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Rashida Tlaib faces calls to be primaried over Israel remarks

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Rashida Tlaib faces calls to be primaried over Israel remarks

Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib is facing calls to be primaried in response to her remarks following Hamas’ attack on Israel.

Early on Saturday morning, Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, gunning down people in homes, on streets and at a music festival and taking others hostage. The attack and Israel’s strikes in the days since have left more than 1,000 dead in Israel and at least 770 dead in Gaza, according to Reuters, with thousands more wounded on both sides.

Tlaib, who is of Palestinian descent and an outspoken critic of Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians, released a statement on Sunday that accused Israel of “apartheid” and called for the lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

“I grieve the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost yesterday, today, and every day,” the Michigan congresswoman said in the statement. “I am determined as ever to fight for a just future where everyone can live in peace, without fear and with true freedom, equal rights, and human dignity,” Tlaib said.

She said the “path to that future must include lifting the blockade, ending the occupation, and dismantling the apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance.”

“The failure to recognize the violent reality of living under siege, occupation, and apartheid makes no one safer. No person, no child anywhere should have to suffer or live in fear of violence,” Tlaib said, adding that as long as the U.S. “provides billions in unconditional funding to support the apartheid government, this heartbreaking cycle of violence will continue.”

The statement prompted some to call for Tlaib to face a primary challenge in 2024. Her current term ends in January 2025.

“Someone should primary Tlaib,” political strategist Tim Miller wrote on X, formerly Twitter, in response to Tlaib’s statement, in a post that has been viewed more than half a million times.

That sentiment was echoed by others on social media, with one person writing on X that nothing “justifies the slaughter of civilians attending a music festival in the desert. Nothing. Tlaib should be primaried.”

Some called for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying group, to “fund primary challengers to Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush and Ilhan Omar.”

Some defended Tlaib’s remarks, with one person writing that Tlaib was “sympathizing with the perennially oppressed Gazan people, NOT their Hamas overlords.”

Corey Robin, a professor of political science at Brooklyn College, wrote on X: “As a Jew, I’m proud to say Rep. Tlaib and Rep. Bush speak for me and my values, and that any Democrat who criticizes these two leaders of principle, do not.”

Bush issued a statement on Saturday that condemned the targeting of civilians and called for an end to U.S. government support “for Israeli military occupation and apartheid.” Both she and Tlaib have received criticism from fellow Democrats over their remarks.

Newsweek reached out to Tlaib’s office for comment via email

Jared Kushner’s Middle East actions under spotlight after Israel attack

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Jared Kushner’s Middle East actions under spotlight after Israel attack

Jared Kushner, Donald Trump‘s son-in-law and former White House senior adviser, has been criticized in the wake of the large-scale Hamas attack for his attempt to strengthen diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab nations, as well as facing allegations over his links with Saudi Arabia.

In September 2020, the Abraham Accords were signed between Israel and Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. It aimed to normalize their relations as part of an overall goal to tackle ongoing tensions in the Middle East between Arab countries and Israel. Morocco and Sudan followed suit in signing similar agreements in the following months.

The diplomatic agreements between Israel and the Arab countries were brokered by Trump with the assistance of Kushner, who served as a Middle East adviser. Despite the Abraham Accords being cited as a way to introduce and strengthen Israeli-Arab ties, the historic agreements have also been criticized for so far failing to produce meaningful solutions for Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Now, war has broken out after the Islamist militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Saturday.

On social media, Kushner has now been scrutinized for his role in the Abraham Accords, as well as his close ties to Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia that have not signed the agreement.

Kushner, who is married to the former president’s daughter Ivanka Trump, runs the private-equity fund Affinity Partners. It received a $2 billion investment from a fund led by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman six months after Trump left the White House in January 2021.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar also invested hundreds of millions of dollars into Kushner’s private-equity firm, reported The New York Times in March 2023.

