freebeacon--2020-03-09--Sanders Hires Surrogate Who Equated Zionism With Racism, Blamed America for 9/11

Bernie Sanders 's new senior adviser circulated cartoons blaming America for 9/11 on social media and has equated Zionism to racism .
On Saturday , the Sanders campaign added self-proclaimed `` militant '' Phillip Agnew to the payroll as a senior adviser , as the Vermont senator attempts to close the race gap that has propelled former vice president Joe Biden to primary victories in a number of southern states .
Sanders called Agnew , who is black , a `` gifted organizer '' in a release .
`` I am excited to welcome Phillip to our team , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes by the name Umi Selah .
`` He is a gifted organizer and one of his generation 's most critical voices on issues of race and inequity .
He has and will continue to push me and this movement to deliver on what is owed to Black people who have yet to experience reciprocity in this country . ''
A Washington Free Beacon report in January exposed a series of social media posts in which Agnew appears to argue that the U.S. government was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks .
Agnew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ninth anniversary that `` Tomorrow America remembers the day that she turned on herself , dismantled her constitution , and killed her own citizens in the name of money . ''
Agnew also shared a cartoon suggesting that American foreign policy caused the attacks in a 2016 Instagram post with the caption `` # neverforget what goes round come round . ''
In addition to sharing apparent 9/11 conspiracy theories , Agnew argued that Zionism `` is a racist , exploitative , and exclusionary ideology '' in a 2015 Ebony magazine article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Zionism to the Black Freedom struggle , '' Agnew wrote .
`` No rhetorical imagination-acrobatics can conjure one and no amount of intimidation can chart one .
It is a racist , exploitative , and exclusionary ideology . ''
In the article , Agnew criticized then-president Obama for comparing `` the right of the Jewish people to have a homeland and to feel safe and free of discrimination '' to `` the right of African Americans to vote and have equal protection under the law . ''
Agnew has also defended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that `` the destruction of property '' is a valid way of `` starting the conversation '' in a 2015 Time essay .
`` I don ’ t see a distinction between violent and nonviolent protests , '' he said .
`` What I see is protest . ''
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
Agnew is cofounder of Dream Defenders , an anti-Israel group that has promoted the Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement , which advocates for the economic boycott of Israel and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denounced capitalism , called for the abolition of prisons and police , and advocated for open borders .
The group compared itself to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine , a U.S.-designated terrorist organization , in a 2016 document prepared for schools .
`` They want to be free from global imperialism .
They want liberation .
They want equal rights .
Just like the Dream Defenders , '' the curriculum states .
It also notes that the Palestinian group 's tactics include `` hijackings , assassinations , car bombings , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilian and military targets . ''
The Sanders campaign has promoted its endorsement from Dream Defenders , and the group hosts phone banks for Sanders twice a week .
Agnew endorsed Sanders in July and has spoken alongside other high-profile campaign surrogates , including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D. , N.Y. ) and liberal filmmaker Michael Moore .
The activist indicated he would help the campaign with African-American outreach as the Sanders campaign struggles to attract black voters .
Former vice president Joe Biden won 71 percent of black voters in the Super @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inclusive of Black people across age , class , and gender lines , '' Agnew said in the campaign 's release .
`` We 've come a long way and more work to do .
I 'm excited to continue to grow and amplify the work of our Black organizing department . ''
Sanders 's campaign boasts a growing list of anti-Israel figures , including Linda Sarsour , who is a Dream Defenders board member .

Bernie Sanders's new senior adviser circulated cartoons blaming America for 9/11 on social media and has equated Zionism to racism.
On Saturday, the Sanders campaign added self-proclaimed "militant" Phillip Agnew to the payroll as a senior adviser, as the Vermont senator attempts to close the race gap that has propelled former vice president Joe Biden to primary victories in a number of southern states. Sanders called Agnew, who is black, a "gifted organizer" in a release.
"I am excited to welcome Phillip to our team," Sanders said of Agnew, who also goes by the name Umi Selah. "He is a gifted organizer and one of his generation's most critical voices on issues of race and inequity. He has and will continue to push me and this movement to deliver on what is owed to Black people who have yet to experience reciprocity in this country."
A Washington Free Beacon report in January exposed a series of social media posts in which Agnew appears to argue that the U.S. government was behind the September 11 terrorist attacks. Agnew tweeted on the eve of the attacks' ninth anniversary that "Tomorrow America remembers the day that she turned on herself, dismantled her constitution, and killed her own citizens in the name of money." Agnew also shared a cartoon suggesting that American foreign policy caused the attacks in a 2016 Instagram post with the caption "#neverforget what goes round come round."
Tomorrow America remembers the day that she turned on herself, dismantled her constitution, and killed her own citizens in the name of money — phillip agnew (@iPhilSomething) September 10, 2010
In addition to sharing apparent 9/11 conspiracy theories, Agnew argued that Zionism "is a racist, exploitative, and exclusionary ideology" in a 2015 Ebony magazine article.
"There is no direct line from Zionism to the Black Freedom struggle," Agnew wrote. "No rhetorical imagination-acrobatics can conjure one and no amount of intimidation can chart one. It is a racist, exploitative, and exclusionary ideology."
In the article, Agnew criticized then-president Obama for comparing "the right of the Jewish people to have a homeland and to feel safe and free of discrimination" to "the right of African Americans to vote and have equal protection under the law."
Agnew has also defended the use of violence in the past, saying that "the destruction of property" is a valid way of "starting the conversation" in a 2015 Time essay.
"I don’t see a distinction between violent and nonviolent protests," he said. "What I see is protest."
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
Agnew is cofounder of Dream Defenders, an anti-Israel group that has promoted the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which advocates for the economic boycott of Israel and its people. Dream Defenders has also denounced capitalism, called for the abolition of prisons and police, and advocated for open borders. The group compared itself to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, in a 2016 document prepared for schools.
"They want to be free from global imperialism. They want liberation. They want equal rights. Just like the Dream Defenders," the curriculum states. It also notes that the Palestinian group's tactics include "hijackings, assassinations, car bombings, suicide bombings, and paramilitary operations against civilian and military targets."
The Sanders campaign has promoted its endorsement from Dream Defenders, and the group hosts phone banks for Sanders twice a week.
Agnew endorsed Sanders in July and has spoken alongside other high-profile campaign surrogates, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) and liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. The activist indicated he would help the campaign with African-American outreach as the Sanders campaign struggles to attract black voters. Former vice president Joe Biden won 71 percent of black voters in the Super Tuesday primaries.
"Our campaign is inclusive of Black people across age, class, and gender lines," Agnew said in the campaign's release. "We've come a long way and more work to do. I'm excited to continue to grow and amplify the work of our Black organizing department."
Sanders's campaign boasts a growing list of anti-Israel figures, including Linda Sarsour, who is a Dream Defenders board member.


freebeacon--2020-03-09--Continetti: Dem Voters Prioritizing Electability Despite ‘Electable’ Candidates Losing

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said Monday that Democratic primary voters are taking a risk by prioritizing electability , considering how `` electable '' candidates have lost in recent years .
`` Voters backed the electable candidate in the Republican primaries in 1996 , in the Democratic primaries in 2004 , and in the Republican primaries in 2012 , '' Continetti said Monday morning on Fox Business .
`` All three candidates went on to lose in November . ''
He added that former vice president Joe Biden 's surge ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters shifting their priorities to focus on defeating President Donald Trump .
`` What we 're finding from Democratic voters is they 're putting a priority on so-called electability .
They want to find the candidate who has the best shot at defeating Trump in November , '' Continetti said .
`` And that 's why they made this hard turn away from Sanders after Nevada and toward Biden before South Carolina and Super Tuesday . ''
Continetti also said it is too soon to count Sanders out , pointing to Biden 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Super Tuesday .
Six states will hold primaries on Tuesday : Idaho , Michigan , Mississippi , Missouri , North Dakota , and Washington .

Washington Free Beacon founding editor Matthew Continetti said Monday that Democratic primary voters are taking a risk by prioritizing electability, considering how "electable" candidates have lost in recent years.
"Voters backed the electable candidate in the Republican primaries in 1996, in the Democratic primaries in 2004, and in the Republican primaries in 2012," Continetti said Monday morning on Fox Business. "All three candidates went on to lose in November."
He added that former vice president Joe Biden's surge ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) is a result of Democratic voters shifting their priorities to focus on defeating President Donald Trump.
"What we're finding from Democratic voters is they're putting a priority on so-called electability. They want to find the candidate who has the best shot at defeating Trump in November," Continetti said. "And that's why they made this hard turn away from Sanders after Nevada and toward Biden before South Carolina and Super Tuesday."
Continetti also said it is too soon to count Sanders out, pointing to Biden's sudden resurgence between the South Carolina primary and Super Tuesday.
Six states will hold primaries on Tuesday: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, and Washington.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Hillary Clinton Can’t Stop Running

