October 25, 2021

Israel Designates Six Palestinian Organizations As Terror Groups

Leave a Comment / Israel, News / Aaron Bandler

The Israeli Defense Ministry designated six Palestinian NGOs as terror organizations over their alleged ties to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) on October 22.

The six NGOs were Addameer Rights Group, Al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International-Palestine, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) and Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees (UPWC). The Defense Ministry argued in a Twitter thread that an Israeli investigation in May found that the PFLP, which has been designated as a terror organization by both the United States and the European Union, has institutions masquerading “as a network for absorption of funds for the terrorist organization” and “serve as a place of employment for PFLP agents.”

The PFLP, designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. and the E.U., operates an organizational and military apparatus, including a network of civilian institutions whose goal is to absorb donations from abroad and fund the group's critical needs on the ground. (1/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

PFLP institutions operate under the guise of humanitarian aid, receiving funding primarily from Europe. These institutions serve as the main source of funds for the financing of the PFLP’s activities at all levels. (2/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

An investigation by Israeli security forces in May 2021 revealed extensive information as to how the PFLP raised funds through a network of institutions, chief among them the “Health Committees”, and how those funds were diverted to the PFLP's terrorist activities. (3/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

The investigation revealed details about PFLP institutions acting as a network for absorption of funds for the terrorist organization, including Agricultural Committees (UAWC), Addameer, Bisan Center, Al-Haq, Defense for Children (DCI-P), and Women’s Committees (UPWC). (4/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

During the investigation, an interrogee described the importance of this network, stating “the institutions associated with the PFLP are interconnected, and are the organization’s economic and organizational lifeline in terms of money laundering and funding of the PFLP”. (5/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

The projects these institutions promote are used to increase PFLP’s support and influence in the Palestinian population by locating and recruiting new agents, cultivating commitment among beneficiaries and recipients of their services, disseminating PFLP messages, and more. (6/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

In addition, these institutions serve as a place of employment for PFLP agents, including militants, allowing them to receive regular salaries, and their offices to serve as quarters for PFLP activities, focusing on the missions and activities of the terrorist organization. (7/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

In order to carry out their commitments to the PFLP, these institutions engaged in forgery of documents and fraud against European donors and employed militants responsible for terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. (8/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

The PFLP maintains total control of these institutions, including via the employment of its agents in key positions, and the systematic diversion of donor funds to its militant activities against Israeli civilians. (9/9)

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) October 25, 2021

State Department spokesman Ned Price criticized the move, saying that Israel did not give the United States any notice before the announcement. “We believe respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, and a strong civil society are critically important to responsible and responsive governance.” A source from the Defense Ministry told The Jerusalem Post that the U.S. was, in fact, informed about the decision before it was announced.

United Nations Special Rapporteur of Freedom of Association Clement Voule tweeted that he was “outraged” by the move. “Defending human rights, calling for accountability, fighting against arbitrary arrests, is a legitimate work and must be respected, not shut by flawed terrorism laws.”

I am outraged by news that #Israel designated six #Palestinian human rights NGOs as “terrorist organizations”. Defending human rights, calling for accountability, fighting against arbitrary arrests, is a legitimate work and must be respected, not shut by flawed terrorism laws.

— UN Special Rapporteur Freedom of Association (@cvoule) October 24, 2021

Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth similarly tweeted that the Defense Ministry’s allegations that the six NGOs are “terrorists” are “unsubstantiated” and “a transparent attempt ‘to muzzle prominent critics of the Israeli government.’ Rather than end apartheid, it tries to silence the messengers.”