This intensified accusations that Kushner had traded classified intelligence with Mohammed, which the crown prince has denied. In March 2018, he told the Washington Post that it would be “really insane” for him to trade classified information with Kushner, or to try to use him to promote a Saudi agenda within the Trump administration. He also denied media reports that he had said Kushner was “in his pocket.”

Kushner has also denied suggestions he was promised future investment from Saudi Arabia or any other country during his diplomatic efforts. In his book Breaking History: A White House Memoir, Kushner writes that “Saudi reforms were having a positive impact on millions of people in the kingdom—especially women.

“All of these reforms were major priorities for the United States, as they led to further progress in combating extremism and advancing economic opportunity and stability throughout the war-torn region,” Kushner added.

Newsweek has contacted Kushner’s office for comment via email.

However, critics have continued to cast doubt on these denials.

“Jared Kushner shared intelligence with MBS (Mohammed bin Salman) and made extensive requests for classified documents, surpassing most White House officials not on the National Security Council,” Brian Allen, pre-law student at Purdue University and CEO of Lime Funding, posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“Despite concerns that he posed a national security risk, Trump overrode the objections of career officials. That same Kushner is the author of The Abrahams Accord, he will not take credit for it now because it blew up in his face. As we have seen with this new war in Israel.”

Lindy Li, a political commentator, and Democratic National Committee member, wrote: “Jared Kushner shared intel with MBS & requested more classified docs than any White House official not on the National Security Council. He was deemed a national security risk but Trump overrode career officials. This was the unqualified idiot ‘bringing peace to the Middle East.'”

While sharing an MSNBC clip discussing the Middle Eastern countries who have given money to Kushner’s firm, Christopher Webb, who has nearly 87,000 followers on X, wrote: “Jared Kushner never achieved peace in the Middle East but he sure as hell got a boatload of cash as a result.

“In the Trump administration Kushner oversaw foreign policy in the Middle East w/no [with no] foreign policy expertise or even a proper security clearance.”

Hamas’ large-scale attack on Israel has left nearly 1,600 dead on both sides since the incursion from the Islamist group on Saturday, according to the Associated Press.

In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Hamas will “exact a price that will be remembered by them and Israel’s other enemies for decades to come” following the attack.

“The savage attacks that Hamas perpetrated against innocent Israelis are mindboggling: slaughtering families in their homes, massacring hundreds of young people at an outdoor festival, kidnapping scores of women, children and elderly, even Holocaust survivors,” Netanyahu added.

“Hamas terrorists bound, burned and executed children. They are savages. Hamas is ISIS. And just as the forces of civilization united to defeat ISIS, the forces of civilization must support Israel in defeating Hamas.”

Netanyahu also thanked President Joe Biden for his unequivocal support of Israel amid the conflict.

Donald Trump would be "lacerated" if he takes the stand: Attorney

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Donald Trump would be "lacerated" if he takes the stand: Attorney

Former President Donald Trump would be “lacerated” if he takes the stand in his $250 million civil trial, according to a legal expert.

Former Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman made the remarks while discussing New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against the former president on ex-Trump attorney Michael Cohen‘s Mea Culpa podcast.

Cohen, whose 2019 congressional testimony triggered James’ investigation, could be a key witness in the civil case in which James’ office accuses Trump of filing fraudulent statements that inflated the value of his properties and assets for years in order to achieve financial perks.

On September 26, Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the civil trial, ruled that Trump had committed fraud while inflating the value of several properties and that the proceedings will now rule over six remaining allegations in James’ lawsuit, as well as the size of the penalty.

Speaking on Cohen’s podcast, Litman suggested that Trump’s legal team already knows they’re going to lose the case and are already looking ahead to appealing Engoron’s decision. Litman added that Trump could cite the Fifth Amendment in the trial, but would be irrelevant as he already answered questions for hours during his under-oath deposition in April.

“It’s going to be maybe six weeks to two months for the prosecution with some long cross-examinations,” Litman said. “And then what’s Trump going to do? If he takes the stand as a defense witness, and he can be treated as a hostile witness by the prosecution, he gets up and takes the stand. Now he’s waiving his Fifth Amendment rights, and he’ll get lacerated.

