US House Overwhelmingly 420-9 Advances Iron Dome Funding, As Anti-Semite Tlaib Calls Israel “Apartheid State”

 Nine House members, including eight Democrats, voted against funding for the Israel Iron Dome missile defense system on Thursday.

The bill passed overwhelmingly 420-9.

The “no” votes were Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn.; Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich.; Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.; Cori Bush, D-Mo.; André Carson, D-Ind.; Marie Newman, D-Ill., Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz.; Chuy Garcia, D-Ill.; and Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and Hank Johnson, D-Ga., both voted present.

IN the video above, AOC appears to be crying on the House floor after she changed her vote from “no” to present, during voting on funding to replenish Israel’s Iron Dome Defense Systems.

Congressional Democrats initially wanted to pass the Iron Dome funding in a continuing resolution on Wednesday. But because the legislation contained a debt ceiling increase Republicans refused to vote for it. That left Democrats with just a three-vote margin for error. When a handful of progressive lawmakers objected to the Iron Dome funding, Democrats were forced to pull the provision from the bill in order to ensure its passage along party lines.

In a Blow to AG James.. Judge Throws Out Massive Case Against B&H Photo

 

A New York state court dismissed a $7.3 million tax whistleblower suit brought by the state attorney general against Manhattan-based B&H Foto, finding the photography retailer’s “instant savings” program transactions aren’t manufacturer coupons subject to sales tax.

James’ office accused the photo and video equipment retailer in 2019 of failing to pay at least $7.3 million in sales and use taxes on $67 million in so-called instant savings reimbursements from 2006 to July 2017.

In November 2019, James’ office said B&H “intentionally underpaid sales tax on millions of dollars in receipts from its sales of cameras” and other electronics since 2006 using an instant rebate program in which manufacturers reimbursed the retailer for sales — with B&H never paying tax on those reimbursements as it should have.

We've filed a lawsuit against B&H, the photo & electronics store, for allegedly failing to pay sales tax on tens of millions of dollars they received from manufacturers for "instant rebate" discounts to customers.

In New York, no company is above the law.

— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) November 14, 2019

US Jewish students feel unsafe on campus, half hide identity, survey finds

 

A new survey has found an alarming level of antisemitism experienced by Jewish students on college campuses, with students who claim a strong sense of Jewish identity and connection to Israel feeling unsafe and the need to actively hid their identity.

The survey, which polled 1,027 members of the predominately Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) and the leading Jewish sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi (AEPhi), found that nearly 70% of the students surveyed personally experienced or were familiar with an antisemitic attack in the past 120 days, with more than 65% of these students feeling unsafe on campus and one-in-10 fearing physical attack. Furthermore, 50% of students said they have felt the need to hide their Jewish identity.

Palestinians admit capture of Gilboa prisoners shows Israeli intel prowess

 

The recapture of the last two prisoners who escaped from Gilboa Prison on Saturday night shows that Israel has very good intelligence sources in the West Bank, residents of Jenin said Sunday.

The recapture of Ayham Kamamji and Munadel Enfayat is also a blow to the Fatah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) gunmen in the Jenin refugee camp who had over the past few days pledged to defend the fugitives and foil any attempt by the IDF to enter the camp or the city of Jenin, the residents said.

Iron Dome will be funded, but more ‘Squad’ trouble is on the way

 

The Iron Dome may ultimately receive the American funding it needs, after progressive pressure led Democratic Party leadership in the House of Representatives to remove it from a broader bill, and then vowed to propose the aid as its own bill within days. But that doesn’t mean that the drama surrounding it is over.

Tuesday’s events in the House should ring alarm bells in Jerusalem that more trouble with the “Squad” is on the way, even as public statements by Israeli officials tried to minimize the problem.

Full Utah bodycam video of when Police Pulled over Gabby Petito

 

Israeli housing prices show largest increase in the world

 

Israeli housing prices increased 345.7% over the last decade, recent research from the website Money.co.uk has found. The figure represents the largest increase of any country in the world.