The Israeli government's unsubstantiated claim that six Palestinian human rights groups are "terrorists" is a transparent attempt "to muzzle prominent critics of the Israeli government." Rather than end apartheid, it tries to silence the messengers. https://t.co/cwxiaUWCBn pic.twitter.com/8MxlXs3p6p

— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) October 24, 2021

HonestReporting’s Daniel Pomerantz noted in an October 24 piece that the United States Agency of International Development (USAID) found that the UAWC and UPWC both have PFLP ties and that two UAWC employees were behind an October 2019 West Bank terror attack that resulted in the death of Rina Shnerb, a 17-year-old Israeli teen. Additionally, Pomerantz pointed to the fact that the U.N. rejected Addameer’s 2012 application for consultative status in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) after they failed to respond to concerns from the U.S. about their PFLP’s ties. Pomerantz also noted that AmericanExpress, MasterCard and Visa also ceased their donations to Al Haq and the UAWC over their reported PFLP ties.

Seems like information that should be part of the discussion about #Israel labelling the six NGOs as fronts for terrorist groups like the #PFLP | https://t.co/SQMgnJbeDa pic.twitter.com/8vPkpdaaNL

— Kyle Orton (@KyleWOrton) October 24, 2021

Al-Haq and Bisan have both denied having connections to the PFLP; the PFLP said in a statement that the move amounted to “aggression against the institutions of the Palestinian people” but did not deny having ties to the six NGOs.

Israel Designates Six Palestinian Organizations As Terror Groups Read More »

Sunrise DC Apologizes for Singling Out Jewish Groups: “We Now Understand the Way Our Action Has Fueled Antisemitism”

Leave a Comment / News, United States / Aaron Bandler

The Washington, D.C. chapter of the climate group Sunrise Movement issued an apology on October 24 over their refusal to participate in a voting rights rally because of “Zionist organizations.”

Sunrise DC had cited the participation of the Jewish Council of Public Affairs (JCPA), National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) and Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) in the October 23 Freedom to Vote Relay – Rally at the Finish Line as being “in alignment with and in support of Zionism and the State of Israel.” “Given our commitment to racial justice, self-governance, and indigenous sovereignty, we oppose Zionism and any state that enforces that ideology,” they said in a statement.

Following backlash over the move––including the national Sunrise Movement calling it “antisemitic”––Sunrise DC said in a statement that they “unequivocally apologize” for singling out the three Jewish organizations. “We now understand the way our action has fueled antisemitism, which benefits white nationalism and political movements that build power by dividing us, and endangers Jewish people drastically.”

They added that they “continue to stand against Zionism, antisemitism, anti-Palestinian racism, and all other forms of oppression” and called Zionism “the ideology that has led to Palestinians being violently pushed out of their homes since 1948 and Israel’s continued violence and systematic oppression today.”

Please read our statement regarding our post on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/ac8iZpAgJq

— Sunrise DC (@SunriseMvmtDC) October 25, 2021

Various Twitter users criticized Sunrise DC’s statement.

“If you can’t even apologize without pushing your political agenda, it’s not really an apology, @sunrisemvmtdc,” StandWithUs tweeted. “You’re right that Zionism is not a theoretical concept, but your dehumanizing smears certainly don’t help anyone understand it better.”

If you can't even apologize without pushing your political agenda, it's not really an apology, @sunrisemvmtdc. You're right that Zionism is not a theoretical concept, but your dehumanizing smears certainly don't help anyone understand it better. So let's review some basic facts: https://t.co/9BoCBdeZv4

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 25, 2021

In subsequent tweets, the pro-Israel educational organization added that the Israelis have constantly offered deals for Palestinians to have their own state, but “Palestinian leaders said no to every major peace offer, choosing a path of war, terrorism, and endless conflict instead” and that “to equate support for Jewish rights with antisemitism as ‘forms of oppression’ is incoherent, ignorant, and hateful.” “Palestinians and Israelis have suffered enough, and you’re not helping them build a better future together,” StandWithUs wrote. “All you’re doing is fueling more hatred and division in your own community.”

5. Palestinian leaders said no to every major peace offer, choosing a path of war, terrorism, and endless conflict instead.

