Tag: israel

DC shooter Elias Rodriguez called for ‘genocide of white people’ in leaked text messages: report

Elias Rodriguez, the man recently accused of killing two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC, called for the “genocide of white people,” according to leaked text messages obtained by journalist Ken Klippenstein, which revealed the shooter’s disturbing obsession with this particular demographic.

Additionally, witness testimony and additional messages demonstrated that Rodriguez held an animosity toward Israel and supported Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist organization. The communications provide a more comprehensive understanding of the alleged cold-blooded killer’s political ideologies and long-standing convictions.

“Lol you probably would have to actually genocide white people to make this a normal country,” Rodriguez wrote to his friends, according to the report.

“Like even a very targeted and selective rehabilitation program would probably have to lead to the lifetime imprisonments of tens of millions of white people,” Rodriguez added.

Further allegations made by his friends suggest that while Rodriguez had allegedly never expressed disdain towards Jewish people, he had a severe hatred of Israel. “He never, ever said anything remotely racist about Jews or anyone,” a friend told Klippenstein.

A friend added that Rodriguez was “a big proponent of the ’emerging resistance axis’ of Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, Assad’s Syria.” The accused also referred to Israel as “The Little Satan,” and “seemed pretty vocally in favor of Hamas for years – way before 2023,” according to his friends.

Following the deaths of two Hamas leaders, Hassan Nasrallah and Yahya Sinwar, who were killed by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during Israel’s war against Hamas, Rodriguez wrote in a message: “Honestly i’m still just feeling sad about the murder of hassan nasrallah. It hurts when people are killed specifically for doing what’s right, when so many are afraid to.”

Additionally, Rodriguez said he was saddened by the killing of Sinwar, the former chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, who helped construct the October 2023 terror attack on Israel, according to the report.

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Germany threatens steps against Israel as tone shifts over Gaza

Germany’s foreign minister threatened unspecified measures against Israel on Tuesday and said Berlin would not export weapons used to break humanitarian law, as he and Chancellor Friedrich Merz delivered their most severe rebuke yet over Gaza.

Germany, along with the United States, had long remained in support of Israel’s conduct since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, even as Israel became increasingly isolated internationally. Its about-turn comes as the European Union is reviewing its Israel policy and Britain, France and Canada also threatened “concrete actions” over Gaza.

Speaking to broadcaster WDR, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned Germany’s historic support for Israel must not be instrumentalised, as massive air strikes and shortages of food and medicines had made the situation in Gaza “unbearable”.

Earlier, Merz criticised air strikes on Gaza as no longer justified by the need to fight Hamas and “no longer comprehensible”, in comments at a press conference in Finland.

While not a complete rupture, the shift in tone is significant in a country whose leadership follows a policy of special responsibility for Israel, known as the Staatsraeson, due to the legacy of the Nazi Holocaust.

It also reflects a broader shift in German public opinion.

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Israeli Bombs, Gas Nearly Killed American Held By Hamas in Month Before Release

The father of Israeli-American IDF soldier Edan Alexander revealed that his son was nearly killed in an Israeli attack one month before Hamas released his son. The attack happened after Tel Aviv shut down the initial talks between Hamas and the Trump administration to ensure his release. 

According to an account by Alexander’s father, on April 14, Israel dropped multiple bombs above the tunnels where his son was held. The bombing created a toxic gas that nearly suffocated Edan to death. A second strike caused the tunnel he was in to collapse as he was fleeing the gas, nearly burying Alexander. 

In a statement from Edan relayed through his father, he explained how he was nearly killed by Israel. “I thought that was it, I’m dead. I managed to miraculously survive for a year and a half, but now it’s the end. I’m going to suffocate here in the tunnel,” he said. 

“We started to run away, and there was some kind of corridor — a very, very long corridor — I don’t know what was there on the other side, probably a connection to another route. We started running in that direction and then, suddenly, another bomb fell right above.” He added, “When the second bomb fell, and everything collapsed and we were buried underneath. It was the scariest moment of all time in captivity.”

Alexander is an American who was born in New Jersey. He enlisted in the IDF and was serving in a tank unit on October 7 when he was captured by Hamas. Alexander sustained injuries to his shoulder and hands during the Israeli attack that he is still recovering from. 

The date of the attack that nearly killed Alexander is notable as that same day, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said that Tel Aviv knew the location of the hostages and the operations would not endanger their lives. 

Additionally, the attack followed the initial push by the Trump administration to secure the release of Alexander, who was the only living American held by Hamas. In March, Trump’s Hostage Envoy Adam Bohler engaged in direct talks with Hamas on securing Alexander’s freedom. 

However, at that time, Tel Aviv lashed out at Bohler for attempting to make a deal and the talks ended. Early this month, the talks resumed when Hamas agreed to release Alexander as a unilateral show of good faith. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tel Aviv would not make any concessions to facilitate the release of Alexander. 

An official told The Times of Israel that Tel Aviv opposed Alexander’s release out of concern that Trump may lose interest in Gaza if there are no American hostages.

