FOUSESQUAWK

Germany Terrorist Car Attack in Magdeburg at Christmas Market

2024-12-20T12:16:00.000-08:00

There has been a car attack on the Christmas Market in Magdeburg. Reports of dead are varying, but the Berliner Morgenpost is reporting at least 11 dead and over 60 injured. The driver is reportedly in custody. Welt reports the driver is from Saudi Arabia. We are working on translating German news reports.

Rescue workers at Magdeburg Christmas Market

-MSN

-Volkstimme.de

From Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, here is a shot from a surveillance camera that has been posted on X purportedly showing the black BMW plowing into the crowd,

Here is a partial translation from Welt. It will be updated as the translation progresses. Translation by Fousesquawk. Also note that this article is still being updated by Welt, so there will be some discrepancies. The latest update states that the suspect is a doctor living in Saxony-Anhalt.

Sachsen-Anhalt

Attack in Magdeburg-Suspect from Saudi Arabia arrested

Posted 21:21

Caption

An auto has driven into a crowd of people at the Magdeburg Christmas Market. Numerous rescue services are deployed. The driver is reportedly under arrest.

Sixty to eighty people have been injured in an attack at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg, (and) at least one is dead. A suspect has been arrested. According to Welt's information, he is a man from Saudi Arabia.

A driver has driven a car into a crowd of people at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg. Government spokesperson Matthias Schuppe confirmed to Welt that is was an attack. Also according to city spokesperson Michael Reif, the initial status is "an attack on the Christmas Market". The alleged perpetrator is in police custody. From security circles, Welt learned that he is reportedly a man from Saudi Arabia who was born in 1974.

According to the above (report), before the crime, he rented a car, which he drove to the Christmas Market. According to Welt's information, a piece of luggage was found on the passenger seat. It is not clear if explosive materials were possible inside. This scenario is not yet ruled out by the authorities. The police are also (investigating) whether the driver acted alone.

The car, with which the perpetrator drove "at least 400 meters into the Christmas Market" into the crowd of people, is reportedly still at the location, explained a police spokesperson. It is reportedly a BMW. The (French) news agency AFP reports, citing the command center of the rescue services, there are "60-80 injured". The MDR cites the police that there is at least one dead. Bild and Magdeburger Volkstimme both report at least 11 dead.

According to MDR, the head of the Christmas Market called for (people) to leave the center city. In the meantime, the police blocked off the city center. Drivers should avoid the Magdeburg city center, Volkstimme reports. Pedestrians were ordered by megaphone to leave the city center. According to Bild, the police are searching the closed-off area of the Christmas market for explosives.

Sirens, blue lights, firefighters: The Christmas Market is swarming with ambulances and paramedics, the German Press Agency reports. At a large Christmas pyramid, the injured are being treated. According to MDR, at Halle an der Saale, about 80 kilometers away, all the hospitals are preparing to receive the injured. All the rescue helicopters in the greater Halle area are flying to Magdeburg.

The Christmas Market is located on the Old Market next to the Magdeburg Town Hall near the Elbe. On X platform, videos were seen in the evening in which numerous emergency vehicles were seen. A witness reported to Volkstimme, the perpetrator headed to the Fairy Tale area of the Christmas Market where many families were walking around. She herself and her child were just able to jump to the side.

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), reacted with consternation. "My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Stand at your side and at the side of the people of Magdeburg," Scholz wrote on X. "My thanks to the responding rescue workers in these frightful hours."

Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser had recently repeated her call for Christmas Market visitors to be vigilant. There were currently no concrete indications of danger, the SPD politician said at the end of November. "But given the heightened abstract threat situation, we have further reason for greater vigilance and for taking consistent actions for our safety."

The act is reminiscent of the terror attack on the Christmas Market on Breidscheidplatz in Berlin, which was just commemorated for the 8th time on Thursday. On 19 December 2016, an Islamist terrorist hijacked a truck and drove it into the Christmas market. In this crime, a total of 13 people died, one, years later as a consequence. More than 70 people were injured, many of them seriously. The attacker fled to Italy where he was shot by police.

This article will be continuously updated.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This concludes the translation of this article. As noted, it is subject to updates.

*Update: This video from Berliner Morgenpost is translated by Fousesquawk. Hat tip Vlad Tepes and Gates of Vienna for the subtitling. The headline in the upper left-hand corner reads: "Suspect is a doctor:"

Gates of Vienna has video of the incident as it happened.

Volkstimme (Magdeburg) is reporting that according to the latest updates, two are confirmed dead, one adult and one small child. The driver is partially identified as Taleb A., a Saudi doctor residing in Germany. There are also reports based on his social media that he "follows" Alternatif fuer Deutschland, the right-wing party that opposes mass Muslim immigration into Germany. I suppose this will all be sorted out in the coming days.

Netherlands:Possible Motive in Explosion in the Hague

2024-12-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

Today’s edition of De Telegraaf partially identifies one of the suspects being held in the December 7 explosion in The Hague that killed six people. Moshtag B. (33), who resides in Rotterdam, reportedly had a relationship with the female owner of Aliyah’s Styling, a bridal shop that police believe was the target of the explosion.

Moshtag B. is described as an “ex friend” of the owner. He reportedly had recently tried to sell the woman’s Range Rover. This vehicle was also set on fire during the incident on December 7.