“When push comes to shove, they [Trump’s lawyers] are not going to have much to say, they know they’re going to lose, and they want to preserve issues for appeal,” Litman added. “The fact finder here is the judge himself, who Trump has been trashing, there’s obviously no love loss. And he’s [Trump] going to have to pin all his hopes on the appeal for the New York Intermediate Court.”

Newsweek reached out to Trump’s legal team via email for comment.

The civil trial could see Trump issued a fine totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, as well as a ban from doing business in New York. Some of his properties could even be removed from his control or dissolved.

Trump attended the first few days of the civil trial in New York after vowing to “fight for my name and reputation,” but it is unclear whether he will be called to take the stand.

The former president and his two adult sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., are listed as potential witnesses for both James’ office and the defense, although they are not obliged to appear at the civil proceedings if called upon.

Elsewhere, Litman suggested that Trump’s potential hit to his business and finances will be a bigger “body blow” to the former president than the threat of jail in the four criminal cases he is facing.

“Some of the criminal stuff he almost seems to relish in a weird way. This is really calling him out as a fraud for his whole career for the things he cares most about,” Litman told Cohen. “I think this wounds him deeply both in practical terms and psychological terms.”

Trump’s financial statements face scrutiny as Allen Weisselberg testifies

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Trump’s financial statements face scrutiny as Allen Weisselberg testifies

The $250 million civil fraud trial against Donald Trump is set to continue in New York on Tuesday, with potential key testimony from a former chief financial officer at the Trump Organization.

Allen Weisselberg, who has been named in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit alongside the former president, his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., and the real estate company, will take the stand as part of the ongoing fraud case.

Trump is accused of filing fraudulent statements that inflated the value of his properties and assets for years in order to obtain financial perks. Trump, the frontrunner in the 2024 Republican presidential primary, has denied any wrongdoing in connection to James’ suit and accused the case of being a politically motivated “witch hunt.”

While taking the stand, Weisselberg is expected to testify about his role in helping to prepare Trump’s annual financial statements, which James alleged inflated the former president’s net worth by billions of dollars over the years.

James alleges that Weisselberg signed off on statements that vastly overvalued Trump’s properties—despite appraisers offering their own estimates—and changed them to meet the former president’s demands.

Weisselberg served 100 days of a five-month sentence after pleading guilty to 15 felony charges in a separate case regarding a tax evasion scheme carried out by the Trump Organization. Weisselberg admitted to carrying out the plot to provide executives with bonuses and perks that saved the company money, as well as evading taxes on more than $1.7 million of benefits, including school tuition for his grandchildren and rent for a Manhattan apartment.

Weisselberg, whose loyalty to Trump stretches back decades, did not implicate the former president in his previous fraud trial, nor did he while testifying in the trial involving The Trump Organization which resulted in the company being fined $1.6 million for carrying out a 15-year scheme to defraud tax authorities in January 2023.

During his May deposition as part of James’ investigation, Weisselberg said that Trump would put a question mark next to a number in financial statements before suggesting an alternative figure or description.

“And from that point forward, we would either show him how we got to that number and why we felt it was appropriate or he may have had a better—other information that we weren’t aware of that we may have used instead.”

Weisselberg also claimed it was more other people’s responsibility to “delve into the numbers” on the financial statements, but he would give them to Trump to review before they were submitted.

“I’d walk into him and tell him, you know, we had the draft statement. And, usually, he was on the phone doing a million things. He didn’t have time to sit down and spend hours reviewing it,” Weisselberg testified. “I would give it to him and most times I would leave it on his desk and then he would look at it when he had the time and that would be it.”

Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the civil trial, ruled that Trump had committed fraud while inflating the value of several properties in a September 26 ruling.

The decision means that the proceedings in New York will now rule over six remaining allegations in James’ lawsuit, as well as the size of the penalty, which could see Trump having his companies and properties removed from his control or dissolved.