Hillary Clinton Can’t Stop Running

`` I have no regrets ; I 'm a very grateful person , '' twice-failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says toward the end of Hillary , the new Hulu documentary series about her life .
Like many of her public statements over the years , especially those requiring a modicum of self-reflection , it 's not very convincing .
The average viewer will understand by then , if they 've managed to suffer through the full four-hour running time , what Hillary wishes she could say in front of the camera : `` I do n't deserve this ; I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purports to tell the `` unvarnished '' story of Hillary Clinton 's life , as told by Hillary , her closest friends , and an array of staffers formerly paid to spin on her behalf .
( A few journalists , as well , to the extent that there 's a difference . )
One unvarnished opinion we get from Hillary is her much-publicized denigration of Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) .
`` No one likes him , '' she says of her 2016 primary opponent .
We also learn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's running mate , Sen. Tim Kaine ( D. , Va. ) , to help `` keep a fascist out of the White House . ''
The parts of most interest to the average viewer—about Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton 's prolific infidelity—remain quite varnished , however , and are almost boring .
`` We all bring our baggage to life , and sometimes we do things we should n't do , '' is how Bill sums up the scandal that led to his impeachment .
`` We had challenges like any married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a separate interview .
`` I 'm not going to go any further than that . ''
One might expect a film that attempts to tell Hillary 's story in the context of `` the history of contemporary feminism in the United States , and the history of partisan politics '' might have been interested in examining the former first lady 's role in undermining the credibility of her husband 's accusers .
But it was n't .
Nor were the filmmakers particularly interested in exploring Hillary 's bitter 2008 primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time John Edwards complimented Hillary 's blouse during a debate .
Speaking of which , Democratic sex pests feature prominently in film .
No surprise there .
Anthony Weiner gives the FBI an excuse to derail Hillary 's campaign .
There is even a clip of MSNBC 's Chris Matthews , who was recently ousted amid allegations of sexual harassment , arguing that `` the reason [ Hillary ] is a candidate for president , the reason she may be a frontrunner , is her husband messed around . ''
By contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party is on full display .
During her time at Wellesley , for example , Hillary was elected president of the College Republicans , and her commencement speaker was Sen. Edward Brooke ( R. , Mass . )
, the first African-American popularly elected to the U.S. Senate .
Hillary is the latest iteration of the strange , gratuitous campaign to revamp the legacy of the first female presidential candidate to lose to Donald Trump .
It is riddled with shopworn talking points , especially about her private email server , which Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mistake , '' but mostly because the stupid media blew it out of proportion and made it seem like she had done something wrong—even though she technically adhered to the spirit of the relevant bylaws .
`` I am the most investigated innocent person in America ! ''
she declares .
Because of sexism .
What remains is a familiar version of Hillary 's story , one in which the `` scarred '' protagonist is forced to overcome , in her words , a `` gauntlet of unbelievable obstacles . ''
She is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her .
She 's crippled by a `` responsibility gene '' that makes her a `` really good public official '' but a `` less than ideal politician . ''
She 's always `` trying to explain things that people [ do n't ] want to hear . ''
By far the most unvarnished moment comes courtesy of New York Times reporter Peter Baker , who discusses the speeches Hillary gave to Wall Street banks and other corporate entities for $ 250,000 a pop .
He offers a rare insightful take on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There is this sense that [ Hillary ] knows that she is an ethical , moral , righteous person , and therefore if she 's decided this is an okay thing to do , then it 's okay , and anybody who criticizes it must be doing so for illegitimate reasons , because they 're partisan , they 're enemies , '' says Baker .
`` She 's supremely confident in her own righteousness . ''
Hillary , in characteristic fashion , proves Baker 's point by expressing confusion and indignation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` That 's how I made some money '' after leaving the State Department , she says , while lamenting that she does n't get any credit for declining to become a lobbyist or corporate board member .
The average American might use any number of phrases to describe $ 22 million .
`` Some money '' is n't one of them .
Hillary Clinton , of course , is not the average American .
She is , among other things , constantly running for president—of her high school student council ( loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( win ) , of the United States of America ( loss , loss ) .
No one forced her to , but she `` felt compelled . ''
She is , in a way , still running for president .
The book tours , film promotions , and Howard Stern Show appearances suggest she intends to persist , blaming others , attempting to explain herself .
It 's a shame that no one cares .
At the very least , it 's fun to revisit some of the archived footage from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Hillary as an `` ambitious yuppie from hell . ''
There 's also behind-the-scenes footage from the 2016 election featuring several clips of Hillary coughing her way around various venues , filmed by her campaign for what was supposed to be a celebratory documentary about the first female president .
Instead , it wound up in a piece of milquetoast propaganda , less intended to persuade , or even explain , than to assuage the already infatuated .

"I have no regrets; I'm a very grateful person," twice-failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says toward the end of Hillary, the new Hulu documentary series about her life. Like many of her public statements over the years, especially those requiring a modicum of self-reflection, it's not very convincing. The average viewer will understand by then, if they've managed to suffer through the full four-hour running time, what Hillary wishes she could say in front of the camera: "I don't deserve this; I've done nothing wrong."
Hillary purports to tell the "unvarnished" story of Hillary Clinton's life, as told by Hillary, her closest friends, and an array of staffers formerly paid to spin on her behalf. (A few journalists, as well, to the extent that there's a difference.) One unvarnished opinion we get from Hillary is her much-publicized denigration of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.). "No one likes him," she says of her 2016 primary opponent. We also learn that former president Barack Obama told Hillary's running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine (D., Va.), to help "keep a fascist out of the White House."
The parts of most interest to the average viewer—about Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinton's prolific infidelity—remain quite varnished, however, and are almost boring. "We all bring our baggage to life, and sometimes we do things we shouldn't do," is how Bill sums up the scandal that led to his impeachment. "We had challenges like any married couple would have," says Hillary, in a separate interview. "I'm not going to go any further than that."
One might expect a film that attempts to tell Hillary's story in the context of "the history of contemporary feminism in the United States, and the history of partisan politics" might have been interested in examining the former first lady's role in undermining the credibility of her husband's accusers. But it wasn't. Nor were the filmmakers particularly interested in exploring Hillary's bitter 2008 primary contest against Barack Obama, except for the time John Edwards complimented Hillary's blouse during a debate.
Speaking of which, Democratic sex pests feature prominently in film. No surprise there. Anthony Weiner gives the FBI an excuse to derail Hillary's campaign. There is even a clip of MSNBC's Chris Matthews, who was recently ousted amid allegations of sexual harassment, arguing that "the reason [Hillary] is a candidate for president, the reason she may be a frontrunner, is her husband messed around." By contrast, the benevolent progressivism of the Republican Party is on full display. During her time at Wellesley, for example, Hillary was elected president of the College Republicans, and her commencement speaker was Sen. Edward Brooke (R., Mass.), the first African-American popularly elected to the U.S. Senate.
Hillary is the latest iteration of the strange, gratuitous campaign to revamp the legacy of the first female presidential candidate to lose to Donald Trump. It is riddled with shopworn talking points, especially about her private email server, which Hillary concedes "turned out to be a mistake," but mostly because the stupid media blew it out of proportion and made it seem like she had done something wrong—even though she technically adhered to the spirit of the relevant bylaws. "I am the most investigated innocent person in America!" she declares. Because of sexism.
What remains is a familiar version of Hillary's story, one in which the "scarred" protagonist is forced to overcome, in her words, a "gauntlet of unbelievable obstacles." She is constantly frustrated by other people's opinions of her. She's crippled by a "responsibility gene" that makes her a "really good public official" but a "less than ideal politician." She's always "trying to explain things that people [don't] want to hear."
By far the most unvarnished moment comes courtesy of New York Times reporter Peter Baker, who discusses the speeches Hillary gave to Wall Street banks and other corporate entities for $250,000 a pop. He offers a rare insightful take on Hillary's inability to comprehend criticism.
"There is this sense that [Hillary] knows that she is an ethical, moral, righteous person, and therefore if she's decided this is an okay thing to do, then it's okay, and anybody who criticizes it must be doing so for illegitimate reasons, because they're partisan, they're enemies," says Baker. "She's supremely confident in her own righteousness."
Hillary, in characteristic fashion, proves Baker's point by expressing confusion and indignation at the controversy over her paid speeches. "That's how I made some money" after leaving the State Department, she says, while lamenting that she doesn't get any credit for declining to become a lobbyist or corporate board member. The average American might use any number of phrases to describe $22 million. "Some money" isn't one of them.
Hillary Clinton, of course, is not the average American. She is, among other things, constantly running for president—of her high school student council (loss), of the Wellesley College Republicans (win), of the United States of America (loss, loss). No one forced her to, but she "felt compelled." She is, in a way, still running for president. The book tours, film promotions, and Howard Stern Show appearances suggest she intends to persist, blaming others, attempting to explain herself. It's a shame that no one cares.
At the very least, it's fun to revisit some of the archived footage from the 1990s, including one newscast that refers to Hillary as an "ambitious yuppie from hell." There's also behind-the-scenes footage from the 2016 election featuring several clips of Hillary coughing her way around various venues, filmed by her campaign for what was supposed to be a celebratory documentary about the first female president. Instead, it wound up in a piece of milquetoast propaganda, less intended to persuade, or even explain, than to assuage the already infatuated.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Sanders: No Regrets for Praising Castro

