Joseph Landa's squatter nightmare shows the madness of New York’s ‘tenant protections’

Retirees Susana and Joseph Landa are being terrorized by a squatter in their $2 million Queens home.

One Queens couple’s real-life horror story exposes the insanity of New York’s housing laws.

Retirees Susana and Joseph Landa, both 68, thought they’d landed a gem last October when they bought a $2 million home in Douglastown, Queens, near a family who could help look after their adult son with Down Syndrome.

But they have yet to move in, even as they’re stuck paying taxes and maintenance on the property.

Ben Flores, a former caregiver to the deceased previous owner, has been squatting on the property since January 2023, per court documents, and refuses to leave.

He’s even reportedly trying to rent out rooms in the house.

But city law grants “squatters rights” that frustrate any attempt to evict anyone who claims to have lawfully occupied a unit for at least 30 days; that let Flores call the cops on the Landas when they tried to enter the home they own along with an insurance inspector.

They’ve been to civil court five times to try to get him out; at a hearing in early January, he showed up without an attorney — which under the law halted proceedings, rather than forcing him to represent himself or forfeit.

More recently, he filed for bankruptcy, which under city law again blocks the owners from even continuing the case to get him out.

The Landas can’t even get another hearing until April; who knows what new “right” he’ll exploit by then?

Meanwhile, they’re stuck paying thousands in utility bills for the house: They say he’s vindictively left the windows open all winter.

And this case is far from unique: In early February, a pair of serial squatters trashed the Queens home where they had been living rent-free for nearly four years before fleeing, owing at least $48,000 in back rent. Other Queens landlords have struggled to evict tenants running brothels.

Then there’s the elderly Upper West Side couple abused by another rogue tenant in 2022 and drug-dealing squatters in a Bronx house in 2021.

Yet progressives in the Legislature keep pushing to pass “Good Cause Eviction,” a law that’d make it even harder to oust bad tenants statewide (while also imposing statewide rent control).

City and state, New York housing law goes so far to protect “tenants” that it enables the utterly unscrupulous — and the ideologues are looking to make it even easier for the abusers to turn innocents’ dreams into nightmares.

Shocking double standard of support for Ukraine and Israel

 

“The Ukrainians must stop fighting in case they defeat Putin.”

Have you heard any of our leaders say that in the last two years?

As Ukraine enters its third year of war it is striking how committed political leaders of all parties are to that war.

And not just here but across the West.

At home — Democrat or Republican — almost everybody is committed to arming Ukraine until victory.

They don’t want Ukraine to fight to a stalemate.

They don’t want it to stop just before winning.

They want it to beat Putin back.

So how strange it is that another war, involving a far closer ally, gets such different treatment.

The historian Niall Ferguson noted the curious double-standard this week after a visit to Israel.

In Washington, London and every other Western capital, political leaders are not saying that they will stick with Israel until it defeats Hamas.

They are not saying “Victory at any price and at any cost.”

Instead they are insisting that Israel stop its war against Hamas as soon as possible.

Charedi Draft Issue May Bring Down the Government

 

Dass Torah Confusion 

 Until Feb. 26, the assumption was that the current Israeli government is stable.

“Yes, of course, there were the horrific events of Oct. 7, but who has an interest in quitting the government and causing it to collapse?” many politicians would have told you.

But on Feb. 26, everything began to change. Israel’s High Court ruled that the government must issue a defense by March 24 against a petition seeking the nullification of a Cabinet administrative decision from last June, in which the Defense Ministry was told not to enlist ultra-Orthodox yeshivah students until the government had passed a new law on the matter by the end of next month.

If the government does not manage to pass the law by March 31, young haredi men will have to be recruited and budget allocations for their yeshivahs will be stopped.

“We are at an unprecedented point. This is the first time that even the right wing is demanding to reach a recruitment agreement that is difficult for the ultra-Orthodox to digest,” Ishay Cohen, the political analyst at the Kikar Hashabat ultra-Orthodox news site, tells JNS.

“Until now it was opposition versus coalition; now parties in the right-wing government coalition are also demanding change. And that is why, even if the High Court demands that the ultra-Orthodox be drafted—it will not be criticized by parts of the coalition,” Cohen says.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (Likud) dropped a bombshell on Feb. 28 by announcing that he will agree to put forward an ultra-Orthodox draft law “only if all parts of the coalition agree to it”—meaning that Benny Gantz and his National Unity Party would have to support it.

Watch the elimination of the Palestinan Police "Terrorist" Officer

 

תיעוד חיסול המחבל המתועב שביצע את הפיגוע בעלי. pic.twitter.com/iywvD7JVSh

— הלל ביטון רוזן | Hallel Bitton Rosen (@BittonRosen) February 29, 2024

כורע ויורה: תיעוד חיסול המחבל בעלי

https://t.co/BaDeKt5DaX pic.twitter.com/fdWS8Xp04C

— ערוץ 7 (@arutz7heb) February 29, 2024

Palestinian Authority Police Officer Affiliated with Fatah Murdered Yitzchok Zeiger 57 from ZAKA

Cleared for publication that Yitzhak Zeiger, 57, is one of the two Israelis who were murdered in a terrorist shooting attack at a gas station at the entrance to Eli this afternoon (Thursday).

