Cornell student Patrick Dai charged for making threats online to the Cornell Jewish community

https://ithacavoice.org/2023/10/suspect-in-custody-in-threats-against-cornell-jewish-community

Update: Cornell student charged in threats against school’s Jewish community

by Matt Butler and Judy Lucas October 31, 2023Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks Monday morning at Cornell, with Cornell President Martha Pollack by her side. Credit: Michael Groll / Office of Governor Hochul

Update (8:26 p.m.): Federal prosecutors have announced charges against a Cornell University student for the violent threats posted online directed at the university’s Jewish community.

Patrick Dai, a 21-year-old junior at Cornell, was arrested Tuesday on a charge of posting threats to kill or injure another using interstate communications, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Southwick in a press release. Dai is originally from Pittsford, New York.

The release states that Dai is suspected of issuing all of the threats, which were posted under various anonymous usernames on Sunday. Dai will appear in federal court Nov. 1 in Syracuse.

Dai will face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 and a term of supervised release of up to three years, according to Southwick.

Southwick does not disclose whether Dai’s threats appeared to be serious or not.

Ithaca Police and federal agents were observed raiding a building on Eddy Street in Collegetown Tuesday afternoon. IPD Acting Chief Ted Schwartz said questions had to be directed to the FBI Albany office. The Ithaca Voice is awaiting more information from the FBI on the results of the raid.

FBI Activity in Cornell University’s Collegetown pic.twitter.com/p0CfBa87XU

— Sam Aberman (@samaberman) October 31, 2023

Original Story:

ITHACA, N.Y.—Cornell University officials and Gov. Kathy Hochul confirmed the arrest of a person of interest who allegedly posted violent threats against the school’s Jewish student population via an online forum Sunday.

No details about the individual have been released, including whether the person is affiliated with Cornell or not, or where they were found. According to a tweet from the governor, the person was taken into custody Tuesday morning.

Hochul, who visited the university Monday morning in the wake of the threats, posted a tweet around 1 p.m. Tuesday announcing a person of interest was taken into custody by the New York State Police for questioning.

Whether or not the person is in federal custody is unclear, despite Gov. Hochul’s statement crediting the NYS Police for their work. Police have yet to confirm any arrest in the case. Local law enforcement officials were also unaware of any arrests made in the case.

However, Cornell University Vice President of University Relations Joel Malina also confirmed the arrest in a statement to The Ithaca Voice.

“We can confirm that a subject has been identified as a suspect in the antisemitic threats made against our Jewish students on Sunday and is currently in custody,” Malina said. “We thank the FBI and other law enforcement agencies for their coordination. We will update the public as we have further details to release.”

The arrest comes two days after the threats were posted on the GreekRank forum page for Cornell, which is not affiliated with the school. Posted anonymously from several different accounts, the posts included various graphic threats targeting Jewish students on campus and threatened to “shoot up” 104West!, the kosher and multicultural dining hall on campus next to the Center for Jewish Living.

There are about 3,500 Jewish students enrolled at Cornell, equaling about one-fifth of the total student population at the school, according to Cornell’s Hillel chapter.

This is a developing story. More details will be added once they are confirmed.

Antisemitic death threats against Cornell students posted on social media site Greek Rank

 

Ripping down posters depicting the people taken hostage by Hamas

https://twitter.com/JulieMenin/status/1717551132879294665 

The names of those killed by Hamas

The names of those killed in Hamas massacres and the Israel-Hamas War 

Over 1,300 Israelis, civilians and soldiers were killed in their homes, communities and in confronting Hamas terrorists. Here are the officially confirmed names of Israel's dead in the atrocities of October 7 and the subsequent Israel-Hamas war. This list of 902 names will be continuously updated with names that have been cleared for publication.

Anti-Israel graffiti on Cornell campus

 https://www.thecornellreview.org/cornell-anti-israel-graffiti-messages/

Spray paint on the main sidewalk of Campus Road, depicting messages such as “Zionism = Racism” and “Israel is Fascist” appeared on Wednesday morning.

Some time before 9:00 AM, the graffiti began on Campus Road sidewalks between Olin and Sage Halls on campus. As-yet unknown perpetrators painted messages in red and white spray paint and displayed the following messages along the primary thoroughfare: “Israel is Fascist,” “Zionism = Racism,” “Free Palestine,” and “F*ck Israel.” 