Sanders: No Regrets for Praising Castro

Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) on Monday said during a Fox News town hall that he does n't regret praising the deceased Cuban dictator Fidel Castro .
Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Sanders whether he regretted his praise of Castro 's `` literacy program '' in an interview on 60 Minutes , since it appears those comments hurt him in subsequent primaries .
Sanders replied , `` No . ''
`` Look , I have spent my entire life fighting for working people and fighting for democracy , '' Sanders said .
`` If you check @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , whether it is in the Soviet Union , whether it is in Cuba , whether it is in Saudi Arabia . ''
Sanders , who has fallen behind former vice president Joe Biden in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination , attempted to blame the media for the backlash he received for praising Castro .
`` I know it 's hard given ‘ gotcha ' questions , '' Sanders said .
`` Given the media that we deal with and everything else , you say something and people can beat up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to tell the truth .
So , if in China they 've reduced extreme poverty , does that make me a communist who supports China ?
No , I 'm just telling you a simple fact . ''
Baier later brought up that some Democrats , including Rep. Stephanie Murphy ( Fla. ) , criticized Sanders 's praise of Castro , prompting him to say , `` Of course they did . ''
`` So what ?
I 've got a lot of Democrats who are attacking me as well .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Sanders said .
Several Florida Democrats criticized Sanders after the 60 Minutes interview , saying his comments were `` ill-informed '' and `` insulting to thousands of Floridians . ''
`` Whether the subject is Cuba , Venezuela , Nicaragua , Israel or other foreign policy challenges , [ Sanders ] has consistently taken positions that are wrong on the merits and will alienate many Florida voters now and in the general election if he is nominated , '' Murphy said .
During the Cold War , Sanders praised Castro 's Cuba @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and impressed by the Cuban Revolution . ''
He said that while Cuba was n't `` perfect , '' it `` solved some very important problems . ''

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) on Monday said during a Fox News town hall that he doesn't regret praising the deceased Cuban dictator Fidel Castro.
Fox News anchor Bret Baier asked Sanders whether he regretted his praise of Castro's "literacy program" in an interview on 60 Minutes, since it appears those comments hurt him in subsequent primaries. Sanders replied, "No."
"Look, I have spent my entire life fighting for working people and fighting for democracy," Sanders said. "If you check my record, I have condemned authoritarianism, whether it is in the Soviet Union, whether it is in Cuba, whether it is in Saudi Arabia."
Sanders, who has fallen behind former vice president Joe Biden in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, attempted to blame the media for the backlash he received for praising Castro.
"I know it's hard given 'gotcha' questions," Sanders said. "Given the media that we deal with and everything else, you say something and people can beat up on you. I think you've got to tell the truth. So, if in China they've reduced extreme poverty, does that make me a communist who supports China? No, I'm just telling you a simple fact."
Baier later brought up that some Democrats, including Rep. Stephanie Murphy (Fla.), criticized Sanders's praise of Castro, prompting him to say, "Of course they did."
"So what? I've got a lot of Democrats who are attacking me as well. You know that. Nothing new there," Sanders said.
Several Florida Democrats criticized Sanders after the 60 Minutes interview, saying his comments were "ill-informed" and "insulting to thousands of Floridians."
"Whether the subject is Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Israel or other foreign policy challenges, [Sanders] has consistently taken positions that are wrong on the merits and will alienate many Florida voters now and in the general election if he is nominated," Murphy said.
During the Cold War, Sanders praised Castro's Cuba and said he was "very excited and impressed by the Cuban Revolution." He said that while Cuba wasn't "perfect," it "solved some very important problems."


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Tlaib Pictured in T-Shirt That Erases Israel Off the Map

Rep. Rashida Tlaib ( D. , Mich. ) was recently pictured sporting a t-shirt that portrays the modern state of Israel as belonging entirely to Palestine .
Tlaib , one of Congress 's leading critics of Israel , was pictured in the t-shirt while promoting a recently published book by Linda Sarsour , another outspoken critic of the Jewish state who serves as a surrogate for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign .
The shirt portrays present-day Israel as a Palestinian state .
Shirts of this nature have been a mainstay of pro-Palestinian activists who reject a two-state solution and argue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not exist .
`` Stand in solidarity with Palestine by wearing this beautiful Palestinian tee-shirt , '' reads one online advertisement for the shirt worn by Tlaib .
`` An outlined map of Palestine is filled with red , white , and green Arabic letters that look stunning from a distance and spell the word Palestine up close .
A patterned shemagh wraps around the neck of the Palestinian state like the brave soldiers whose boots stand on the dusty ground . ''
Tlaib did not respond to a request for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pro-Israel and Jewish communities for comments they say are anti-Semitic .
The Anti-Defamation League ( ADL ) , which combats anti-Semitic incitement , condemned Tlaib in late January for tweeting an inaccurate story claiming Israeli Jews murdered a Palestinian child .
The ADL cited her for promoting a `` blood libel '' that was `` steeped in centuries-old accusations used to demonize Jews . ''
Tlaib 's associations with many organizations and causes that single Israel out for undue criticism have also generated deep divides between the congresswoman and the pro-Israel community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boycott , Divestment , and Sanctions movement , which critics call anti-Semitic for its promotion of economic boycotts against Jewish-owned businesses .

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) was recently pictured sporting a t-shirt that portrays the modern state of Israel as belonging entirely to Palestine.
Tlaib, one of Congress's leading critics of Israel, was pictured in the t-shirt while promoting a recently published book by Linda Sarsour, another outspoken critic of the Jewish state who serves as a surrogate for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.
The shirt portrays present-day Israel as a Palestinian state. Shirts of this nature have been a mainstay of pro-Palestinian activists who reject a two-state solution and argue that the world's only Jewish state should not exist.
"Stand in solidarity with Palestine by wearing this beautiful Palestinian tee-shirt," reads one online advertisement for the shirt worn by Tlaib. "An outlined map of Palestine is filled with red, white, and green Arabic letters that look stunning from a distance and spell the word Palestine up close. A patterned shemagh wraps around the neck of the Palestinian state like the brave soldiers whose boots stand on the dusty ground."
Tlaib did not respond to a request for comment.
Tlaib has been repeatedly criticized by the pro-Israel and Jewish communities for comments they say are anti-Semitic. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), which combats anti-Semitic incitement, condemned Tlaib in late January for tweeting an inaccurate story claiming Israeli Jews murdered a Palestinian child. The ADL cited her for promoting a "blood libel" that was "steeped in centuries-old accusations used to demonize Jews."
Tlaib's associations with many organizations and causes that single Israel out for undue criticism have also generated deep divides between the congresswoman and the pro-Israel community. They include groups that support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, which critics call anti-Semitic for its promotion of economic boycotts against Jewish-owned businesses.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--FEMA Seeking Contractors to Deliver Portable Toilets, Showers Within 24 Hours Notice as Coronavirus

FEMA Seeking Contractors to Deliver Portable Toilets, Showers Within 24 Hours Notice as Coronavirus Spreads

The U.S. government 's disaster response agency placed an urgent request last week seeking contractors who can deliver portable toilets , showers , and hand-washing stations throughout the United States within 24 hours notice , a potential sign of how the administration could be preparing to respond to a coronavirus pandemic .
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was looking for vendors who are able to provide `` portable facilities , to include toilets , showers , and handwash stations during a FEMA disaster response to all U.S. state , local , tribal , and territorial government locations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notice '' the agency posted on the federal public solicitation database on March 3 .
Federal agencies publish `` sources sought notices '' to collect information on potential vendors in a market and they often precede a formal solicitation notice for contractors .
Responses were requested by March 26 , 2020 .
A spokeswoman for FEMA told the Washington Free Beacon that it is `` promoting preparedness activities '' related to the global spread of coronavirus , which topped 800 confirmed cases in the United States on Tuesday .
The agency declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this response effort .
`` The federal government is taking aggressive and proactive steps to mitigate the spread and effects of the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) , '' said FEMA spokeswoman Janet Montesi .
`` Consistent with its mission , FEMA has also been promoting preparedness activities and is currently a supporting agency to HHS delivering crisis action planning , situational awareness , reporting , interagency coordination , course of action development , and logistics supply chain analysis through a Crisis Action Task Force located at the HHS Secretary ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has prompted mandatory quarantines in New York and other states .
New York governor Andrew Cuomo also announced the formation of a one-mile containment zone in Westchester County this week .
Contractors `` must be able to deliver to designated disaster locations within the appointed time period , typically 24 hours after award , to any location within the United States , including Alaska and Hawaii to the U.S .
Territories , '' according to the notice .
The handwashing stations `` must be available to meet the health and sanitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` should be located near toilet areas and equipped with soap , disposable towels , and warm water if possible . ''
The posting also stressed that vendors must be able to deliver the products quickly , within 24 hours of government approval .
`` Do you have prior experiences in providing such services with short turn-around requests ?
Please describe the experience and how it worked out , '' said the notice .
The federal government has been stocking up on face masks and hand sanitizer since February in response to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The National Legal and Policy Center , a government watchdog group , warned the federal government to be aware that emergency situations can often provide an opening for corruption in the procurement process .
`` Oftentimes the government must take forceful and extensive measures in a crisis , '' said Tom Anderson , director of the National Legal and Policy Center ’ s Government Integrity Project .
`` While this is necessary it also invites possible corruption and corner-cutting .
I hope the proper safeguards are in place for this and future endeavors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to battle the Covid-19 outbreak . ''
Italy enacted a nationwide mandatory quarantine on Tuesday as confirmed coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 9,000 .
People are prohibited from traveling outside their homes for reasons other than work or emergencies .

