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Tag: antisemitism
May 19, 2025
News
UK

Top Paid BBC Star Quits Over Anti-Semitic Meme.

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❓What Happened: Gary Lineker is leaving the BBC after criticism for sharing an anti-Semitic Instagram post.

👥 Who’s Involved: Gary Lineker, BBC Director-General Tim Davie, Campaign Against Antisemitism, and the Palestine Lobby group.

📍Where & When: Announcement made Monday; Lineker steps down from the Match of the Day soccer show after this season.

💬 Key Quote: “I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic—it goes against everything I stand for,” claimed Lineker.

⚠️ Impact: Lineker’s departure ends his 24-year tenure with the BBC and raises questions about impartiality and social media use by public figures.

IN FULL:

Gary Lineker, a former England soccer star and top-paid BBC presenter, will step down from his role at the de facto state broadcaster following backlash over his social media activity. The controversy arose after Lineker reposted an Instagram story from the group Palestine Lobby, which featured a rat and was titled “Zionism explained in two minutes.” The image drew criticism due to its historical association with anti-Semitic propaganda.

In a statement Monday, the BBC confirmed Lineker would leave the corporation entirely after the final episode of the Match of the Day show this season. Lineker, 64, had initially planned to step back from hosting the iconic soccer program but remain involved in other BBC coverage. Instead, he will now depart fully.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said, “Gary has acknowledged the mistake he made. Accordingly, we have agreed he will step back from further presenting after this season.”

Lineker apologized last week, claiming he had shared the post without realizing its offensive nature. “I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic,” he said, adding that the post was deleted once he became aware of the issue. “Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action,” he added.

Lineker’s social media activity has previously caused friction with the BBC. In March 2023, he was temporarily suspended for criticizing the British government’s asylum policy, leading the BBC to update its social media guidelines for prominent presenters. The broadcaster and its employees are supposed to be impartial, as the public funds it through a compulsory license fee.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism welcomed Lineker’s departure, accusing him of promoting “dehumanizing and extreme messages” and flouting the BBC’s impartiality rules.

The BBC itself has been accused of bias against Israel in its conflict with Hamas, breaching its own editorial guidelines over 1,500 times. Another BBC star was even linked to funding the terrorist group Hezbollah earlier this month.

Image by Lauren Hurley / No 10 Downing Street.

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May 14, 2025
Education

Trump Administration Slashes Another $450 Million in Harvard Grants.

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❓What Happened: The Trump administration has announced an additional $450 million cut in federal grants to Harvard University, citing issues of liberal bias and antisemitism.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, President Donald J. Trump, Harvard University, the U.S. Department of Education, and Harvard President Alan Garber.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., and Harvard University, announcement made on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “There is a dark problem on Harvard’s campus, and by prioritizing appeasement over accountability, institutional leaders have forfeited the school’s claim to taxpayer support,” stated a federal antisemitism task force.

⚠️ Impact: Harvard faces a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funds, the loss of an additional $450 million in grants, and potential revocation of its tax-exempt status and foreign student program eligibility.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has announced an additional $450 million cut in federal grants to Harvard University, intensifying its pressure campaign against the Ivy League institution over its toleration of anti-conservative bias, antisemitism, and noncompliance with federal rules. A letter sent on Tuesday to the university from a federal antisemitism task force confirmed the cuts to grants and reiterated that an additional $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard remains frozen due to the intransigence of the academic institution’s leadership.

According to the letter, Harvard continues to foster a culture of “virtue signaling and discrimination” and criticizes its leadership for failing to address ongoing issues. “There is a dark problem on Harvard’s campus, and by prioritizing appeasement over accountability, institutional leaders have forfeited the school’s claim to taxpayer support,” the letter states.

The Trump administration has been increasingly critical of Harvard, particularly after the university openly defied federal directives to curtail pro-Hamas demonstrations and eliminate discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. Last week, the Department of Education announced that Harvard would not receive any new federal grants until it complies with government rules and stipulations, which include leadership changes, revised admissions policies, and audits to ensure ideological diversity.

President Donald J. Trump has also called for Harvard to lose its tax-exempt status, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has threatened to revoke the university’s eligibility to host foreign students. Even House Republicans are taking umbrage with Harvard and have included increased taxation of non-religious university endowments in their budget reconciliation bill. Notably, Harvard and other elite U.S. universities have long been criticized for managing their endowments less like academic institutions and more like hedge funds, leading to calls for them to be treated for tax purposes as the latter.

