Israeli born Ovadia Brothers wow New York's fashion week

Israeli twins and fashion designers Shimon and Ariel Ovadia have been wowing audiences during New York Fashion Week.

The brothers, described a few years back by GQ as Best New Designers in America have a fashion line described as “chill and fresh”and having the “exact charm, edge and creativity of New York".  WWD marvels “ how two kids without a college education or any design experience launched themselves from the observant Jewish enclave of Flatbush, Brooklyn, to a Vogue-sponsored fashion show at the Chateau Marmont. And did it without working on the Sabbath.”

From the New York Times, writing about 2017 New York fashion week

The New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, left, and the rapper Fabolous sat front row.
He went on to praise the fellow New Yorkers, less like a football star than a fashion editor: “I love their aesthetic — from the energy that they put into their clothing, to the silhouettes, to the cuts of their T-shirts. It’s just really beautiful.”

On the same front-row bench sat the rapper Fabolous, who appeared not to mind the fashion-mad fan crawling at his feet, trying to get a clear smartphone shot of his Puma x Trapstar sneakers.

“One thing that Ovadia has is the dope streetwear, but there’s a little touch to it that screams New York City, screams high-end,” Fabolous said. “But it’s still comfortable and casual at the same time.”

Yet the Electronic Intifada’s Ali Abunimah can’t see beyond his seething hatred of the Ovadia Brothers  Jewish/Israeli background, describing their New York Fashion Week lineup as “ racist chic”

Its hard to imagine anyone looking at this gritty, diverse cross-section of New Yorkers and thinking "Hmmmm. Thats racist", but Ali Abunimah manages.

Photo by John Taggart for The New York Times

Could it be this proud homage to the twins Israeli heritage that set him off? Could this mainstreaming of Hebrew, the the language of the Jewish people, have triggered Ali Abunimah's latest outburst?

Perhaps Ali Abunimah would find the designs of Paloma Spain, also exhibited at Fashion Week more to his liking? 

Truck Ramming Attack in Jerusalem

A Palestinian terrorist rammed his truck into a group of soldiers near the Armon Hanatziv promenade in Jerusalem today. Three female soldiers and one male soldier, all in their early 20s were killed, and 18 others were wounded. The names of those killed are Yael Yekutiel, 20, Shir Hajaj, 22, Shira Tzur, 20, and Erez Orbach, 20.

The murderer in todays Jerusalem attack has been identified as Fadi al-Qunbar, the 28 year old father of 3.

In an interview with the Quds News Network Qunbar’s sister declared “God chose him for this martyrdom. Thank God. We are patient and we thank God for this… it is the most beautiful martyrdom.”

Palestinians celebrated the attack by passing out sweets.

ابتهاجاً بعملية القدس.. توزيع الحلويات في غزة قبل قليل.#شاحنة_الانتفاضة pic.twitter.com/ISuNjcPX9u

— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) January 8, 2017

Although security camera footage of the attack shows the truck driver plowing his vehicle into a group of IDF soldiers, hitting them and then backing up and running over them again,  Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada tweeted

 All over Arab social media, posts were made mocking the dead, and celebrating the murders.

There was worldwide condemnation of similar attacks in Nice, France and in Germany.  There are no Je Suis Jerusalem hashtags now. The world is silent when Jews are killed.

Hamas Praises Murder of Israeli Civilians

Rabbi Eitam Henkin and his wife Na'ama Henkin of Neria were murdered  by  terrorists who opened fire towards their vehicle as they were driving between Itamar and Elon Moreh.

Four of their children, ages 4, 7, and 9 and a four-month-old baby were in the car as it was attacked.

Hamas spokesperson Husam Badran referred to the murder of parents in front of their four children as a  "heroic operation."

Racist blogger Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada also weighed in on the murder

Equally repugnant Max Blumenthal also dehumanized the victims

As of now, not a single Palestinian leader, activist or public figure has publicly denounced the murder.

