Latest news with #pro-Israel
Axios
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
GOP congressman says he was "run off the road" by man with Palestinian flag
Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) said Thursday he contacted the Capitol Police after being "run off the road" by a man displaying a Palestinian flag while he was driving in his congressional district. Why it matters: The alleged incident comes as lawmakers are still reeling from the shooting of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses last weekend that left one couple dead and another hospitalized. The attack has left members of Congress in both parties in a state of heightened alarm about their personal security and pushing for more Capitol Police protection. Driving the news: "Today I was run off the road ... and the life of me and my family was threatened by a person who proceeded to show a Palestinian flag before taking off," Miller said in a post on social media. Miller said in an accompanying video that the man initially "decided to lay on his horn," but then ran him off the road "when he couldn't get my attention." The man also yelled "death to Israel," he said. Miller, who is Jewish and pro-Israel, has been open about his fears of antisemitic violence since the onset of the war in Gaza, telling Axios in 2023 that he carries a weapon for self-protection. State of play: Miller claimed to know the identity of the alleged assailant, though he didn't name them in the video. "We know exactly who you are ... and the police are going to pay you a visit," he said in the video, writing in his post that he filed a report with the Capitol Police. A Capitol Police spokesperson did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. What they're saying: House Democratic leadership, in a joint statement, re-upped their call to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to allocate additional funds for members' security after the Minnesota shootings. "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the attack on Congressman Max Miller and his family and are thankful they are safe," said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). "The rise in political violence in this country is unacceptable," they continued. "This is a moment of crisis that requires Congress to act decisively in order to ensure the safety of every single Member."
Yomiuri Shimbun
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Ishiba Strives to Bridge Divide Between U.S., Europe; Takes Neutral Stance to Avoid Impact on Tariff Negotiations
Masamine Kawaguchi / The Yomiuri Shimbun Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba holds a press conference for Japanese and foreign media in Calgary on Tuesday. BANFF, Canada — Throughout the latest Group of Seven meeting, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was trying to act as a bridge between Europe and the United States, offering support to U.S. President Donald Trump in order to avoid negative repercussions on Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations. Ishiba concluded his first G7 summit meeting in Canada and returned to Japan on a government-owned aircraft on Wednesday. 'The G7 has worked together despite differences in national positions, and its value is evident,' Ishiba said at a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters after the summit. According to government officials, several European countries expressed concerns about the United States' 'America First' policy during first-day discussions on international affairs and the economy, which Trump attended. However, Ishiba refrained from criticizing the United States and limited his comments to general issues, such as emphasizing the importance of free trade in relation to tariff issues. Regarding the conflict between Israel and Iran, Ishiba showed consideration for the pro-Israel United States and said that Iran's nuclear weapon development was behind the conflict. 'The division between the United States and Europe is deep-rooted,' Ishiba reportedly told those in his group. 'That's precisely why it's important to send a message to make Trump feel that 'Japan understands me.'' Avoiding rifts among G7 members is a top-priority for Japan, which as its only Asian member is pushing for its involvement in the Indo-Pacific region to be increased. During the discussions, Ishiba explained to his fellow G7 leaders the moves China is making in stepping up its hegemonic actions and about how North Korea is pushing ahead with its nuclear and missile development and called for a united response on the issues. Ishiba met with the current leaders of Germany and Canada for the first time and focused on building personal relationships with them, agreeing to strengthen security cooperation. In talks with some of the countries present, they are said to have agreed not to allow the United States to become isolated. Ishiba is scheduled to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in the Netherlands on Tuesday and Wednesday and is expected to stay in the tough position between the United States and Europe.
Newsweek
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
John Fetterman On Iran Conflict: 'Not Warmongering, This Is Peacemongering'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania continued to throw his full support behind Israel in its war with Iran this week, saying it's "not warmongering," it's "peacemongering." Why It Matters Israel and Iran have been lobbing missiles and strikes at one another since Israel first attacked Iran last week, decapitating Iran's military and intelligence chain-of-command, destroying nuclear sites and killing key nuclear scientists. The conflict entered its seventh day on Thursday, with Iran launching a strike that hit a major hospital in Israel, injuring at least 240 people and causing extensive damage. Israel subsequently accused Iran of crossing a "red line" and violating international law, and the country's defense minister, Israel Katz, said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "should not continue to exist." The White House, meanwhile, said President Donald Trump will decide within two weeks whether the United States will join the conflict and launch a strike at Iran. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., participates in a debate with Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., not shown, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boston, as livestreamed on... Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., participates in a debate with Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa., not shown, at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, Monday, June 2, 2025, in Boston, as livestreamed on Fox Nation. More Steven Senne/AP What To Know The rapidly escalating war has divided lawmakers and splintered President Donald Trump's typically ironclad MAGA coalition, as isolationists warn about the U.S. getting mired in another "forever war" in the Middle East and foreign policy hawks support the United States intervening to stop Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Fetterman, one of the most pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, weighed in on the prospect of U.S. involvement on Wednesday, telling reporters: "I'd like to point out ... the polling has shown that, I think it's effectively ... 80 percent of Americans think that Iran should never acquire a nuclear weapon." "So, like, this isn't shocking," the Pennsylvania Democrat added. "You know, it's like, this is not warmongering. This is peacemongering ... I mean, that's not controversial. It definitely shouldn't be controversial for Democrats." Fetterman: This is not warmongering. This is peace mongering. — Acyn (@Acyn) June 19, 2025 A recent Washington Post survey asked about 1,000 Americans whether they would support or oppose the U.S. launching airstrikes at Iran over its nuclear program. According to the poll, 45 percent of Americans oppose the move compared to 25 percent who said they would support a strike. Among Republicans, 47 percent back a U.S. strike against Iran, while 53 percent said they are either unsure or oppose a strike. Meanwhile, just nine percent of Democrats said they would support the move, compared to 67 percent who oppose it and 24 percent who say they're unsure. The Post's survey was conducted on June 18 and had a sample size of 1,008 U.S. adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
