On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes killed 13 people in the Gaza Strip, including three Islamic Jihad leaders, according to Palestinian officials. Israeli authorities described one of the targeted leaders as being responsible for previous rocket launches against Israel. Hamas condemned the assassinations and warned of retaliation. In addition to the militant leaders, a hospital director and his wife and child were also killed.
The same day, authorities in Texas charged a man for allegedly shooting and killing 8 people at a mall. Reports indicated he had a history of promoting antisemitic and racist ideas on the internet.
The news of the tragedies in the Middle East and the US coincided with Ukraine’s decision to switch their celebration of Victory Day in World War II, from May 9 with Russia to May 8 in accordance with the west.
A teacher was also arrested in Florida for alleged inappropriate behavior with children. Police say he sent an inappropriate photo to a 10-year-old student with the caption “always wanted to date you.”
On the other hand, in a very different news item, Israeli cabinet passed a new plan known as “Kosher Electricity”. The plan creates battery banks that can provide power on Shabbat and religious holidays for Orthodox Jews whose rabbis forbid connecting to the national grid at those times.
Also, a Navy Reservist who praised Hitler was recently sentenced to four years in prison for his part in the January 6 insurrection.
Finally, on Monday night, some 200,000 Haredi Jews congregated at Mount Meron in Israel for a traditional celebration of Lag B’Omer; the event was held under strict crowd-control measures and included a memorial to the 45 people killed in a stampede two years ago.
Amy Spitalnick was recently named the new head of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA). Spitalnick is best known for her involvement in a successful lawsuit against the organizers of a neo-Nazi march in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. Under her leadership, the organization strives to strengthen American democracy, protect civil rights, and promote social justice.
