Younes Qavali, a Migrant Living in the Netherlands, Allegedly Behind the Pogrom Planning
Younes, don’t worry – Mossad just wanted to make sure your address is up to date…
Saturday, November 9, 2024
Sick! Upper West Side synagogue, Jews gather to ‘sit shiva’ following Trump’s win
Congregants at the Upper West Side synagogue B’nai Jeshurun had gathered for a post-election prayer service on Wednesday night, but the congregation’s senior rabbi, Roly Matalon, understood that they had really come together for a different kind of Jewish gathering.
“We’re sitting shiva,” Matalon said to a crowd of about 100, including both members and guests. “Sitting shiva with a sense of loss, of grief.”
It was less than 24 hours after polls had closed in the year’s presidential election and just over 12 since Donald Trump, the Republican former president, had been declared the winner. For a significant majority of Jews across the country who opposed Trump, and especially in liberal bastions like the Upper West Side, the result shocked and stung.
As attendees trickled in, many greeted each other with looks of disbelief or shakes of their heads — but not with words.
“I feel a deep, physical sadness,” said congregant Joel Soffin, 79. Referring to a Jewish mourning tradition, Soffin added that mourners customarily don’t greet others or respond to greetings “during the first three days [of mourning] — and I’m in that place.”
“As a child of Holocaust survivors — it’s a very sad statement — but I see a fascist rise to power,” said Nina Horak, also a B’nai Jeshurun member.
The event — titled “A Time of Prayer for the Neshamah [Soul] of Our Nation” — had been planned before the election to take place no matter its results, or whether they were fully known. The intention was to give the community a space to not only pray together, but also process together and share their experiences, said Rabbi Shuli Passow, the synagogue’s chief program and engagement officer.
After it became clear that Trump had handed Democrat Kamala Harris, the current vice president, a stinging loss, the event transformed in tone.
Rabbi Felicia Sol led the brief evening service, and upon its conclusion read the Langston Hughes poem “Let America be America Again,” which talks about an American dream that never existed for many Americans. Matalon spoke about the feelings of shock and grief shared by many in the audience.
“Are we the country we thought we are?” Sol asked. “I think that’s something many of us are holding.”
In the crowd was Rep. Jerry Nadler, who was reelected Tuesday to represent New York’s 12th Congressional District, which includes the Upper West Side. Nadler had received a congratulatory message from Matalon during what was an otherwise solemn night.
Even on the Upper West Side, where most voters supported Harris, Trump’s support rose compared to 2020, when he lost to President Joe Biden. In one precinct, according to preliminary data, Harris’ share of the vote was below 85% — a result unseen in 2020.
In an interview, Nadler quoted scripture. “‘By the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. How shall we sing a song to the Lord in a strange land?’” he said, quoting Psalm 137 and a spiritual frequently sung in American synagogues. “This seems like a strange land now.”
Then the rabbis split the attendees into over a dozen intimate discussion groups, and the sanctuary buzzed with the noise of people candidly sharing their own thoughts.
“It’s very helpful to be in community, to hear each other’s stories and just to feel a presence,” Soffin said.
After his shock in seeing Trump’s strong performance, Soffin said he realized he should ultimately meet more people with whom he disagrees in order to understand where they’re coming from. “But [for] now, while we’re sitting shiva, I need to be in the silo,” he said. “I need to have people around who are wrestling with the same things.”
Meryl, a congregant who normally joins via Zoom, commuted from New Jersey for the event. “I needed it,” she said. “I needed it.”
Said Horak about the evening, “It gives my soul a break. It’s a chance to be in community with likeminded people.” She added, motioning to the sanctuary’s elaborate, Moorish Revival-style mosaic wall, “And it’s a nice synagogue, you know, nice to look at.”
After about 20 minutes, the small discussion groups coalesced, and a few volunteers shared their stories with everyone. One speaker said he regretted not doing more as a canvasser to drum up votes for Harris.
