NTC Offers $1 million to Queers for Palestine to hold parade in Gaza

 

The New Tolerance Campaign (NTC), a U.S.-based watchdog organization, announced a $1 million offer on Monday to “Queers for Palestine” or any U.S. LGBTQ advocacy organization to host a Gay Pride Parade in Gaza or Judea and Samaria.

“This isn’t a joke. It’s not a publicity stunt. Our offer is real,” said the organization’s president, Gregory T. Angelo, who is gay and the former president of Log Cabin Republicans, in a statement on the group’s website.

“For the past year, we’ve seen so-called ‘Queers for Palestine’ and allied LGBTQ organizations insist that the Palestinian territories are ‘inclusive’—well, here’s their chance to prove it. We’re willing to put our money where their mouths are to underwrite a Gay Pride Parade in Gaza or the West Bank.”

NTC has secured commitments for the $1 million prize, which is being offered to potential parade organizers. The offer is good for the next six months, until March 16, 2025.

NTC said it had attempted to publicize the campaign with full-page ads in The New York Times, The Washington Post and USA Today. All three newspapers declined, citing safety concerns.

Times Square in New York City also declined to run the ad, saying the buildings displaying it could become targets of violence.

Not to be deterred, NTC began circulating mobile billboards on Monday around Columbia University on the Upper West Side of New York City; the headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C.; and the University of California, Los Angeles.

The mobile billboards will run through Wednesday. Additional dates may be announced.

“The campaign will also allow everyday Americans to send messages directly to the senior leadership of the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, the LGBTQ Task Force, and Advocates for Trans Equality encouraging them to actually fight for LGBTQ rights rather than taking a political stance against the only gay-friendly country in the Middle East, Israel,” NTC’s website stated.

“This project highlights the lack of human rights for the LGBTQ community in Palestine while noting LGBTQ people live freely in Israel. It also has the potential to be a breakthrough moment for pluralism and peace throughout the Arab world,” said Angelo.

According to the rules of the challenge, the recipient group must be a recognized U.S. 501(c)(3) organization; the parade march must be at least one kilometer (approximately half a mile) in length and on a major street; and include at least 200 participants, 80% of whom must be Palestinian, and from Judea and Samaria or Gaza.

In addition, participants must outwardly “show” LGBTQ pride symbols or dress, including but not limited to rainbow flags, trans flags, full leather outfits, or drag.

At least half of the parade signs must be in Arabic and the parade filmed by NTC.

Clocking in to work in Lebanon this morning.

 

Amjad Taha أمجد طه

 

You dared to strike at a smart and courageous nation on October 7th—committing genocide, kidnapping their children, and violating their women. You thought they would fall, but they rose again, returning after 11 months to correct what had only momentarily slipped—their…

— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) September 18, 2024

Newsweek says that Israel's Pager Strike Have Arab Leaders (Quietly) Cheering

 In the wake of the alleged Israeli assault on thousands of Hezbollah members, whose pagers and walkie talkies simultaneously exploded on Monday and Tuesday, Arab governments rushed to condemn the attack, expressing fears that it would escalate the region's conflict.

Yet many of their citizens had other ideas.

In the days following the explosions, Arabic-language social media have been full of memes of Hassan Nasrallah, the militant group's chief, with a blown-up backside; schadenfreude remarks of how Hezbollah got what it deserved; claims that the explosions were divine justice and songs praising the operation. In Northern Syria, soldiers even handed out sweets to passing cars to celebrate the "Hezbollah massacre."

This isn't the first time since the Iran-backed terrorist attack in Israel on Oct. 7 that Arabs have cheered on brazen operations—allegedly—pulled off by the Jewish state against Iran and its allies. Indeed, according to The Media Line, a U.S.-based independent news agency that reports on Arabic and Hebrew-language media, the Arab world largely favored the assassination of Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in July and some Arab commentators even supported Israel's assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh last month. When Israel bombed the Houthi-controlled Hodeida port in Yemen, Saudi and Yemeni journalists and social media users rejoiced.

One of the many important nuances of the Middle East conflicts is that most victims of Iran and its proxies and clients such as Hezbollah and Hamas are not Jews but Arabs.

In Syria, Iran has propped up the despotic president Bashar Al Assad, who has used barrel bombs and chemical weapons against his own people, ethnically cleansed certain Sunni districts and strengthened violent and criminal militias such as Hezbollah and the ethnic-Afghan militia Liwa Fatemiyoun.

In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthis have torn the country apart, abusing their citizens and prioritizing fighting a faraway Israel while almost 3 million Yemeni children are either acutely or severely malnourished.

Lebanon, once known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East" for its snowcapped mountains and stability that led to it being the banking capital of the Arab world, has been hijacked by Iran and put on the brink of a war with Israel that would send it back to the Stone Age.