Middle East Eye
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Trump resumes visa applications for international students, but with increased vetting
The State Department announced on Wednesday that it is ending the pause on visa applications for foreign students. However, the process, which has been suspended since May, will include intensive online vetting, including requiring applicants to set all of their social media privacy settings to 'public'. The State Department said it needed to 'ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests'. The announcement also asserted that applicants needed to prove that they would 'engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission', which is being seen as an attempt to deter students from participating in pro-Palestine activism on university campuses in the US. On 25 March, the Trump administration arrested Tufts graduate Rumeysa Ozturk after her profile was posted on a pro-Israel doxxing website. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Ozturk had been targeted for writing an opinion article in a student newspaper the year before, criticising Tufts University's response to a pro-divestment vote from the student senate. Ozturk was released from detention in May, but her detention set a precedent for a larger crackdown by the Trump administration on foreign students. In April, the visas of thousands of international students were revoked seemingly indiscriminately. Several students went into hiding or self-deported over fears that they would be arrested. The Trump administration abruptly backtracked on the decision to revoke visas weeks later. Wednesday's move to review the social media accounts of foreign students is also not the first time the Trump administration has used social media vetting to monitor international students. On 9 April, the Trump administration announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be screening the social media accounts of international students at universities affiliated with 'antisemitic activity'. The State Department also reportedly told consulates to prioritise applicants hoping to attend a college where less than 15 percent of the student body were international students. On 28 May, US President Donald Trump asserted that Harvard University should cap international enrollment at 15 percent. Chinese international students Chinese international students have come under particular scrutiny from the Trump administration in recent months. The 270,000 Chinese international students studying in the US make up around a quarter of the 1.1 million international students in the country. On 28 May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the DHS would be working closely with the State Department to 'aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students'. Rubio's statement singled out students 'with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields'. It reflects accusations from the Trump administration that Chinese international students pose a national security risk. On 11 June, Trump backtracked on the plan to revoke visas for Chinese students. He posted that the presence of Chinese international students 'has always been good with me'.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
UK regulator tells Universities: Defend free speech, even if it's uncomfortable
British universities are facing a reckoning over the boundaries of speech and academic freedom. In newly issued guidance, the Office for Students, the UK's higher education regulator, has warned institutions that shielding students from legal but controversial ideas poses a threat to core academic principles. The message is unambiguous: Students must not only be allowed to speak freely, but also be prepared to confront opinions that may challenge, disturb, or even offend them. 'This includes things that they may find uncomfortable or shocking,' said Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech at the Office for Students. 'By being exposed to a diversity of academic thought, students will develop their analytical and critical thinking skills. ' A nation at a crossroads The guidance, released Thursday, arrives at a time when concerns are mounting that the UK's higher education system has leaned too far into ideological gatekeeping. Multiple groups, including gender-critical academics and pro-Israel organizations, have accused universities of suppressing lawful expression in deference to student protest. The backlash has grown particularly intense in recent years. In 2021, Professor Kathleen Stock resigned from the University of Sussex following an aggressive campaign by student activists who condemned her views on biological sex. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like We cannot lose another baby to the same disease, help us! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Stock, who argued that sex is binary and immutable, faced calls for dismissal from groups identifying as queer, trans, and nonbinary. In a rare move earlier this year, the Office for Students fined the university £585,000 for failing to protect freedom of speech. Legislation meets the lecture hall The new guidance aims to operationalize the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023, passed under the previous government, to reinforce legal protections for speech on UK campuses. The Office for Students emphasized that while universities must uphold lawful expression, they are not required to tolerate unlawful speech, including content that violates public order, equality, or counter-terrorism laws. In practical terms, universities retain the right to control when, where, and how speech takes place, so long as they do not suppress its substance. This clause aims to balance expression with academic function, ensuring that debates don't disrupt teaching or research. No easy balance Still, the path forward is anything but straightforward. Legal experts caution that the implementation of these rights will remain fraught with complexity. Julian Sladdin, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, told The Guardian that challenges will persist. 'The difficulty which remains in practical terms is the fact that institutions are still subject to dealing day-to-day with extremely complex and often polarizing issues on campus and where the bounds of what may be lawful free speech are constantly being tested,' he was quoted as saying. This regulatory shift may be a necessary correction, but it is unlikely to end the battle between academic liberty and the emotional sensitivities of modern campus life. Beyond tolerance What emerges from this moment is a broader philosophical demand: that universities return to their core mission of cultivating rigorous, uncomfortable inquiry. In a climate where speech can be mistaken for violence and dissent for harm, the regulator's message is firm: Intellectual growth is not always safe, and it was never meant to be. British campuses are now tasked with navigating that reality, not retreating from it. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