Jimmy Kimmel blasts Donald Trump for making Israel attack "about himself"

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Jimmy Kimmel blasts Donald Trump for making Israel attack "about himself"

Jimmy Kimmel has hit out at Donald Trump over his remarks about the Hamas attack on Israel, accusing the former president of making the incident “all about himself.”

After news of the conflict broke on October 7, the 77-year-old claimed that the unprecedented attacks wouldn’t have taken place if he were still in the White House, blaming President Joe Biden‘s Iran policy.

The real-estate magnate slammed his successor on social media, claiming: “The horrible attack on Israel, much like the attack on Ukraine, would never have happened if I were President—Zero chance!”

Trump, frontrunner for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, has also been lashing out at Biden on the campaign trail, referencing the war with the militant group in his recent speeches.

Kimmel was disgusted by the business mogul’s remarks. During the Jimmy Kimmel Live show on October 9, the comedian said that Trump: “immediately found a way to make it all about himself.”

He referenced the social media post by Trump, eliciting laughter from the audience.

“If he was president, we’d all be blissfully downing jiggers of bleach,” Kimmel said, mocking Trump’s alleged belief that the chemical could help fight COVID.

“There’d be no war anywhere,” he continued. “Seriously, can you imagine anyone else in the world doing anything remotely like that?”

The 55-year-old then cut to a clip of Trump during a campaign speech in Iowa earlier that day, telling the audience: “On the day one of our closest allies is hit by the devastating terrorist attack, Trump is on stage talking about how much better his body is than Joe Biden’s.”

In the footage, Trump makes fun of Biden’s body in a bathing suit, calling the 80-year-old’s form “not a pretty sight.”

Concluding the segment, Kimmel asks “After all the dumb terrible things that Trump has said and done, could there be anyone left who still supports this man?” before sharing a snippet of a fan claiming that “President Trump works for God.”

“God is all about America,” the woman tells the reporter, who appears to be from right-wing channel Real America’s Voice. “He’s using President Trump as one of his tools.”

Kimmel shared a clip of the three-minute segment to X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, on October 10, where it received over 93,000 views and divided users.

“Quit crying commie,” said RealArizonaPatriot.

“Man you’ve turned into such a clown,” wrote Sam Dombrose.

“You’re SUCH A JERK!!! Why don’t you talk about how HORRIBLE @joeBiden is???” commented KimberlyDMarlin.

“The irony of using that as material for your own show is hilarious. Talk about utter hypocrisy,” said V224info.

However, other users backed the talk show host, with Sophie Persists writing: “Boy, you sure do trigger the MAGA snowflakes, Jimmy.”

“The wannabe dictator is the most self absorbed human being to walk on this planet,” said Heather On.

“If you support Donald Trump, you do NOT support Israel,” wrote @patricig3927, while Marie101 commented: “He’s so disgusting. It says a lot about the people who worship him. Ghouls.”

During his term, Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal. An agreement between Iran and China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany and the European Union (as well as previously the U.S.), the deal placed restrictions on Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons in exchange for lifting sanctions on oil and other exports, boosting the country’s economy.

Biden has previously expressed interest in reinstating the original agreement, but progress came to a halt after Iran declared support for Russia in the Ukraine war.

During a campaign rally in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, on October 9, Trump told the crowd that immigrants coming to the U.S. are “in many cases, the same people that just attacked Israel,” and claimed that America’s “perceived weakness” during Biden’s presidency led to the surprise onslaught from Hamas.

“When I was your president, we had peace through strength, and now we have weakness, conflict, and chaos,” he told the crowd.

“The atrocities we’re witnessing in Israel would never have happened if I were president.”

The same day, Trump’s purported sharing of top-secret intelligence with Russian officials came under scrutiny once more.

The politician was forced to defend himself in May 2017, after it was discovered he’d shared details of an apparent ISIS plot with then Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a visit to the White House. The information was supposedly provided by Israel, with the report allegedly putting the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel at risk.

