Tracy

I like women’s rights, secular humanitarianism, democracy & multiculturalism. i support the arts, entrepreneurship, public ed & higher learning. blue 💙

[Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib @afalkhatib]

While in Paris, I joined @France24_en in studio to discuss Trump's incoming presidency, the Gaza war, Saudi Arabia's prospects for normalization with Israel, potential US foreign policy as it relates to the West Bank, and Gaza's future potential.

[Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib @afalkhatib]

I drove by the sight of one of the flags that was ripped up by the Maccabi fans a few days ago in Amsterdam. Would an Israeli flag be allowed to stay on the side of a building without being ripped or damaged? If the answer is no, then we have a problem.

[Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib @afalkhatib]

It is a fact that many of the Tel Aviv Maccabi soccer fans acted in a disgusting, racist, and hateful manner in Amsterdam. Some of them spewed hateful slogans, ripped up Palestinian flags, acted in a lawless manner, and screamed racist, anti-Arab chants that certainly escalated the tensions. The narrative among many is that these fans “started it” with said behavior, and this wouldn’t have happened had it not been for the hooliganism of the Israeli fans.

The extent to which many have been justifying random acts of violence against suspected Israelis and Jewish people has been truly grotesque and disturbing, mirroring ways in which many justified and excused Hamas’s criminal and vile October 7 massacre. Many are overlooking that apparently, there were preparations, including ones that Dutch authorities were warned about, to confront the Israeli soccer fans by “pro-Palestine” protesters well before the game and the arrival of these fans.

We’ve seen numerous instances throughout the Gaza war in which Israeli and Jewish-themed events and activities are targeted before their occurrence by activists who seek to disrupt and undermine these events; as though all Jews or Israelis are responsible for the actions of the Israeli government. Some of the Maccabi fans were likely triggered and provoked before the game and going into the stadium, making many react in an equally distasteful, hostile, and racist manner.

However, this doesn’t justify a large random counterattack by local “pro-Palestine” Arab and Muslim residents, who went out looking or “hunting” for Israeli and Jewish fans. We saw horrendous footage of random people being approached, asked to prove that they were not Israeli or Jewish, and some randomly struck, punched, and chased. The level to which many have been willing to excuse violence against random Israelis and Jews is wrong for many reasons, starting with the insensitivity to Jewish history and experiences with hate, antisemitism, violence, and genocide in Europe. Secondly, there have been many forms of hateful and aggressive demonstrations and actions by “pro-Palestine” groups and individuals since the Gaza war broke out – does that mean random Arabs, Muslims, and Palestinians in Amsterdam should fear attacks because some in their communities did violent or hateful acts? Absolutely not. Jews and Israelis should be afforded the same humanity and consideration.

Any act, retribution or pre-meditated, against a group of people based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or politics is despicable, inexcusable, and harmful to whatever cause one champions. The US has done terrible things in the Muslim world, but that doesn’t justify al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks; Europe has done some awful things throughout the world, but that doesn’t justify ISIS’ attacks on France, Britain, and Germany; Israel has/is engaged in horrendous policies and actions against Palestinians, but that doesn’t justify suicide bombings, Hamas’s October 7 massacre, or random acts of antisemitism and violence against suspected Israelis or Jews anywhere.

I am tired of saying this over and over and the fact that I still have to say this: violence begets more violence; violence does not justify random counter-violence; violence weakens one’s moral, political, and social standing; violence is not an acceptable social change or advocacy strategy; random and emotionally-driven violence is not resistance; violence that is driven by and fuels antisemitism is extremely harmful to the Palestinian people’s just and urgent cause and aspirations – I’m tired of people being ready to excuse such detrimental and extraordinarily harmful behavior: when will those who actually care about the Palestinian people’s cause realize that they and the “pro-Palestine” community have a responsibility to be good custodians of the message and that actions have consequences and implications. I am tired of the Palestinian people being associated with the actions of non-Palestinians in the diaspora who act and speak on our behalf in the most unhelpful ways.

I was just in Amsterdam a few days ago and drove by one of the Palestinian flags that was ripped up by the Maccabi fans. While talking to people, this issue came up as a cause of tension within the city, which like many parts of Europe, is a source of immense divisiveness, polarization, and even instability. This cannot go on.

[David Frum @davidfrum]

Big debate in Trump world: should US foreign policy be run by outright Putin sympathizers or should there be some veneer of loyalty to the United States?