Not "Bashert" for Trump to Eat At Gottleib's in Williamsburg as Mr. Gottlieb Sr Passes Away

 In an unexpected turn of events, the highly anticipated visit of former President Donald Trump to Williamsburg has been modified and possibly canceled.

The visit was planned for today at the renowned Gottlieb’s Restaurant, owned by Menashe Gottlieb. However, the sudden passing of Menashe's father, R' Shulem Yosef Gottlieb, has led to the visit's cancellation.

R' Shulem Yosef, a respected figure in the community, passed away earlier today, leaving his family and the broader Williamsburg community in mourning. As a result, plans for the former president's visit were quickly called off out of respect for the family.

Trump supporters had previously been seen preparing for the visit, with signs of welcome hung around the neighborhood, including a portrait of the former president displayed at Gottlieb’s Restaurant. 

Details surrounding the rescheduling of Trump’s visit, if any, are yet to be confirmed. 

Stay tuned to Williamsburg365 for further updates.

*HAPPENING NOW:* Israeli fighter jets are reportedly flying over Beirut as Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivers a speech.

 

Moti Maman 72 Israeli businessman indicted in Iranian plot to assassinate Israeli leaders

 

An Israeli businessman based in Turkey was indicted Thursday on serious security charges, accused of being recruited by Iranian intelligence.

Prosecutors say he was smuggled into Iran twice and demanded a $1 million payment in advance for various missions, including plotting to assassinate top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

The Shin Bet and Israel Police revealed that the suspect, later identified as Moti Maman, a 72-year-old resident of Ashkelon, was arrested in August in a joint anti-terror operation by the Shin Bet and the Israel Police’s Lahav 433 serious crimes unit on suspicion of committing security offenses on behalf of the Iranian regime.

The investigation revealed that while living in Turkey, the suspect maintained business and social ties with Turkish and Iranian contacts. In April, through the mediation of two Turkish nationals, identified as Andrey Farouk Aslan and Junayd Aslan, he agreed to meet a wealthy businessman in Iran named Eddy to discuss potential business ventures.

AOC Totally Unhinged! Attacks Israel for Blowing Up Innocent Hezbollah Terrorists

 Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on Wednesday night tweeted this – I am not messing with you:

“Israel’s pager attack in Lebanon detonated thousands of handheld devices across of a slew of public spaces, seriously injuring and killing innocent civilians. This attack clearly and unequivocally violates international humanitarian law and undermines US efforts to prevent a wider conflict. Congress needs a full accounting of the attack, including an answer from the State Department as to whether any US assistance went into the development or deployment of this technology.”

The Human Side of Donald Trump the side the media won't allow you to see

An 8-year-old boy received the surprise of his young life, after former President Trump greeted him in person during his rally Wednesday in New York. 

 Liam, who has a rare brain disorder, was recently given a letter from Trump just before his eighth birthday and his heartfelt reaction to the surprise went viral. 

 Doctors warned the family Liam might never walk, talk or eat on his own, according to his mother, Siobhan. "My buddy here plays ice hockey, he does roller hockey, he does very good in school, plays sports…we’re so proud of him," she told Fox News Digital in an interview moments before Trump’s rally at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale near the family’s Long Island home.

Liam's mom said he has been a Trump supporter since he was 18 months old. 

After receiving the letter, Liam's family was invited to Trump's Unidondale rally as VIP guests, where Liam received an even bigger birthday gift by meeting the Republican presidential nominee. 

"I'm supposed to be on that stage, but that doesn't matter because I got you the best present. This is the best present you'll ever have," Trump said while greeting Liam backstage.

Trump handed Liam a box and said "in there is real good stuff." 

"We're gonna have that picture for life, you and I," Trump told Liam after taking a photo.

Trump thanked Liam and his family for joining him.

"Take care of yourself, okay? I wish I looked like that or if I looked like that, I'd be president," Trump told Liam. 

Fox News Digital spoke with the family after meeting Trump and shared just how big of an impact it made on Liam.

"It's a pipe dream, I can never imagine, to thank the world for helping my son come this far and showing support and making his dream come true, because, believe it or not, this is definitely probably one of his big dreams, to meet Donald Trump, his hero since he was probably born. If not, very close," Liam's dad said, choking back tears. 

‘Trump 2024!" Liam added. 

Trump also gave Liam and his family a shout-out during the rally, telling the crowd about Liam's bravery and their visit while pointing him out from stage while the crowd erupted in applause.

"I'm in tears," Liam's mom told Fox News Digital. 

The original viral video, which caught national attention, showed Liam eagerly opening an envelope with a letter addressed to him from the former president. 