Another photo of the graffiti, from Twitter (Sam Friedman) 

Later on Cornell sent people to clean up the graffiti.

It's time for a ceasefire in Gaza

 

It's time for a ceasefire. So many people are dying, and for what? https://t.co/8tR6KWg8kN

— RebLesses 🇺🇦🐈‍⬛✡️ (@argaman) October 26, 2023

Wael Dahdouh is a journalist for Al Jazeera in Gaza, and his wife, son, and daughter were all just killed by an Israeli airstrike on the Nuseirat refugee camp.

— RebLesses 🇺🇦🐈‍⬛✡️ (@argaman) October 26, 2023

How does it help Israel to kill innocent civilians in Gaza? They aren't a military target. The Israeli government says it wants to destroy Hamas. How does killing thousands of civilians help to destroy Hamas?

— RebLesses 🇺🇦🐈‍⬛✡️ (@argaman) October 26, 2023

Israel told Gazans to go south, but then it also bombs them in the south.

— RebLesses 🇺🇦🐈‍⬛✡️ (@argaman) October 26, 2023

The hospitals are running out of fuel that they need to generate electricity to keep people alive. People are running out of food and water.

— RebLesses 🇺🇦🐈‍⬛✡️ (@argaman) October 26, 2023

It's time for a ceasefire and for bringing food, water, fuel, and medical supplies into Gaza.

— RebLesses 🇺🇦🐈‍⬛✡️ (@argaman) October 26, 2023

The Last Dance (after Matisse), by Marian Boo

 

So much for "peaceful" protests against Israeli actions in Gaza in Berlin

https://www.thelocal.de/20231019/65-berlin-police-injured-at-pro-palestinian-protests

More than 60 Berlin police officers injured at pro-Palestinian protests

AFP - news@thelocal.com 
Published: 19 Oct, 2023 CET.Updated: Thu 19 Oct 2023 11:17 CET

Demonstrators near Berlin's Sonnenallee set off pyrotechnics on Wednesday evening. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Paul Zinken

Sixty-five police officers were injured at overnight protests in Berlin against Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip, authorities said Thursday, as demonstrators defied bans on such gatherings. 

Bild Daily said a call had gone out on Telegram calling on "men" to "turn Neukölln into Gaza. Burn everything". 

As police ordered protesters to disperse, "rubbish bins and obstacles were put on the streets" and "stones and pyrotechnics were thrown" at them, prompting police to respond by firing water-cannon, said authorities. 

Since Israel began its relentless bombing raids on Gaza in response to Hamas' deadly attack on October 7th, pro-Palestinian protests have erupted across major German cities despite widespread bans. 

The officers were "wounded by stones, flammable liquid and acts of resistance," Berlin police said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. A police spokeswoman said 174 people were arrested, including 65 who will be facing investigations. 

The gathering had begun late Wednesday in Neukölln, a district with a large Arab community. 

The number of anti-Semitic incidents has also jumped, with a synagogue in Berlin hit by Molotov cocktails early Wednesday. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday urged authorities to prevent demonstrations that could degenerate into anti-Semitic incitement. Gatherings where "anti-Semitic slogans are shouted, where the deaths of other human beings are glorified" must be outlawed, said Scholz.

The murdered, kidnapped, and missing victims of Hamas in Be'eri, Nir Oz, and Kfar Aza

Dr. Rachel Elior, Professor Emerita in Jewish Thought at the Hebrew University, was one of my dissertation advisors. I studied the Hekhalot literature with her in a seminar in the late 1980s when I was in Israel, and from her I learned to love this literature.

She just posted this on Facebook (my translation from the Hebrew):

110 murdered in Be'eri (kibbutz near the border with Gaza). 
At least 80 members of (kibbutz) Nir Oz - a small kibbutz of about 400 people - are listed as missing. More than 25 were murdered.
In Kibbutz Kfar Aza, which had more than 800 people before the catastrophe, 52 Kibbutz members were murdered, seven were kidnapped to Gaza, and 13 are missing. Six more were wounded. Also in this case the numbers are not final

 

This statement by Israeli progressives (publicized by the Shalom Center) calls out the inexcusable members of the left who have come out in support of Hamas.

The Shalom Center If you are a leader in any form of Jewish spiritual or other organizational life, please preserve this statement. We will be back to you for a possible support statement in the next couple of days.