The U.S. government's disaster response agency placed an urgent request last week seeking contractors who can deliver portable toilets, showers, and hand-washing stations throughout the United States within 24 hours notice, a potential sign of how the administration could be preparing to respond to a coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was looking for vendors who are able to provide "portable facilities, to include toilets, showers, and handwash stations during a FEMA disaster response to all U.S. state, local, tribal, and territorial government locations," according to a "sources sought notice" the agency posted on the federal public solicitation database on March 3.
Federal agencies publish "sources sought notices" to collect information on potential vendors in a market and they often precede a formal solicitation notice for contractors. Responses were requested by March 26, 2020.
A spokeswoman for FEMA told the Washington Free Beacon that it is "promoting preparedness activities" related to the global spread of coronavirus, which topped 800 confirmed cases in the United States on Tuesday. The agency declined to say directly whether the vendor notice was part of this response effort.
"The federal government is taking aggressive and proactive steps to mitigate the spread and effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19)," said FEMA spokeswoman Janet Montesi. "Consistent with its mission, FEMA has also been promoting preparedness activities and is currently a supporting agency to HHS delivering crisis action planning, situational awareness, reporting, interagency coordination, course of action development, and logistics supply chain analysis through a Crisis Action Task Force located at the HHS Secretary’s Operations Center."
The spread of the virus has prompted mandatory quarantines in New York and other states. New York governor Andrew Cuomo also announced the formation of a one-mile containment zone in Westchester County this week.
Contractors "must be able to deliver to designated disaster locations within the appointed time period, typically 24 hours after award, to any location within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii to the U.S. Territories," according to the notice.
The handwashing stations "must be available to meet the health and sanitation needs of the shelter population" and "should be located near toilet areas and equipped with soap, disposable towels, and warm water if possible."
The posting also stressed that vendors must be able to deliver the products quickly, within 24 hours of government approval.
"Do you have prior experiences in providing such services with short turn-around requests? Please describe the experience and how it worked out," said the notice.
The federal government has been stocking up on face masks and hand sanitizer since February in response to the coronavirus threat, according to reports.
The National Legal and Policy Center, a government watchdog group, warned the federal government to be aware that emergency situations can often provide an opening for corruption in the procurement process.
"Oftentimes the government must take forceful and extensive measures in a crisis," said Tom Anderson, director of the National Legal and Policy Center’s Government Integrity Project. "While this is necessary it also invites possible corruption and corner-cutting. I hope the proper safeguards are in place for this and future endeavors our government is taking on in order to battle the Covid-19 outbreak."
Italy enacted a nationwide mandatory quarantine on Tuesday as confirmed coronavirus cases in the country exceeded 9,000. People are prohibited from traveling outside their homes for reasons other than work or emergencies.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--House Democrats Can Get Secret Mueller Evidence, Appeals Court Says

A federal appeals court will allow the House Judiciary Committee to access secret grand jury materials from former special counsel Robert Mueller 's investigation .
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C .
Circuit ruled two-to-one that the House can review redactions and other sealed materials from Mueller 's sprawling two-volume report , pursuant to its impeachment power .
Democrats have left open the possibility of a second impeachment depending on the contents of the grand jury information .
`` The Committee has established that it can not ‘ fairly and diligently ' make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both volumes of the Mueller Report ‘ without the grand jury material referenced ' therein , '' the ruling reads .
Tuesday 's decision has no immediate consequences , however , since a lengthy appeal to the full D.C .
Circuit or the Supreme Court will follow .
Though the materials could contain information harmful to President Donald Trump , congressional investigators wo n't take possession of the information for months , if not longer .
Grand jury proceedings and the materials they generate are generally kept secret .
One exception to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` in connection with a judicial proceeding . ''
Writing for the majority , Judge Judith Rogers said House Democrats can obtain Mueller grand jury files under that exception since impeachment counts as a judicial proceeding .
The committee 's need for grand jury evidence is especially pressing , Rogers added , because Mueller never reached definitive conclusions about Trump 's conduct .
`` The Committee has repeatedly stated that if the grand jury materials reveal new evidence of impeachable offenses , the Committee may recommend new articles of impeachment , '' Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Circuit followed a similar course in the Watergate era , allowing the House Judiciary Committee to access a grand jury report and related information as it considered President Richard Nixon 's impeachment .
Other factors make the Judiciary Committee 's need especially compelling , Rogers said .
For example , the grand jury materials could help lawmakers assess the credibility of certain witnesses since several individuals connected to the Mueller probe were convicted of making false statements .
Rogers also said the administration 's refusal to cooperate with congressional subpoenas is `` of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Judge Neomi Rao said the court had no reason to resolve the dispute .
`` A reasonable observer might wonder why we are deciding this case at this time , '' Rao wrote .
`` After all , the Committee sought these materials preliminary to an impeachment proceeding and the Senate impeachment trial has concluded , '' Rao wrote .
`` Why is this controversy not moot ? ''
Tuesday 's ruling has little staying power compared to a February D.C .
Circuit ruling allowing former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broad principles of congressional oversight and judicial power , while Tuesday 's case was limited to the unique circumstances of the Mueller probe .
Rogers said the February decision is different from Tuesday 's case because grand juries operate under the auspices of the courts .
Even though the Department of Justice currently houses Mueller grand jury information , the judiciary is the ultimate supervisor of grand jury proceedings .
`` Because the Department of Justice is simply the custodian of the grand jury materials at issue however , the instant case is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and directed Executive Branch officials to testify and produce their relevant documents , '' Rogers wrote .
The Mueller report contains numerous redactions for both secret grand jury information and for unspecified national security interests .
House Democrats requested all portions of the report redacted under grand jury secrecy rules , transcripts and exhibits referred to in those redactions , and testimony or exhibits relevant to events described in the report .
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the Justice Department should hand those materials over to House Democrats in October .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put that decision on hold , saying it `` represents an extraordinary abrogation of grand-jury secrecy . ''
The appeals court granted that request .
A Justice Department spokeswoman told the Washington Free Beacon that the DOJ is reviewing the decision .
The case is No .
19-5288 Committee on the Judiciary v. U.S. Department of Justice .

A federal appeals court will allow the House Judiciary Committee to access secret grand jury materials from former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled two-to-one that the House can review redactions and other sealed materials from Mueller's sprawling two-volume report, pursuant to its impeachment power. Democrats have left open the possibility of a second impeachment depending on the contents of the grand jury information.
19-5288-1832741 by Washington Free Beacon on Scribd
"The Committee has established that it cannot 'fairly and diligently' make a final determination about the conduct described in both volumes of the Mueller Report 'without the grand jury material referenced' therein," the ruling reads.
Tuesday's decision has no immediate consequences, however, since a lengthy appeal to the full D.C. Circuit or the Supreme Court will follow. Though the materials could contain information harmful to President Donald Trump, congressional investigators won't take possession of the information for months, if not longer.
Grand jury proceedings and the materials they generate are generally kept secret. One exception to that rule allows the disclosure of protected information "in connection with a judicial proceeding." Writing for the majority, Judge Judith Rogers said House Democrats can obtain Mueller grand jury files under that exception since impeachment counts as a judicial proceeding. The committee's need for grand jury evidence is especially pressing, Rogers added, because Mueller never reached definitive conclusions about Trump's conduct.
"The Committee has repeatedly stated that if the grand jury materials reveal new evidence of impeachable offenses, the Committee may recommend new articles of impeachment," Rogers wrote.
Rogers noted the D.C. Circuit followed a similar course in the Watergate era, allowing the House Judiciary Committee to access a grand jury report and related information as it considered President Richard Nixon's impeachment.
Other factors make the Judiciary Committee's need especially compelling, Rogers said. For example, the grand jury materials could help lawmakers assess the credibility of certain witnesses since several individuals connected to the Mueller probe were convicted of making false statements. Rogers also said the administration's refusal to cooperate with congressional subpoenas is "of striking significance."
In dissent, Judge Neomi Rao said the court had no reason to resolve the dispute.
"A reasonable observer might wonder why we are deciding this case at this time," Rao wrote. "After all, the Committee sought these materials preliminary to an impeachment proceeding and the Senate impeachment trial has concluded," Rao wrote. "Why is this controversy not moot?"
Tuesday's ruling has little staying power compared with a February D.C. Circuit ruling allowing former White House counsel Don McGahn to defy a congressional subpoena. That decision involved broad principles of congressional oversight and judicial power, while Tuesday's case was limited to the unique circumstances of the Mueller probe.
Rogers said the February decision is different from Tuesday's case because grand juries operate under the auspices of the courts. Even though the Department of Justice currently houses Mueller grand jury information, the judiciary is the ultimate supervisor of grand jury proceedings.
"Because the Department of Justice is simply the custodian of the grand jury materials at issue however, the instant case is unlike inter-branch disputes where Congress issued subpoenas and directed Executive Branch officials to testify and produce their relevant documents," Rogers wrote.
The Mueller report contains numerous redactions for both secret grand jury information and for unspecified national security interests. House Democrats requested all portions of the report redacted under grand jury secrecy rules, transcripts and exhibits referred to in those redactions, and testimony or exhibits relevant to events described in the report.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the Justice Department should hand those materials over to House Democrats in October. The department asked the D.C. Circuit to put that decision on hold, saying it "represents an extraordinary abrogation of grand-jury secrecy." The appeals court granted that request.
A Justice Department spokeswoman told the Washington Free Beacon that the DOJ is reviewing the decision.
The case is No. 19-5288 Committee on the Judiciary v. U.S. Department of Justice.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Sanders Adviser Who Shared 9/11 Conspiracy Theory Also Questioned BP Oil Spill, Bin Laden Killing