Zeiger volunteered with the police, with the ZAKA organization, and the Magen David Adom organization, and as a medic in the community of Psagot where he lived. He leaves behind his wife, three children and two grandchildren.

The terrorist came upon Zeigler while he was filling up his car at the gas station. Zeigler was able to draw his personal firearm and return fire, but was ultimately struck down by the attacker.

Samaria Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan, a friend of the family, knocked on the door of the family home and delivered the bitter news to his wife Shlomit.

Dagan said, "My heart is full of endless sorrow. Yitzchak was a very dear friend, he loved people with all his soul. There is almost no organization in Israel that he did not volunteer for. He always did kindness in the community, would always stop the car, invite people, host them. He loved the country Israel, with all his heart, and was proud to livein Samaria. He loved his wife Shlomit with all his heart, he was the best neighbor he could be, and the most charming friend he could be."

ZAKA paid tribute to Zeiger and called him "a man of true kindness with all his heart and soul, one of the veterans of ZAKA volunteers in the Judea and Samaria district who dedicated his life for the honor of the dead and dedicated days and nights to ensure every Jew had a proper burial in Israel."

The shooter was neutralized by Aviad Gizbar, the owner of the Hummus Eliyahu restaurant at the Eli gas station.

"I was on a refreshing break from battle in Khan Yunis and came here to my place at Humus Eliyahu," said Gizbar adding that "the same terrorists who are in Gaza are the same terrorists who are here. Everywhere they want to destroy us."

Gizbar emphasized, "We must stand up straight, stop being pushed around. It’s time to understand that we are here, and we are here to stay. Stop with the slacking attitude. We must stand up straight, continue the construction. Let's raise our heads high."

He recounted the moments of the attack, "I heard gunshots, I was inside the hummus restaurant. I immediately understood that it was an attack. I shot one bullet so that the terrorist would realize that I was here. I signaled to him, I saw that he saw me and started charging in my direction."

He added, "I took position and shot him. We took him down. I continued scanning the area and saw that there were no other risks. That's how the incident ended."

The shooter was identified as Muhammad Manasra, a Palestinian Authority police officer affiliated with Fatah.

He served as a police officer, at a rank equivalent to major.

Manasara had two previous prison terms, and was last released from the Ofer prison in 2019, after serving a prison sentence for illegal carrying of arms.

Beit Shemesh "Bet" Hire a busload of Hooligans to Harass Children learning in Cheider in Ramat Dalet

 

DIN: It's time for residents of Beit Shemesh to hire buses and harass the Rebbis of the "Ahrelich" in Yerushlayim and Bet Shemesh Bet,  and see how they like being harassed.

Beit Shemesh residents confronted the extremists who came to harass their children, and chased them off, locking them in their bus for over 40 minutes! 

 Some time ago, a bus loaded with Chareidie  gangsters arrived from the neighborhood of Ramat Beit Shemesh Bet,  with the aim of harassing the chidren of the Hasidic Chedir of the Baal Shem.

The demonstrators had just reached their destination, and were immediately attacked by local residents (some of them parents whose children study in the aforementioned Chedir), and left the savages with little choice but to leave with their heads between their knees.

But the saga was not over... Some of the local residents approached the hired driver of the extremists  and demanded that he leave the place immediately.

The driver refused to leave and insisted on waiting and returning the group of protesters home, those residents sat down and blocked the bus' path for about 40 minutes until the police arrived, with the dozens of extremists locked inside.

נלחמים על הבית: תושבי בית שמש התעמתו עם קיצונים שבאו להטריד את ילדיהם ▪︎ הקיצונים עוכבו ע"י התושבים כ40 דק'

 לפני זמן מה הגיע אוטובוס הישר משכונת רמת בית שמש ב' כשעליו קבוצה המונה כמה עשרות סיקריקים, במטרה להפגין כנגד תלמידי החיידר החסידי 'הבעש"ט'.

המפגינים רק הגיעו ליעד, ומיד התנפלו עליהם תושבי המקום (חלקם הורים שילדיהם לומדים בחיידר הנ"ל), שלא השאירו להם הרבה ברירות כי אם לשוב על עיקבותיהם. 

אלא שהסאגה לא הסתיימה... חלק מתושבי המקום שלא היו מסונכרנים עם חבריהם שבאו לגרש את המפגינים, ניגשו לנהג שהוביל את הקיצונים ודרשו ממנו לעזוב את המקום מיידית.