Prices per square meter in Israel rose from $2,145 in 2010 to $9,560 in 2020. That's not just keeping up with inflation, which rose by only 0.92% during the same period. And it definitely isn't in keeping with the last decade's 17.5% rise in wages.

Israel's No. 1 position is more than double the closest runners up – Switzerland, which saw a 165% increase; Germany, where housing prices rose 162%; and the United States, which logged a 153% bump. Coming in 10th place was the United Kingdom, with a 75% increase in housing prices since 2010.

Greece experienced the biggest decrease in prices per square meter – a negative 17.9%. This was in keeping with the country's economic crisis, which also depressed wages by 16% annually during the same period.

Norway, the Czech Republic and Belgium also saw decreases in housing prices.

The research, cited by Israel21c, doesn't consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the average price of owner-occupied dwellings in Israel fell by 3.2%, the largest contraction since 2007. When adjusted for inflation, prices fell by 2.2%. The number of apartments bought during the second quarter of 2020 also plummeted by 27%.

However, by 2021, the figures were trending upward again, with housing prices in Israel rising by 5.6%, according to Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics.

Real estate accounts for 19% of gross domestic product directly, another 13% indirectly [and] no less than 40% of the public's total wealth," says Elli Kraizberg, a professor of business administration at Bar-Ilan University.

Tel Aviv holds the distinction of having Israel's most expensive residential real estate, followed by the Tel Aviv suburbs of Kfar Saba and Ramat Gan, and then Jerusalem. Beersheva has the cheapest housing in Israel among the country's big cities.

More Verbal Abuse on Frum Community as Netflix renews ‘My Unorthodox Life’ for second season

 

Netflix is bringing back “My Unorthodox Life,” the reality series about a formerly Orthodox fashion mogul and her family, the streaming giant announced Monday.

No details about the content of season two or any approximate release date were disclosed.

The series follows Julia Haart, who left the Orthodox community she grew up in in Monsey, New York, to become CEO of the Elite World Group fashion model agency.

Over the course of nine episodes, she and her four children wrestle with how to adapt their varying levels of Jewish practice in secular New York City society.

The show sparked a wide array of debates in different Jewish communities and drew some criticism for its portrayal of Orthodox communities as harshly restrictive.

"Before you judge the show, maybe you might want to watch the show?” Haart told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency after the series debuted in July. “Because they had the word ‘unorthodox’ in it, people have made a thousand assumptions without actually taking the time to listen to what I actually have to say.”

How a Reform Temple Wouldn't Let Someone in Without a Ticket on Yom Kippur ...

 

by Alla Umanskiy

It was a rainy Yom Kippur day when I pulled up into the parking lot of a reform temple in the Atlanta area. This was a temple where my husband and I got married. Ten years later, we renewed our vows here in front of family and friends. A couple of years after that, my husband’s parents renewed their vows here. All that’s to say, this place was special, and we have a connection to it. We are also not members.

To be more specific, I’m not a member of any synagogue in town. I do occasionally visit my local Chabad house, where I always feel welcomed. However, on this Yom Kippur, I wanted to go to this temple where my family has a connection. It’s the holiest day of the Jewish year, I thought to myself as I entered the half-empty parking area. I’m sure they won’t send me away.

The police officer sized me up and down as I approached the entrance. Security, understandable, no problem. I generally don’t look too menacing and don’t pose much of a threat. I walked up to the nice middle-aged woman who was sitting out front behind a folding table. She looked at me above her mask. “Do you have a ticket?” she asked. I replied that I do not.

“So how does this work?” I asked, probably looking somewhat lost.

“How does what work?” she was perplexed.

“I don’t have a ticket. I’m not a member. I was hoping to come for service today,” I began explaining. “I got married here years ago.”

“You have to have a ticket,” she replied firmly, her brows furrowing above the said N-95.

“Can I purchase a ticket on the spot?” I inquired, quickly losing hope, but still determined.

“Yes,” her voice was now almost apologetic. “It’s $245. That buys you a ticket for access to services during the High Holidays.”

“I see,” I said, because I didn’t know how to respond. “But Rosh Hashanah is over. And Yom Kippur is today. So I’d pay $245 for just coming in today..?”