Newsweek has reached out to Jimmy Kimmel, Joe Biden and Donald Trump for comment via email.

Cheryl Hines’ speech for RFK Jr. slammed: "Worst acting she’s ever done"

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Cheryl Hines’ speech for RFK Jr. slammed: "Worst acting she’s ever done"

Cheryl Hines’ speech on behalf of husband Robert Kennedy Jr. is being criticized online, with the actress introducing the presidential hopeful at a campaign rally in Philadelphia.

Taking to the stage at Independence Hall on October 9, the 58-year-old described RFK Jr. as someone who “stood up for the little guy, for the average person who is just trying to make a living.”

Hines also referenced RFK Jr.’s battle with the Monsanto corporation in 2018, in which the environmental lawyer and his team achieved a landmark $290 million victory against the biochemical conglomerate—receiving cheers and applause from the audience.

The Curb Your Enthusiasm star’s praise of her husband divided people online after being shared to X—the social network formerly known as Twitter—by user @Acyn, where it received more than 860,000 views.

“The worst acting she’s ever done,” wrote Jo.

“I’m embarrassed for her,” said @victoriaacas.

“I used to really like her, but this is pretty, pretty, pretty, bad,” commented Salty Michael.

“Goodbye to your career,” wrote @lemortegames, while Veronica said: “Never gonna be able to watch anything she’s in, ever, period.”

However, some users supported the TV star, with SuperPenny commenting: “I am ok if she is the next First Lady. I want another President Kennedy.”

Leener Tep agreed, writing: “I think @CherylHines would make a great First Lady!” while josh said: “I’m voting for Cheryl Hines.”

Newsweek reached out to Hines, but she declined to comment.

During the event in Philadelphia, RFK Jr. announced that he was abandoning his bid for the Democratic nomination in the presidential primaries, instead choosing to run as a third party candidate.

In response to the news, his siblings Kerry Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Joseph P. Kennedy II and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend shared a statement on October 9 denouncing his decision, calling it “perilous for our country.”

As a Democratic candidate, RFK Jr. struggled to build a following, with polls showing it was highly unlikely he would land the nomination over current president, Joe Biden. Nevertheless, as an independent candidate he may draw votes away from both Biden and Trump, tightening the race between the two major parties.

RFK Jr.’s policies have caused controversy, with the 69-year-old accused of spreading vaccine misinformation and health-related conspiracy theories. His reported comments about Jewish and Chinese people also caused uproar in July, after he allegedly claimed that “COVID-19 is targeted to attack Caucasians and Black people” at a dinner party.

In response, a representative told Newsweek: “Mr. Kennedy does not believe that COVID-19 was ‘manufactured to target a specific ethnic group.’ He was only using that example to illustrate that such a thing is possible, and should be prevented.”

In the past, Hines said that she and her husband had differing views, particularly about vaccines. However, she has since said that she sees “both sides of the vaccine situation.”

In June, RFK Jr. told The New York Times that he considered announcing that he and Hines had separated to protect her from scrutiny during his bid for president.

“I felt so desperate about protecting her at a time where my statements and my decisions were impacting her,” he told the publication.

However, the couple appear to be putting on a united front, with Hines supporting her husband on the campaign trail.

Newsweek has reached out to Robert Kennedy Jr. for comment via email.

Update 10/13/23, 12:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated to reflect that Hines declined to comment.

Kardashians speak out on Israeli–Palestinian conflict after Kylie backlash

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Kardashians speak out on Israeli–Palestinian conflict after Kylie backlash

Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian have spoken out on the war between Israel and Hamas, after a social media backlash towards half-sister Kylie Jenner. The Kardashians are among a number of celebrities who’ve weighed in on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The 26-year-old beauty mogul shared a graphic from the pro-Israel Instagram account @StandWithUs on October 7, but quickly removed the image following a negative response from followers.

Jenner’s post went live shortly after news of the unprecedented attacks by Hamas broke, and read: “Now and always we stand with the people of Israel!”

