US Capitol Police arrest Jewish activists calling for Israel arms embargo – Newstrends
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US Capitol Police arrest Jewish activists calling for Israel arms embargo

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3 months ago

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Progressive Jewish activists call for an arms embargo on Israel during a protest at the Cannon House Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 23 [Ali Harb/Al Jazeera]

US Capitol Police arrest Jewish activists calling for Israel arms embargo

Washington, DC – The rotunda of an office building in the United States Capitol complex filled in minutes with hundreds of people who appeared as if from nowhere, as part of a surprise protest against Israel’s war in Gaza.

“Let Gaza live,” they chanted in unison inside the Cannon House Office Building, removing their outer garments to reveal matching red T-shirts.

One side of the shirt read, “Jews say stop arming Israel.” The other side: “Not in our name.”

Tuesday’s coordinated protest, led by Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), took Congressional staffers and law enforcement agents aback, as it came together within minutes.

But the crackdown started almost immediately after the protesters assembled. Capitol Police quickly declared the area a closed “zone” and arrested hundreds of demonstrators who refused to leave.

“This is a moment in history where we have to say we stood up for Palestinian freedom. We stood up to end this genocide,” said protester Liv Kunins-Berkowitz.

“For so many of us, we are the descendants who survived ethnic cleansing and genocide. Our ancestors and grandparents taught us that the worst thing to do in these moments is to be a bystander.”

Kunins-Berkowitz added that the protest is part of a tradition of peaceful civil disobedience. “It’s what we have to do when our government refuses to listen to the people,” she told Al Jazeera.

The demonstration on Capitol Hill comes a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to deliver a speech to Congress at the invitation of top legislators from both major parties.

Netanyahu’s government has overseen more than nine months of death and devastation in Gaza, with experts and rights advocates warning of “genocide” in the Palestinian territory.

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Since the war began, the Israeli offensive has killed more than 39,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children.

Nevertheless, the US government has remained uncompromising with its support for Israel.

The administration of President Joe Biden has authorised more than $14bn in military aid to Israel, while also maintaining a steady flow of weapons and bombs.

In addition, the US has vetoed three United Nations Security Council resolutions that would have called for a ceasefire.

Biden called for an end to the war in May as part of a deal that would see the release of Israeli captives in Gaza, but he has pressed on with support for Israel, as the country’s leaders pledge to continue to fight until “total victory”.

Abby Stein, a rabbi and activist, said that while US officials are paying “lip service” to the ceasefire, protesters are calling for an actual end to the war and an arms embargo against Israel.

“I know that none of us will be safe while the US sends billions of dollars in weapons to Israel,” Stein told Al Jazeera.

“This is one of the worst atrocities we are watching unfold before our eyes. We are here today to make sure that we do everything we can to stop this.”

Progressive Jewish groups have been organising protests across the country, including a similar demonstration on Capitol Hill in October last year, as well as rallies on roads, inside train stations and at political offices.

Asked whether such direct action is effective, Stein was unequivocal: “Yes.”

She argued that protests raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and give exposure to the demands of the demonstrators.

“I think it definitely helps,” Stein added. “The action that happened in October is a good example. It really put us in the media to show that there are tens of thousands of Jews who are opposing what the Israeli government is doing.”

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Activist Tal Frieden said that, as the grandchild of Holocaust survivors, he grew up hearing stories about the importance of ensuring that genocide does not happen again. “I’m here today to demand that the US stop sending weapons to Israel,” he told Al Jazeera.

At the protest on Tuesday, demonstrators held firm and refused to leave as their fellow activists faced arrest.

Law enforcement agents moved in quickly and discarded banners decrying the “genocide” in Gaza.

Then, they started arresting people from the outer edges, making the circle of activists smaller, as if peeling it layer by layer.

For more than an hour, officers steadily detained the activists and led them to an elevator away from the rotunda and to the underground halls of Congress.

Many zip-tied demonstrators continued to chant, “Stop arming Israel” and “Free, free Palestine”, as they were being taken away. But the chants grew fainter and fainter as the last demonstrators were taken out.

“We are arresting a group that is illegally demonstrating inside the Cannon Rotunda. Demonstrations are not allowed inside the Congressional Buildings,” Capitol Police said in a statement.

“We told the people, who legally entered, to stop or they would be arrested. They did not stop, so we are arresting them.”

A JVP organiser told Al Jazeera that the group was told the protesters “are being processed and released on their own recognizance with a post and forfeit”, suggesting they will not face charges.

JVP said 400 people were arrested, but Capitol Police has not released official figures.

“For nine months, we’ve watched in horror as the Israeli government has carried out a genocide, armed and funded by the US Congress and the Biden administration have the power to end this horror today,” JVP executive director Stefanie Fox said in a statement.

“Instead, our president is preparing to meet with Netanyahu and Congressional leadership has honored him with an invitation to address Congress. Enough is enough. Biden and Congress must listen to the people: We need an arms embargo now to save lives.”

 

US Capitol Police arrest Jewish activists calling for Israel arms embargo

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA
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Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar feared killed in Israeli Gaza operation

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9 hours ago

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October 17, 2024

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Hamas leader, Yahya Sinwar

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar feared killed in Israeli Gaza operation

Yahya Sinwar, a senior leader within Hamas, is feared to have been killed during an Israeli military operation in Gaza, according to emerging reports.

Sinwar, who allegedly played a pivotal role in the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, is at the centre of an investigation by Israeli authorities, though confirmation of his death is still pending.

