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Washington Post
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
How Trump tried to build a lawsuit-proof travel ban
On Monday, President Donald Trump restricted the entry of travelers to the United States from more than a dozen countries, resurrecting and expanding sweeping restrictions from his first term that are expected to draw swift legal challenges. The travel ban has been criticized by immigrant rights groups for targeting several African and Muslim-majority nations, and for appearing to capitalize on a moment of public grief: Earlier this month, a man seeking asylum in the United States threw an incendiary device at an event organized by a Jewish group in Boulder, Colorado. Trump cited the attack in his announcement of the ban. Today on Post Reports, host Elahe Izadi speaks with immigration reporter David Nakamura about who will be most affected by this ban, how the Trump administration crafted it to hold up in court, and why the public response to this iteration has felt muted. Today's show was produced by Emma Talkoff, with help from Rennie Svirnovskiy and Tadeo Ruiz Sandoval. It was edited by Ariel Plotnick and mixed by Sam Bair. Thanks to Lucy Perkins and Christine Armario. Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
The Guardian
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australian universities hesitate on antisemitism definition amid academic freedom concerns
Months after the release of a new definition of antisemitism, a string of Australian universities are yet to adopt it amid concerns it may contravene academic freedom. The academic board at the Australian National University (ANU) has declined to adopt the definition, paving the way for the university to become the first to reject the policy, while at least 11 other institutions have not yet made a decision. Peak Jewish groups last week accused the ANU of allowing an 'unsafe and unwelcoming campus' over the board's decision not to adopt the definition endorsed by Universities Australia (UA) in February that closely aligns with the contentious International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition, after a parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism on campuses. The UA definition has faced some criticism since its release. The National Union of Students (NUS) and National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) rejected the definition over free speech and academic freedom concerns. University of Sydney students overwhelmingly voted to reject university management's adoption of the definition, over similar concerns, at a meeting convened by the Student Representative Council. UNSW, Deakin University, Victoria University, University of Technology Sydney and RMIT University were waiting for the outcome of consultation between the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency and the Higher Education Standards Panel, which were tasked by UA to ensure the definition upholds higher education standards and freedom of expression. James Cook University will examine the definition when it reviews its discrimination policy later this year, as will the University of Adelaide at the request of its council, while Charles Darwin University is considering the 'best positioning' of the definition within its policy framework to 'ensure that academic freedom and expression is honoured'. The University of the Sunshine Coast's academic board will consider the definition in coming months, while the University of Newcastle is 'actively engaging' with stakeholders to consider 'different perspectives' on the matter. The University of Queensland senate endorsed the definition, which was later discussed by the academic board in March, and is working to 'finalise' its decision. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email On Friday 23 May, the last day of term, ANU's academic board chair, Prof Tony Connolly, informed the ACT Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) the board would recommend against adopting the definition and instead intended to adopt a broader anti-racism definition based on a 2023 report released by the university's anti-racism taskforce. An ANU spokesperson confirmed the board had recommended a definition of racism be adopted and 'anti-racism culture' be developed in accordance with the taskforce's recommendations. The academic board holds significant authority in developing and approving university policies but it is ultimately up to the executive to decide whether to endorse its decision. The spokesperson said the university had not rejected the UA definition and was 'continuing to work with our community to determine the best approach and consider the matter through the appropriate governance processes'. Last Friday, the heads of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) and the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) wrote to the ANU vice-chancellor, Prof Genevieve Bell, expressing their 'dismay' at the board's decision. 'By reason of many examples of antisemitic behaviour at ANU, your campus has become unsafe and unwelcoming for Jewish students,' the letter read. 