Palestine: World's second most lethal country for Journalists

Its been said that nearly 80% of all "readers" never make it past the headline. Ali Abunimah  of the Electronic Intifada is again exploiting this, counting on this, with a headline that reads  "Israel world’s second most lethal country for journalists in 2014, watchdog says".

Thats not what the "Watchdog" says. Thats what Ali Abunimah claims they say.

The "Watchdog" , Reporters without Borders infographic is quite clear.

 

In a region plagued by violent extremism, Ali Abunimah wants you to ignore the elephant in the room, and to keep your focus on Israel.

Ali Oops: Electronic Intifada's Ali Abunimah shows his ignorance again

From the  Electronic Intifada's Ali Abunimah:  Is Ali all atwitter because Israel's Arrow missile defense system has the potential to save Israeli lives?

 Electronic Intifada's Ali Abunimah shows his ignorance

What Ali describes as "teaching hate and violence"  at Israel Science Day in Rabin Square is in reality the Arrow Weapon System - Israel's national missile defense system.  The  Arrow defense system  is designed to track  and disable into missiles above the earth's atmosphere, high enough to disable chemical, biological or nuclear warheads safely.  Arrow is designed to save lives, Ali.  You run a website about the Middle East.  Its time to get up to speed on some basic facts.

If Ali Abunimah  really cared about teaching "hate and violence", you'd think he'd have said something about the latest public art in Gaza.

Its a life-size model of a large  M75 rocket with a range of up to 75 miles. These rockets were launched at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012.

Palestinian militants of Hamas armed wing Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades stand in front of a model of an M75 rocket at al-Jalaa Square on March 10, 2014 in Gaza City (AFP Photo/Mahmud Hams )

 The words of peace that accompanied this fine bit of Palestinians public art:

“Hamas managed to take the battle to the heart of the Zionist entity (Israel) after developing its rocket system, succeeding where many Arab armies had failed.”

An Open Letter to Ali Abunimah

Ali Abunimah will be on the road again. Locally, he'll be making an appearance at yet another Sabeel conference and at a fundraiser for the Middle East Children's Alliance (rated a 2 star charity because of its lack of accountability and  transparency)

He's been challenged to a debate by a local community activist. Will he meet the challenge?
 
Originally posted at Bluetruth by DrMike

Anti-Israel activists have frequently complained that our Jewish community institutions are not open to hosting their point of view. While I completely support that policy, in the firm belief that doctrinal anti-Zionism is indeed the modern, politically correct form of anti-Semitism, it does reduce the opportunities for members of the pro-Israel community to debate anti-Israel partisans.  It's not that the anti-Zionists are really seeking honest debate; they're happy to get the camel's nose into the tent, as it were, to start undermining those Jewish institutions--especially on campuses. And their typical campus or community events typically feature a panel with an anti-Israel Arab, and then for "balance", an anti-Israel Jew.  But an open, honest, moderated debate between pro- and anti-Israel activists is a rare event.

One of the more prominent members of the American anti-Israel community is Ali Abunimah. Born in Washington DC, educated at Princeton and the University of Chicago, and now a resident of Chicago, Abunimah has written a book called "One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" and now has a new book "The Battle for Justice in Palestine" for which he is embarking on a speaking tour.  He'll be in Berkeley on April 22.

I'm sure that Ali, as a professional writer and speaker, is more than willing to defend his ideas against challenges-- he is undoubtedly ready to justify his support of BDS and of Hamas, and his calls to eliminate the Jewish people's right to national self-determination.  

So, Ali-- let's have a real debate. Not a circus-like event in front of your river-to-the-sea cheering section, but at a legitimate venue, with a moderator acceptable to both of us. Let's debate what is clearly the core of the issue-- the right of the Jewish people to have a state in at least a portion of the historic Jewish homeland. You want to re-litigate the 1947 endorsement by the United Nations of dividing the British Mandate of Palestine into a Jewish state and an Arab state? Let's have that discussion, with all of its ramifications. 