לאחר שהלה סירב לעזוב והתעקש לחכות ולהשיב את קבוצת המפגינים הביתה, התיישבו אותם תושבים וחסמו את דרכו של האוטובוס במשך כ40 דקות עד לבוא המשטרה, כשעשרות הקיצונים מסתגרים בתוכו.

Bnei Brak store Set on Fire

 A storage room serving as a store in Bnei Brak went up in flames Thursday morning, Kikar Hashabbat reported.

Two people were injured at the scene.

Firefighters arriving at the scene worked to extinguish the flames, so as to prevent the fire form spreading to neighboring structures.

United Hatzalah reported, "United Hatzalah medical teams were called to Maharshal Street in Bnei Brak following reports of a fire in a store. The teams provided medical aid to two people, ages 30 and 70, who were injured by smoke inhalation. They are in good condition. Firefighting teams are operating at the scene."

The Fire and Rescue Services said that two firefighting teams rushed to the scene.

"Initial reports said that the fire was large and apparently sourced in a storeroom. Two aid teams were sent from the district's stations. As of this moment, no one was injured in the event."

Kikar Hashabbat noted that though Maharshal Street is a side street, it opens onto Bnei Brak's main thoroughfare, Rabbi Akiva Street, and the fire caused traffic congestion in the area.

Baal Teshuva's First Time in a Shul!

 

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Flatbush Girl Finds the Ugly "Volvy Berkowitz the Get Refuser" in Monsey Satmar and the Yoilies Call the Mishtara!

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Volvy's Machsheifah Mother Talks to Malky! Listen to this shrieking banshee!

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Shark Tank Guy Doesn't Understand Why Trump was Convicted For His Real Estate Deals

 

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Guy who thinks "he" is a girl wants everyone to accept him as a "girl?" Well this lady won't have any of that crap!

 

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The Dog who plays an Instrument

 

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Left Redefining ‘jihad’ in an Insidious Attempt To Twist Reality

 If you had “jihadism gets a PR makeover” on your 2024 bingo card, feel free to mark it off.

Teachers who attended an “anti-Muslim bias” webinar offered by the New York City Department of Education on Feb. 20 were told the meaning of jihad was “struggle” and that it could apply to a person’s effort at self-improvement, showing a video that suggested that a “jihad” could mean always giving your “best effort,” building “friendships across the aisle” or working “to get fit.”

The video also tried to whitewash “sharia” as “personal religious or moral guidance.”

Of course, no one but ultra-lefties view “jihad” this way: Merriam-Webster’s first definition of the word is “a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty.” The Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists aren’t interested in, say, shedding pounds from their own bodies but blood from nonbelievers.

When former Hamas leader Khaled Mashal called for a “global day of jihad,” on Oct. 23 following the Hamas attack on Israel, he wasn’t suggesting that Muslims worldwide slow down on the carbs and fats or look to make more friends.

“When the world, America, the West, and the Zionists see . . . that convoys of mujahideen are on their way to shed their pure blood on the land of Palestine, the battlefield will change, the balance of power will change,” he made clear.

In 1998, when Osama bin Laden signed a letter calling for “jihad” against “Jews and crusaders,” his meaning was clearly stated: “The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies — civilians and military — is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it.”

Yes, the literal translations may be “struggle.” But the left’s attempt to hide its everyday meaning an Orwellian attempt to twist reality and suit its narrative: Hamas is a group of “freedom fighters”; Jews are “white colonizers”; terrorism is “resistance.”

With educators being taught this bunk in city-run events, it’s only a matter of time before it makes it into classrooms.

This insidious spreading of propaganda has to end now 

Richard Lewis from ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’ Dead at 76

Richard Lewis’ famous friends are paying tribute to him after the comedian and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star died Tuesday of a heart attack. He was 76.

“His wife, Joyce Lapinsky, thanks everyone for all the love, friendship and support and asks for privacy at this time,” Lewis’ publicist, Jeff Abraham, told The Post in a statement Wednesday upon announcing the news.

Lewis’ longtime co-star and “Curb” creator, Larry David, 76, reacted to the loss in a statement to People.

“Richard and I were born three days apart in the same hospital and for most of my life he’s been like a brother to me. He had that rare combination of being the funniest person and also the sweetest. But today he made me sob and for that, I’ll never forgive him,” David joked.

The Post has contacted a rep for David for comment.

Cheryl Hines, who portrays David’s on-screen wife in the series, also gushed to the outlet about Lewis.

“When I was young I had the biggest crush on Richard Lewis. He was the funniest person on stage and the most handsome comedian. Then when I was cast on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ I got to work with him and it was a dream come true,” said Hines.

She continued, “Through the years I learned who Richard really was and the gifts he gave. Yes, he was the comedian I fell in love with, but he was also one of the most loving people I know. He would take time to tell the people he loved what they meant to him – especially in recent years. In between takes on ‘Curb,’ he would tell me how special I was to him and how much he loved me. I love you Richard.”