In response, Harvard President Alan Garber has disputed the allegations, describing the sanctions as an “unlawful attempt to control fundamental aspects of our university’s operations.” Garber insisted that the university is nonpartisan and has taken measures to address antisemitism on campus. Currently, the university is suing the Trump administration over the funding freeze.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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May 2, 2025
News
Religion

President Trump Forms Religious Liberty Commission Headed by Dr. Phil.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to establish a Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard and promote religious freedom in America.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Commission will include TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw as chairman, ex officio government officials, clergy, legal experts, academics, and public advocates.

📍 Where & When: Announced on Thursday in the United States.

💬 Key Quote: “I can’t tell you how proud I am to see religion coming back to the White House. God bless you for doing this.” — Dr. Phil McGraw.

⚠️ Impact: The initiative aims to address threats to religious liberty, enhance protections for future generations, and advise on relevant policies.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on May 1 to form the Religious Liberty Commission, a move aimed at reinforcing and protecting the principle of religious freedom in the United States. This newly established Commission plans to delve into issues affecting religious liberty and propose strategies to safeguard and enhance these rights for future generations.

The Commission will be chaired by TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw. It will see additional participation from government officials, clergy, legal experts, and public advocates. Its mission encompasses producing a thorough report on the historical foundations of religious liberty, strategies to maintain a peaceful religious pluralism, and identification of threats to religious freedom. It is also tasked with recommending policies to uphold these liberties.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am to see religion coming back to the White House. God bless you for doing this,” McGraw said on May 1. “This is a man that wants this country to have a heart and have religion,” he added.

Among the key focus areas are parental rights in religious education, school choice, and protections of religious expressions and institutions. Furthermore, the Commission is expected to collaborate with the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council to offer guidance on related policies.

Joe Biden-era federal measures and state-level measures in Democrat-led states have undermined religious freedoms, particularly for Christians, targeting conscience protections and threatening funding for faith-based entities.

The Trump administration’s efforts to correct this include ongoing federal initiatives against anti-Semitism and establishing a White House Faith Office. Additionally, a “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” has been created at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

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April 15, 2025
William Upton
Education
Politics

Trump Withdraws $2 BILLION from Harvard. Here’s Why…

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❓What Happened: The Trump administration is freezing $2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University after the Ivy League institution rejected a set of government policy conditions aimed at addressing anti-Semitic incidents and pro-Hamas protests on its campus.

👥 Who’s Involved: Harvard University, President Donald J. Trump, Harvard President Alan Garber, pro-Hamas demonstrators, and federal officials.

📍 Where & When: Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts, and the White House in Washington, D.C., with the funding freeze announced late on April 14, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges,” the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism said in a statement.

⚠️ Impact: The university is being hit with a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants, and the Trump administration has canceled a $60 million contract with Harvard.

IN FULL:

Late Monday evening, the Trump administration suspended $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants for Harvard University after the Ivy League academic institution rejected funding conditions U.S. President Donald J. Trump proposed to address anti-Semitism on campus. Earlier Monday, Harvard issued a statement declaring the Trump White House’s push for policy changes at the university to be “illegal.” The Trump White House had previously announced it would condition funding for Harvard on the school adequately addressing anti-Semitic incidents on campus, ensuring viewpoint diversity in its academic programs, and assisting with the federal screening of foreign students for pro-terrorism and extremist ideologies.

“Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges—that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws,” the Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism announced in a statement yesterday evening, continuing: “The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support.”

The statement concluded: “The Joint Task Force to combat anti-Semitism is announcing a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60M in multi-year contract value to Harvard University.”

Universities across the United States have seen an explosion in anti-Semitic incidents and the harassment of Jewish students by pro-Hamas demonstrators. In several instances, protests escalated to the point where demonstrators would surround and trap Jewish students in university classrooms and libraries. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has moved to revoke student visas for hundreds of foreign students over their participation in the campus demonstrations and for public pro-Hamas statements.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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April 14, 2025
Education
Politics

Harvard Rejects Trump Admin Instructions to Address Anti-Semitism on Campus, Risking Federal Funding.

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❓What Happened: Harvard University rejected a set of funding conditions from the Trump administration aimed at addressing anti-Semitism and other civil rights issues on its campus on Monday, risking the potential loss of hundreds of millions of federal education dollars.

👥 Who’s Involved: Harvard University, President Donald J. Trump’s administration, and Harvard President Alan M. Garber.

📍 Where & When: The statement was issued by Harvard on Monday through a post on their X (formerly Twitter) account.

💬 Key Quote: “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” the university stated.

⚠️ Impact: Harvard risks potential federal funding cuts as it opposes the Trump administration’s conditions, which are intended to combat anti-Semitism and involve an audit of class subjects and student admission criteria adjustments.