Gilad Atzmon: coached by JVP and Ali Abunimah on avoiding accusations of antisemitism

Its meltdown time for the anti-Israel cru, and those of us watching from the sidelines aren't shedding any tears. Its not just this week's  triple exposure of Seattle blogger Richard Silverstein,  confirming him as a bully and a fraud .  Rapid hate-monger Gilad Atzon has revealed startling new information about his relationship with the Electric Intifada's Ali Abunimah, as well as with Jewish voice for Peace.

Admittedly, Gilad Atzmon's veracity is questionable. The saxophonist is better know for his lapses into pure antisemitism than for his musical prowess.  Last year, much of the anti-Israel community disavowed and disassociated with Atzmon.  (Not so Deppen Webber and Paul Larudee of the International Solidarity movement  They used Atzmon for a fundraiser in Oakland in support of the "Global March to Jerusalem".)

Surprisingly Gilad Atzmon recently revealed that both Ali Abunimah and  Jewish voice for peace coached him on avoiding accusations of antisemitism, urging him to "refer to Zionism instead of Jewish identity"

Originally revealed via Twitter and Facebook,  Atzmon was encouraged to tell more.  And he did, writing in his blog

It is not a secret that Abunimah and myself are not on cordial terms.  Yet, we communicated briefly in 2010 following Abunimah's laughable statement on history and culture. Here is a juicy bit of information Abunimah would probably prefer to keep hidden from the public eye: On the 1st of December 2010, Abunimah wrote to me in an amicable manner:

“What you describe as ‘Jewish’ might perhaps be more accurately described as ‘Zionist,’ - and then we might find grounds for a lot of agreement”

Abunimah basically advised me to mislead my readers and say ‘Zionist’ whenever I mean to say ‘Jewish’ so we (he and I) can ‘find grounds for a lot of agreement’. Around the same time I also met with a JVP top leader who repeated pretty much the same line. "Don’t refer to Jewishness, make sure you concentrate on Zionism," she said, "you will then enjoy our support."

 According to Atzmon, both Abunimah and JVP urged him to use "Zionism" as an all purpose "get of of jail free card" , to avoid accusations of antisemitism.  Atzmon chose not to listen to their advice and later was denounced by them. 

 In Jewish voice for Peace's case, liars need good  memories.  An email from  Jewish Voice for Peace, Los Angeles sent 05/04/13 actually promoted  Gilad Atzmon's May 17 concert in the Levantine Center , over a year after their proclamation  stating " we cannot endorse events in which he takes part."   The endorsement also appears on the JVP website.

In spite of  delusions of his own integrity Gilad Atzmon is not the hero in this sordid little tale.  He is still a vile anti-Semite.  But JVP and Ali Abunimah are equally complicit through their attempts to shield this evil little man.

Attempted murder. Its just "child's play" to Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada.

Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada has posted a video captioned "Israeli forces smash Palestinian child’s head to ground near Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa". The  video has made the rounds of the usual "I hate Israel sites".  On facebook,  the hyperbole continues:

Who is this "child", this "young Palestinian boy"?

We can find the answer on the Arabic website, Wafa, the official  Palestinian news agency  which reported:

"Israeli occupation forces arrested, today Friday, the Jerusalemite teenager Hasan Afif Hasan al-Afifi (age 17), of Bab al-Hadid in the Old City, after they attacked him. Al-Afifi’s mother told Wafa that her son was arrested during the violent confrontations that occurred at the Al-Aqsa mosque today, and that her son was nowhere near the mosque and did not participate in any activities.

17 is hardly a "young Palestinian boy". Hardly a "child".