Israeli Progressives Speak Out on War We emphasize: there is no contradiction between staunchly opposing the Israeli subjugation and occupation of Palestinians and unequivocally condemning brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians. We, Israel-based academics, thought leaders and progressive activists committed to peace, equality, justice, and human rights, are deeply pained and shocked by the recent events in our region. We are also deeply concerned by the inadequate response from certain American and European progressives regarding the targeting of Israeli civilians by Hamas, a response which reflects a disturbing trend in the global left's political culture. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack that included mass murder of innocent civilians in their homes, indiscriminate violence towards women, the elderly, and children, and mass kidnappings of Israeli citizens. Entire families were wiped out in this carnage, whole communities were reduced to ashes, bodies were maimed, infants were massacred. It is impossible to overstate the damage caused by these events, both on a personal and a collective level. The traumatizing events of that Saturday in October will leave a lasting mark on our hearts and memories. As expected, in response to Hamas's actions, the State of Israel launched a massive military operation in Gaza.We still cannot estimate the death toll of these attacks, but it is likely to be higher than anything we have witnessed heretofore. This cycle of aggression severely undermines our long-standing struggle against oppression and violence and in pursuit of full rights and equality for all residents of Israel-Palestine. At this moment, more than ever, we need support and solidarity from the global left, in the form of an unequivocal call against indiscriminate violence towards civilians on both sides. Many of our peers worldwide have expressed strong opposition to Hamas's attack and have offered unambiguous support for its victims. Prominent voices in the Arab world, too, have made it clear that there is no justification for sadistic murder of innocent people. However, to our dismay, some elements within the global left, individuals who were, until now, our political partners, have reacted with indifference to these horrific events and sometimes even justified Hamas's actions. Some have refused to condemn the violence, claiming that outsiders have no right to judge the actions of the oppressed. Others have downplayed the suffering and trauma, arguing that Israeli society brought this tragedy upon itself. Yet others have shielded themselves from the moral shock through historical comparisons and rationalization. And there are even those – no small number – for whom the darkest day in our society’s history was a cause for celebration. This array of responses surprised us. We never imagined that individuals on the left, advocates of equality, freedom, justice, and welfare, would reveal such extreme moral insensitivity and political recklessness. Let us be clear: Hamas is a theocratic and repressive organization that vehemently opposes the attempt to promote peace and equality in the Middle East. Its core commitments are fundamentally inconsistent with progressive principles, and thus the inclination of certain leftists to react affirmatively to its actions is utterly absurd. Moreover, there is no justification for shooting civilians in their homes; no rationalization for the murder of children in front of their parents; no reasoning for the persecution and execution of partygoers. Legitimizing or excusing these actions amounts to a betrayal of the fundamental principles of left-wing politics. We emphasize: there is no contradiction between staunchly opposing the Israeli subjugation and occupation of Palestinians and unequivocally condemning brutal acts of violence against innocent civilians. In fact, every consistent leftist must hold both positions simultaneously. The seventh of October is a dark day in the history of Israel-Palestine and the lives of the peoples of this region. Those who refuse to condemn Hamas's actions do immense damage to the prospects of peace becoming a viable, relevant political option. They weaken the left’s ability to present a positive social and political horizon, turning it into an extreme, narrow, and alienating political force. We call on our peers on the left to return to a politics based on humanistic and universal principles, to take a clear stance against human rights abuse of any form, and to assist us in the struggle to break the cycle of violence and destruction. Prof. Aviad