Maybe she smiled behind her mask. Maybe she didn’t. I’m not sure. I took one last shot.

“So, there’s no open-to-the-public service today?”

“No, there’s not.”

I thanked her and began what can only be described as the walk of shame back to my car.

Yom Kippur is the holiest of days. Jews all around the world gather in temples to pray and to atone. Some of those Jews belong to synagogues, have memberships that allow them to drop in on whatever services they want. Others – many others – do not. Yet, it seems that on this holiest of days, all Jews might be welcomed at all temples. It would seem that the doors of all shuls should be open during the High Holidays to embrace Jews of all types who want to feel a moment of closeness to the Almighty. On this day, of all days.

I know some may argue that everyone else must pay for the privilege of membership – why should I get to come for free? That argument is valid, I agree, every other day of the week, every Shabbat, sure. But on Yom Kippur? On Yom Kippur?

I hate to make this comparison, but would a church turn away a person who wanted to come in on Christmas Eve? I don’t believe it would. I have traveled extensively throughout Europe and have been inside many churches, big and small. Most of them are open to the public. You can sit in a pew. You can use the bathroom. You can marvel at the magnificent architecture, while you drink from your water bottle. That house of G_d is open to all, including Jews. Why aren’t ours? Especially, on High Holidays.

Of course, I realize that there are plenty of free Yom Kippur services around town. Yes, I know. But my soul was pulling me in the direction of this one particular temple. Unfortunately, on that day, it was not to be.

I ended up attending a lovely service at my local Chabad house on Yom Kippur. The rabbi was wonderful and inspiring. The humongous crowd was beautiful, excited, dressed up. The parking lot was overflowing. The police presence was strong. I sat on a folding chair, breathing in and out, thankful for being welcomed, grateful for being surrounded by people, who, like me, wanted a place to come to on this day. A place where we won’t be turned away. The rain was tapping on windows, as I remembered a line from the “Munich” movie – “You’re a Jew. I’m a Jew. I’m sure it says somewhere that we’re supposed to break bread together.” That line was in my head all day. We’re all Jews. I’m sure it says somewhere that we don’t turn each other away, especially on holidays, especially during a pandemic, especially in the rain.

Reb Yechiel Benzion (“Benny”) Fishoff Longtime Askan And Philanthropist

 

Reb Yechiel Benzion (“Benny”) Fishoff Z”L, noted philanthropist & askan of klal yisroel, passed awat at 97. Reb Benzion was the Chairman Emeritus of Agudath Israel’s Board of Trustees, and a longtime Askan and Baal Chesed who devoted his entire life to helping others.

The Niftar was born in Lodz, Poland, to a family of Gerrer Chassidum. As a young child, he was Zoche to see the Imrei Emes.

He miraculously escaped WWII by escaping to Shanghai, China, along with Talmidim of Yeshiva Chachmai Lublin. He later wrote his memories of that period in a book he co-authored “From Lublin to Shanghai: The Miraculous Exile of Yeshivas Chachmei Lublin”.

He resided in Forest Hills, Queens.

Throughout his life, Reb Benzion kept a close Kesher with leading Gedolei Hador and Admorim around the globe with an especially warm kesher with the Bais Yisroel and the worldwide Gur Chasidus. Mr. Fishoff was universally respected as an eloquent statesman and was well known as one the closest confidant’s of Rabbi Moshe Sherer Z’TL, the legendary Agudath Israel President. “Benny” as he was lovingly known was often tasked with the the role of Ambassador for Rabbi Sherer on behalf of Agudath Israel and American Jewry. His accomplishments on behalf of Torah and Klal shtadlonus in America span many decades and much more about the life and accomplishments of this great Torah Askan will surely be forthcoming.

Agudath Israel’s Chairman of the Board, Reb Shloime Werdiger credits Reb Benzion with creating the model by which the next generation of Klal Askonim followed. “R’ Benny was a pioneer, a Shearis Haplaita Yid who taught us all how a Yid rebuilds and lives a Torah life. He was my mentor, my guide, my Rebbe in klal askanus and my dearest friend. His influence is everywhere and his loss to Klal Yisroel is incalculable.”