 The arrest of Hasan  al-Afifi  followed a day of clashes on the temple Mount.  According to the Lebanon Daily Star

Israeli police hurled stun grenades and fired tear gas to disperse dozens of protesters who threw stones outside the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site, after Friday prayers. “Several hundred worshippers threw stones at police who were stationed at the Mughrabi Gate, forcing them to go onto the plaza and push them toward the middle,” Israeli police spokeswoman Luba Samri said. An AFP correspondent said the forces had used sound bombs to disperse the crowds. Two people suffered minor injures, while one person was arrested for attempting to stab a policeman as he was being taken into custody, another Israeli spokesman added. The unrest broke out after days of tension at the compound.  Nine people were arrested Thursday. Five were Arab Israelis, who were accused of threatening Jewish and Christian visitors to the site, and four Israeli Jews, three of them right-wing activists who tried to force their way onto the plaza.

The Attorney general's office will charge Hasan with attempting to stab a soldier and throwing rocks at Israeli police.   Attempted murder . Its just "child's play" to Ali Abunimah of  the Electronic Intifada.. 

Ali Abunimah and the BDS'ers " When we lose, we win"

US President Barack Obama at AIAPC 2012: “When there are efforts to boycott or divest from Israel, we will stand against them.”

Its a rather unequivocal statement from the highest ranking elected official in America. You'd think the BDS'ers would be wringing their hands despondently. But, no, in the reality challenged world of the BDS'er, its seen as a victory.

Yes, really.
(No, its not a Purim joke)



Awww. Is Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intidfada having one of the "When we lose we win" moments?
He tweets "Great news that Obama came out against BDS".

Okay, Ali. Here's some more great news for you and your pals to celebrate courtesy of the new website BDS Global Digest :

*Canterbury City Council , Leeds City Council and the North London Waste Authority has rejected BDS'ers campaign to exclude Veolia from public contracts. Larissa Laing, head of Canterbury’s neighbourhood services said:
“Canterbury must choose its waste collection contractor under procedures laid down by Europe and adopted by this country under the Public Contract Regulations 2006. We do not think that activities in the Middle East relate to what we are considering in this contract.”

*UC San Diego Associated Students (AS) council voted last month(29 Feb) not to adopt a divestment resolution proposed by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

*A Canadian store that sold Israeli-made toiletries had been the target of regular anti-Israeli protests. The local community and others, have responded with a “Buycott” Owner Shani Bar-Oz reports: “People won’t stop calling and ordering products on the phone and online"

There you have it, Ali. BDS defeats on the municipal level, the university level and the retail level. Great news, isn't it? And I'll sleep better tonight knowing its made you as happy as it does me.

Ali Abunimah's Twitter Tirade following U of Penn's BDS rejection

Our story so far:
The University of Pennsylvannia has issued a formal statement distancing itself from the BDS conference scheduled to be held on its campus the first week in February.
In a press release, issued by StandWithUs, conference participant Ali Abunimah from the Electronic Intifada is quoted as saying “Ending the occupation does not solve the problem. The Jews do not view all human beings as equal. The 1948 borders were calculated to harm Christians, Arabs, Palestinians and Muslims.” (Chicago Sabeel Conference, October 7, 2005)."
In a very public Twitter tantrum, Ali takes offense at this quote. Is he retracting his lies? Its hard to tell.

From StandWithUs:
December 24, 2011

Ali Abunimah has denied he ever made the 2005 statement we attributed to him in our recent release about the extremism of speakers scheduled for the upcoming national BDS conference at the University of Pennsylvania in February, 2012. It is unclear which part of the statement he is retracting.

Members of a few organizations, including StandWithUs, the American Jewish Congress, the David Project and others attended the 2005 Sabeel event in Chicago, heard Abunimah’s talk and some took notes on the presentations. Three quarters of the time, the speakers told the audience stories about why they should despise Israel, and in the remaining time, encouraged them to initiate divestment campaigns in their churches. There was another speaker, George Rishmawi, who even told participants that the Israelis have a new gas that slows down the muscles of the Palestinians. These speakers did not support the Jewish and Palestinian national movements. Rather, they opposed the very existence of the Jewish state and wanted to contribute to its destruction through false accusations that lead to campaigns like BDS.