Kleinberg, President of the Ruppin Academic Center ,קליינברג אביעד' פרופ Avirama Golan, author and journalist ,גולן אבירמה Ibtisam Mara'ana, Former MK, Labor Party ,מראענה אבתיסאם Adam Raz, Historian, Human rights activist ,רז אדם Prof. Eva Illouz, Directrice d’études EHESS Paris, Membre of Institute for Israeli Thought ,אילוז אווה' פרופ Dr. Ofek Birnholtz, Bar Ilan University ,בירנהולץ אופק ר"ד Ortal Ben Dayan, Social Activist ,דיין בן אורטל Ori Ben Dov, Social Activist ,דב בן אורי Uri Weltmann, National Field Organizer - Standing Together ,וולטמן אורי Ori Kol, Social Entrepreneur ,קול אורי Dr. Orit Sônia Waisman, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem ,ויסמן סוניה אורית ר"ד Eilon Tohar, Social Activist ,טוהר אילון Iris Leal, Author ,לעאל איריס Alon-Lee Green, National Co-Director of Standing Together ,גרין לי -אלון Dr. Eli Cook, Head of the General History Department, Haifa University ,קוק אלי ר"ד Dr. Almog Kasher, Bar Ilan University ,כשר אלמוג ר"ד Prof. Orna Ben-Naftali, the College of Management Law Faculty and the Van Leer ,נפתלי -בן ארנה' פרופ Jerusalem Institute Josh Drill, Social Activist ,דריל וש'ג Ghadir Hani, peace activist, Standing Together ,האני גדיר Prof. Gila Stopler, Faculty of Law, College of Law and Business ,סטופלר גילה' פרופ Prof. Galia Sabar, Tel Aviv University. Former President of Ruppin College ,צבר גליה פרופ׳ Dr. Dov Khenin, Former MK, Hadash, Tel Aviv University ,חנין דב ר"ד David Grossman, author ,גרוסמן דויד Dorit Hadar Persky, M.A teacher for special education, David Yellin Academic College of ,פרסקי הדר דורית Education, Jerusalem Prof. Danny Gutwein, Haifa University ,גוטוויין דני' פרופ Prof. Dani Filc, MD PhD, Standing Together ,פילק דני פרופ׳ Dr. Hagar Gal, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem ,גל הדר ר"ד Vered Livne, former Director General of The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and ,ליבנה ורד leadership member of Standing Together Taleb el-Sana, Former MK, Arab Democratic Party, Head of High Committee for Arab Citizens ,סאנע-א טלב of the Negev Yoav Hareven, leadership member of Standing Together ,הראבן יואב Prof. Yoav Goldberg, Bar-Ilan University ,גולדברג יואב' פרופ Prof. Jonathan Rubin, Bar Ilan University ,רובין יונתן' פרופ Yossi Sucary, Author ,סוכרי יוסי Dr. Yofi Tirosh, Tel Aviv University ,תירוש יופי ר"ד Prof. Yael Hashiloni-Dolev, Ben-Gurion University, Sociology and Anthropology ,דולב -השילוני יעל' פרופ Department Dr. Yael Sternhell, Tel Aviv University, שטרנהל יעל ר"ד Dr. Yiftah Goldman, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem ,גולדמן יפתח ד״ר Dr. Carmel Shalev, Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University ,שלו כרמל ר"ד Dr. Lisa Kainan, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem ,קינן ליסה ר"ד Prof. Meir Yaish, Haifa University, יעיש מאיר' פרופ Mossi Raz, former MK, Meretz ,רז מוסי Dr. Meital Pinto, Zefat Academic College, Ono Academic College ,פינטו מיטל ר"ד Meital Peleg Mizrachi, Postdoctoral fellow at Yale University, environmental justice ,מזרחי פלג מיטל researcher Mickey Gitzin, New Israel Fund, Executive Director in Israel ,גיצין מיקי Dr. Miri Lavi Neeman, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies ,נאמן לביא מירי ר"ד Nadav Bigelman, Social Activist, member of Standing Together ,ביגלמן נדב Prof. Noam Zohar, Bar Ilan Univesity ,זהר נעם' פרופ Niv Meyerson, Social and environmental justice activist ,מאירסון ניב Sally Abed, Member of national leadership, Standing Together ,עבד סאלי Dr. Adi Makmal, Engineering Faculty, Bar-Ilan Uni. Israel ,מכמל עדי ר"ד Odeh Bisharat, Writer ,באשארת עודה Prof. Eran Dorfman, Literature Department, Tel Aviv University ,דורפמן עירן' פרופ Prof. Amit Schejter, department of communication studies, Ben-Gurion University, chairman ,שכטר עמית' פרופ of ACRI Dr. Anat Herbst-Debby, The Gender Studies program, Bar-Ilan University ,דבי-הרבסט ענת ר"ד Dr. Ofri Ilany, Van Leer Institute, historian and journalist ,אילני עפרי ר"ד Eran Nissan, Mehazkim, CEO ,ניסן ערן Tzlil Rubinshtein, Social Activist ,רובינשטיין צליל Ran Heilbrunn, Writer ,היילברון רן Dr. Ronit Donyets Kedar, College of Law and Business ,קידר-דוניץ רונית ר"ד Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, Bar-Ilan University Faculty of Law ,קדרי-הלפרין רות' פרופ Dr. Raphael Zagury-Orly, Institut Catholique de Paris ,אורלי- זגורי רפאל ר"ד Dr. Shlomit Aharoni Lir, Bar Ilan University ,ליר אהרוני שלומית ר"ד Prof. Sharon Armon-Lotem, Bar-Ilan University ,לוטם- ערמון שרון' פרופ Tom Yagil, Social and Environmental Justice Activist ,יגיל תום Dr. Tamar Ascher Shai, David Yellin Academic College of Education, Jerusalem ,שי אשר תמר ר"ד.

