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U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Sunday issued a strong rebuke of President Joe Biden for not yet having invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.

McCarthy arrived in Israel on Sunday as the head of a bipartisan congressional delegation to the region. The group includes former Democratic Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

Asked during an interview on Sunday whether the lack of an invitation from the White House, four months into the Israeli leader’s term, should be considered normal, McCarthy replied, “If that [a visit to the White House] doesn’t happen, I’ll invite the prime minister to come meet with the House. He’s a dear friend, as a prime minister of a country that we have our closest ties with.”

When pressed on how long he would wait, McCarthy said, “I think it’s too long now. He [Biden] should invite [Netanyahu] soon.” He added that he has already invited President Isaac Herzog to speak before both chambers of Congress in June to mark Israel’s 75th anniversary.

Q: What is your main goal in your visit to Israel? And what is the message that you want to convey to the world?

A: Well, I was invited by [Knesset] speaker [Amir Ohana] to come speak at the Knesset. This is my first trip as speaker of the House. And I want to make a point that Israel was the reason I was focused on it. It’s just, it’s such a unique bond that our two nations have, I mean, [within] minutes of this nation becoming a nation, America recognized you, which I think changed the course of history as well. But so many times throughout those 75 years, our bond got even stronger. Every Congress, I lead a group of members. I think it’s important, firsthand, to understand what we [the United States and Israel] go through … there’s no other democracy in the Middle East; we have to thrive. And I think the strength of America and Israel is more than a country. It’s the idea of who we are. We can struggle at times, we’re not perfect, but we both strive to be a more perfect union. And I think that’s what’s important.

Q: Are you certain that the bipartisan support for Israel is secure in light of what is going on in the Democratic Party’s radical fringes?

A: You know, I never take anything for granted. You never assume you just keep something. This is a bipartisan trip and I’m proud that I’ve got Steny Hoyer, the former leader of the Democrats with us. So we have to fight for it. We have to explain it to make sure people understand it because there are people on the far left that make it at times of struggle, and I’ll never allow that to happen as speaker; I will fight hard to keep it bipartisan.

Q: Meanwhile, we have heard on the Republican side statements that may not be anti-Israeli but are definitely antisemitic.

A: Well, if I ever hear that we will put a stop to that, because my real concern is where I really hear it coming [from], in our colleges, our most liberal colleges, this boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement has to be stopped. When I became speaker, we had a member of the House who I felt said antisemitic comments. I removed Congresswoman Ilhan Omar from the Foreign Affairs Committee specifically to make sure. We all understand the long history: If you allow that to go on, it will build. I’ve watched what happened in France and other locations. So at any time, whenever that may rise up, I make sure regardless of where it comes from, that we crush it and make sure it cannot grow.”

Q: What about people like Ye (Kanye West) and others known for their antisemitic statements who met Donald Trump?

A: That was denounced right away. We will not let that stand in our party at all.

Q: There is a huge debate here regarding judicial reform. What’s your take on it?

A: Where I see it, I think you should have the debate, I think democracies have debates. And I think there should be an openness on the question of ‘Do you need to reform and what type of reforms do you need?’ I mean, look, it’s your country, and for you to decide. But one of the greatest strengths in America is the rule of law and fairness. It’s something that we look at at times to make sure we keep it. If you only allow a few to determine who becomes a judge and others … you need checks and balances, so I think it’s fair that you should look at reforms. And I think the pause, the idea of bringing both sides together to find common ground, would be a good place. But I do think that there are elements, when I read the law, where you would want to look for reforms.

Q: Is Israel at risk of ceasing to be a democracy, as some have claimed?

A: Israel loves democracy, America loves democracy. But the thing is that people outside, whenever they say that, they don’t understand democracy. Look, I went through 15 rounds to get elected speaker. That was showing democracy works. Democracy means people can have a difference of opinion; democracy means you can openly say it, you can actually debate it—that’s healthy. The idea that people are upset that they’re debating ideas is wrong. That’s why we crave it.

Q: Is the funding for U.S. military aid to Israel guaranteed?