If Mr. Abunimah is retracting the statement attributed to him by those who attended the Sabeel conference in 2005, we welcome his recognition that his remarks are unacceptable and categorize him as an extremist. According to those who attended the Sabeel event, Abunimah is quoted as having said:

“Ending the occupation does not solve the problem. The Jews do not view all human beings as equal. The 1948 borders were calculated to harm Christians, Arabs, Palestinians and Muslims.” (Chicago Sabeel Conference, October 7, 2005).

We would like him to explain how the statement we quoted differs from what he actually said at the time, or why he no longer subscribes to these views.

We hope that Mr. Abunimah also retracts or distances himself from other, similar statements he has made, which are public record, such as:
“.....From its inception, the Zionist movement set out to turn a country where the vast majority of people were not Jewish into a country that gives special rights and privileges to Jews at the expense of non-Jews.....”(5/14/07)
“...In Palestine-Israel, this means abrogating all laws in Israel that systematically privilege Jews and harm non-Jewish citizens....” (10/16/07)
“Zionism’s hatred of diaspora Jews and its desire to see them removed from Europe and other places they live persists to this day.” (12/1/11)
“That is something Zionism shares with anti-Semitism, a disdain for actual Jewish culture and life as it existed.” (12/15/10)
“Supporting Zionism is not atonement for the Holocaust, but its continuation in spirit.” (10/25/10)
“It is precisely this basic insistence on equality that is perceived by Zionists as an existential threat to Israel, undermining its inherently discriminatory foundations which privilege its Jewish citizens over all others.” (12/30/07)

We hope that Mr. Abunimah confirms that he no longer subscribes to these views either.

De Paul Spreads the love. Sabra is there to stay

The latest battle in the hummus wars is over. DePaul University officials say a referendum that sought to have the Sabra hummus currently served on campus removed has failed to receive the 1500 votes needed to pass. Sabra is there to stay

The referendum was placed on the ballot by Students for Justice in Palestine.(Students for Just Us in Palestine) The organization contends the New York based Sabra, the Strauss Group, gives financial support to two Israeli military units accused of human rights abuses.

It's been over ten years since students at DePaul University in Chicago have had a referendum on their student government ballot.

From the DePaul Hillel Blog

"While this issue relates to Israel-Palestine, we trust that DePaul's leaders do not think it is legitimate to boycott a company whose charitable donations, in addition to assisting premature infants in Serbia and providing scholarships for children with cancer, also support soldiers, just as American companies do, without taking a stance on the policies which have put those soldiers into harms way. Should Hershey, Target, Goodyear, Kellogg, Best Buy and other companies who support our troops abroad also be boycotted by DePaul? "

Personally, I love my Sabra hummus( the lemon hummus is lovely- clear bright flavors) on whole wheat bread with provolone cheese and crisp fresh sprouts.

UPDATE
When is a Loss a Win? When Ali Abunimah says it is. Here's his press release:

Students at DePaul University in Chicago voted by a large margin in a referendum asking if they support ending sales of Sabra brand hummus on their campus. Due to a technicality, however, the result will not be binding. A note received by The Electronic Intifada from campus activists with Students for Justice in Palestine at the university announced today the results of voting that took place earlier this week:

Results of the referendum: 1127 voted in favor; 332 voted against ; 8 extraneous write ins. To be valid a referendum must have a turnout of no less than 1500 students. Although we had an amazing win, the referendum is not valid as we were 36 votes short. But this isn’t over. SJP will make a statement about what’s next for the campaign...


Ok, Ali. De Paul's got over 25,000 students. Less than 2,000 voted. Of those, you still didn't scrap enough to pull off a win. Thats 04% of the students at DePaul, Ali. Think your headline: DePaul students vote by large margin to ban Sabra hummus might be a trifle misleading?