October 31, 2023 - Your Daily News Roundup

Antisemitism is on the rise while Trump's disqualification trial begins

Today is October 31, 2023 (Happy Halloween!) and here are the stories you may have missed from the last 24 hours. If you enjoy these daily digests and want to see more, exclusive content, then consider becoming a monthly subscriber at the link below:

1) Israel Update

Overnight, the Israeli military has expanded ground operations in Gaza, striking over 300 Hamas targets in north and central Gaza. As a result of these operations, Israel successfully released a hostage that was taken by Hamas. An Israeli soldier was rescued late yesterday. She has since been returned to her family in Israel. Meanwhile, Hamas has released another hostage video depicting three Israeli women who were kidnapped by terrorists on October 7th. It is imperative that if you see this video that you do not interact with it as Hamas is using these hostage videos to spread anti-Israel propaganda. 

While the ground operation continues, calls for a ceasefire from many around the globe continue to grow. Despite this, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has forcefully rejected any ceasefire deal stating that now is the time for war. When thinking about a ceasefire, some historical context is necessary. Since 2003, Hamas and Israel have had over one dozen ceasefires. Each time, Hamas terrorists broke the ceasefire previously agreed to, once again targeting Israelis with rockets. In Hamas' founding charter, it called for the ultimate extermination of Israel and those who reside there. True peace cannot be achieved in the Middle East until Hamas is no longer in charge in Gaza, and the Israeli military has made this clear. 

However, denying a ceasefire should not mean denying humanitarian aid to the millions of innocent Palestinian civilians currently living in Gaza. They did not ask for this war, nor did they start this war. And Palestinian civilians should not be equated to Hamas. The two are not the same. As a result, more humanitarian aid is flowing into Gaza via the Rafah border this morning. At least forty more trucks have entered the Gaza Strip, carrying food, medicine, and water. The United States is closely working with allies in the Middle East to increase the number of trucks entering the Gaza Strip, while also working to ensure that the humanitarian aid does not go to Hamas fighters, but rather the Palestinian civilians. Reporting suggests that the ultimate goal is to have over 100 trucks enter the Gaza Strip daily. More to come on this. 

2) Antisemitism on the Rise

Unfortunately, due to the war in Israel, antisemitism is on the rise globally, both in the classroom and on the streets. As a result, the Biden Administration has launched an initiative to combat antisemitism on college campuses. Just in the past several weeks, we have seen antisemitic images and message coming from George Washington University, Cornell University, and elsewhere. See these examples below:

Meanwhile, antisemitism is being seen in cities across America. More and more videos of individuals ripping down flyers of hostages taken by Hamas are appearing on the internet, while pro-Hamas rallies, disguised as pro-Palestinian rallies, break out in regions across the world. In many of these rallies we have seen images of swastikas and other antisemitic references. It is critical to remember that no matter what side you fall on in terms of the decades long Israeli-Palestinian conflict that you do not use this as a reason to spread antisemitism, islamophobia, or any other hateful rhetoric. 

3) Republican Lawmakers Play Politics With Israel Aid

In Congress, Republican lawmakers, under Speaker Mike Johnson, introduced their first legislation since Speaker Johnson took the gavel, and it is nothing more than an attempt to play politics with funding our allies overseas. This new legislation conditions about 14.3 billion dollars in aid to Israel on cutting the same amount from the Inflation Reduction Act's funding of the IRS. Both Republicans and Democrats have already called for an end of this political attempt. If Speaker Johnson was serious about helping Israel in a time like this, he would pass a clean aid bill without any conditions. Learn more and read the full bill here. 

4) Trump Disqualification Trial Begins 

In non-Israel news, a major trial has begun in Colorado where Donald Trump's political future is on the line. A group of citizens has filed a lawsuit arguing that Trump should not be permitted to appear on the 2024 ballot because he is disqualified based on his actions leading up to January 6, 2021 under the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. Yesterday, California Congressman Eric Swalwell testified at the trial and spoke about the impacts of Donald Trump's actions and rhetoric on members of Congress both on January 6, 2021 and leading up to it. Stay tuned for more. 

5) Expulsion of George Santos Coming Soon?

Finally, George Santos may be expelled from Congress as soon as this week. A new resolution filed by six New York Republicans is seeking the expulsion of Santos following his latest indictment where Santos is charged with 23 federal criminal charges and faces the potential of decades in federal prison. The resolution needs 2/3rds support from the entire House of Representatives, and a vote on the resolution is expected as soon as tomorrow. More to come on this.