Laura Loomer Needs A Refuah Shleima .. Has ‘Brutal’ Case of COVID

 

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer confirmed this week she has COVID-19 and the symptoms have been “brutal.” In the past, she expressed an interest in contracting the virus so she could prove it’s no worse than food poisoning.

“Just pray for me please,” she wrote on Gettr, a social media platform launched by Jason Miller, a former spokesperson for Donald Trump. “Can’t even begin to explain how brutal the body aches and nausea that come with covid are. I am in so much pain. This is honestly the worst part about it.”

Last year, Loomer said she wanted to “get COVID” just to prove she’d had “bouts of food poisoning that are more serious and life threatening than a hyped up virus.”

“Have you ever eaten bad fajitas? That will kill you faster than COVID,” she wrote on Parler, another social media app favored by conservatives. Loomer, known for her anti-Muslim views and a failed Congressional run in Florida, has been banned from Twitter for three years.

Though she’s not on the popular microblogging platform herself, Twitter users shared screenshots of her past Gettr posts about the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccines.

“I believe when a few years pass, we will see that the vaccines will have killed more people than COVID,” said one of Loomer’s old posts. “How is a vaccine ‘saving lives’ for a virus with a 99.7% recovery rate? A bad case of food poisoning is literally more lethal than COVID.”

Another post said, “People get COVID and don’t even know they have COVID. I know people who have cancer and are on chemo who got COVID and nothing happened to them.”

She called the virus “the biggest hoax” since the 2020 election.

Loomer told her Gettr subscribers she received a Regeneron treatment, but is in a lot of pain and “will be sleeping” for the time being. She said she still does not plan on getting the vaccine.

Not Enough "Mishagaim" California moves closer to decriminalizing psychedelic drugs

 

California legalized medical marijuana 25 years ago when voters approved an initiative that eventually helped to overturn cannabis prohibition in all but three states today.

The legalization movement that brought upmarket marijuana shops to Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco is now focused on psychedelic drugs. A voter initiative to decriminalize magic mushrooms was recently approved for signature-gathering, and a legislative proposal is set to be considered next year.

Some in the decriminalization movement say the legalization of psychedelic drugs is inevitable, pointing to Oregon, where voters approved magic mushroom decriminalization last year, and Denver and Oakland, California, which had passed similar laws in 2019.

"I believe it is possible that eventually, a critical mass or even a majority of states will legalize or decriminalize some or all of these psychedelics," said Ismail L. Ali, acting director of policy and advocacy at Santa Cruz-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, in an email.

Last Afghani Jew Gives Wife Get Erev Yom Kippur

 

Zablon Simintov, last Jew in Afghanistan, signs a get to his wife, Sept. 15, 2021.

Zablon Simintov, 62, famous for being the last living Jew in Afghanistan lived up to his commitment to his rescuer, Israeli businessman Moti Kahana, and on the eve of Yom Kippur, in New York City, signed a get to his wife after many years of refusal. The signing was signed over Zoom in the presence of two rabbis and Kahana.

Kahana tweeted afterward: “I did something good for the new year, I helped a woman get a get. Not sure it’s kosher. There will surely be an argument, after all, we are Jews. But we live in the twenty-first century and Zoom exists. So may we all have a happy new year and an easy fast.”

Simintov was born into an Orthodox Jewish family in the city of Herat in 1959 and later moved to Kabul. The Taliban harassed him, forcing him to move into the city’s only synagogue. The owner of a carpet warehouse, he was detained, jailed, and abused by Taliban members, and was forced to pay protection money.

Simintov’s hostile relationship with the other last Jew in Kabul, Ishaq Levin, became the subject of a play in the UK. The two lived in opposite ends of the synagogue and the feud between them was so heated that both men snitched on each other to the Taliban which ended up jailing them for the charges they brought against each other. The Taliban also confiscated their only Torah.

Levin died in 2005 at age 80, leaving the entire synagogue to his rival who was encouraged, now that the city was under American rule, to make aliyah. But Simintov refused to make the move to Israel because he didn’t want to be forced to give a get to his wife—who had left him with their only daughter.