If you are a leader in any form of Jewish spiritual or other organizational life, please preserve this statement. We will be back to you for a possible support statement in the next couple of days. If you were joyful to see The Shalom Center’s providing ideas and resources to create a more just and loving Earth and Humanity, or saddened but had your determination to act for change strengthened by a Shalom Center report of danger, please help us keep doing this work by contributing. We are about to be 40 years old and we are working to transform ourselves for the next 40; if you can quadruple your last gift, please do! Click here: theshalomcenter.org/donate

Was the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians "exhilarating"?

Professor Russell Rickford of Cornell speaking on Sunday, October 15 at a rally in downtown Ithaca about the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians the week before.

From the Cornell Daily Sun report on his speech:

Rickford stated that he was initially “exhilarated” by Hamas’s attack on Israel, in which 1,400 Israelis were killed. The United States and the European Union classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

“Hamas has challenged the monopoly of violence. And in those first few hours, even as horrific acts were being carried out, many of which we would not learn about until later, there are many Gazans of good will, many Palestinians of conscience, who abhor violence, as do you, as do I. Who abhor the targeting of civilians, as do you, as do I,” Rickford said during the rally. “Who were able to breathe, they were able to breathe for the first time in years. It was exhilarating. It was energizing. And if they weren’t exhilarated by this challenge to the monopoly of violence, by this shifting of the balance of power, then they would not be human. I was exhilarated.”

He added: “What has Hamas done? Hamas has shifted the balance of power. Hamas has punctured the illusion of invincibility. That’s what they have done. You don’t have to be a Hamas supporter to recognize that,” Rickford said. “Hamas has changed the terms of the debate. Israeli officials are right — nothing will be the same again.”

This is sickening. I have heard Rickford speak at demonstrations in Ithaca in the last few years, and regardless of the reason for the demonstration, he always obsessively ties Israel to whatever evil the demonstration is protesting.

On Friday night, October 6, I was about to fall asleep at about midnight when I noticed an alert on my phone about an attack in Israel. I was surprised and went to my computer, and stayed up for several hours listening to the coverage on the Israeli network Kann, reading tweets and postings on Facebook. It was clear very early that the Hamas terrorists were attacking civilians. We didn't learn of all the attacks immediately, of course, but if you wanted to know, you could find information. 

The Cornell president issued a good statement:

In a University statement sent around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, President Martha Pollack referred broadly to faculty who have spoken positively about Hamas.

“I am sickened by statements glorifying the evilness of Hamas terrorism. Any members of our community who have made such statements do not speak for Cornell; in fact, they speak in direct opposition to all we stand for at Cornell,” Pollack said. “There is no justification for or moral equivalent to these violent and abhorrent acts.”

 This is her full statement:

Supporting one another as we stand against hatred (Follow up on events in Israel)
Oct. 16, 2023

Dear Cornell Community,

The despicable atrocities perpetrated by the Hamas terrorist organization in Israel last week left the world reeling with shock, horror, anger and grief. The brutal attacks shattered countless innocent lives, caused unimaginable pain and challenged our very understanding of humanity. The intentional targeting and killing of innocent civilians is the very definition of terrorism. I am sickened by statements glorifying the evilness of Hamas terrorism. Any members of our community who have made such statements do not speak for Cornell; in fact, they speak in direct opposition to all we stand for at Cornell. There is no justification for or moral equivalent to these violent and abhorrent acts.

I am outraged by them and, along with senior leadership of the Cornell Board of Trustees, I again condemn them in the strongest possible terms.

The Cornell community on our campuses and around the world includes students, faculty, staff and alumni who are Israeli, Palestinian and others who have close ties to the region. As the fighting there continues, the pain and suffering felt by all people throughout the region is and will be completely heart-wrenching. I am a grandmother and I weep for the Israeli babies who were murdered or kidnapped; I weep for the Palestinian babies now in harm’s way.