IN FULL:

Harvard University announced on Monday that it will not comply with a set of conditions issued by President Donald J. Trump’s administration in order to continue receiving federal funding. The Trump White House previously informed the university that future federal funding would be conditioned on its adoption of a proposed series of policy changes aimed at combating antisemitism on campus, eliminating its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and additional screening of international students for potential terrorist sympathies.

“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Harvard University posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, announcing its decision to refuse the government’s funding conditions. Meanwhile, students, teachers, and staff were notified of the university’s decision in a note from Harvard President Alan Garber.

“No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber wrote, alleging: “Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard.”

Harvard’s decision to reject the Trump administration proposal could imperil nearly $9 billion in federal funding. Earlier this year, President Trump moved to cut an estimated $400 million in federal funding earmarked for Columbia University over the school’s failure to handle pro-Hamas and antisemitic protests on campus. The Trump administration has also cut $500 million in funding for Brown University, again citing the school’s failure to address anti-Semitic incidents and pro-Hamas demonstrators.

Additional schools seeing significant funding cuts include Cornell University, which has lost $1 billion in federal dollars, and Northwestern University, which saw a cut of around $790 million.

Image by Joseph Williams.

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April 8, 2025
Education
News

Trump Cancels More Elite University Student Visas.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump has withdrawn numerous student visas from leading American universities, impacting foreign students at institutions primarily in California.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Trump administration, students primarily from Stanford, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Harvard, the University of Southern California, and others.

📍 Where & When: Visa revocations have occurred at various universities across the United States, including California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Colorado, Texas, Oregon, North Carolina, Minnesota, Arizona, and Alabama, reported on April 6, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” complained UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.

⚠️ Impact: The decision may deter foreign nationals more interested in political agitation than studying from attending U.S. universities.

IN FULL:

Numerous student visas from elite American universities have been rescinded due to anti-Israel activism and political agitation. The revocations primarily affect institutions in California, including Stanford University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Statements from several universities reveal that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdrew the student visas without prior notification. “The federal government has not explained the reasons behind these terminations,” UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla complained.

A broad range of academic institutions, including those in Democratic-leaning states like Massachusetts and Michigan and others scattered across the country, have reported instances of foreign students and recent alumni losing legal status. For example, Stanford University confirmed the abrupt loss of status for four students and two recent graduates.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently confirmed over 300 student visa revocations, citing participation in antisemitic demonstrations and potential criminal ties as justification.

The standard process includes revoking students’ access to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database, effectively ending their student status. Universities often remain unaware of these revocations until students attempt to travel or seek work authorization. Educational institutions face potential financial setbacks related to the loss of tuition from foreign students.

Several current and former students linked to anti-Israel activities and disruptive political protests have already been either arrested, deported, or have fled the country. These include Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian Columbia University graduate, who was arrested by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) earlier this year.

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April 4, 2025
Education
News

Trump Admin Halts $500M to Brown University Amid Antisemitism Concerns.

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❓What Happened: The federal government has stopped over $500 million in funding to Brown University, citing the school’s handling of antisemitism incidents following the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.

👥 Who’s Involved: Brown University, the Trump administration, and a White House official.

📍 Where & When: The funding cut affects Brown University in the United States.

💬 Key Quote: Brown Provost Frank Doyle claims in an email that while there are rumors about program cuts, there isn’t enough “information to substantiate” these claims.

⚠️ Impact: The funding cut could significantly impact programs at Brown University and highlights a broader trend affecting several Ivy League institutions.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has decided to halt over $500 million in federal funding to Brown University, citing dissatisfaction with the university’s response to instances of antisemitism on campus. This decision may put millions allocated for Brown programs at risk, with funds previously awarded through grants and contracts now in jeopardy.

As Brown University grapples with these developments, Provost Frank Doyle addressed the campus community on April 3. He acknowledged that rumors are circulating about potential implications for the university’s research funding. However, he emphasized that there is currently insufficient “information to substantiate” these claims, urging patience as the situation unfolds.

This funding freeze at Brown coincides with a broader trend among Ivy League institutions, which have faced similar measures in response to their handling of antisemitism-related incidents following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Columbia University, another Ivy League institution, recently experienced a significant funding cut, with over $400 million revoked due to concerns it was not adequately ensuring the safety of Jewish students. This broader pattern indicates a heightened level of federal scrutiny regarding how such universities address antisemitism on their campuses.

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April 2, 2025
Education
Immigration
News

Israel-Hating Cornell Student Evades ICE, Self-Deports.

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❓What Happened: Momodou Taal, a student from Cornell University, left the United States after his student visa was revoked due to involvement in anti-Israel demonstrations.