After the US had withdrawn its army from Afghanistan in August and the Taliban took control over Kabul, Simentov said he felt safe and preferred to stay. But shortly thereafter, things in Kabul began to deteriorate, and Moti Kahana, the owner of a logistics and security company, warned the last Jew that “ISIS will either kidnap you and try to sell you or they will chop your head off.”

Simintov finally consented to leave with Kahana’s help and funds from New York-based Rabbi Moshe Margaretten. But both his rescuers conditioned their support on his agreeing to give his wife who lives in Israel a get. After he had given his word, Simintov was taken to a neighboring country and then flown to NYC.

Israeli singer Sarit Hadad comes out as gay

 

Sarit Hadad, one of the most popular singers in Israel, came out as a lesbian on Sunday, revealing her relationship with her partner of the past few years, Tamar Yahalomi, in a new music video, A Love Like Ours.

Hadad, 43, the mother of two young daughters, is considered a trailblazer, having made Mizrahi-style music mainstream in Israel. An icon of the genre, she has won the title of "Singer of the Year" four times and was crowned "Singer of the Decade" for the first decade of the 21st century.

Yahalomi is an Israeli singer-songwriter with many hits to her credit. She was discovered in 2011 in A Star is Born, the Israeli version of American Idol.

The hunt concludes: 'The terrorists gave up without a fight'

 

During the night, two weeks after the escape of the six terrorists from Gilboa Prison, the last two prisoners still on the run were apprehended in Jenin without resistance.

Nissim Mash'al and Anat Davidov of Radio 103FM spoke Sunday morning with IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Ran Kochav, who spoke about the moments of capture, which took place last night at 1 am.

He said IDF forces entered the Jenin refugee camp and the city, isolated and encircled the area until a "final indication" was obtained and the terrorists were captured in the east of the city.

He admitted that they expected resistance, because they are "terrorists, we do not call them prisoners but terrorists, and they are usually armed and fighting. We prepared for them to be armed and willing to fight, both with armed forces, with intelligence capabilities and also with the exchange of fire and deterrence we carried out as soon as we knew where they were. So they eventually decided to surrender without fire, and were taken in for questioning."

The IDF spokesman noted that the terrorists were "supported by Islamic Jihad" and that there was a possible response to their capture, but clarified: "We are prepared for the response of the enemy, of Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza with air defense, we we have among the most advanced systems in the world. We are prepared with the defense divisions, we have increased ongoing security, in some places many fighters will remain for the holiday and we are definitely preparing for the possibility of a response."

He added that "every balloon is responded to by a fighter jet bombing. Every terror attack will definitely have an overwhelming response. We will not accept either a small attack or a rocket. All of them and those similar to them need to know that we will pursue each and every terrorist in any place to thwart him, catch him and, if needed, kill him."

Despite the success of the operation, Kochav stressed: "We are not celebrating. We are interrogating, learning, getting better. We have additional tasks, and from the first lessons that are already emerging it seems that what brought about the execution [of this task] is our intelligence capability."

Israeli police cancel investigations for 150 travelers from Uman

 

Israeli police have cancelled three-quarters of the investigations into Israelis who had been suspected of falsifying COVID tests in order to return home from Uman after the Rosh Hashanah holiday this month, Galei Tzahal reported Sunday afternoon.

According to the report, authorities have closed the investigations of 150 of the 200 travelers who returned from Ukraine after Rosh Hashanah, retracting requests that they report for questioning.

The travelers, who had spent the holiday at the tomb of Rebbe Nachman, founder of the Breslov Hasidic movement, had been suspected of forging the negative COVID tests needed to return home, after authorities found them to have tested positive upon their return. In addition, Israeli police had claimed that the suspects had tested positive in the Ukraine prior to departure.

Now, however, it appears that the 150 travelers in question in fact tested negative both upon their arrival to Israel and in the Ukraine prior to departure.