Please know that the safety of all members of our community remains a top priority. On the Ithaca campus, Cornell Police have increased patrols and police presence and are working with the Office of Emergency Management and with city, state and federal agencies to continually assess conditions. They are also in close coordination with the public safety teams on our campuses in New York City and beyond.

Our community must, as it always has, stand against hatred of all forms. I am inspired by our Jewish, Palestinian and Muslim students who were joined by others in holding peaceful vigils last week and who were generous in their expression of shared loss for all in the region. I hope that the Cornell community is able to find grace, care and empathy for one another, and to support one another in the very difficult days ahead.

As we reflect on the pain of all those affected, and mourn the loss of innocent lives, I pray for the safe return of all hostages, and that our collective humanity will prevail over hate.

Sincerely,

Martha E. Pollack
President

 Update - Denunciation of Rickford's words by the president of Cornell.

Statement of President Pollack and Board Chair Kayser on Prof. Russell Rickford comments
Oct. 17, 2023

We learned yesterday of comments that Professor Russell Rickford made over the weekend at an off-campus rally where he described the Hamas terrorist attacks as “exhilarating.” This is a reprehensible comment that demonstrates no regard whatsoever for humanity. As we said in yesterday’s statement, endorsed by senior leadership of the Board of Trustees, any members of our community who have made such statements do not speak for Cornell; in fact, they speak in direct opposition to all we stand for at Cornell. The university is taking this incident seriously and is currently reviewing it consistent with our procedures.

Martha E. Pollack

President

Kraig H. Kayser, MBA ’84
Chairman of the Cornell University Board of Trustees

 Update, October 19 - statement from Rickford in the Cornell Daily Sun

I apologize for the horrible choice of words that I used in a portion of a speech that was intended to stress grassroots African American, Jewish and Palestinian traditions of resistance to oppression. I recognize that some of the language I used was reprehensible and did not reflect my values. As I said in the speech, I abhor violence and the violent targeting of civilians. I am sorry for the pain that my reckless remarks have caused my family, my students, my colleagues and many others in this time of suffering. As a scholar, a teacher, an activist and a father, I strive to uphold the values of human dignity, peace and justice. I want to make it clear that I unequivocally oppose and denounce racism, anti-semitism, Islamophobia, militarism, fundamentalism and all systems that dehumanize, divide and oppress people.

Update, October 22 - Rickford has taken a leave of absence for the rest of the semester (report from the Cornell Review).

History Professor Russell Rickford, who has come under fire for calling the Hamas attacks in Israel “exhilarating” and “energizing,” has taken a leave of absence.

According to an email acquired by the Review, Rickford will not teach his survey course on post-civil war African American history for the remainder of the semester. A Friday email from Professor Tamika Nunley to the class’ students indicates that she will teach the class while Rickford is on leave:

Professor Rickford will be taking a leave of absence and I will assume teaching responsibilities for this course for the remainder of the semester.

Cornell Media Relations confirmed Rickford’s leave, saying: “Professor Russell Rickford has requested and received approval to take a leave of absence from the university.” The Cornell history department, when asked for comment about Rickford’s status, only referred to the university’s statement condemning the professor....

Rickford’s – seemingly temporary – departure comes amidst immense pressure on the university to dismiss him for his comments....

Meanwhile, the university has issued a statement denouncing Rickford by name after issuing a general statement condemning those who “glorify the evilness of Hamas terrorism.”....

Neither Cornell nor the history department have indicated whether Rickford will face further action upon his return from leave.

This story has been updated with Cornell’s confirmation that Rickford requested the leave of absence.

Beduin citizens of Israel killed by Hamas rockets, and among the hostages taken to Gaza

Louis Fishman لوي فيشمان לואי פישמן repost



@YairWallach

At least 8 Palestinians (Beduin) citizens of Israel were killed today, mostly by Hamas rockets on their (unrecognised) villages in the Negev/Naqab.

5:08 PM · Oct 7, 2023



@YairWallach
·
5h

And there are Palestinian citizens of Israel among the hostages taken to Gaza

Joyce Karam on the first day of this war

 https://twitter.com/Joyce_Karam/status/1710838385361715411 

Joyce Karam

@Joyce_Karam

UPDATE: Israel - Hamas war, day 1 • > 500 dead: 300 Israelis, 232 Palestinians. Thousands injured • Airstrikes pound Gaza now • Hamas has > dozen Israeli hostages • Thousands of rockets hit Israel • Netanyahu vows turning Hamas enclave to rubble

The scale of devastation from first day of Hamas-Israel war is already unprecedented. We are entering a very dark chapter in conflict, with weeks if not months to come of war and bloodshed. Netanyahu facing hardest battle with hostages inside Gaza. Hamas has little to lose.