Sources cited by the BBC suggest that preliminary assessments point toward Sinwar, 61, being among those killed in recent strikes, but final verification has not been made.

Disturbing images circulating online depict a lifeless body resembling Sinwar amid the debris of a targeted building, showing visible injuries.

Sinwar gained prominence in Hamas after his release from an Israeli prison in 2011 as part of a widely publicized prisoner exchange. Known for his militant stance, he championed military actions over diplomatic negotiations with Israel.

For years, Israel has considered Sinwar one of its most wanted targets in Gaza. He is accused of orchestrating the deadly October 7 attacks that resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 250 individuals into Gaza.

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Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, recently invoked a passage from the Torah, underscoring the nation’s determination to retaliate: “You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall before you by the sword.” Gallant emphasized Israel’s commitment to targeting those responsible for assaults on its people.

Anonymous officials quoted by Reuters revealed that the Israeli security cabinet has been briefed on the likelihood that Sinwar has been killed. Similarly, Channel 12 reported that government insiders believe Sinwar was neutralized during the ongoing offensive in Gaza.

An Israeli security source told AFP that DNA testing is underway to confirm whether the body recovered from the rubble belongs to Sinwar. His DNA and biometric data, obtained during his previous imprisonment in Israel, are being used for identification.

The strike reportedly occurred during an operation in Rafah, southern Gaza, where Israeli troops clashed with militants. The Israeli military announced that three fighters were killed in the encounter, with indications suggesting Sinwar may have been among them.

If verified, Sinwar’s death would represent a significant achievement for Israel, dealing a symbolic blow to Hamas amid the ongoing conflict. His leadership role in coordinating Hamas’ militant operations, including the recent attacks, has made him a prime target.

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar feared killed in Israeli Gaza operation

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Elon Musk donates $75m to support Trump’s presidential campaign

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13 hours ago

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October 17, 2024

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Elon Musk donates $75m to support Trump’s presidential campaign

In a significant display of political backing, billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has contributed nearly $75 million to a political action committee (PAC) he established to support Donald Trump’s 2024 U.S. presidential campaign.

According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings made public on Tuesday, this large donation highlights Musk’s growing involvement in Trump’s bid for the presidency.

Musk, the world’s richest man, has become an increasingly prominent figure in Trump’s campaign. Recently, he appeared on stage with the former president at a Pennsylvania rally, where he made his support clear.

Musk has also been vocal on social media, frequently criticizing Trump’s Democratic opponent, Kamala Harris.

Trump has often mentioned Musk in his speeches, even promising to appoint him to a committee aimed at reducing government bureaucracy if he wins the election.

Currently, the race between Trump and Harris is extremely tight, with polls indicating a neck-and-neck contest for the White House.

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Musk’s America PAC, which was launched to mobilize grassroots efforts for Trump, has raised $74.95 million between July and September 2024.

The PAC has directed much of its efforts toward battleground states like Pennsylvania, where the overall outcome of the election may be decided.

The group’s website advertises paid opportunities for individuals to help boost voter turnout, offering $30 per hour with bonuses for high performance.

Musk has also promised $47 to anyone who convinces a registered swing-state voter to sign a petition supporting free speech and gun rights.

Musk’s endorsement of Trump came after the Republican candidate survived an assassination attempt in July 2024, a moment that seemed to solidify the tech mogul’s support.

On the other side of the race, Kamala Harris has been no less aggressive in her campaign efforts. The vice president’s Harris Victory Fund PAC raised $633 million in the same period, according to FEC filings.

Harris entered the race following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal after a poor debate performance against Trump earlier this year.

Since launching her campaign, Harris has energized the Democratic base, focusing heavily on key battleground states. Her PAC’s year-to-date fundraising is close to $1 billion, standing at $931.2 million, indicating the high stakes in this closely watched presidential race.

With both candidates neck-and-neck and political donations pouring in from both sides, the 2024 election is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent history.

 

Elon Musk donates $75m to support Trump’s presidential campaign

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Biden okays $4.5bn student debt relief as vote nears

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13 hours ago

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October 17, 2024

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US President Joe Biden

Biden okays $4.5bn student debt relief as vote nears

US President Joe Biden announced Thursday further student debt relief for public servants — amounting to around $4.5 billion — with just over two weeks to go until the presidential election.

The action affects about 60,000 borrowers across the country, said the White House, touting Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s efforts to improve loan forgiveness since taking office.

Harris is the Democratic nominee in November’s White House race, running against Republican former president Donald Trump.

The announcement comes as households feel the weight of higher costs of living since the Covid-19 pandemic, with voters citing the economy as a crucial concern in polls.

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Biden said in a statement that with the latest move, more than one million people have had their debt cancelled under Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

The promise of the program — supporting teachers, nurses and others — involved student debt forgiveness after 10 years of public service and 10 years of payments.

“But for too long, the government failed to live up to its commitments, and only 7,000 people had ever received forgiveness,” Biden said.

“I will never stop working to make higher education affordable,” he added.

Harris said in her own statement that higher education “should be a pathway to economic opportunity — not a lifetime of debt.”

She, too, promised to “continue our work to lower costs, make higher education more affordable, and relieve the burden of student debt.”

Biden has embarked on efforts to cancel student debt for millions of Americans, after a student loan payment freeze instituted by Trump during the coronavirus pandemic.

Americans hold $1.6 trillion in student loans, and some end up repaying them over decades as they start jobs and families.

Biden okays $4.5bn student debt relief as vote nears

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