Latest news with #SteveHunegs
CBS News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Minnesotans with Middle East ties react with hope, fear over Iran strikes
How some Minnesotans are reacting to U.S. launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities How some Minnesotans are reacting to U.S. launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities How some Minnesotans are reacting to U.S. launching strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities Minnesotans with ties to the Middle East are reacting after President Trump's announcement that the United States launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Pentagon officials are calling the actions "the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history." The president described the strikes as a "spectacular military success" in a televised address Saturday night. Steve Hunegs, executive director for the Jewish Community Relations Council in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, said the attacks are justified. "We're hopefully headed towards a more secure and safe Middle East," said Hunegs. "Democrats and Republicans agree on this. They all are deeply concerned about the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East, starting with Iran. The airstrikes hit home for Fazy Kowsari, one of the founders of Minnesota Committee in Support of a Democratic Iran. Kowsari said his feelings on military action are mixed. "Mixture of hope and kind of scared the same time," said Kowsari. "We knew that it's going to happen one day, sooner or later." Kowsari was last in Iran 20 years ago. He now lives with his wife in Maple Grove. Between the two of them, they have several family members, including Kowsari's dad Ahmad Kowsari, who live in Iran. So far, all family are safe, Kowsari said. Kowsari said the Islamic Republic of Iran frequently cuts the country's internet service, stifling communications with loved ones. While Kowsari said war is not the solution, he's hoping the recent military action sparks some sort of change, remaining hopeful, someday, for an overthrow of an oppressive Islamic regime. "We want to send this message to Iranian people to the greater community that this is not our war, we are victims of this war," said Kowsari. "We are prisoner in that country."
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Antisemitism investigation at U of M, other schools by Education Department
The Brief The Education Department launched an antisemitism investigation at five universities, including the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. The probe comes months after pro-Palestinian protests on campus led to several arrests. The university said it plans to cooperate with the investigation. The Education Department on Monday announced it had launched an investigation into "widespread antisemitic harassment" at five universities, including the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Trump administration is investigating antisemitism claims at five universities, including the University of Minnesota. The backstory The investigation comes months after pro-Palestinian protests on campus led to several arrests. Campus unrest spread throughout the country after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack in Israel left 1,200 people dead, including many civilians. The militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack, which ignited the Israel-Hamas war. What they're saying While Jewish organizations welcome the investigation, others are skeptical and see it as an attack on pro-Palestinian viewpoints. "Anti-Zionist and or antisemitic activities lies with the faculty," said Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas. "That will be a challenge to face." "Our campus is flooded with pro-Hamas propaganda and rhetoric that's antisemitic," said Stephanie Iskhakov, assistant executive director of Chabad University of Minnesota. "Pro-Hamas propaganda and rhetoric is antisemitic. Calling for the destruction of the land of Israel is antisemitic. Our campus has no shortage of either of those things." But some see the investigation as a method of quieting pro-Palestinian voices on campus. "I think it's quite ridiculous, to be honest," said Kyle Feldhake, a graduate student who was arrested during demonstrations in October. "If there are legitimate concerns about antisemitism – if they're transparent about that – you know, great. If they're going to use it to masquerade pro-Palestinian repression – that's really horrific." Other universities involved The other universities under investigation are: Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University and the University of California, Berkeley. What's next The Justice Department on Monday announced it had created a task force to combat antisemitism, and will focus first on rooting it out of colleges and universities. Dig deeper In a statement, the University of Minnesota said, in part: "We are confident in our approach to combating hate and bias on our campus and will fully cooperate with this investigation. The university continues to stand firmly against antisemitism." The Source Education Department; Justice Department; Steve Hunegs; Stephanie Iskhakov; Kyle Feldhake
