MEDIA-OCRITY OF THE WEEK
“It has become increasingly clear that shared fear as of a nuclear Iran…concerns about the perceived retreat of the United States from the region, and…greater economic ties between Israel and the Arab world—now seem to be a greater priority for several Arab governments than an immediate resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ‘Israel is the only one that, kinetically perhaps, is taking on Iran—in Syria, in Iraq, in Lebanon, in Iran itself. . .’” – columnist Patrick Kingsley. (NY Times, Mar. 25, 2022)
Song Performed at a Palestinian wedding goads Putin to increase attacks, banish Ukrainians so Palestinians can marry Ukrainian women; encourages China to invade Taiwan “to smash the nose of the Americans.”— MEMRI (Twitter, Mar. 14, 2022)
“We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight to the end, at sea, in the air, We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in t9he forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.” — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, addressing the British Parliament on Zoom. (NY Times, Mar. 23, 2022)“Russia can’t come out of this with an unequivocal victory. What’s realistic is that it can reach some understanding with the Ukrainians.” — Zvi Magen, senior research fellow at the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies. In the fourth week of its invasion into Ukraine, Russia finds itself bogged down, struggling to seize major cities, coping with low morale among Russian forces and facing an unexpectedly vigorous Ukrainian defense increasingly armed by a world indignant over attacks on civilians and their cities. (JNS, Mar. 24, 2022)
“For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power” – – President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw on Saturday. Biden, who also called Putin a “butcher”, committed a second gaffe, telling 82nd Airborne troops at a meeting that they’d be going to Ukraine. White House staff sought to “explain” his remarks [but Biden, once back in Washington, stood by them–Editor]. (WSJ, Mar. 27, 2022)
“Vladimir Putin’s cynically named “special military operation” has placed my country into pariah status— rightly, given the atrocities, human rights violations and brazen disregard for sovereignty that he has unleashed on Ukraine. . .we’ve been yanked back into the Soviet era. … For Ukrainians, the war has mean hell on earth. Countless lives shattered. … Schools, hospitals, residential buildings destroyed by bombs, innocent people reportedly shot dead in the street. . .immeasurably cruel, unfair and devastating. . . We will remake Russia, of course, slowly and patiently, just like the generations before us. But not before this one crumbles first.” –Varia Bertsova, the founder of Soviet Visuals, an online archive of images from across the former U.S.S.R. (NY Times, Mar. 20, 2022)
“[Biden] wants more gas for Europe from U.S. companies he wants to put out of business”. — Editorial. (WSJ, Mar. 25, 2022)
“Can you provide a definition for the word woman?” — Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn to Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearing. “Can I provide a definition? No. I can’t,” Jackson said. “You can’t?” Blackburn retorted. “Not in this context. I’m not a biologist,” Jackson replied. … Jackson does not lack common sense. She can define the word woman. If she can’t, she should ask President Biden. He made it clear he picked Jackson because she’s a black woman. Jackson’s flaw is that her commitment to truth is fungible based on how truth impacts her politics. She’s a politician, not a judge, not an arbiter of truth.” – columnist Jason Whitlock. (Blaze Media, Mar. 23, 2022)
‘YOU’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME,’ IRGC THREATENS ISRAEL (Tehran) — A Twitter account affiliated with the Iran Revolutionary Guards posted an explicit threat against Israel, saying, “Do you think it all ended with Erbil? You’re running out of time.” The post alluded to an IRGC drone and missile attack on Erbil International Airport in northern Iraq last week. (Israel Hayom, Mar. 24, 2022)
LAWMAKERS SKEPTICAL OF BIDEN EFFORT TO RESURRECT IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL (Washington) — The Biden administration’s efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal is facing growing skepticism in Congress from both Democrats and Republicans. Lawmakers in both parties say they have been left mainly in the dark about what a new agreement with Iran might look like. They also fear it will be significantly weaker than the deal former President Obama cut in 2015 because the United States has lost time and leverage. (The Hill, Mar. 21, 1011)
49 SENATE REPUBLICANS TELL PRESIDENT BIDEN: AN IRAN AGREEMENT WITHOUT BROAD CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT WILL NOT SURVIVE (Washington) — Forty-nine Republican Senators told the Biden Administration they will not support the revived Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran, which, according to public reports, will weaken sanctions and lessen restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program. The Senators include U.S. Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate minority leader. (Foreign Relations, Mar. 14, 2022)