“SHARE if you stand with the people of Israel as they face one of the most frightening situations in many years,” the reality star captioned the post.

The death toll from Hamas’ weekend attacks has exceeded 1,000, according to Israel’s embassy in Washington and reported by Reuters. The same news organization also reports Gaza’s health ministry as saying the death toll from Israel’s retaliatory air strikes has exceeded 770.

The mother of two deleted the post within an hour, after fans accused Jenner of “having no idea what is going on” in the conflict.

“Shame on her,” commented ohshesreadin.

“They don’t know s*** regarding this matter. stupid people,” said _hajrah.

“Right now Celebrities should only condemn the war crimes which are happening from both sides,” wrote Mike.

Nevertheless, the fierce backlash against their half-sister—daughter of Olympic great Caitlyn Jenner—doesn’t seem to have deterred the older Kardashians from speaking out, with both sharing the same statement from Instagram user @jordancbrown_ to their Stories.

“It is absolutely reasonable and logical to be opposed to the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians while simultaneously calling for the protection of Jews in Israel and around the world,” the statement reads.

“I understand many of us are afraid to voice an opinion because the crisis there is so nuanced and hard to understand, and we are afraid of saying the wrong thing. But we can—and must—always use our voices to denounce terrorism and the senseless murder of civilians.”

A few days after her siblings’ posts, Kim Kardashian shared a lengthy statement about the ongoing conflict to her Instagram on October 11.

“A message to my Jewish friends and family. I love you. I support you. I have heard about how scared you feel during this time, and I want you to know you are not alone in this. My heart is broken seeing the videos of these babies and families being terrorized and murdered in front of the whole world! As human beings with a heart, how can anyone not be devastated by these horrific images that we will never be able to unsee? Brutal terrorism has taken innocent lives and now both Israeli and Palestinian civilians are suffering and paying the greatest price there is.”

Kardashian went on to share her thoughts on the ongoing unrest in Nagorno-Karabakh, also known as the Republic of Artsakh: “As an Armenian, I am particularly sensitive to these issues because I have been talking about the Armenian Genocide for years, and now, after months of blockade with minimal media coverage and no external support, Armenians are the victims of an ethnic cleansing themselves in Artsakh. They are in this moment also suffering from an extreme humanitarian crisis, and there are still prisoners of war being held captive or missing.”

“No matter who’s side you’re on, or how you’ve been triggered by the horrors of these past few days, our hearts should always have room for compassion towards innocent victims caught in the cross hairs of warring over power, politics, religion, race, and ethnicity.”

Earlier this year, the 41-year-old called attention to the “genocide” of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh region, after Azerbaijan confirmed it had taken control of the disputed territory. Kardashian has Armenian heritage from her father Robert Kardashian’s side of the family.

In 2018, the reality star refused to rule out running for office, telling CNN‘s Van Jones “never say never.”

Newsweek has reached out to Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian for comment via email.

Correction 10/4/23, 3:57 a.m. ET: This article previously said that Kylie Jenner was Kourtney and Khloe’s step-sister, but she is actually their half-sister.

Update 10/12/23, 8:34 a.m. ET: Updated to add information on Kim Kardashian’s social media post.

Jordan Peterson says "coordinated attack" took his Instagram down

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Jordan Peterson says "coordinated attack" took his Instagram down

Jordan Peterson has returned to Instagram, after claiming that a “coordinated attack” led to his account being suspended.

Posting to X—the social network formerly known as Twitter—on October 10, the Canadian psychologist wrote: “I’m back up on Instagram after a coordinated attack took me down. Thank you @instagram for your quick response.”

Although the 61-year-old didn’t say what the alleged attack consisted of, users seemed to believe it was related to his comments about the Israel-Palestinian war.

On October 7, the conservative author told Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “give ’em hell.”

“Enough is enough,” Peterson said on X, tagging Netanyahu in the post, which divided people online.

“A coordinated attack by who?” wondered KoomKilla.