"This is a side of Donald Trump that nobody gets to see," said Kevin Smith, who shared the original video before it blew up online. "Most Americans, he said, only see Trump’s public persona and widespread media coverage."

The video opens with Liam sitting on a couch as his mom hands over the envelope. She asks if he wants to read the letter or have her read it, as he fights back tears realizing what is happening. 

"Dear Liam, Happy birthday, Mrs. Trump, and I hope you enjoy this special occasion surrounded by the love of your family and friends," Liam's mom, Siobhan reads.

"We are so encouraged by the strength and determination you have shown throughout your life and send our love and best wishes to you as you continue to fight," the letter continued. "Remember you are never alone, and we are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers for continued care and good health. May God bless you and your family, stay strong."

Siobhan then mentions that Trump knew Liam's birthday was coming up and asked him how he felt about him wishing him a happy birthday.

"Sincerely, can you tell me who signed that?" Siobhan asks.

"Donald Trump," Liam responds shakily, holding back tears. 

"He knew it was your birthday coming up? What do you say to him," Siobhan asks.

"Thank you, I love you," Liam says while also signing "I love you."  

UN General Assembly passes resolution calling for Jerusalem Old City to be Jew-free..No More Kotel!

 Jerusalem’s Old City and Judea and Samaria must be judenrein within a year, according to a Palestinian-drafted resolution, which the U.N. General Assembly passed on Wednesday.

The resolution, which passed by a 124-14 margin with 43 abstentions, is meant to give force to a July advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, which declared Israeli presence to be illegal in any area over the 1949 armistice line.

More than 40 countries sponsored the resolution, which was the first that Palestinians filed after being granted unprecedented privileges, for a non-U.N. member, earlier this year.

The resolution calls on the Israel Defense Forces to withdraw completely from Judea and Samaria, eastern Jerusalem and Gaza within 12 months, which means evacuating all Jewish communities beyond the armistice line, including Jerusalem’s Old City.

It also bans arms sales to the IDF of any equipment that would be expected reasonably to be used in the territory over the 1949 lines and calls for a boycott of all products produced by Jews in those areas.

The resolution text lacks any mention of Israeli security concerns, historic ties to the lands or Hamas’s terror attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.

The vote came after a day of debate on Tuesday.

Argentina, Czechia, Fiji, Hungary, Malawi, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Tonga, Tuvalu and the United States joined Israel in opposing the resolution.

Notably, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, Ukraine and Australia were among those who abstained.

General Assembly resolutions have no legal force, but the resolution’s passage on Wednesday is expected to be used in international courts and other fora to seek additional action against the Jewish state.

It is widely expected that the Palestinians will request that the U.N. Security Council take up the issue. Security Council resolutions are binding, but the United States would be expected to thwart such an effort, including with its veto power.

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, called it “a shameful decision that backs the Palestinian Authority’s diplomatic terrorism.”

He added that the General Assembly “continues to dance to the music of the Palestinian Authority, which backs the Hamas murderers.”

Before the vote, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters he would back the implementation of the resolution should it pass.

Seth Riklin and Daniel Mariaschin, president and CEO respectively of B’nai B’rith International, said that the international nonprofit is “appalled” by the “atrocious” resolution.

“B’nai B’rith International strongly condemns the U.N. General Assembly’s passage of the first resolution officially sponsored by Palestinians days after they became the first non-member state group further upgraded to many member state privileges at the U.N. General Assembly, despite the world body’s own rules and practices,” the duo stated.

“Coming from an assembly in which Arab and other pro-Palestinian governments wield an automatic majority to annually condemn Israel more than all other countries combined, the motion is unprecedented in its shamelessly one-sided endorsement of Palestinian claims and political demands, and further erodes the U.N.’s credibility as a serious contributor to promoting conflict-resolution and universal human rights,” they added.

“Shame on all countries that enabled this atrocious affront to justice and peace as part of the latest UNGA ’emergency session’ on the Middle East that does nothing to help seriously address and settle the emergency,” Riklin and Mariaschin said.

Arsen Ostrovsky and Nadav Steinman, CEO and board chair respectively of the International Legal Forum, stated that “today, simply put, the United Nations has become the diplomatic arm of Hamas” and that the resolution “is just the latest in a litany of obscenely one-sided anti-Israel resolutions at the U.N. since Oct. 7.”

“All it does is reward the murderers, rapists and abductors of Hamas while pouring further fuel on worldwide antisemitism and eroding whatever remaining credibility of the already problematic and politicized International Court of Justice, upon which this resolution is meant to be based,” they added. “Ultimately, peace will only prevail when Hamas is defeated and the hostages are released, not through tiresome antics and pyrrhic Palestinian ‘victories’ at the U.N.”