The Bernie Sanders adviser who entertained conspiracy theories about the 9/11 terrorist attacks also bought into debunked theories that other major world events were staged , including the BP oil spill and the killing of Osama bin Laden .
A Washington Free Beacon review of newly hired Sanders adviser Phillip Agnew 's social media accounts found that he has embraced a number of conspiracy theories .
Months before Agnew , who also goes by the name Umi Selah , appeared to claim the U.S. government was behind 9/11 , he suggested to his followers that the deadly BP oil spill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion in damage was staged .
`` Watching CNN and asking where is all the oil ? ''
Agnew wrote on July 27 , 2010 .
`` I 've been wondering the same thing ?
Does n't look like any in the water around the rig… '' A month later , Agnew praised the infamous conspiracy theory film Zeitgeist , which disputes the existence of Jesus Christ as a historical figure and alleges that 9/11 was arranged or allowed to occur by the U.S. government .
Agnew asked if the film `` mess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head '' in August 2010 .
He appeared to argue that the U.S. government was behind 9/11 just weeks later .
`` Tomorrow America remembers the day that she turned on herself , dismantled her constitution , and killed her own citizens in the name of money , '' Agnew wrote on Sept. 10 , 2010 .
The Sanders adviser also entertained conspiracies regarding the death of Osama bin Laden , writing , `` I do n't believe shit America , and by default Obama , says.… We prolly BEEN [ sic ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the terrorist was killed .
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment .
The same day Agnew praised Zeitgeist , he doubled down on the BP oil spill conspiracy , writing , `` Anybody ever wonder why the oil spill happened ?
Ever thought it was a precursor for something worse ?
Or to cover up something worse ? ''
When a follower asked Agnew to explain , the Sanders adviser responded that `` it 's either to turn public opinion against oil .
Or to give BP access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with launching `` the first Internet-based apocalyptic cult , '' Zeitgeist features footage taken directly from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones 's documentary Terrorstorm .
The film is widely regarded as anti-Semitic and depicts a group of international bankers who allegedly rule the world .
Agnew is staunchly anti-Israel and has called Zionism a `` racist , exploitative , and exclusionary ideology . ''
Agnew tweeted about the film on multiple occasions , writing , `` I do n't trust America , after watching Zeitgeist , '' on Aug. 10 , 2010 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted conspiracy theorist Lupe Fiasco , who has claimed that World Trade Center Building 7 was detonated by the U.S. government .
One week after the tweet , Agnew again praised the movie , writing , `` Did Zeitgeist mess up anybody else 's head ? ''
The film appeared to influence Agnew 's view of 9/11 .
Agnew argued that the U.S. government played a role in the deadliest terrorist attack in American history just weeks after discussing Zeitgeist online .
Agnew also entertained conspiracies regarding the death of Osama bin Laden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on May 2 , 2011 , Agnew suggested the killing was staged to manipulate economic markets .
`` I do n't believe shit America , and by default Obama , says .
Sorry , '' Agnew wrote the morning of bin Laden 's death .
`` We prolly BEEN killed Osama .
All choreography .
Got no proof ; gut feeling . ''
Four minutes later , Agnew tweeted , `` ‘ Burial @ sea ? '
‘ Stocks set for higher opening after death of OBL . '
'' When doctored photos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online , Agnew wrote that , `` Even with photos , my skepticism runs deep . ''
Agnew has walked back other controversial views in the past .
He apologized for a string of 2009 tweets calling Michelle Obama ugly .
He has yet to address his conspiratorial comments about 9/11 and other world events .
While Agnew attributed his tweets about the former first lady to his young age at the time , the Sanders adviser again said America was responsible for 9/11 years later .
He suggested American foreign policy caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post with the caption , `` # neverforget what goes round comes round . ''
Agnew has also made bigoted comments toward minorities , tweeting , `` Am I racist for refusing to speak to non-english speaking customer service reps over the phone ?
?
? ''
in 2010 .
Agnew mocked Asians in multiple tweets , writing , `` # iwonder if Americans do the nails in China… '' in 2009 and `` I wonder how an Asian rapper would describe his eyes when he 's high , '' in 2010 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agnew as a senior adviser on Saturday , calling him `` one of his generation 's most critical voices on issues of race and inequity . ''
Agnew previously served the campaign as a national surrogate .
He joins a long list of controversial figures associated with the campaign , including anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour and Imam Hassan al-Qazwini , who alleged a connection between ISIS and Israel in a 2015 sermon .

The Bernie Sanders adviser who entertained conspiracy theories about the 9/11 terrorist attacks also bought into debunked theories that other major world events were staged, including the BP oil spill and the killing of Osama bin Laden.
A Washington Free Beacon review of newly hired Sanders adviser Phillip Agnew's social media accounts found that he has embraced a number of conspiracy theories. Months before Agnew, who also goes by the name Umi Selah, appeared to claim the U.S. government was behind 9/11, he suggested to his followers that the deadly BP oil spill that killed 11 and caused $17.2 billion in damage was staged.
"Watching CNN and asking where is all the oil?" Agnew wrote on July 27, 2010. "I've been wondering the same thing? Doesn't look like any in the water around the rig…"
Watching CNN and asking where is all the oil? I've been wondering the same thing? Doesn't look like any in the water around the rig... — phillip agnew (@iPhilSomething) July 27, 2010
A month later, Agnew praised the infamous conspiracy theory film Zeitgeist, which disputes the existence of Jesus Christ as a historical figure and alleges that 9/11 was arranged or allowed to occur by the U.S. government. Agnew asked if the film "mess[ed] up anybody else's head" in August 2010. He appeared to argue that the U.S. government was behind 9/11 just weeks later.
"Tomorrow America remembers the day that she turned on herself, dismantled her constitution, and killed her own citizens in the name of money," Agnew wrote on Sept. 10, 2010.
The Sanders adviser also entertained conspiracies regarding the death of Osama bin Laden, writing, "I don't believe shit America, and by default Obama, says.… We prolly BEEN [sic] killed Osama," on the morning the terrorist was killed.
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment.
The same day Agnew praised Zeitgeist, he doubled down on the BP oil spill conspiracy, writing, "Anybody ever wonder why the oil spill happened? Ever thought it was a precursor for something worse? Or to cover up something worse?" When a follower asked Agnew to explain, the Sanders adviser responded that "it's either to turn public opinion against oil. Or to give BP access to more of it."
Credited with launching "the first Internet-based apocalyptic cult," Zeitgeist features footage taken directly from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's documentary Terrorstorm. The film is widely regarded as anti-Semitic and depicts a group of international bankers who allegedly rule the world. Agnew is staunchly anti-Israel and has called Zionism a "racist, exploitative, and exclusionary ideology."
Agnew tweeted about the film on multiple occasions, writing, "I don't trust America, after watching Zeitgeist," on Aug. 10, 2010. The tweet quotes a lyric from rapper and noted conspiracy theorist Lupe Fiasco, who has claimed that World Trade Center Building 7 was detonated by the U.S. government. One week after the tweet, Agnew again praised the movie, writing, "Did Zeitgeist mess up anybody else's head?"
I don't trust America, after watching Zeitgeist. @LupeFiasco. Good night. — phillip agnew (@iPhilSomething) August 11, 2010
The film appeared to influence Agnew's view of 9/11. Agnew argued that the U.S. government played a role in the deadliest terrorist attack in American history just weeks after discussing Zeitgeist online.
Agnew also entertained conspiracies regarding the death of Osama bin Laden. Shortly after the terrorist's death on May 2, 2011, Agnew suggested the killing was staged to manipulate economic markets.
"I don't believe shit America, and by default Obama, says. Sorry," Agnew wrote the morning of bin Laden's death. "We prolly BEEN killed Osama. All choreography. Got no proof; gut feeling." Four minutes later, Agnew tweeted, "'Burial @ sea?' 'Stocks set for higher opening after death of OBL.'" When doctored photos of bin Laden's dead body circulated online, Agnew wrote that, "Even with photos, my skepticism runs deep."
I don't believe shit America, and by default Obama, says. Sorry. We prolly BEEN killed Osama. All choreography. Got no proof; gut feeling. — phillip agnew (@iPhilSomething) May 2, 2011
Agnew has walked back other controversial views in the past. He apologized for a string of 2009 tweets calling Michelle Obama ugly. He has yet to address his conspiratorial comments about 9/11 and other world events. While Agnew attributed his tweets about the former first lady to his young age at the time, the Sanders adviser again said America was responsible for 9/11 years later. He suggested American foreign policy caused the terrorist attacks in a 2016 Instagram post with the caption, "#neverforget what goes round comes round."
Agnew has also made bigoted comments toward minorities, tweeting, "Am I racist for refusing to speak to non-english speaking customer service reps over the phone???" in 2010. Agnew mocked Asians in multiple tweets, writing, "#iwonder if Americans do the nails in China…" in 2009 and "I wonder how an Asian rapper would describe his eyes when he's high," in 2010.
The Sanders campaign announced the hiring of Agnew as a senior adviser on Saturday, calling him "one of his generation's most critical voices on issues of race and inequity." Agnew previously served the campaign as a national surrogate. He joins a long list of controversial figures associated with the campaign, including anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour and Imam Hassan al-Qazwini, who alleged a connection between ISIS and Israel in a 2015 sermon.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--CPAC Attendee With Coronavirus Attended Posh VIP Congressional Event Before Confab