“You should be banned for inciting violence,” said @Crypt0_Titan.

“Why do you want to murder 2 million people you creep?” asked @FredoBarca.

“The advocates of war and genocide should never be allowed a platform,” agreed Zo.

“Imagine all the people who don’t have your power to get their accounts back from speaking about s*** on the war,” wrote Steveontheinternet, while Monique said: “You don’t deserve a voice.”

However, other users were pleased to see that Peterson’s account had been reinstated, with James Young calling it “another small victory in the war for free speech.”

“So glad you are back. Humanity needs you,” said IsraelK.

“Only cowards try to silence their opposition,” commented Ed Marcotte.

Newsweek has reached out to Jordan Peterson for comment via email.

On October 7, Hamas launched a surprise land, sea and air attack on Israel. Israel fired back with airstrikes and artillery attacks in the Gaza strip, hitting over 800 targets in the region.

The death toll from Hamas’ weekend attacks has exceeded 1,000, according to Israel’s embassy in Washington and reported by Reuters. The same news organization also reports Gaza’s health ministry as saying the death toll from Israel’s retaliatory air strikes has exceeded 770.

The academic isn’t the only celebrity to share their thoughts on the war. Israeli actress Gal Gadot posted to Instagram in solidarity with her home country, writing: “My heart is aching. Praying for all of those in pain.”

Reality star Kylie Jenner was slammed online on October 7, after sharing a pro-Israel post to her Instagram Stories.

Reposting a graphic from StandWithUs, a non-profit organization that supports Israel and fights antisemitism, the 26-year-old wrote: “SHARE if you stand with the people of Israel as they face one of the most frightening situations in many years.”

However, Jenner quickly deleted the post, after receiving fierce backlash from users.

Rob Schneider, Sarah Paulson, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Nina Dobrev are some of the famous faces to post similar messages to their social media accounts, while former adult film star Mia Khalifa and has spoken out in support of “freedom fighters in Palestine,” leading to calls for the Playboy model to be canceled.

Full list of lawmakers who voted to block funding for Israel

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Full list of lawmakers who voted to block funding for Israel

Lawmakers’ opposition to funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defense system has resurfaced following Hamas’ attack against Israel, which began on Saturday.

Hamas fired rockets at Israel while dozens of fighters infiltrated its border by air, land and sea in areas near the Gaza Strip Saturday morning, marking an escalation of the longstanding Israel-Palestinian conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a televised address on Saturday that Israel was now at war, launching its own attacks against Hamas in Gaza, as Israeli authorities have blocked the transfer of food, fuel, water and medications into Gaza.

According to the Associated Press, the Israeli military has said at least 900 people have been killed in Israel, while an estimated 700 people have been killed in Gaza since the fighting began on Saturday.

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have voted against funding for Israel’s Iron Dome in recent years. Iron Dome is Israel’s missile defense system that is capable of defending the country against short-range rockets. The U.S., which has provided billions of dollars to Israel, has also provided funding for the defense system.

Iron Dome funding was last brought up for a vote in 2021 when Congress overwhelmingly voted to appropriate an additional $1 billion to the defense system. However, some members of Congress opposed the funding. Eight Democrats and one Republican in the House voted against the funding, while one Senate Republican blocked a vote on funding for months.

Which Republicans Voted Against Iron Dome Funding?

House Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky voted against the funding. He told Newsweek on Tuesday that his vote was related to fiscal concerns surrounding the bill.

“My position of ‘no foreign aid’ might sound extreme to some, but I think it’s extreme to bankrupt our country and put future generations of Americans in hock to our creditors,” Massie said in a statement.

He also explained his vote in an August 5, 2022, statement on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Israel receives $3.8 billion of foreign aid from hard working American taxpayers each year. That vote was to send them another (unbudgeted) $1 billion. A majority of my constituents don’t think Israel needs more of their money, so I voted for my constituents.”

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, blocked a vote from passing the funding by unanimous consent four times. While he supported funding for Iron Dome, he believed the funding should have come from a $6 billion package previously appropriated for Afghanistan.

