The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has demanded the University of Pennsylvania provide personal information about Jewish faculty, staff, and students, sparking strong criticism. Faculty groups, including the American Association of University Professors, have intervened in the lawsuit, denouncing the request as an egregious overreach with potentially dangerous historical implications. The university, which established a taskforce to combat antisemitism, initially refused to comply with the subpoena, citing concerns about privacy and safety for the Jewish community. The EEOC maintains its commitment to investigating workplace antisemitism and seeks to identify potential victims, but the faculty groups argue that the request to create a centralized registry of Jewish individuals infringes on fundamental rights and evokes disturbing historical parallels.
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The suspect, Stephen Spencer Pittman, confessed to setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, citing its “Jewish ties” as the reason, according to the FBI. Pittman, who was found to have set the fire with gasoline, was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire. Authorities used Pittman’s phone data and text messages to his father, where he admitted to the arson and included pictures of the synagogue, to help determine his movements before the fire. If convicted, Pittman faces a sentence of five to twenty years in prison.
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This piece examines the apparent paradox of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) focus on New York City’s first Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani, while largely ignoring or even defending prominent Republicans accused of antisemitism and Christian nationalism. The article contends that the ADL’s actions seem less about combating antisemitism and more about preserving the current power dynamics in Israel. The author argues that labeling calls for Palestinian equality as antisemitic is a misrepresentation of the issue. This is because such a demand could disrupt the existing Jewish majority, potentially leading to a binational democracy that challenges the established status quo.
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Upon assuming office, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked multiple executive orders issued by his predecessor, Eric Adams, including those related to Israel. These revocations eliminated the ban on boycotts against Israel, the city’s adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and a requirement for the police chief to evaluate protest rules. The move drew criticism from pro-Israel groups who accused Mamdani, a known pro-Palestinian activist, of pushing an anti-Israel agenda. Despite these actions, Mamdani also emphasized his commitment to combating antisemitism by maintaining the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism.
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In a move that immediately shifted the political landscape, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revoked several executive orders put in place by his predecessor, Eric Adams, including directives concerning antisemitism and the city’s relationship with Israel. These actions, signed on Thursday, were implemented just hours after Mamdani’s inauguration and occurred after Adams was indicted. The revoked orders specifically addressed the definition of antisemitism and barred city employees from boycotting Israel. While some Jewish leaders criticized the move, civil liberties groups supported the changes.
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An 18-year-old has been charged with performing Nazi salutes at two Canberra shopping centers and placing “propaganda-style stickers” in public spaces. The individual is also facing charges of trespassing at the Australian National University and damaging commonwealth property. A search warrant executed at his residence resulted in the seizure of electronic devices and other items. Authorities emphasized that antisemitism is not tolerated and the actions caused pain and anguish. The AFP’s counter-terrorism team, established to address threats to social cohesion, is investigating.
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The MAGA movement, born from Donald Trump’s racist rhetoric in 2015, now grapples with internal debates about acceptable levels of racism and antisemitism. Figures like J.D. Vance and Vivek Ramaswamy are navigating this fraught landscape, with Vance making controversial statements about white identity and Ramaswamy experiencing racist backlash despite previously downplaying such issues. This internal conflict is further fueled by the actions of individuals like Nick Fuentes, a white supremacist, and the Heritage Foundation, creating division within the movement. Ultimately, the article suggests that MAGA is struggling with its own toxic ideologies.
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The MAGA coalition is experiencing a potential breakdown, evidenced by staff defections from The Heritage Foundation and growing disagreements among prominent leaders regarding the acceptance of bigoted individuals within the movement. This division arises from the broadening scope of MAGA bigotry and Trump’s weakening influence, creating a leadership vacuum. Some Republicans are objecting to the increasing embrace of antisemitism and other forms of hate, indicating a shift away from Trump’s earlier tolerance of such views. This fracturing highlights the internal struggle over the future direction of the Republican Party as a successor is sought.
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Walid Saadaoui and Amar Hussein were convicted of plotting a deadly gun attack targeting Manchester’s Jewish community, with any Christian victims considered a secondary target. Saadaoui, inspired by the 2015 Paris attacks, sought to acquire assault rifles and handguns, even conducting reconnaissance of potential targets. The two men were caught in an undercover sting operation. Saadaoui’s brother, Bilel, was found guilty of failing to disclose information about the plot. Police authorities have called the investigation “the largest scale and most complex covert counter-terrorism investigation ever conducted in the North West.”
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Laura Loomer, a prominent ally of Donald Trump, recently stated that Democrats were potentially correct in their accusations of some conservatives harboring Nazi sympathies, citing an undeniable neo-Nazi problem within the right. She has warned the Republican Party of potential election losses in upcoming midterms and the 2028 election if it ignores this issue. Loomer has criticized those on the right, calling for moral clarity and condemning any attempts to incite hatred against Jewish people and Christian Zionists. These comments come amidst internal divisions within the GOP, as demonstrated during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where conservative influencers debated issues like Israel and antisemitism.
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John Q. Hosedrinker