ACT NOW! TELL U.S. TO KEEP IRANIAN GUARD ON TERROR BLACKLIST (Washington) — The Biden administration appears likely to delist the IRGC to help clinch a nuclear agreement with the Iranians. Demand that the U.S. not delist the IRGC. Contact President Joe Biden through the White House website. Contact Secretary of State Antony Blinken through the State Department website. (United With Israel, Mar. 24, 2022)
ISRAEL ANNOUNCES 10 NEW TOWNS IN THE NEGEV (Jerusalem) — After the Israeli government approved the establishment of the new ultra-Orthodox city of Kasif in the Negev and the community of Nitzana, it is expected to approve ten more towns in the Negev. (WIN, Mar. 23, 2022)
TABLET WITH GOD’S NAME, BIBLICAL CURSE, DISCOVERED ON ‘CURSE MOUNT’ EBAL IN SAMARIA (Samaria) — A small, folded 3,200year-old lead tablet may shed new light on Biblical study as we know it. The tablet, discovered on Mount Ebal in Samaria, known as the biblical “Curse Mountain,” includes the explicit name of God and the text of a curse, both in the ancient Hebrew script. (Jewish Press, Mar. 25, 2022)
MOROCCO AND ISRAEL TO COOPERATE IN CIVILIAN AEROSPACE PROJECTS (Rabat) — Israel and Morocco signed an agreement to cooperate in civilian aerospace projects as the two countries push for closer economic ties after resuming their diplomatic relationship last year. Moroccan Industry Minister Ryad Mezzour said the agreement would cover potential innovation and airplane maintenance and transformation projects after a signing ceremony in Rabat with Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI) chief Amir Peretz. (Reuters, Mar. 23, 2022)
UAE PUBLISHES BOOK ON ZIONISM WRITTEN BY TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS (Abu Dhabi) — The UAE’s largest public research institute—the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research—published Zionism in Arab Discourse by Professor Uriya Shavit, head of the Religious Studies Program and the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry, both at Tel Aviv University. (JNS, Mar. 23, 2022)
JEWISH STUDENTS CONVEY CONCERN OVER ANTI-ISRAEL MEASURES PASSED AT TWO MONTREAL UNIVERSITIES (Montreal) — Jewish students and community groups are decrying the passage of anti-Israel measures at two Montreal schools of higher education. At Concordia University, 86 percent of students voters agreed to allow the school to “adopt a position against the practice of apartheid and divest from any investments and withdraw any financial or vocal support from states or businesses involved in apartheid.” Meanwhile, students voted in favor of the Students’ Society of McGill University, SSMU, adopting a Palestine Solidarity Policy , with 71 percent of students in favor and 29 percent opposed. (JNS, Mar. 23, 2022)
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, FIRST FEMALE US SECRETARY OF STATE, DIES AT 84 (Washington) — Madeleine Albright, 84, the first female US secretary of state has died from cancer. Albright was a central figure in President Bill Clinton’s administration, first serving as US ambassador to the United Nations before becoming the nation’s top diplomat in his second term. (CNN, Mar. 23, 2022)
DESIGN UNVEILED FOR NATIONAL LGBTQ2+ MONUMENT TO BE BUILT IN OTTAWA BY 2025 (Ottawa) — A national LGBTQ monument will be built in Ottawa by 2025. The winning design, featuring a silver mirrored mosaic interior influenced by a thunderhead cloud and disco balls, was unveiled at an event attended by Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez. The $8-million monument, designed by a team including Winnipeg landscape architects Public City, will include a viewing platform, stage, herb garden, healing circle, and seating areas. (Globe and Mail,Mar. 24, 2022)
SAUDI ARAMCO’S JEDDAH OIL DEPOT HIT BY HOUTHI ATTACK(Riyadh) — Yemen’s Houthis rebels acknowledged a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia after state media in the kingdom reported rocket and drone strikes targeting an oil depot in Jeddah and other facilities in Riyadh. A huge plume of black smoke was seen rising from the plant in Jeddah, as the city prepared to host a Formula One race on Sunday. (Al Jazeera, Mar. 26, 2022)
In ‘Ukrainian Military Oscars’, Ukraine Mocks Russia and Promotes its Army: Michael Starr, Jerusalem Post, Mar. 29, 2022 — The Ukrainian Defense Ministry shared a series of posts mocking Russian forces and promoting its military on social media on Tuesday night in what was called the “Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Oscars 2022,” following the 94th Academy Awards ceremony on Monday.
America First Exposing Biden’s State Dept. $1 Million Grant Soliciting Attacks on Israel: David Israel, Jewish Press, Mar. 23, 2022 — America First Legal Foundation (AFL), a national, nonprofit organization working to promote the rule of law in the United States, on March 16 filed a “Freedom of Information Act Request for Records Regarding the Biden Administration’s Efforts to Undermine Israel and Advance BDS.”