A spokesperson for Paul told Newsweek on Monday that he has always supported Iron Dome funding despite his concerns about where the funds came from in that bill.

“Dr. Paul has never opposed Iron Dome funding and has always supported Israel and continues to stand with them during these horrific and violent acts of terrorism. During past debate in the Senate, Dr. Paul has advocated to fully fund the Iron Dome through cutting funding to Afghanistan which is now run by the Taliban. Democrats objected to his efforts and continue to send money to countries who wish to harm the United States and its allies,” the spokesperson wrote.

Which Democrats Voted Against Iron Dome Funding?

The Democrats who voted against the funding were: Cori Bush of Missouri; André Carson of Indiana; Jesús García of Illinois; Raúl Grijalva of Arizona; Marie Newman of Illinois; Ilhan Omar of Minnesota; Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts; and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan.

Tlaib voiced her opposition to the funding during a speech on the House floor ahead of the September 2021 vote.

“I will not support an effort to enable and support war crimes, human rights abuses and violence,” she said. “The Israeli government is an apartheid regime.”

Many of the progressive Democrats who voted against the funding have released statements condemning both the Hamas attack and the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government, calling for a ceasefire and a de-escalation of violence between the two sides.

Newsweek reached out to the offices of the lawmakers who voted against the funding for comment via email.

Judge scolds witness defending Trump’s net worth

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Judge scolds witness defending Trump’s net worth

Judge Arthur Engoron scolded Donald Trump‘s ex-chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg for defending the former president’s net worth during his testimony in his business fraud trial on Tuesday.

The $250 million civil trial against Trump resumed Tuesday, with Engoron hearing testimony from Weisselberg, who served as the CFO of the Trump Organization. New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Trump, accusing him of inflating his net worth by billions of dollars to obtain benefits such as better bank loans and reduced tax bills between 2011 and 2021. The lawsuit is civil, not criminal, meaning that Trump will not face jail time in this case.

Engoron ruled last month that Trump, his adult sons, their businesses and executives committed fraud and will now decide on six other accusations, including falsifying business records, insurance fraud, and conspiracy claims during the trial.

Trump, who remains the frontrunner in the Republican presidential primary, has maintained his innocence in the case, arguing that prosecutors are targeting him for political purposes. He has called for the case to be dismissed, arguing that the judge is biased against him.

During his testimony, Weisselberg was questioned about the square footage of Trump’s New York apartment, reported Law360 journalist Stewart Bishop, who posted live updates from the trial to X, formerly Twitter.

Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign for comment via email.

Weisselberg was asked about 2017 inquiries from a Forbes reporter related to the size of the apartment. James accused Trump in her lawsuit of claiming his apartment was 30,000 square feet in size, but it is actually closer to 11,000 square feet.

The claim that Trump’s home was significantly smaller than previously stated was reported by Forbes in a 2017 article titled: “Donald Trump Has Been Lying About The Size Of His Penthouse.”

Weisselberg reportedly dodged “question after question” about whether he took action when pressed about the actual size of Trump’s apartment by the Forbes reporter but also acknowledged that they incorrectly stated the size of the apartment, Bishop reported. Weisselberg not answering the questions drew the ire of Engoron.

“You did not answer the question. Please don’t make speeches, just answer the question,” he said.

Weisselberg also echoed Trump’s defense, telling Engoron that “there are many, many ways of valuing assets” when asked how the Trump Organization valued them in 2011, according to Bishop.

Although Trump will not face criminal charges in this case, the outcome could hamper his ability to conduct business in the state of New York. Legal experts have described the ruling as the corporate death penalty, while former Trump attorney Michael Cohen on Sunday said it could be a financial catastrophe for him.

Engoron ordered that some of Trump’s business licenses be rescinded and that the companies that own some of his properties be handed over to independent receivers. However, a New York appeals court halted the cancellation of Trump’s business certificates allowing him to operate in New York last Friday.

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