to Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.
Appearing on MSNBC on Thursday, the Democratic presidential candidate was responding to Israel’s decision that day to bar entry to Omar and Tlaib, two Democratic congresswomen from Minnesota and Michigan, respectively. Israel said it was barring them because they support the movement to boycott Israel and were not meeting with Israeli officials on their trip.
“But the idea that a member of the United States Congress cannot visit a nation which, by the way, we support to the tune of billions and billions of dollars, is clearly an outrage,” Sanders, I-Ver., said. “And if Israel doesn’t want members of the United States Congress to visit their country to get a firsthand look at what’s going on — and I’ve been there many, many times — but if he doesn’t want members to visit, maybe he can respectfully decline the billions of dollars that we give to Israel.”
WATCH: Bernie Sanders on Israel’s decision to deny entrance to two elected U.S. officials: “If Israel doesn’t want members of the United States Congress to visit their country…maybe they can respectfully decline the billions of dollars that we give to Israel.” #innerspic.twitter.com/m48djEhZjU
Sanders also appeared to blame Israel’s decision on President Donald Trump, who encouraged Israel to bar Omar and Tlaib in a tweet.
This is not the first time that Sanders has suggested leveraging U.S. aid to Israel to achieve foreign policy outcomes. He has said that he supports Israel’s right to exist in peace and security but has repeatedly criticized the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and advocated for Palestinian rights.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) announced on Twitter Aug. 16 that she will not be visiting her grandmother in the West Bank because of Israel’s “oppressive conditions.”
Tlaib had sent a letter to the Israeli Interior Ministry on Aug. 15 for her to visit her grandmother on humanitarian grounds, explaining that her grandmother “is in her 90s” and it “could be my last opportunity to see her.” She added that she “will not promote any boycotts against Israel” while she’s there. The ministry approved her request the next day.
The freshman congresswoman subsequently tweeted, “When I won, it gave the Palestinian people hope that someone will finally speak the truth about the inhumane conditions. I can’t allow the State of Israel to take away that light by humiliating me & use my love for my sity to bow down to their oppressive & racist policies.”
She followed up with another tweet that read, “Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me. It would kill a piece of me. I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in–fighting against racism, oppression & injustice.”
Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me. It would kill a piece of me. I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in–fighting against racism, oppression & injustice. https://t.co/z5t5j3qk4H
Israeli Interior Minister Aryeh Deri tweeted in response, “I approved [Tlaib’s] request as a gesture of goodwill on a humanitarian basis, but it was just a provocative request, aimed at bashing the State of Israel. Apparently her hate for Israel overcomes her love for her grandmother.”
I approved her request as a gesture of goodwill on a humanitarian basis, but it was just a provocative request, aimed at bashing the State of Israel. Apparently her hate for Israel overcomes her love for her grandmother.@realDonaldTrump@RashidaTlaib
Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Rabbi Abraham Cooper told the Journal in a phone interview, “The main motivation is here is hate. The hatred of the Jewish state is more powerful than the love of her grandmother. What we’re looking at here is two clever people who use [the] U.S. Congress on the world stage as a backdrop for their extremist ideology.”
The Progressive Zionists of California (PZC) said in a statement to the Journal that Tlaib’s decision “saddened” them.
“This news cycle is disappointing in its predictability,” PZC said. “Every actor, from [Presidnet Donald] Trump, to Bibi [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], and Tlaib, should have known what the narrative would look like, and failing to act in good faith, made the poorest choice available to them. While we empathize with Tlaib on what was likely a deeply emotional decision, we are disheartened this is the conversation being had at all.”
Former Israeli Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon tweeted that Tlaib’s announcement was “deeply unfortunate” and “a missed opportunity after our Interior Minister graciously agreed to let you in at your request. To paraphrase Golda Meir: Peace will come when you love your grandmother more than you hate Israel.”
Your new statement is deeply unfortunate, @RashidaTlaib.
It's a missed opportunity after our Interior Minister graciously agreed to let you in at your request.
To paraphrase Golda Meir: Peace will come when you love your grandmother more than you hate Israel.
Progressive Zionist activist Hen Mazzig similarly tweeted, “I love my grandmother so much, that even if she lived in America and I had to agree to *NOT* call to boycott America and promote America’s destruction, while I’m visiting her, I would still find the power, deep inside me, to agree to it, just to see her.”
I love my grandmother so much, that even if she lived in America and I had to agree to *NOT* call to boycott America and promote America’s destruction, while I’m visiting her, I would still find the power, deep inside me, to agree to it, just to see her. 🙄
Journal columnist Ariel Sobel, on the other hand, tweeted, “Shaming Rashida Tlaib for having to make an unimaginable decision between seeing her granny and advocating for both of their rights are is wrong. She shouldn’t have to choose between free speech and seeing family.”
On Aug. 15, Israel announced that Tlaib and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) would be barred from entering the country. Netanyahu argued that Tlaib and Omar’s itinerary showed that they were not going to meet with any Israeli government officials, called their trip a visit to “Palestine,” and was sponsored by a pro-boycott, divestment and sanctions organization that has “members who have expressed support for terrorism against Israel.” Omar stated on Twitter that she and Tlab were hoping “to witness firsthand what is happening on the ground in Palestine.”
(JTA) — Joe Lieberman criticized Israel’s decision to deny entry to Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar.
“It’s a serious mistake because it’s contrary to the values of the State of Israel, the values to the United States of America which has been the underlying foundation of our relationship,” he said Friday on CNN’s “New Day” with John Berman.
Lieberman, a former senator and the only Jewish candidate on a major party’s presidential ballot, is widely seen as a pro-Israel stalwart and champion of bipartisanship. He joins prominent lawmakers and Jewish groups that have come down against the ban.
“They’re duly elected members of Congress. I can disagree with them, as I do, but really it’s disrespect for the Congress and the American political system for our ally to keep two members of Congress out of Israel,” added Lieberman, who ran as vice president on the 2000 Democratic ballot with Al Gore.
On Thursday, Israel denied entry to Tlaib, D-Mich., and Omar, D-Minn., who had planned to visit the country on Sunday, citing the Muslim congresswomen’s support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel. Under Israeli law, BDS supporters can be prevented from entering the country.
Israel later said Tlaib could see her grandmother who lives in the West Bank after she promised not to support any BDS activities while there, but the congresswoman said Friday that she had decided against the visit.
Most Israelis are drafted to the IDF when they turn 18. For many of them, the years in the military involve extreme stress, frustration, and sometimes real life danger.
It’s no wonder that the first thing most people do when they finish their service, is to go abroad for a trip that lasts anywhere between 3 to 12 months, minimum.
Alongside that trip, comes a need for money. So, some become waiters, other bartenders. But in Tel Aviv of 2019, it just isn’t enough to make ends meet, surely not for the big trip abroad. The solution? Carts.
If you’re an American and you happened to go into a shopping mall, you might have noticed them. Mall carts manned by well groomed young Israelis selling peculiar products like hair straighteners and remote control helicopters. But the most famous, or infamous, of them all, are the Dead Sea carts.
And what you might at first say is an innocent business, or even praise as an entrepreneurial endeavor, has some rather shady elements to it. And that’s putting it lightly.
Tal Badichi grew up in Israel and moved to America after the army to work in the Dead Sea carts. Like many others, she did pretty well for herself. Now, she’s back in Israel, and she’s written a book revealing all the dirty secrets behind this under-the-radar, millions of dollar industry.
Tal joins us on the podcast today to share all those dirty secrets with us.