'Absent a credible definition of antisemitism at ANU, we do not see how the university intends to identify antisemitic conduct and respond appropriately to it.' The working UA definition, first developed by Group of Eight institutions, was unanimously endorsed by 39 vice-chancellors in February, based on work with Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism. The definition says criticism of Israel can be antisemitic 'when it is grounded in harmful tropes, stereotypes or assumptions and when it calls for the elimination of the state of Israel or all Jews or when it holds Jewish individuals or communities responsible for Israel's actions'. 'Substituting the word 'Zionist' for 'Jew' does not eliminate the possibility of speech being antisemitic,' the definition states. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Liat Granot, a co-president of the AUJS, addressed ANU's academic board last month, encouraging it to adopt the definition. Granot said rejecting the definition made Jewish students feel 'incredibly exposed, unsupported and disillusioned'. 'This definition was seen as the last straw … to a hope we had in the institution's ability to protect us. That's been crushed,' she said. In March, the NTEU's ACT division secretary, Dr Lachlan Clohesy, wrote to Connolly urging him to oppose the UA definition. Clohesy said the definition was 'inconsistent with fundamental principles of academic freedom and freedom of speech', and risked conflating legitimate criticism of the Israeli state and government with antisemitism. Clohesy said some Jewish NTEU members had taken particular issue with the 'inclusion of Zionism as part of Jewish identity' in the definition, and the 'underlying assumption that a Jewish person is likely to be Zionist'. 'NTEU is also concerned that the adoption of this definition could lead to attempts to initiate disciplinary [action] against ANU staff in future,' he wrote. The ECAJ and 5A urged the board to reconsider its position and to 'recognise that a non-legally binding, working definition of antisemitism that reflects the Jewish lived experience, is essential'. 'The ANU academic board … comprised of academics with no specialised anti-racism mandate, and which has a focus on academic freedom, is not the appropriate body to evaluate whether the UA definition should be adopted.' A UA spokesperson said the body respected the autonomy of universities to make their own decisions, 'including how best to implement policies and principles that support student safety and free expression'. More than 20 universities did not provide a comment.
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
US Jewish groups united against Trump's antisemitism strategy
US Jewish groups are unified over the need to fight mounting antisemitic incidents across the country, but many are bitterly opposed to how President Donald Trump is seeking to counter the scourge. A string of incidents has targeted Jews in the United States in recent weeks. Two Israeli embassy workers were murdered in Washington, Molotov cocktails were thrown at an event in Colorado, and tensions persist on university campuses. The conservative Heritage Foundation think-tank, behind the 'Project 2025' road map for radically overhauling and shrinking the government, published in October 'Project Esther' – a blueprint on combating antisemitism. The project seeks to 'dismantle' so-called 'anti-Israel,' 'anti-Zionist,' or 'pro-Palestinian' organizations allegedly part of a 'Hamas support network' that has 'infiltrated' universities including Columbia and Harvard. The text advocates the dismissal of professors, barring some foreign students from campuses, expelling others outright, and withholding public funding from universities. Robert Greenway, a Project Esther co-author, recently told The New York Times it was 'no coincidence that we called for a series of actions to take place privately and publicly, and they are now happening.'
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Should the BBC sack Gary Lineker? Here's your verdict
Gary Lineker is facing fresh calls to be sacked after being accused of posting an 'anti-Semitic' rat emoji. The outgoing Match of the Day presenter is said to have failed to spot the image while sharing a post by campaign group Palestine Lobby to his Instagram story. The post provoked fury among Jewish groups, as rats were historically used by Nazi Germany as a slur. Lineker has since issued an unprecedented apology for the post. In an exclusive poll, The Telegraph asked readers whether the BBC should sack the presenter over this latest controversy. An overwhelming 89 per cent of over 120,000 voters believe the broadcaster should sack him. 