The coronavirus-infected individual at the Conservative Political Action Committee 's 2020 conference attended a VIP congressional reception held on the Wednesday evening the conference first began , the Washington Free Beacon has learned from multiple sources with direct knowledge of the matter .
This would mean that potentially dozens of members of Congress and CPAC leaders who attended the reception were exposed to the infected individual as early as the evening of Wednesday , Feb. 26 , rather than Thursday , as initial reports had stated .
Republican bigwigs at the conference are known to have interacted with the infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This includes Sen. Ted Cruz ( R. , Texas ) , and Reps. Paul Gosar ( R. , Ariz. ) , Matt Gaetz ( R. , Fla. ) , and Doug Collins ( R. , Ga. ) , among others .
The lawmakers self-quarantined after learning they came in contact with the infected attendee .
CPAC officials first disclosed the infected party interacted with several lawmakers and other high-level individuals during events held primarily on Thursday .
It later became clear that the person also attended a Shabbat dinner held Friday evening .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time he was sick and showed no symptoms while at CPAC .
Now , the Free Beacon has learned that on Wednesday , the first night of the conference , an official CPAC VIP congressional gathering was held at the posh Pose Rooftop Lounge .
It included hundreds of CPAC VIPs and staffers , multiple sources confirmed .
The infected individual attended this gathering and may have interacted with countless attendees , three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told the Free Beacon .
CPAC organizers would not disclose the identities of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked by the Free Beacon , citing privacy concerns .
News outlets that attended the event have since asked their journalists to self-quarantine to prevent the potential spread of the virus .
CPAC attendees have been on edge since it was revealed that at least one coronavirus-infected person with `` gold level '' VIP access attended the annual conference held at the National Harbor in Maryland .
With the virus quickly spreading across the United States , including in Washington , D.C. , and Virginia , conference-goers have been left to wonder if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has thus far tested positive for the virus .
That individual has been identified in the press as 55-year-old doctor and Cruz donor Alan Berger .
While the American Conservative Union , CPAC 's organizer , attempted to allay concerns about the virus 's spread at the conference , many attendees expressed frustration over what they say is the organization 's failure to provide informative and timely updates .
An ACU spokesman said the organization is keeping everyone who may have come into contact with the infected individual informed of the latest developments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of attendees—both VIPs and average conference-goers—to provide them with real-time information and updates .
These communications will continue , sources said .
Still , this has not been enough for some who attended .
`` No one at the ACU has communicated with us about this , and there are an increasing number of us with sick friends , or kids , or colleagues , '' said one source present on the evening of the VIP congressional reception .
`` I get that not everyone will have the coronavirus .
Maybe no one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the least we expect is for the ACU—which we give so much money every year—to spare us some anxiety .
I guess they just do n't care . ''
A second source who attended Wednesday night 's `` very crowded '' VIP shindig had direct interaction with the infected individual and is now experiencing flu-like symptoms .
The source , who requested anonymity , spotted at least a couple hundred top-level CPAC supporters and staffers at the exclusive event .
While ACU head Matt Schlapp tweeted on Monday that no new cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the conference was held , some attendees are questioning the timing of that claim , particularly in light of how difficult it has been for many to get tested for the virus .
It can take several days for an infected individual to show symptoms of the illness , complicating efforts to stop those with it from passing it to others .
Raheem Kassam , a conservative commentator and annual CPAC speaker who took ill after the conference , went on Twitter this week to report the issues he has had obtaining a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contact with the infected individual who attended CPAC .

The coronavirus-infected individual at the Conservative Political Action Committee's 2020 conference attended a VIP congressional reception held on the Wednesday evening the conference first began, the Washington Free Beacon has learned from multiple sources with direct knowledge of the matter.
This would mean that potentially dozens of members of Congress and CPAC leaders who attended the reception were exposed to the infected individual as early as the evening of Wednesday, Feb. 26, rather than Thursday, as initial reports had stated.
Republican bigwigs at the conference are known to have interacted with the infected individual during their time at CPAC. This includes Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), and Reps. Paul Gosar (R., Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (R., Fla.), and Doug Collins (R., Ga.), among others. The lawmakers self-quarantined after learning they came in contact with the infected attendee.
CPAC officials first disclosed the infected party interacted with several lawmakers and other high-level individuals during events held primarily on Thursday. It later became clear that the person also attended a Shabbat dinner held Friday evening. The individual was not aware at the time he was sick and showed no symptoms while at CPAC.
Now, the Free Beacon has learned that on Wednesday, the first night of the conference, an official CPAC VIP congressional gathering was held at the posh Pose Rooftop Lounge. It included hundreds of CPAC VIPs and staffers, multiple sources confirmed. The infected individual attended this gathering and may have interacted with countless attendees, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter told the Free Beacon.
CPAC organizers would not disclose the identities of those who attended the VIP gathering when asked by the Free Beacon, citing privacy concerns. News outlets that attended the event have since asked their journalists to self-quarantine to prevent the potential spread of the virus.
CPAC attendees have been on edge since it was revealed that at least one coronavirus-infected person with "gold level" VIP access attended the annual conference held at the National Harbor in Maryland. With the virus quickly spreading across the United States, including in Washington, D.C., and Virginia, conference-goers have been left to wonder if they were exposed.
Only one individual has thus far tested positive for the virus. That individual has been identified in the press as 55-year-old doctor and Cruz donor Alan Berger.
While the American Conservative Union, CPAC's organizer, attempted to allay concerns about the virus's spread at the conference, many attendees expressed frustration over what they say is the organization's failure to provide informative and timely updates.
An ACU spokesman said the organization is keeping everyone who may have come into contact with the infected individual informed of the latest developments.
Already, CPAC officials contacted hundreds of attendees—both VIPs and average conference-goers—to provide them with real-time information and updates. These communications will continue, sources said.
Still, this has not been enough for some who attended.
"No one at the ACU has communicated with us about this, and there are an increasing number of us with sick friends, or kids, or colleagues," said one source present on the evening of the VIP congressional reception. "I get that not everyone will have the coronavirus. Maybe no one else got it. Hopefully. But the least we expect is for the ACU—which we give so much money every year—to spare us some anxiety. I guess they just don't care."
A second source who attended Wednesday night's "very crowded" VIP shindig had direct interaction with the infected individual and is now experiencing flu-like symptoms.
The source, who requested anonymity, spotted at least a couple hundred top-level CPAC supporters and staffers at the exclusive event.
While ACU head Matt Schlapp tweeted on Monday that no new cases have been reported in the nine days since the conference was held, some attendees are questioning the timing of that claim, particularly in light of how difficult it has been for many to get tested for the virus. It can take several days for an infected individual to show symptoms of the illness, complicating efforts to stop those with it from passing it to others.
https://twitter.com/mschlapp/status/1237156303304302592
Raheem Kassam, a conservative commentator and annual CPAC speaker who took ill after the conference, went on Twitter this week to report the issues he has had obtaining a coronavirus test. Kassam also came in contact with the infected individual who attended CPAC.
I'm now on with CDC. The first number I called the woman asked, "Are you media?" I'm not a liar and I am in the media sphere so I said yes. I've now been told I can only speak to their public affairs team. Despite the fact I'm just trying to get a test for myself. — Raheem Kassam (@RaheemKassam) March 9, 2020
Update 10:17 p.m.: CPAC organizers confirmed the veracity of the Free Beacon's reporting late Tuesday in an email sent to supporters.
The infected person did "attend a Wednesday (2/26) evening event in the POSE Lounge," the group wrote. "If you attended that event you are at very low risk for infection. It takes about five days for symptoms to show after contracting this particular coronavirus."
CPAC organizer ACU said the group contacted anyone who might have been in contact with the virus carrier and is monitoring future developments.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Hunter Biden Pushes to Skip Court Appearance, Citing Coronavirus and His Pregnant Wife

Hunter Biden 's lawyers alerted the Arkansas judge presiding over the child support lawsuit against him that he will be unable to attend his scheduled court deposition this week , citing travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus and the approaching due date of his pregnant wife .
Biden was ordered last Thursday to appear at the court on Wednesday , March 11 , for a deposition in the ongoing child support case , but his lawyers told the court in a Wednesday filing that Biden would be unable to attend .
`` Defendant requests continuance of the hearing as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife 's due date in 2 and a half weeks or less and risks involved with travel , '' the new filing states .
Biden 's lawyers further argue that it is unreasonable for him to be required to travel to Arkansas at all , saying the appearance is `` burdensome and oppressive . ''
`` It is unsafe for the Defendant to travel , as travel restrictions have been implemented both domestically and internationally , particularly on airlines , due to the coronavirus , '' the filing states .
`` Setting aside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such travel unnecessarily exposes his wife and unborn child to this virus .
California , in particular , has been the site of numerous reported cases of exposure . ''
The latest filing in the case also points to `` intense media scrutiny '' on Biden due to his father Joe Biden 's campaign for president .
`` The tremendously elevated media scrutiny creates some physical risks and logistics difficulties with travel to Arkansas , invades the privacy of the Defendant and his 8 and a half month pregnant wife , threatens to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public hearing , creates a highly prejudicial environment from Defendant , and can not be in the child 's or his mother 's interest in any way , '' the lawyers argue .
Biden has already been declared the father of the nearly two-year-old Arkansas child , but has repeatedly avoided appearances in court .
Lawyers for the child 's mother , Lunden Alexis Roberts , last Friday called for the court to hold Biden in contempt for his continued failure to provide financial documents .
`` The defendant has continued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failing to answer discovery , comply with court orders , and provide his financial information , '' lawyers for Roberts argued .