6. To equate support for Jewish rights with antisemitism as "forms of oppression" is incoherent, ignorant, and hateful.

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 25, 2021

@sunrisemvmtdc, Palestinians and Israelis have suffered enough, and you're not helping them build a better future together. All you're doing is fueling more hatred and division in your own community.

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) October 25, 2021

The American Jewish Congress similarly tweeted: “Instead of retracting its antisemitic statement & apologizing to the Jewish community, @SunriseMvmtDC is persisting. Rejecting Israel’s right to exist & equating Jewish self-determination [with] racism is repugnant & shows how anti-Jewish bigotry is allowed to flourish.”

Instead of retracting its antisemitic statement & apologizing to the Jewish community, @SunriseMvmtDC is persisting.

Rejecting Israel's right to exist & equating Jewish self-determination w/ racism is repugnant & shows how anti-Jewish bigotry is allowed to flourish @sunrisemvmt. https://t.co/bcT8I4mujj

— American Jewish Congress (@AJCongress) October 25, 2021

Stop Antisemitism tweeted that Sunrise DC’s statement essentially said, “We stand against antisemitism and the 95% of Jews who are Zionists.”

“We stand against antisemitism and the 95% of Jews who are Zionists” 🙄 https://t.co/qEfkIsEQjV

— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 25, 2021

Jeremy Schulman, a senior news editor for Mother Jones, tweeted, “How is any of this helpful for combatting climate change, protecting voting rights, achieving DC statehood, or helping literally *anyone* in Israel or the Palestinian territories?”

https://twitter.com/jeremyschulman/status/1452636134903795717?s=20

Sunrise DC Apologizes for Singling Out Jewish Groups: “We Now Understand the Way Our Action Has Fueled Antisemitism” Read More »

Luxury Las Vegas: My Stay at The Venetian Resort

Leave a Comment / Blogs, Commentary / Lisa Ellen Niver

Where did I stay in Las Vegas?

I loved the luxury suites at The Venetian Resort! I stayed in the Palazzo tower.

Did you know?

Every Single Room is a Suite! And each suite is nearly double the size of the average Las Vegas hotel room.

My suite was incredible. I loved that it was so spacious with separate sunken living area, a full sized work desk and a table with two chairs so you can order in your meals as well as entertain by the couch and enjoy the views from the floor to ceiling window. I slept so well on my pillow-top king bed and loved the oversized roman tub and separate glass-enclosed shower. There are two sinks as well as a makeup mirror and vanity area.

After not being able to travel, I loved walking around the resort and taking advantage of the climbing wall at Canyon Ranch spa + fitness which is one of the world’s largest day spas. There are more than 150 extraordinary services in a 134,000-square-foot Las Vegas day spa with more than 90 treatment rooms, exclusive amenities, and the warm personal attention at this Forbes Travel Guide Four Star spa.

THANK YOU to MIKE for taking great care of me on the climbing wall! I loved it!

Ready for some outdoor time? I loved the Cabanas and Daybeds at all of the pools–you can enjoy The Venetian or Palazzo side! Swim, sip and relax!

Looking for a special libation? We had drinks at Electra where the cocktails were designed by Award-winning Bartender Sam Ross! Make sure to check out the largest mezcal collection in Las Vegas. We loved the Penichillin and sitting at the bar to select our next cocktail.

While I was on property, there was a grand opening for SUSHISAMBA which is a blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian culture and cuisine. The food is FANTASTIC! I loved it!

My favorite thing was my gondola ride. It reminded me of my time in Venice, Italy. I enjoyed the gondolier singing and the gorgeous colors at sunset. We picked an outdoor ride but you can also choose indoor! We floated beneath bridges and listened to the songs. Next time, I want to see The Gondolier March! It is a special tradition when the team of gondoliers sing in unison as they march along the indoor canal at 9:50 a.m. and 4:20 p.m., beginning at the gondola turn-around in the Grand Canal Shoppes.