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Ex-POW Of Hamas Says She Most Feared Israeli Bombs, Not Her Captors

An Israeli intelligence soldier who was taken prisoner by Hamas during the militant group’s Oct 7 2023 invasion of Israel says the greatest threat to her life during her 477 days in captivity came from the Israeli bombing campaign — and not the men who were holding her. In a speech at a Tel Aviv rally demanding an end to Israel’s war in Gaza as well as new elections, 20-year-old Naama Levy gave a visceral account of what it was like to live under constant Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) bombardment: 

“They come by surprise. First you hear a whistle, pray it doesn’t fall on you, and then — the booms, a noise loud enough to paralyze you. The earth shakes. I was convinced every single time that I was finished, and it’s also what put me in the greatest danger: one of the bombardments collapsed part of the house I was in. The wall I was leaning on didn’t collapse, and that’s what saved me.”

Adding her voice to the many in Israel that want an end to the obliteration of Gaza and the return of their fellow citizens held captive, Levy noted that the detainees continued to live the hellish existence she did:

“That was my reality, and now it’s their reality. At this very moment, there are hostages who hear those same whistles and booms, shaking with fear. They have nowhere to run, they can only pray and cling to the wall while feeling a horrible powerlessness.”

Levy said she also endured another kind of pain being intentionally inflicted on every man, woman and child in Gaza — hunger and thirst:  

“There were entire days without food and little water. One day, I had nothing left, not even water. Fortunately, it started raining. My captors put a pot outside the house where I was held, and the rain filled it. I drank that rain water, which was enough for a pot of rice. That’s what kept me going.”

She enjoyed a weekly glimpse into what has happening back home in Israel: Her captors let her watch television every Saturday. She said the images of Israeli protesters pushing for the release of civilian hostages and prisoners of war buoyed her spirits. “I saw thousands standing here wrapped in flags, shouting, singing, holding pictures of the hostages, including mine. You made me feel that I was not forgotten,” she said. 

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American who threatened to assassinate Trump arrested at JFK Airport over ‘plan to bomb US embassy in Israel’

An American man was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport for plotting to bomb the US embassy in Israel.

Joseph Neumayer, a 28-year-old dual United States and German citizen, was charged with attempting to destroy, by means of fire or explosive, the Branch Office of the United States Embassy located in Tel Aviv, according to the Justice Department.

He arrived in Israel in April, then was detain after spitting on a security guard outside the embassy on May 19.

The Justice Department said Neumeyer broke free from the guard, but left behind his dark-colored backpack.

Investigators found three Molotov cocktails inside his bag then tracked him down to his hotel and arrested him.

‘A tourist was arrested in Tel Aviv after allegedly spitting at a guard at the US Embassy branch office and is suspected of leaving behind a bag with flammable materials while attempting to flee,’ Israel police said.

‘Police and municipal personnel quickly located and arrested the suspect. Police bomb squad arrived to clear the bag and found potential Molotov cocktail components.’

According to court documents, Neumeyer posted on social media earlier that day, ‘Join me as I burn down the embassy in Tel Aviv. Death to America, death to Americans, and f**k the west.’ 

Other social media post alleged showed he had also threatened to assassinate Donald Trump.

Israeli officials deported Neumeyer back to the United States, and he was arrested at the New York airport on Sunday. 

‘This defendant is charged with planning a devastating attack targeting our embassy in Israel, threatening death to Americans, and President Trump’s life,’ said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. 

‘The Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.’ 

If convicted, Neumeyer faces a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison. 

‘As alleged, Neumeyer, armed with potentially lethal devices, sought to cause chaos and destruction at the U.S.Embassy in Tel Aviv,’ said U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York. 

‘His arrest and prosecution clearly show that my Office and the Department of Justice will not tolerate violence in our homeland or violence targeting U.S. interests abroad.’

‘The defendant is charged with attempting to firebomb the U.S. Embassy and making threats to President Trump,’ said FBI Director Kash Patel. 

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Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian homes in northern West Bank

Israeli settlers set fire to several Palestinian homes on Thursday evening after storming the outskirts of Bruqin town, west of Salfit province in the northern occupied West Bank.

According to WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, a group of settlers attacked the area, setting fire to a number of homes. The fires caused extensive damage and led to large-scale blazes across parts of the town. Footage circulating on social media showed flames spreading in several locations in Bruqin.

The arson attack took place just hours after Israeli forces re-entered the town on Thursday evening, following a brief withdrawal earlier in the day. WAFA reported that the army returned in large numbers with military vehicles, blocked several internal roads, and raided multiple houses, launching thorough searches.

Earlier on Thursday, Israeli troops had withdrawn from Bruqin and the nearby town of Kafr ad-Dik after a nine-day military operation. The campaign included the killing of a Palestinian man, widespread arrests, and the conversion of several homes into military outposts, under the pretext of searching for the person behind a shooting incident that killed an Israeli woman and injured her husband.