'He should stick to commenting about football' A spokesman for Lineker clarified to Telegraph Sport that he immediately deleted the video after learning of the symbolic meaning. In response, reader SG Robbo suggested Lineker should 'keep out of historical and current affairs that he clearly knows very little about'. He added: 'He should be sacked from the BBC. Anyone else would be suspended, investigated and then most likely dismissed. He posted the tweet, he is responsible. Why don't these same rules apply to folks on TV? Utterly disgraceful.' Other readers compared the situation to reported cases where people have been on the receiving end of police intervention over social media posts they have made. This led them to suggest that the treatment of Lineker should be the same. Lance Milburn questioned why there are still only calls for Lineker to be sacked – referring to the case of Julian Foulkes, a 71-year-old retired police officer who was arrested over a 'thought crime' tweet. The reader said: 'He [Lineker] should be languishing in a police cell awaiting questioning by the thought police. Maybe it's because his opinions are more fashionable than those espoused by the 71-year-old retired police officer who had his collar felt in Kent.' Martin Hagerty, another reader, likened the situation to the case of Lucy Connolly, who was jailed for quickly deleted posts she made on social media, prompting him to ask 'why is he not being investigated by the Met Police?' Given that the BBC is compulsorily funded by TV licence payers, Kate Hydra believes Lineker should 'stick to commenting about football and not use his high profile for political comments, especially in such a controversial area'. She continues: 'The situation in the Middle East is complex and difficult to understand. For a person of Lineker's experience of Middle Eastern affairs, I would expect him to learn more before he pontificates any further. 'I think he's done his dash at the BBC. It's time for a proper sports journalist to front Match of the Day and make it all about the football.' 'It is his freedom of expression' But a number of readers defended Lineker's right to share what he likes, reinforcing the right to free speech. L Dilloways, for example, said: 'We may not agree with his support of the Palestinian's but he is entitled to it.' Reader Peter Kronenberg also supports this argument, sharing: 'I might not agree with the post, but it is his freedom of expression. If people find it offensive, too bad'. 'You don't have to agree, you can always counter-argue, ignore or read something else.'
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gary Lineker insists he was ignorant of well-known antisemitic rat slur when he reposted pro-Palestine video featuring the smear
Gary Lineker has claimed ignorance of a notorious antisemitic slur about rats when he shared a pro-Palestine video including the smear. The BBC Match Of The Day presenter and ex-England captain reposted to his 1.2million Instagram followers a clip featuring an emoji of a rat - prompting condemnation from Jewish groups and calls for him to be axed by the broadcaster. Lineker, 64, later deleted the footage from his 'Stories' reel on the social media site yesterday afternoon - and a spokesman for the former footballer has now offered an explanation on his behalf. But charity campaigners have today accused Lineker of 'aloofness and reckless indifference' in his response and stepped up calls for the BBC to part ways with him. The former Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona and Three Lions star has been a vocal opponent of Israeli 's military action in Gaza, but critics say his latest intervention went too far. Images of rats and other vermin were regularly used as tropes by Nazi Germany to depict Jewish people, as many people have been pointing out in response. Yet he has now insisted he was unaware of the symbolism while also failing to notice the rat image was shown in the Palestine Lobby clip - attacking the concept of Zionism - that he shared online. A spokesman for the BBC's highest paid presenter told how Lineker immediately deleted the video after learning of the picture's historic connotations. Lineker had shared on Instagram a reel originating with pro-Palestine group Palestine Lobby Lineker's representative said: 'Whilst viewing and reposting a video, Gary did not notice a rodent emoticon added by the author of the post. 'Although if he had, he would not have made any connection. The repost has been removed.' Disgusted users on X widely shared Lineker's earlier post on the social media platform, formerly known as Twitter - and a former BBC Director of Television demanded action from the corporation over what he branded 'utterly grim' content. Screenshots of Lineker's shared video were immediately flagged as posts which 'may violate X's rules against Hateful Conduct'. Jewish groups have been among those condemning his post and calling for the BBC to end any association with him, with charity Campaign Against Antisemitism posting on X: 'Nothing to see here. 'Just Gary Lineker's Instagram account sharing an anti-Israel video misrepresenting Zionism, complete with a rat emoji.' Now a CAA spokesperson has responded to the comments from Lineker's spokesman, telling MailOnline: 'Gary Lineker is playing the public for fools by pretending to be one. 'He claims to want to spread awareness about events in the Middle East but also claims to be so ignorant as to be unaware of the dehumanising connotations of a rat symbol. 'He acts like an accessible man of the people, but when caught out issues feeble excuses through a spokesperson like a shady politician. 'Such aloofness and reckless indifference would be appalling from any public figure, but Mr Lineker is the BBC's number one star, and has built himself a media empire that gives him immense influence. 'That comes with a responsibility that Mr Lineker has repeatedly refused to bear. 