[Rep. Dan Goldman @RepDanGoldman]

Our office remains dedicated to serving the people of #NY10 and ensuring the federal government works for them.

From social security checks to taxes, passports to immigration concerns, we're here to help.

https://t.co/evgDN1L5lV

[Rep. Dan Goldman @RepDanGoldman]

By instituting a national abortion ban and tracking women’s pregnancies, Project 2025 would kill women.

In the last video of our series @RepLoisFrankel @RepJudyChu @RepKManning @RepBeccaB @RepJasmine @PPact and I discuss the plan to end reproductive rights.

[Rep. Dan Goldman @RepDanGoldman]

Today is the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht, when widespread Nazi pogroms destroyed Jewish synagogues and 7k businesses, and forced 30k Jews into concentration camps.

The pogrom in Amsterdam reminds us antisemitism is surging worldwide. We must unite against this rising tide.

[Fernando Oliver, Esq. @Fernand46357857]

'Make a big difference': Dems win nearly all swing state Senate races despite Harris loss https://t.co/smNRCnb5gA

[Fernando Oliver, Esq. @Fernand46357857]

'Consequences are severe': Trump ignoring federal law on transitions makes America more 'vulnerable' https://t.co/wCMnH9p13U

[Rep Josh Gottheimer @RepJoshG]

This week, in Bergenfield, NJ, which I represent, protestors gathered in a blatant, antisemitic attempt to harass, intimidate, and scare Jewish families. One held up a photo of Hitler.

It's completely despicable, yet, somehow, unsurprising. For more than a year now, Jews across the world have lived in fear. I know that our communities, our country, and the world can be better than this. It starts by calling out each and every instance of antisemitism — like the ones taking place just miles from my home and around the world.

[Fernando Oliver, Esq. @Fernand46357857]

Expert explains why Trump’s goal of expanding presidential power is 'not going to happen' https://t.co/zVuBO7Vxkj

[Ari Cohn @AriCohn]

3/ § 241, which prohibits conspiracies against rights, is foremost applicable to rights that are safeguarded against private infringement as well - and the First Amendment only restricts the government.

Under 241, First Amendment-based claims can only succeed if there is state action in the conspiracy. And government attempts to influence private actions short of coercion, especially where those actions were the independent desire and decision of the private actors, isn't going to cut it.

[Ari Cohn @AriCohn]

2/ § 242 requires a deprivation of rights "under the color of law." To date, nobody has been able to sufficiently allege a level of coercion sufficient to transform private acts into state action in the way that Marc seems to think.

While I'm on record saying the government must quit jawboning, there's simply no evidence that is has forced anyone to "censor" others in a way that renders those decisions actionable under the First Amendment.

[Ari Cohn @AriCohn]

1/ This is gobbledygook as a piece of writing (such as it is). What does he even mean by this "[kitchen sink] censorship machine]?" The specifics matter.

It's also just...wrong.

Both statutes require state action, which he does not identify because it doesn't exist.

[Shri Thanedar @ShriThanedar]

My pledge to you is that I will never stop fighting until we codify reproductive rights into federal law.

We must protect women’s rights.

[Habib Khan @HabibKhanT]

A group of women rallied in London in solidarity with Ahoo Daryaei, the Iranian activist detained after protesting university harassment over hijab rules. She is now in a mental institution, likely facing torture.

[Visegrád 24 @visegrad24]

BREAKING:

German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck:

"The regulation of algorithms, of X or TikTok, through the application of European legal norms is a central task.

We cannot place “democratic discourse” in the hands of @elonmusk or Chinese software”

[Taniel @Taniel]

If you voted by mail in big chunks of California, in Denver's northern suburbs (Adams/Weld), & in some parts of Arizona, the final breakdown of the U.S. House may come down to whether your ballot encountered any issue — and, if so, whether you can and do 'cure' it.

[ACLU @ACLU]

BREAKING: We’re asking the Arizona Supreme Court to extend the state’s ballot curing deadline beyond Sunday, November 10 at 5pm to ensure every voter has adequate time to make sure their vote is counted.

[The New Yorker @NewYorker]

Everyone who realizes with proper alarm that Donald Trump’s reëlection is a deeply dangerous moment in American life must think hard about where we are, David Remnick writes. https://t.co/lDmENZam5l