A: As speaker of the House, it is safe. But I can tell you that, as is the case with anything, you can’t predict future congresses. That’s where you always work in everything. But I believe the resources we provide to the friendship with Israel make the world safer. You’ve got to go the step beyond. We can never allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

Q: The perspective in Israel, and maybe in the Middle East, is of an America that is not strong, even growing weak. That’s why we saw China mediating the deal between the Saudis and Iran. Also, at least from an Israeli perspective, there is no powerful policy against Iran. So all in all, America doesn’t look strong.

A: Don’t view the administration as the same as Congress. This Congress just passed a resolution celebrating the 75th anniversary of Israel and the Abraham Accords. This administration should get further behind the Abraham Accords and grow them even bigger. We watched what the power of that was able to do for peace and others. Don’t ever underestimate where we are, and don’t underestimate the voice that we have in there.

Q: Is it wise politically to have Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president even as he stands on trial? We are experienced with such a situation in Israel, and it’s hard for a candidate to win like that.

A: I think that the American public will make that decision, that’s what’s great about democracy. But first and foremost, no one should ever use the legal system to try to punish their political adversaries. And it is clear, not just on one side of the aisle—but also with independents and Democrats—that what is happening to … Trump in New York is appalling; it goes above the rule of law and it’s purely being used for political purposes. It only raises the numbers for Trump. If there was a Republican district attorney someplace in the country doing the exact same thing, I wish everybody else would stand up against that as well. Because the one thing about America is that the rule of law matters.

Q: Okay, any chance you will run for president sometime in the future?

A: Never. I’m running for re-election and to hold the House and get America back on the track following our commitment to America.

The post US ‘should get further behind the Abraham Accords,’ says House Speaker appeared first on World Israel News.

Selected Articles: West Sends Depleted Uranium Weapons to Ukraine: MEP to Warmongers – “You Make Me Sick!”

Posted on May 1, 2023 by admin

West Sends Depleted Uranium Weapons to Ukraine: MEP to Warmongers – “You Make Me Sick!”

By Colin Todhunter, April 29, 2023

Those who have been following events in Ukraine will know of the bloodshed and destruction taking place in …

The post Selected Articles: West Sends Depleted Uranium Weapons to Ukraine: MEP to Warmongers – “You Make Me Sick!” appeared first on Global Research.

Biden admin supporting anti-judicial reform protests, says Israel’s justice minister

Posted on May 1, 2023 by admin

In leaked recording, Levin confirms that the U.S. government is “working in collaboration” with left-wing groups to stop overhaul of Israel’s judicial system.

By Lauren Marcus, World Israel News

Justice Minister Yariv Levin said that groups fighting against the proposed reforms to Israel’s judicial systems enjoy support from the American government, echoing previous claims from coalition lawmakers that the Biden administration is funding the protests.

While dining at the home of a prominent ultra-Orthodox political strategist, Levin was secretly recorded by a guest at the residence saying that those pushing for the reform are facing an incredible challenge, as activists opposed to the overhaul have immense resources at their disposal.

“There is no doubt that we are at a truly unimaginable disadvantage. The fact is that [the anti-reform movement] is in control of the courts, the attorney general, all the heads of the economic system,” Levin said in the video, which was published by Walla.

“The American government is working in cooperation with them on this matter [of stopping the overhaul legislation],” he added. “We can see that based on repeated public statements from [American] government representatives.”

President Joe Biden has criticized the potential changes to Israel’s legal system, insinuating that he would not invite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House until the matter is dropped.

Biden’s comments on internal Israeli politics sparked backlash from lawmakers as diverse as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Public Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

Multiple reports have found that the Biden administration is funneling money towards advocacy groups that are organizing the anti-judicial reform protests, a revelation that has triggered concern from some American lawmakers.

“On top of that, add that [the left is] in control of [major Israeli news outlets] Israel Hayom, Yediot Ahronot, Haaretz, Ynet, Walla, whatever you can think of,” Levin continued.

Without naming specific lawmakers, Levin said one of the reasons for the reform’s lack of progress was discord within the Likud party. He also stressed that it is critical for the legislation to “not take too much time” to come to fruition.