How this can play out, all escalatory scenarios: 

- Israeli ground operation, likely after hostages situation addressed
- Weeks of war: Netanyahu Unity gov. bid indication
- A multi-front war involving Lebanon or Syria or both
- Something involving Iran though less likely for now

Update from Haaretz - continued fighting near Gaza in Israeli communities

Yaniv Kubovich
8:28 PM
Fighting ongoing in Israel's south, Hamas militants hold hostages

The fighting between security forces and Hamas militants holding extensive territories in Israeli areas near the border with Gaza has continued into the evening hours on Saturday. Hamas militants are still holding hostages in the Be'eri community as well as in the town of Ofakim.

Fighting zones also include Sderot, Kfar Aza, Erez, Re'im, Kisufim, Holit, and Mivtachim in Israel's south.

IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated on Saturday evening that Israel has regained control of some of the communities and towns in the Gaza periphery that were held by Hamas militants, but additional searches are being conducted to confirm this.

More updates on Israel

From BICOM - British Israel Communications and Research Centre

Operation Swords of Iron – Update No. 2

• The Israeli death toll from Hamas’s surprise attack has risen to over 200. At least 1,100 Israelis are known to have been injured.

• At this time, there is continued rocket fire from Gaza towards central and southern Israel, with over 3,000 launches.

• The IDF has are currently operating in 22 border communities, going house to house to ensure that all terrorists are cleared from the area.

• The IDF has also confirmed earlier reports that they are engaged in an ongoing hostage situation in Ofakim and Beeri.

• There have been numerous accounts of hostages, both military and civilian, taken back into Gaza by terrorists.

• The IDF has now confirmed that it has re-taken from Hamas the Re’im military base in southern Israel, home to its Gaza Division.

• As well as many breaches of the land border, there were also infiltration attempts by sea, with the IDF intercepting at least four boats, including two speedboats – in total dozens of terrorists onboard.

• 31 regular IDF battalions are already in operation in the area around the Gaza Strip and Southern Israel, with a further four reservist divisions en route.

• In response to the invasion, Israel is striking Hamas targets inside the Gaza Strip. The so-called “Palestine Tower” in Gaza City – a known Hamas base – was struck and destroyed earlier, after an Israeli warning had been given for civilians to clear the area.

• Due to the unprecedented nature of the attack, Energy Minister Israel Katz has made an unprecedented decision to cut the power supply to Gaza.

• According to Palestinian sources, over 160 Palestinians have been killed – the vast majority are presumed to be combatants....

• Meanwhile, on the Norther border, close to Metula, Hezbollah operatives were filmed in a motorcycle convey close to the border. Israeli forces fired warning shots. The Northern Command remains on high alert.

• Prime Minister Netanyahu has spoken with US President Biden and told him that a “prolonged and powerful campaign would be required in which Israel would win”.

• Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has also spoken with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who said that the Pentagon will work in the coming days “to ensure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself and protect civilians from indiscriminate violence and terrorism.”

• Israeli President Isaac Herzog released a statement saying: “Today we saw the true face of Hamas. A terrorist army whose only goal is the cold-blooded murder of innocent men, women, and children. Supported and directed by their proxy commanders in Iran, they carried out an unprovoked, heinous attack against the Jewish state on a Jewish holy day. Innocent civilians were massacred and wounded, and many are still under attack. The State of Israel will take all measures necessary to eliminate this clear and immediate danger to our citizens. Israel will overcome in the face of all challenges. I call upon the family of nations – this war waged against us marks a line in the sand. Now is the time to hear clear, unequivocal condemnation of Hamas, its allies, and its backers in Iran. Now is the time to stand firm with Israel in support of its just and moral battle in the face of an abhorrent enemy.”

• Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who earlier today joined other senior opposition figures in expressing full unity with the government, also made public an offer he apparently made to Netanyahu earlier today to form an “emergency, narrow, professional government” unity government for the duration of the conflict.

• A senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was earlier quoted by a news agency supporting the attacks, while at a parliamentary session Iranian lawmakers chanted “Down with Israel,” “Down with America,” and “Welcome Palestine,” according to a video published by Tasnim news agency.