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British Airways Extends Suspension Of Israel Flights As More Houthi Missiles Target Airport

Another ballistic missile fired from Yemen has targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in central Israel on Friday, in reportedly the third such attack on Israel within 24 hours.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the fresh attack in a televised statement, saying “The Houthi forces targeted Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile” and that the attack “successfully achieved its goal.”

While the Houthis have repeatedly claimed “hypersonic” missile attacks over several weeks, there’s as yet no evidence that they possess this advanced technology. Still, it has become clear that Israel’s advanced air defense systems at time have trouble intercepting the inbound projectiles, as a May 4th attack demonstrated.

The Houthis spokesman claimed of this new Friday attack that it caused “millions of Zionist settlers to flee to shelters and halted airport operations.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged an inbound missile, which set off warning sirens in central Israel, but did not indicate any ground strikes or damage:

Early on Friday morning, sirens blared across Tel Aviv as a result of the Yemeni missile. The Israeli army said in a statement that it intercepted the missile. 

A Yemeni missile was also intercepted by Israeli air defenses on Thursday afternoon, following an earlier missile attack, which Tel Aviv also said it intercepted.

The Houthis have been stepping up attacks on Israel in recent weeks, and after a few major waves of Israeli strikes on Yemen, which destroyed the international airport in Sanaa. 

While such Israeli retaliation has clearly caused much damage and death inside Yemen, the constant Houthi fire is also impacting Israel – at least on an economic and logistical level. 

Times of Israel reports Friday on more foreign carriers suspending operations at Israeli airports:

British Airways joins the growing list of companies extending their cancellation of flights to and from Israel following the Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion Airport at the beginning of the month.

Hebrew media reports that British Airways has extended its suspension until the end of July.

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Rep. Randy Fine: Pro-Palestine Movement Are ‘Demons’ Who ‘Must Be Put Down by Any Means Necessary’

Newly elected Florida Rep Randy Fine rushed to blame “Muslim terror” for the shooting of two Israeli embassy aides in DC on Wednesday night and declared that the pro-Palestine movement are “demons” who “must be put down by any means necessary.”

“Muslim terror has come to our Nation’s Capital tonight,” Rep. Fine said on X. “Two Jews were assassinated by a gunman sporting a terror rag and yelling ‘Free Palestine.'”

“It is high time for us to acknowledge there is nothing peaceful about this movement and that these demons must be put down by any means necessary,” Fine, who is Jewish, demanded.

The suspect within hours of the shooting was swiftly identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez, an Hispanic left-wing activist from Chicago. There are no indications he’s a Muslim.

The aides were named as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. The two were reportedly a couple. A former teacher of Lischinsky’s said he was “a Christian who served in the IDF, and dedicated his life to Israel and Zionism.”

Ken Klippenstein published Rodriguez’s alleged manifesto in which he characterized his planned action as an “armed demonstration” against the genocide in Gaza. The manifesto had nothing in it about Islam and contained no indications that religion was a motivating factor.

Rep. Fine, despite now being a member of Congress, couldn’t even wait a few hours for the facts to come in before calling for the mass slaughter of his political enemies.

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Israeli doctor compared killing Palestinians in Gaza to ‘eliminating cockroaches’

An Israeli doctor serving as an army reservist has compared killing people in Gaza to “eliminating cockroaches” in a post on social media.

Writing on X on Sunday, Sabo Amos, who works as a surgeon in Israel’s public healthcare system, said he had volunteered to take part in “eliminations” after his battalion had killed “dozens of terrorists” the previous day.

Amos said he had requested to take part in operations “within the framework of preventative medicine”, but said another doctor had suggested his involvement was a matter of “public health”.

“On second thought, he’s right. After all, we’re talking about eliminating cockroaches and other loathsome insects,” Amos wrote in the now-deleted post.

Later on Sunday, he posted an image which he said showed Israeli soldiers participating in an afternoon Jewish prayer service in a mosque in northern Gaza.

“Every few minutes, machine gun fire or tank shells hit Gaza. Grind them,” he wrote.

Amos previously called for Gaza to be “erased” in a post on X in August 2024.

“There are no uninvolved people there,” he wrote.

Amos works for Maccabi Healthcare Services, one of Israel’s main public healthcare providers, which offers services to all Israeli nationals, including Palestinian citizens of Israel.

According to Maccabi’s website, he is based in a mixed city in northern Israel with a large Palestinian population.

MEE has contacted Maccabi Healthcare Services for comment.

A Palestinian doctor working in the public healthcare system in Israel, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told MEE he was not surprised by Amos’s comments.

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Gaza Health Ministry Publishes Names of 16,506 Children Killed by Israeli Military Since October 2023

On Thursday, Gaza’s Health Ministry published a list of 16,506 Palestinian children it has identified who have been killed by the Israeli military in Gaza since October 2023.

The first 27 pages list 917 babies who didn’t make it to their first birthdays. The list also includes 4,365 children killed between the ages of one and five, 6,101 who were between six and 12, and 5,124 who were between 13 and 17 years old.

The full 486-page list includes names, ID numbers, birth dates, ages, and how the children were confirmed killed, whether by the Health Ministry’s own records or through reports from their families.

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