A congregant named Debra, 71, shared her fear that decades of work advocating for reproductive rights will be undone under the Trump administration.
But Debra also struck a hopeful note for the future when talking about her 8-year-old granddaughter, who took it upon herself to write a petition to make Harris president.
Matalon, too, hinted at the future in his comments to the crowd, even as he gave them permission to wallow in the present.
“There will be a time after shiva to strategize, to organize, to analyze and to see what can be,” he said. “But now it’s just time to sit with one another, with our grief.”
Dutch Authorities Received Multiple Warnings Before Pogrom ...Latest Updates!
The Israeli Ministry for Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism reported that Dutch authorities ignored three warnings about a planned attack on Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam.
Despite alerts about potential violence, local forces failed to protect Israeli citizens, resulting in injuries and missing individuals.
“Uber drivers were at the center of organizing the attacks against Jews in Amsterdam”
The Jews are on their way to Israel on the rescue flights.
‘The Police Abandoned Us To Thugs’
Israeli fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer club described the chaos and the violence they suffered immediately after the end of the soccer game between their club and Ajax, the local team. The fans told of organized groups of Muslim thugs who were out on the streets searching for Israelis and attacking them without provocation. The fans said the streets were empty of police, who did nothing to protect the fans.
One fan told Ynet that “They rammed into me and brandished a knife. I’m lightly injured but I’m not willing to get treatment here, only in Israel. They ambushed us, I’m in total shock. I saw with my own eyes kids getting nasty blows. They are everywhere and there’s no police, its chaos. They were organized beforehand, and the police abandoned us. Every fourth guy in the streets is a Muslim intent on attacking us. I and hundreds of others are stuck inside our hotel, police won’t let us go out. We just want to fly home.”
Another fan said that “Nobody offered us help, there’s no chance we’ll go to the hospital, I don’t rely on anyone here. The police themselves hit us with truncheons because they were afraid of the pro-Palestinians. We are now in the hotel, people are constantly photographing us. It feels like a pogrom.”
Another fan described seeing a police van and asking for help. “The policeman laughted and said: Yes,yes, bye bye. They didn’t want to deal with them at all. We are in danger here, we’ll only get out if Israel security guys come. The whole of Amsterdam is full of groups of Muslims waiting to attack Israelis. We won’t leave until we see Israeli officials.”
Currently there are five injured Israelis in hospitals and several others who have not yet made contact with their families. There are an estimated 10-20 injured and Israeli authorities are working to rescue the 2751 Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters in Amsterdam and to secure them in their hotels prior to bringing them back.
President Herzog called the Dutch king to complain about the horrific anti-Semitic attacks on Israelis. The king sharply condemned the attacks and said that “We failed you (the Jews) in the 1940s and we failed you once again yesterday.” The leaders noted the date which is just before the anniversary of the 1938 Kristallnacht pogroms.
In the wake of the harsh attacks in Amsterdam, Minister of Culture and Sport Miki Zohar sent officials to Amsterdam to help evacuate fans from the city. The Shin Bet has increased security measures for Israel’s representatives in Holland- the ambassador and the military attached who is normally in Belgium but currently assisting in Holland.
United Torah Judaism head Yitzchak Goldknopf spoke with local Chabad emissary Akiva Kamissar, who is operating an emergency room to help Israelis in the Dutch capital. Goldknopf thanked the emissary for his help and offered Israel’s assistance where required.
Days After Trump Election Qatar removes Hamas officials from its territory
Qatar will no longer serve as a diplomatic mediator between Israel and Hamas, a diplomatic source told AFP on Saturday.
According to the source, Qatar has declared that "as long as there is a refusal to negotiate a deal in good faith," they cannot continue acting as mediator.
The source added that, "as a consequence, the Hamas political office no longer serves its purpose."
Another source told Reuters that Qatar will not serve as mediator until both sides show "sincere willingness" to return to the negotiating table.