Hunter Biden's lawyers alerted the Arkansas judge presiding over the child support lawsuit against him that he will be unable to attend his scheduled court deposition this week, citing travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus and the approaching due date of his pregnant wife.
Biden was ordered last Thursday to appear at the court on Wednesday, March 11, for a deposition in the ongoing child support case, but his lawyers told the court in a Wednesday filing that Biden would be unable to attend.
"Defendant requests continuance of the hearing as he is unavailable to attend due to his wife's due date in 2 and a half weeks or less and risks involved with travel," the new filing states.
Biden's lawyers further argue that it is unreasonable for him to be required to travel to Arkansas at all, saying the appearance is "burdensome and oppressive."
"It is unsafe for the Defendant to travel, as travel restrictions have been implemented both domestically and internationally, particularly on airlines, due to the coronavirus," the filing states. "Setting aside personal endangerment, Defendant reasonably believes that such travel unnecessarily exposes his wife and unborn child to this virus. California, in particular, has been the site of numerous reported cases of exposure."
The latest filing in the case also points to "intense media scrutiny" on Biden due to his father Joe Biden's campaign for president.
"The tremendously elevated media scrutiny creates some physical risks and logistics difficulties with travel to Arkansas, invades the privacy of the Defendant and his 8 and a half month pregnant wife, threatens to complicate the Court's ability to conduct a public hearing, creates a highly prejudicial environment from Defendant, and cannot be in the child's or his mother's interest in any way," the lawyers argue.
Biden has already been declared the father of the nearly two-year-old Arkansas child, but has repeatedly avoided appearances in court. Lawyers for the child's mother, Lunden Alexis Roberts, last Friday called for the court to hold Biden in contempt for his continued failure to provide financial documents.
"The defendant has continued to flaunt the orders of this Court by failing to answer discovery, comply with court orders, and provide his financial information," lawyers for Roberts argued.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--MISOGY-NBC: Joe Biden Shuns Rachel Maddow for Male Colleague

Former vice president Joe Biden does n't always do interviews , but when he does , he prefers a man .
Biden , the 77-year-old candidate who smashed the dreams of millions of little girls across the country by forcing Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D. , Mass . )
to end her campaign , recently shunned MSNBC 's Rachel Maddow in a brazen act of misogyny .
Maddow practically begged Biden for a sit-down interview , delivering an `` on-air plea '' to the candidate last week following Biden 's impressive showing on Super Tuesday .
`` I have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign started , '' said Maddow .
`` I 'd love to .
Just saying . ''
Maddow even told her MSNBC colleague Lawrence O'Donnell—a straight white male whose own show , Last Word , airs directly after hers—she would travel all the way to American Samoa to interview the former vice president .
`` I will meet him where he needs to be met , '' she said .
Maddow had recently traveled to Vermont to conduct an extended interview with Biden 's older challenger , Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reluctant to participate in televised interviews since entering the race , presumably due to the alarming frequency with which his elderly brain malfunctions .
He did , however , finally agree to answer questions from an MSNBC host on Monday .
The former vice president , apparently uncomfortable with the idea of being interviewed by a powerful woman , opted for an exclusive interview with Maddow 's aforementioned male colleague .
Maddow will have to keep begging .
Not surprisingly , O'Donnell declined to ask Biden to apologize for his sexist behavior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , a disease with a much higher fatality rate among men than among women .
Curious .

Former vice president Joe Biden doesn't always do interviews, but when he does, he prefers a man.
Biden, the 77-year-old candidate who smashed the dreams of millions of little girls across the country by forcing Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.) to end her campaign, recently shunned MSNBC's Rachel Maddow in a brazen act of misogyny.
Maddow practically begged Biden for a sit-down interview, delivering an "on-air plea" to the candidate last week following Biden's impressive showing on Super Tuesday. "I haven't talked to you at all since this campaign started," said Maddow. "I'd love to. Just saying."
Rachel Maddow begs Biden to do an interview with her. "I haven't talked to you at all since this campaign started. I'd love to. Just saying." pic.twitter.com/I41FwNJpgr — Cameron Cawthorne (@Cam_Cawthorne) March 5, 2020
Maddow even told her MSNBC colleague Lawrence O'Donnell—a straight white male whose own show, Last Word, airs directly after hers—she would travel all the way to American Samoa to interview the former vice president. "I will meet him where he needs to be met," she said. Maddow had recently traveled to Vermont to conduct an extended interview with Biden's older challenger, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
Biden has been unusually reluctant to participate in televised interviews since entering the race, presumably due to the alarming frequency with which his elderly brain malfunctions. He did, however, finally agree to answer questions from an MSNBC host on Monday.
The former vice president, apparently uncomfortable with the idea of being interviewed by a powerful woman, opted for an exclusive interview with Maddow's aforementioned male colleague. Maddow will have to keep begging.
Not surprisingly, O'Donnell declined to ask Biden to apologize for his sexist behavior, opting instead for male-centric questions about the coronavirus, a disease with a much higher fatality rate among men than among women. Curious.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Biden Curses Out Autoworker

Biden Curses Out Autoworker

Former vice president Joe Biden told a Michigan autoworker who asked him about his gun-control policies that he was `` full of s—t '' and `` a horse 's ass . ''
`` You 're full of s—t , '' Biden said to a worker in a hardhat during a Tuesday morning visit to a Fiat Chrysler assembly plant , according to video posted on Twitter by CBS News 's Bo Erickson .
The pro-gun worker seemed to be trying to ask Biden about his call to `` institute a national buyback program '' for so-called assault weapons .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff to withdraw from the confrontation , repeatedly saying `` shush '' to a woman urging him to move on .
He proceeded to tell the man he supports the Second Amendment , but not the right to own an `` AR-14 . ''
( There is no such gun ; he was likely attempting to reference the AR-15 , the country 's most popular rifle . )
`` I have a shotgun , I have a 20-gauge , a 12-gauge .
My sons hunt .
Guess what ?
You 're not allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not taking your gun away , at all , '' Biden said .
When Biden jabbed his finger in the man 's face , another worker said , `` This is not okay , '' to which Biden responded , `` Do n't tell me that pal or I 'll have to go outside with you . ''
When the pro-gun worker said Biden should listen to his concerns , Biden replied , `` Give me a break , man .
Do n't be such a horse 's ass . ''
Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper that his administration would confiscate people 's `` assault weapons . ''
Asked whether his administration will come for people 's guns , Biden said he would .
`` Bingo , '' Biden replied .
`` You 're right if you have an assault weapon .
The fact of the matter is they should be illegal , period .
Look , the Second Amendment does n't say you ca n't restrict the kinds of weapon people can own .
You ca n't buy a bazooka , you ca n't have a flame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after his rival Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) for not having a strong enough record on gun control , a tactic also used against Sanders by twice-failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton .
Biden 's outburst at the auto worker is the latest in a string of incidents in which the candidate berated skeptical voters .
Biden 's support for new gun bans could prove problematic among blue-collar workers who have traditionally supported Democrats but with whom President Donald Trump made significant inroads in 2016 .

Former vice president Joe Biden told a Michigan autoworker who asked him about his gun-control policies that he was "full of s—t" and "a horse's ass."
"You're full of s—t," Biden said to a worker in a hardhat during a Tuesday morning visit to a Fiat Chrysler assembly plant, according to video posted on Twitter by CBS News's Bo Erickson. The pro-gun worker seemed to be trying to ask Biden about his call to "institute a national buyback program" for so-called assault weapons.
Biden appeared to reject calls from his own staff to withdraw from the confrontation, repeatedly saying "shush" to a woman urging him to move on. He proceeded to tell the man he supports the Second Amendment, but not the right to own an "AR-14." (There is no such gun; he was likely attempting to reference the AR-15, the country's most popular rifle.)
"I have a shotgun, I have a 20-gauge, a 12-gauge. My sons hunt. Guess what? You're not allowed to own any weapon. I'm not taking your gun away, at all," Biden said.
When Biden jabbed his finger in the man's face, another worker said, "This is not okay," to which Biden responded, "Don't tell me that pal or I'll have to go outside with you."
When the pro-gun worker said Biden should listen to his concerns, Biden replied, "Give me a break, man. Don't be such a horse's ass."
Biden said last August during an interview with Anderson Cooper that his administration would confiscate people's "assault weapons." Asked whether his administration will come for people's guns, Biden said he would.
"Bingo," Biden replied. "You're right if you have an assault weapon. The fact of the matter is they should be illegal, period. Look, the Second Amendment doesn't say you can't restrict the kinds of weapon people can own. You can't buy a bazooka, you can't have a flame thrower."
Biden has also gone after his rival Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) for not having a strong enough record on gun control, a tactic also used against Sanders by twice-failed presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Biden's outburst at the auto worker is the latest in a string of incidents in which the candidate berated skeptical voters. Biden's support for new gun bans could prove problematic among blue-collar workers who have traditionally supported Democrats but with whom President Donald Trump made significant inroads in 2016.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Sanders Rally Features Imam Who Claimed ‘Connection’ Between Israel and ISIS