👥 Who’s Involved: Momodou Taal, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and Gambia; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Cornell University in Ithaca, New York; Taal’s departure occurred after a recent federal court decision.

💬 Key Quote: “I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,” Taal said online.

⚠️ Impact: Taal’s departure sheds light on the increased deportation measures for foreign students involved in political agitating. Other international students facing similar issues include Columbia University’s Mahmoud Khalil and Georgetown University’s Badar Khan Suri.

IN FULL:

According to his own online statements, a Cornell University student whose visa was rescinded due to participation in anti-Israel activism has fled the United States. Momodou Taal, a 31-year-old citizen of the Gambia and the United Kingdom, disclosed that he left voluntarily. He cited fears of detention by immigration authorities. He also stated that his decision followed a recent federal ruling that refused to intervene against potential detention while he contested his deportation order.

“I have lost faith I could walk the streets without being abducted,” Taal claimed. U.S. authorities attributed Taal’s recent visa cancelation to his involvement in anti-Semitic campus demonstrations. They were also said to be a violation of university policies, which fostered a hostile setting for Jewish students.

Taal recently attempted to challenge his deportation, asserting his actions should be protected by free speech. However, he reported that the first motion in his lawsuit was denied. He expressed skepticism about remaining in the country without apprehension by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Taal’s case is just one of several cases involving students who were ordered to leave amid allegations of involvement in anti-Semitic protests. Notably, Columbia University’s Mahmoud Khalil and Georgetown University’s Badar Khan Suri are entangled in similar disputes. President Donald J. Trump has pledged a strict stance on anti-Israel activism by foreigners at educational institutions, resulting in increased scrutiny and deportations.

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March 20, 2025
News

ICE Arrests Indian Student for Alleged Hamas Connections.

A Georgetown University doctoral student from India has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following allegations of spreading propaganda in support of the Hamas terrorist group. The student, identified as Badar Khan Suri, was accused of using social media platforms to promote antisemitic content and was reportedly linked to a senior advisor associated with Hamas, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials.

Suri’s activities led to a determination by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that his presence in the United States posed significant foreign policy threats. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a lesser-known legal provision allows for the deportation of individuals deemed harmful to U.S. interests. This same statute was referenced in the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a former student and pro-Hamas activist at Columbia University, who remains in detention but is contesting the decision in court.

The Georgetown University graduate student is in the United States on a visa to conduct research. According to the school, Suri’s academic studies focused on peacebuilding in conflict zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan. A representative for the elite, Washington, D.C.-based university, stated that the school was unaware of Suri having participated in any illicit activities, nor has the institution been formally informed of the specific actions prompting his detention.

As confirmed by his legal counsel, Suri is currently being held in Alexandria, Louisiana, pending immigration court proceedings.

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A Georgetown University doctoral student from India has been taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following allegations of spreading propaganda in support of the Hamas terrorist group. The student, identified as Badar Khan Suri, was accused of using social media platforms to promote antisemitic content and was reportedly linked to a senior advisor associated with Hamas, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials. show more
March 17, 2025
News

Schumer’s NYC Book Launch Postponed Due to ‘Security Concerns’ After Jewish Activists Planned Protest.

A book launch for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Tuesday in Manhattan, New York, has been postponed due to “security concerns.” Jewish activists had planned to protest the Democrat at the release of his new book Antisemitism in America: A Warning outside a cultural center on the Upper East Side, alleging he has not upheld promises made to Jewish leaders concerning the proposed Antisemitism Awareness Act.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act seeks to mandate the U.S. Department of Education to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This definition includes drawing parallels between Israeli policies and Nazi policies or labeling Israel as a racist project, among other stipulations.

However, congressional disagreements have hindered the bill’s progress, with Schumer and House Speaker Mike Johnson differing on how to introduce the bill to Congress.

The IHRA definition has also received some criticism from conservatives who believe it could “make parts of the Bible illegal” by branding references to the Jewish authorities’ role in the execution of Jesus Christ antisemitic.

In addition, Schumer is facing pushback for his stance on Mahmoud Khalil, an anti-Israel activist subject to deportation proceedings under the Trump administration. Khalil, a former student at Columbia University, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after organizing “pro-Hamas” protests. Schumer argues that deporting the graduate could violate the First Amendment.

It was later revealed that Khalil had ties to the British government and British government security clearance.

Image by Adrian Hon.

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A book launch for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Tuesday in Manhattan, New York, has been postponed due to "security concerns." Jewish activists had planned to protest the Democrat at the release of his new book Antisemitism in America: A Warning outside a cultural center on the Upper East Side, alleging he has not upheld promises made to Jewish leaders concerning the proposed Antisemitism Awareness Act. show more