US and Qatari sources told CNN that in recent weeks Qatar agreed to remove Hamas from its territory, following a US request. The move aims to pressure the terror group to agree to a ceasefire-prisoner swap deal which will end the war in Gaza.
According to the report, about two weeks ago US officials told their Qatari counterparts that they must stop providing Hamas terrorists with refuge, and Qatar gave Hamas notice approximately one week ago.
However, a senior Hamas official claimed that the reports were "baseless" and intended only as a "pressure tactic." A Hamas source confirmed to AFP: "We have not been asked to leave Qatar."
Friday, November 8, 2024
Trump Lawyer Tells AG Letitia James "I Dare You To Continue Your Lawfare Against Trump"
JUST IN
Trump lawyer Mike Davis just told NY AG Letitia James -
"I DARE YOU to try to continue your lawfare against President Trump [...]
We're not messing around this time and we will put your fat…. in prison for conspiracy against rights."
Amsterdam Pogrom. Arabs Planned "Oct 7 Like" Ambush ... Police Do Nothing! Zionists Sending Rescue Planes
Hundreds of fans of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team reported that they were attacked overnight Thursday by Arabs in Amsterdam, as they left the stadium following Maccabi’s game against AFC Ajax.
The fans testified that an ambush had been prepared for them in advance at various points outside the stadium.
Disturbing footage from the city, which was posted to social media, fans are seen being violently attacked, beaten and even run over. One of the fans was forced to say "Free Palestine" before he was let go. Some of the fans barricaded themselves in shops and other places in the city.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said that ten fans were injured and that two people are unaccounted for, and efforts to get in touch with them are ongoing.
An Israeli who witnessed the goings on told Kan 11 News, "They waited in groups at every corner, and as soon as they recognized Jews - they started chasing them. Others waited near hotels and near the casino in larger groups, and there they also attacked fans. Then others drove by with cars and did not stop honking near hotels in which Israelis are staying."
"The police were not present at the conclusion of the games, and Muslims were waiting near train stations for Israeli fans and followed them," said another Israeli. "The police only started to intervene after about 45 minutes into the attacks, after the attackers threw firecrackers at people and into buildings."
A spokesperson for Amsterdam police said that 57 suspects have been arrested during the incidents, but could not confirm if those arrested are soccer fans. The reasons for the arrests, according to the police: Violation of public order and possession of fireworks.
The Prime Minister's Office stated that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been informed of the details regarding the very violent incident against Israeli citizens in Amsterdam, held an assessment with his Military Secretary and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and is receiving regular updates.”
“The Prime Minister has directed that two rescue planes be sent immediately to assist our citizens. The harsh pictures of the assault on our citizens in Amsterdam will not be overlooked.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu views the horrifying incident with utmost gravity and demands that the Dutch government and security forces take vigorous and swift action against the rioters, and ensure the safety of our citizens."
The National Security Council told the Israeli public currently in Amsterdam to refrain from moving in the street and remain in their hotel rooms, avoid externalizing Israeli and Jewish symbols, and inform the local police immediately of any unusual incident.
The NSC recommends that those who can move up their flight back to Israel do so.
Incoming Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar commented on the situation and wrote on X, "We are in contact with the authorities in the Netherlands about the serious events there. Any Israeli or Jew who is currently in distress or has information and location about a violent event that is currently taking place - please contact the emergency hotline: 0097225303155."
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the severe and violent incidents against Israelis in Amsterdam, with the direction of the political echelon, and in accordance with a situational assessment, the IDF is preparing to immediately deploy a rescue mission with the coordination of the Dutch government.”
The mission will be deployed using cargo aircraft and include medical and rescue teams. The IDF Homefront Command will lead the rescue mission with the cooperation of various IDF directorates, branches, and Israeli security authorities.
MK Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit) said that he spoke with Israel's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Ephraim Modi, who informed him that many police forces had been sent to the scenes of the violence.
"I call on the fans to stay in safe places and avoid risking their lives," Cohen wrote.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett issued a call on authorities to act immediately to prevent the loss of lives.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
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