'The BBC has turned a blind eye for too long. It is long past time for him to go, and he must go now.' Danny Cohen, a former Director of BBC Television, had yesterday said: 'Gary Lineker appears to have shared content about the Jewish State which echoes Nazi propaganda. This is utterly grim. 'The BBC's Director General Tim Davie has a simple question to answer: does he tolerate the BBC's flagship presenters sharing content that has historically been used as an anti-Semitic slur?' Lineker is due to step down as Match Of The Day presenter at the end of this season but will present BBC coverage of next year's World Cup. Lineker was also criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who said he had 'caused great offence with this video – particularly with his egregious use of a rat emoji to illustrate Zionists'. After being contacted by MailOnline for a response to the criticisms, the BBC responded by highlighting the corporation's 'Editorial Guidelines' document, posted online. This covers employees' 'Personal Use of Social Media, which had been updated in 2023 - suggesting he was not deemed to have broken the rules. Lineker himself said in February last year at a Broadcasting Press Guild event: 'I know the guidelines really well. I was partly involved in drawing them up. 'I know the guidelines inside out. Obviously the new guidelines actually now allow you much more freedom to tweet. We're allowed opinions and other stuff.' Criticism online for Lineker has been continuing today, including for his spokesman's statement about his deletion of the post. Attention was also drawn to previous comments he made in 2023 in response to then-Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman announcing details of her new Illegal Migration Bill. Lineker had shared video of her speech while adding the comment: 'Good heavens, this is beyond awful.' He then used his Twitter account, with 8.6million followers, to describe the proposed measures to tackle migration as 'immeasurably cruel'. When another user accused him of being 'out of order', Lineker replied: 'There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. 'This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I'm out of order?' That comparison has now been highlighted by critics of his new Instagram post, with Simon Myerson KC, who chairs the Leeds Jewish Representative Council, posting on X: 'Way back in 2023 was bothered about the language used by Nazis towards Jews. 'Today, he doesn't know anything about that language, which is how he excuses posting antisemitic articles. Poor bloke - he's younger than me but his memory's failing. Time to retire.' Barrister Simon Barrett commented: 'Gary Lineker's defence is that he is inattentive and badly informed. Fine. But those are not qualities to have in a professional commentator. Sack him.' Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 England appearances before presenting Match Of The Day since 1999, has previously faced controversy for his political interventions which critics claim are breaches of the BBC's impartiality rules. The most recent BBC accounts show he was the corporation's best paid presenter for the seventh successive year, receiving up to £1.35million in 2023-2024. In January last year Lineker said he received threats after he retweeted and later deleted a post on social media calling for Israel to be banned from international sporting events, including football. Later, speaking to news site Zeteo, he said: 'There is a lot of heavy lobbying on people to be quiet so I understand why most people refrain but I'm getting on a bit now, I'm fairly secure and I can't be silent about what's happening. 'I think it's just so, so utterly awful and now they're talking about, "Oh, it looks like it's happening, going into Rafah", where they've sent everybody down there. 'So I don't see how you can be - it's not antisemitic to say that what Israel is doing is wrong. I just can't see how everybody doesn't see it that way now. 'But whatever the cause, whatever started it - we all know that the history of this area of the world goes way before October 7. 'But it's truly dreadful what's happening. And I cry on a regular basis when I see certain images on social media.' Lineker also told the Broadcasting Press Guild event in February last year: 'We have been getting a lot more leeway now, which is a good thing. I am always sensible.' He also claimed that he now rarely used X as it had become 'increasingly toxic'. He told the gathering of journalists that people should step away from the platform to save their mental health. He said: 'It's always been a bit of a cesspit but it has become increasingly toxic and you can't have nuanced conversations on there anymore and debates. 'So I have kind of stepped away from that side of things.' He also said the BBC 'love' him being on the social media platform to 'promote their shows'. While his Instagram post has prompted this latest controversy, his recent contributions on X have been dominated by promotions for episodes from his Goalhanger podcast firm including The Rest Is Football that he presents. Other podcasts from the group which he promotes online include sister show The Rest Is Politics, co-hosted by former New Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.