Following the return of the roughly 17,000 Israelis who traveled to Uman this Rosh Hashanah, data collected by Israel’s Health Ministry found that over 9% of the returnees tested positive for COVID upon their arrival in Israel.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett castigated the travelers suspected of falsifying COVID tests, and ordered police to immediately open investigations of those under suspicion.

“The Israeli government takes a very serious view of patients who fraudulently enter Israel by falsifying documents and deliberately spread disease, which constitutes an irresponsible act of harming public peace,” Bennett said in a statement.

In response to the Galei Tzahal report Sunday, MK Bezalel Smotrich (Religious Zionist Party) excoriated Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz for pushing for a rapid investigation of travelers returning from Uman.

“I’m willing to bet that we won’t be hearing any apologies from any of the populist politicians, from Bennett to Horowitz, who rushed to join in the border-line anti-Semitic attack on those returning from Uman in order to distract from their colossal failures in handling the coronavirus pandemic; failures which cost more than a thousand lives since the establishment of this government – along with crowding at hospitals. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Rare archeological artifact attests to fraud during First Temple period

 

An incredibly rare weight was discovered during excavations in Jerusalem this week that experts believe were used by cheating traders in Jerusalem's markets in the period leading up to the destruction of the First Temple,  approximately 2,700 years ago.

The weight – discovered in the City of David near the foundations of the Western Wall weighs three times the weight indicated on it, which prompted scholars to conclude that it was used by traders to deceive their buyers.

It is an incredibly rare find and only the second such discovery made in Israel.

"The Bible indicates that the problem of weight deception is nothing new," the researchers said. "Merchants cheated and held separate heavy and light weight systems and used them when buying or selling."

It is mentioned in the book of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, they explained, "Do not have two differing weights in your bag – one heavy, one light. [Rather,] you must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly."

Egypt opens restored tomb of pharoah who ruled 4,500 years ago

 

Egypt on Tuesday showcased an ancient tomb structure belonging to the cemetery complex of King Djoser, a pharaoh who lived more than 4,500 years ago, following extensive restorations of the site.

The structure − known as the Southern Tomb − is largely underground and includes a labyrinth of corridors, decorated with hieroglyphic carvings and tiles. A central funeral shaft houses a massive granite-clad sarcophagus from Egypt's Third Dynasty.

However, the pharaoh was not actually buried there but in the famed Step Pyramid nearby. The two structures make up part of the Saqqara complex near Cairo − one of the country's richest archeological sites. The Step Pyramid is the oldest known pyramid and one of the first examples of monumental architecture from the ancient world, according to UNESCO. It is believed to have been the inspiration for the Pyramids at Giza.

Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism said the opening this week of the tomb structure marked the completion of restoration work that started in 2006 and included reinforcing of the underground corridors, refurbishing the carvings and the tiled walls, and installing lighting. As of Tuesday, the tomb opened to the public.

In addition to the Southern Tomb, the Saqqara plateau hosts at least 11 pyramids, including the Step Pyramid, as well as hundreds of tombs of ancient officials and other sites that range from the 1st Dynasty (2920 BCE-2770 BCE) to the Coptic period (395-642).

The Saqqara site is part of the necropolis of Egypt's ancient capital of Memphis that includes the famed Giza Pyramids, as well as smaller pyramids at Abu Sir, Dahshur and Abu Ruwaysh. The ruins of Memphis were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1970s.

Egypt has publicized a string of recent archaeological finds over the past year in an effort to revive its key tourism sector, which was badly hit by the turmoil that followed the 2011 uprising. The sector was also dealt a further blow by the global coronavirus pandemic.

Man with hammer goes on rampage in Teaneck asking 'Are you Jewish?' No he Wasn't A Chabadniker

 

A man with a hammer went on a rampage through a Teaneck, New Jersey medical center screaming “Are you Jewish?” on Sunday.

The man reportedly stormed through the Riverside Medical Group, including a pediatrician’s office, as well as a nearby dry cleaner, carrying a hammer in a threatening manner and asking people if they were Jewish, the Daily Voice reported.

The alleged assailant, Camwren T. Cole, 23, of Teaneck, also cut himself while smashing the building’s windows, and was covered in blood.