“The situation can’t remain the way it is,” he said.

The post Biden admin supporting anti-judicial reform protests, says Israel’s justice minister appeared first on World Israel News.

Hundreds of groups, academics defend Polish Holocaust historian from gov’t attack

Posted on May 1, 2023 by admin

Polish prime minister, education minister slammed Dr. Barbara Engelking for saying Poles “failed” Jews in WWII, threatening to defund her institute.

By Batya Jerenberg, World Israel News

Over 300 institutions and academics from around the world have risen to defend a noted Polish Holocaust historian from her government’s attack on her after she stated that Poles “failed” their Jewish fellow citizens during World War II.

The historical groups and professors, including Yad Vashem, the foremost Holocaust documentation, research, education and commemoration institute in the world, issued a statement Thursday condemning Warsaw for its threats against Dr. Barbara Engelking, founder and director of the Polish Center of Holocaust Research at the Polish Academy of Sciences.

“We regard such censorious tendencies and the notion that the continued financing of academic institutions should be conditional upon whether the research produced within them meets the expectations of politicians, as extremely dangerous and unacceptable,” the statement says in part.

“Such actions are aimed at discouraging other scholars from undertaking research that might be met with a similar hate campaign.”

Engelking condemned Poles for their antisemitic behavior after the Nazis took over their country in an interview on Poland’s largest private channel, marking the 80th anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising on April 19th. She said that her countrymen often “falsif[y] history” in overstating how much they helped Jews when the Germans were hunting them down, and that Jews were “unbelievably disappointed with Poles during the war.”

“Poles had the potential to become allies of the Jews, and one would hope that they would behave differently, that they would be neutral, kind, that they would not take advantage of the situation to such an extent and that there would not be widespread blackmailing,” she said in another part of the interview.

“Poles simply failed,” she said.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki slammed the noted scholar, who has published several books in multiple languages on such subjects as the survival strategies of Jews in Warsaw and on the fate of Jews seeking refuge in Polish villages during the Holocaust. In a tweet of well over 800 words, he criticized her “scandalous opinions” regarding her coreligionists’ behavior, firing back that “We know that there could be tens, if not hundreds of thousands” of cases where Poles saved Jews.

Her statements were part of “an anti-Polish narrative,” he said, as blame for the murder of Polish Jewry rested squarely on Germany.

The Nazis held Poland in their totalitarian grip for over five years.

Education Minister Przemysław Czarnek threatened to defund Engelking’s institute, saying, “I will not finance an institute that maintains the kind of people who simply insult Poles.”

Poles “were the greatest allies of the Jews, and if it had not been for the Poles, many Jews would have died, many more than were killed in the Holocaust,” he claimed.

Of the 3.3 million Jews who lived in pre-War Poland, only 380,000 survived, according to Yad Vashem’s research.

The state broadcasting authority jumped into the act as well, opening legal proceedings against TVN, because “if the guest on a program is lying, the journalist must tell viewers that it is a lie.” TVN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered in New York.

Morawiecki and his nationalist Law and Justice Party made a point of passing a law in 2018 that prescribes criminal proceedings for individuals or organizations who allegedly defame the “Polish nation” by assigning guilt or complicity to Poles for Holocaust crimes committed on Polish soil.

It was widely condemned at the time as an attempt to portray Poles solely as Nazi victims and whitewash the role so many of them played in aiding their oppressors’ mission to wipe out the Jewish people.

While readily acknowledging the heroism of over 7,000 Poles in saving Jews during the Holocaust, who are documented by Yad Vashem as Righteous Among the Nations, the Israeli government also saw the law as a distortion of the truth. Knesset members across the political spectrum called it an attempt to deny the Holocaust, and tensions arose between the countries’ administrations.

The post Hundreds of groups, academics defend Polish Holocaust historian from gov’t attack appeared first on World Israel News.

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Selected Articles: West Sends Depleted Uranium Weapons to Ukraine: MEP to Warmongers – “You Make Me Sick!”

Biden admin supporting anti-judicial reform protests, says Israel’s justice minister

Hundreds of groups, academics defend Polish Holocaust historian from gov’t attack

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