An imam who claimed there was a connection between ISIS and Israel spoke at a Saturday rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders .
Hassan al-Qazwini , head of the Islamic Institute of America , spoke alongside other Muslim leaders at Sanders 's rally in Dearborn , Mich. , ahead of the state 's Tuesday primary .
In 2015 , al-Qazwini said there was a `` connection between ISIS and Israel '' in a sermon posted by the institute to YouTube .
Al-Qazwini told the Az-Zahra Islamic Center in Detroit that while ISIS attacked Muslims all over the Middle East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been completely safe and has never been threatened by ISIS , nor [ has it ] been targeted , is Israel . ''
`` This speaks volumes , that ISIS somehow is connected to Israel and ISIS is playing the role of the arm of the Zionist in the Muslim world , to kill more Muslims and non-Muslims so it can define the name of Islam—so people can blame Islam for its atrocities , '' he said .
`` Islam is benefiting ?
No .
The number one beneficiary of all these atrocities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zionists and it is the Zionist regime . ''
Al-Qazwini 's comments are in line with a conspiracy theory that the Anti-Defamation League warned was `` rife '' in the Muslim world at the time .
`` These false rumors are promoted by government and religious officials .
Senior Egyptian and Iranian officials and prominent Sunni and Shia religious leaders have publicly claimed that Jews and Zionists are secretly using ISIS as a vehicle to kill Muslims and destabilize the region , '' the ADL reported .
The Sanders campaign did not respond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's past statements and his participation in Saturday 's event .
Al-Qazwini , formerly the head of the Islamic Center of America ( ICA ) , the largest mosque in the United States , has a history of controversial statements involving anti-Semitic tropes .
In a 2016 sermon , he said that President Barack Obama was `` bowing to the pro-Israeli lobby '' and that Israel was using the United States as a `` cash cow . ''
In the same speech , he praised Sanders as `` an honorable man , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the Vermont senator was `` made to pay the price '' for not `` sell [ ing ] America for the interest of Israel '' during the 2016 campaign .
Under his leadership , the ICA held a memorial for Lebanese cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah .
Often called the unofficial spiritual leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah , Fadlallah preached that suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were justified and praised the 2008 massacre of eight Israeli students as `` heroic . ''
Al-Qazwini told Dubai-based news network Al Arabiya that Fadlallah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He was a very good friend of my father , '' al-Qazwini said .
`` I also used to see him whenever I went to Lebanon . ''
Al-Qazwini also spoke at a pro-Bashar al-Assad rally held in 2013 to protest the Obama administration 's decision to arm Syrian rebels .
In 2013 , al-Qazwini attended a dinner with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani , alongside notorious anti-Semite and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan .
`` The message he brought was a promising one , '' al-Qazwini said afterward of Rouhani .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ improve the relationship , not only with the American government but also between the Iranian people and the American people . ''
Al-Qazwini is a controversial figure even within his community—the imam and ICA parted ways in 2015 after board members accused him of financial improprieties .

An imam who claimed there was a connection between ISIS and Israel spoke at a Saturday rally for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
Hassan al-Qazwini, head of the Islamic Institute of America, spoke alongside other Muslim leaders at Sanders's rally in Dearborn, Mich., ahead of the state's Tuesday primary. In 2015, al-Qazwini said there was a "connection between ISIS and Israel" in a sermon posted by the institute to YouTube.
Al-Qazwini told the Az-Zahra Islamic Center in Detroit that while ISIS attacked Muslims all over the Middle East, "The only place that has been completely safe and has never been threatened by ISIS, nor [has it] been targeted, is Israel."
"This speaks volumes, that ISIS somehow is connected to Israel and ISIS is playing the role of the arm of the Zionist in the Muslim world, to kill more Muslims and non-Muslims so it can define the name of Islam—so people can blame Islam for its atrocities," he said. "Islam is benefiting? No. The number one beneficiary of all these atrocities, I tell you, is the Zionists and it is the Zionist regime."
Al-Qazwini's comments are in line with a conspiracy theory that the Anti-Defamation League warned was "rife" in the Muslim world at the time. "These false rumors are promoted by government and religious officials. Senior Egyptian and Iranian officials and prominent Sunni and Shia religious leaders have publicly claimed that Jews and Zionists are secretly using ISIS as a vehicle to kill Muslims and destabilize the region," the ADL reported.
The Sanders campaign did not respond to a request for comment on al-Qazwini's past statements and his participation in Saturday's event.
Al-Qazwini, formerly the head of the Islamic Center of America (ICA), the largest mosque in the United States, has a history of controversial statements involving anti-Semitic tropes. In a 2016 sermon, he said that President Barack Obama was "bowing to the pro-Israeli lobby" and that Israel was using the United States as a "cash cow." In the same speech, he praised Sanders as "an honorable man, even though he is a Jew," adding that the Vermont senator was "made to pay the price" for not "sell[ing] America for the interest of Israel" during the 2016 campaign.
Under his leadership, the ICA held a memorial for Lebanese cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. Often called the unofficial spiritual leader of the terrorist group Hezbollah, Fadlallah preached that suicide bombings against Israeli citizens were justified and praised the 2008 massacre of eight Israeli students as "heroic." Al-Qazwini told Dubai-based news network Al Arabiya that Fadlallah "considered me his son."
"He was a very good friend of my father," al-Qazwini said. "I also used to see him whenever I went to Lebanon."
Al-Qazwini also spoke at a pro-Bashar al-Assad rally held in 2013 to protest the Obama administration's decision to arm Syrian rebels. In 2013, al-Qazwini attended a dinner with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani, alongside notorious anti-Semite and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.
"The message he brought was a promising one," al-Qazwini said afterward of Rouhani. "He talked about his desire to improve the relationship, not only with the American government but also between the Iranian people and the American people."
Al-Qazwini is a controversial figure even within his community—the imam and ICA parted ways in 2015 after board members accused him of financial improprieties.


freebeacon--2020-03-10--Clinton Aide: Hillary Would Be President if Hulu Doc Came Out Before Election

Longtime Hillary Clinton loyalist Philippe Reines said his boss would have been elected president if the new Hulu documentary about her life came out before Election Day in 2016 .
`` There 's just so much she and we can do , '' Reines told MSNBC on Tuesday .
`` We would have loved to have had this—you know , Nanette [ Burstein ] probably is responsible for more than Vladimir Putin .
If we had this documentary the day before Election Day in 2016 , she would be president right now . ''
In addition to a lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Clinton has assigned blame for her loss to Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I. , Vt. ) and his supporters , coverage of her paid Wall Street speeches , coverage of her private email server use , high expectations , fake news , Facebook , WikiLeaks and Russian interference , American collusion with Russian interference , the Democratic National Committee , and sexism .
She 's also called for the abolition of the Electoral College .
She has particularly blamed former FBI director James Comey and the letter he sent to Congress reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Oct. 28 , 2016 .
Clinton 's loss to Trump , her long career in politics , and her sometimes stormy personal life are the main subjects of the four-part series Hillary , directed by Burstein .
In a long segment on Morning Joe , Burstein , Reines , and fellow Clinton loyalists Adrienne Elrod and Nick Merrill praised Clinton 's transparency and relatability in the documentary .
It received mixed reviews .
The Washington Post described Hillary as an `` artfully structured personal history of modern feminism , '' but BuzzFeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a glossy and meandering pop star portrait , '' rather than a meaningful cultural analysis .
Time criticized it for not telling viewers anything new about Clinton and her life .
`` When people are open-minded about her , they absolutely will see her in a different way , '' Reines said on Tuesday .
Clinton 's team has long struggled to make the `` real Hillary '' shine through to the public .
In July 2015 , three months after she launched her second failed presidential campaign , the New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlined , `` Re-Re-Re-Reintroducing Hillary Clinton . ''
`` If only you could know the person I know is a recurring lament among friends of candidates who , for whatever reason , have been deemed deficient on the likable-relatable scale , '' Leibovich wrote .

Longtime Hillary Clinton loyalist Philippe Reines said his boss would have been elected president if the new Hulu documentary about her life came out before Election Day in 2016.
"There's just so much she and we can do," Reines told MSNBC on Tuesday. "We would have loved to have had this—you know, Nanette [Burstein] probably is responsible for more than Vladimir Putin. If we had this documentary the day before Election Day in 2016, she would be president right now."
In addition to a lack of documentary footage prior to her 2016 campaign, Clinton has assigned blame for her loss to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) and his supporters, coverage of her paid Wall Street speeches, coverage of her private email server use, high expectations, fake news, Facebook, WikiLeaks and Russian interference, American collusion with Russian interference, the Democratic National Committee, and sexism. She's also called for the abolition of the Electoral College.
She has particularly blamed former FBI director James Comey and the letter he sent to Congress reopening the investigation into her private email server on Oct. 28, 2016.
Clinton's loss to Trump, her long career in politics, and her sometimes stormy personal life are the main subjects of the four-part series Hillary, directed by Burstein.
In a long segment on Morning Joe, Burstein, Reines, and fellow Clinton loyalists Adrienne Elrod and Nick Merrill praised Clinton's transparency and relatability in the documentary. It received mixed reviews.
The Washington Post described Hillary as an "artfully structured personal history of modern feminism," but BuzzFeed panned it as "more akin to a glossy and meandering pop star portrait," rather than a meaningful cultural analysis. Time criticized it for not telling viewers anything new about Clinton and her life.
"When people are open-minded about her, they absolutely will see her in a different way," Reines said on Tuesday.
Clinton's team has long struggled to make the "real Hillary" shine through to the public. In July 2015, three months after she launched her second failed presidential campaign, the New York Times's Mark Leibovich wrote an article headlined, "Re-Re-Re-Reintroducing Hillary Clinton."
"If only you could know the person I know is a recurring lament among friends of candidates who, for whatever reason, have been deemed deficient on the likable-relatable scale," Leibovich wrote.