Police arrived quickly at the building and arrested Cole. He was taken to Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, New Jersey for psychological evaluation.

Police at the scene determined that the suspect “showed indications indicative of mental illness,” Police Chief Glenn O’Reilly said in a statement.

O’Reilly said that Cole was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, criminal mischief and harassment.

He said that when Teaneck police arrived at the office complex, they found that patients and staff had “barricaded themselves within the doctor’s office.”

Gordon described the traumatic ordeal to the Jewish Link, stating that she was with her 10-year old daughter who was there for an appointment. When the attacker began his anti-Semitic rampage, they were already in the bathroom.

Gordon said they suddenly heard “smashing, banging and glass shattering” and someone screaming, “Call 911.”

Gordon opened the door only to be confronted by the hammer wielding assailant, whose arms were dripping with blood from the glass door he had just shattered.

He screamed at them: “Are you Jewish?”

Gordon acted fast and shut the bathroom door.

“It was all women and children and I heard him go around asking everyone, ‘Are you Jewish?’” she said.

Locking the bathroom door, Gordon called 911 and grabbed a spray can of bleach to use as a weapon. Her scared and crying daughter hid behind a garbage can.

Barricaded in the bathroom, they continued to hear people screaming.

He was also heard screaming “They tried to turn me trans!” according to witness Jill Gordon.

Gordon said she was one of the people who was asked by Cole if she was Jewish.

While officers were searching the medical center for Cole, a 911 call was placed that a man wielding a hammer was smashing the front window of Parisian Cleaners.

“Patrol Officers responded to this location and apprehended Mr. Cole without incident with the assistance of Bogota and Leonia Police Officers,” said Teaneck police.

Police were able to track down Cole by following a trail of blood.

“During the course of the investigation, Mr. Cole showed indications indicative of mental illness and was transported to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation.”

According to the police report, a receptionist at the doctor’s office sustained an injury to her nose after a piece of glass hit her in the face causing a laceration.

Cole is currently in police custody while he is being evaluated at Holy Name Medical Center. Once the evaluation is finished, he will be turned over to the Bergen County Sherrif’s Department pending an appearance in Superior Court.

Cole is not being charged with a hate crime, which has Gordon upset.

“What is the goal of having bias or hate crimes [laws] if this doesn’t qualify?” said Gordon.

Fresh proof the Russiagate ‘scandal’ was created by the Hillary Clinton campaign

 

A federal grand jury on Thursday handed up an indictment requested by special counsel John Durham — and it’s fresh proof that the entire Russiagate “scandal” was manufactured by Hillary Clinton’s campaign.

Durham, the federal prosecutor tasked with investigating the origins of the investigation, is targeting lawyer Michael Sussmann for lying about his client when he met with an agent to share dubious suspicions of a link between the Trump Organization and Kremlin-connected Alfa Bank.

The FBI later disproved the claim during the endless Russiagate investigation, as special counsel Robert Mueller’s team found itself unable to verify anything from the much-hyped allegations after two years of work.

Sussmann’s in trouble because he told the agent he had no client in the matter, then later in a 2017 deposition told Congress he did it on behalf of an unnamed client and cybersecurity expert. Sussmann wasn’t on that account — but his firm, Perkins Coie, reportedly billed his hours working on Alfa Bank to the Clinton campaign.

Again, the entire Russiagate scare was launched by the Clintonites, who not only paid Perkins Coie to hire the Beltway smear-specialists of Fusion GPS to draw up and promote the Steele allegations but also gossiped about the supposed Trump-Russia conspiracy, prompting allies in and out of government to pass their own hysterical tips in to the bureau. Fellow travelers in the Obama administration, such as CIA chief John Brennan, also helped fan the flames. Indeed, Team Obama basically turned the gossip (which is all Steele or anyone ever offered) into a solid-seeming case.

But it was all a setup.

Can you imagine the outrage if Republicans had weaponized the FBI and the intel community for political purposes — all on the basis of a lie? It would have launched endless New York Times and Washington Post coverage.

But political party shouldn’t matter — this was an outrageous, crooked dirty tricks campaign. And most of the people involved are getting away with it.