On December 1, two of the other three suspects were stopped by police in Oosterhout while sitting in a vehicle with Jerry cans, torches, and heavy fireworks. They were only detained a short time and released.

*Update (12-19-2024). RTL Nieuws is now giving partial names (first names) for the other three suspects.

Ilyas (23) from Rosendaal

Mourad (29) from Rosendaal

Adil (33) from Oosterhout

Netherlands: The Explosion in the Hague-Update

2024-12-16T10:45:00.000-08:00

Algemeen Dagblad

The below article from De Telegraaf is dated December 13, and I believe is still the latest update. Four suspects are in custody after the explosion in the Hague that took 6 lives on December 7. No names have been released just ages and places of residence. They reside in the Rotterdam and Brabant areas of the Netherlands. It appears though not publicly confirmed that this is gang-related.

The translation is by Fousesquawk.

Three Brabanders and a Rotterdammer held after mega-explosion in the Hague

-By Gerda Frankenhuis and Marcel Vink

13 Dec 2024 in Domestic

(Attorney) Spong representing suspect

The Hague- The 4 suspects who were arrested late Monday for involvement in the enormous explosion on Tarwekamp (street) in the Hague, in which 6 innocent people were killed, come from Rotterdam, Roosendaal, and Oosterhout. One of the suspects is being represented by Attorney Gerard Spong.

Caption: Flowers hang on the fences on the Tarwekamp.

The 4 who were placed in handcuffs come from Rotterdam (33 years), Roosendaal (29 and 23), and Oosterhout (33), as reported by the Public Prosecutor's Ministry (OM) on Friday. They were arrested at their residences.

The four were taken before an examining magistrate on Friday afternoon in the Hague, who ruled that they would remain in custody for another 14 days. All 4 are suspected of arson and causing an explosion in which 6 people died and 4 persons were injured. In addition, they are suspected of setting a car on fire and they reportedly met earlier to prepare to commit arson.

Total restrictions

The public prosecutor, due to the importance of the investigation, will not make any further statement over the current status of the investigation, the possible motive, or possible cause of the explosion.

"In addition, all the suspects are in full restrictive custody, which means that they can only have contact with their attorney. That also makes the Public Prosecutor's Ministry reluctant to share information," according to the authorities. The 4 will appear before the Council Chamber on December 24, who will then rule if they must remain in custody longer.

Gerard Spong

One of the lawyers for the suspects, Gerard Spong, cannot comment on the case due to the restrictions. Spong earlier did not want to say how old his client is or where he resides.

The investigation into the disaster that destroyed a residential block of 5 apartments and 3 shops is in full progress. According to investigators, the Aliyah's Styling bridal dress shop was very likely the target of the attacks.

The Case for Biden Mass Pardons

2024-12-13T16:31:00.000-08:00

President Biden appears to be setting off on a orgy of pardons before he leaves office. Aside from taking some attention away from the Hunter Biden pardon, Biden reportedly is seriously considering pardoning anyone and everyone he suspects the new Trump Justice Department may be intending to prosecute. If he does, there may be a silver lining.

While I believe in accountability for those who broke the law and/or abused their power in trying to put Trump behind bars, what I really want to see is reform as opposed to retaliation. Clearly, the Department of Justice and FBI are in need of serious reform. Will that be accomplished by the Trump administration trying to do what the Biden administration did to him, or to parents speaking out at school board meetings, or non-violent January 6 offenders? (In my view, those who committed vandalism and mayhem, not to mention assaulting police on January 6 at the Capitol, deserved to be prosecuted as opposed to those who merely strolled past guards and took selfies while standing around.)

Do we risk falling into a pattern every 4 years of an incoming administration trying to put the past administration in jail? That's what third world countries do. Trump has stated that the best revenge is success on the part of his second administration. I hope he sticks to that.

But the point I am driving at is that if Biden wants to pardon people like Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, Liz Cheney, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Andrew Weissman, Peter Strzok, and the whole gang who tried so hard to submarine Trump, I say let him. All that will do is cement his legacy as the worst, the most corrupt president in US history. It would also cement the dark cloud that will follow these characters the rest of their lives. I have thought long and hard about this because I really believe that some of these people committed crimes and betrayed the public trust. Having said that, I really fear that this could become a recurring pattern in US politics.

I say let Trump take the high road and task his new AG, who I believe will be Pam Bondi (a good choice), and whoever the FBI director turns out to be, with bringing true reform and public trust back to DOJ and the FBI. Let Biden take the low road and further embarrass himself by giving out blanket pardons to his team of miscreants. Hopefully, it will leave such a bad taste in the public's mouth that we will do away with presidential pardons once and for all. It's one part of our Constitution I think needs to be changed.

Of course, Trump could leave egg on my face if he comes into office and issues a mass of questionable pardons himself on Day One.

Trump's Pick for DOJ/OCR Is a Home Run

2024-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

Harmeet Dhillon

Harmeet Dhillon is President-elect Donald Trump's choice to head the Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Justice. I am very happy with this nomination.

Dhillon has been very outspoken in her condemnation of the anti-Semitic wave that has been plaguing our universities for far too long. She has condemned the pro-Palestinian mobs and the universities that have failed to bring them under control.

This is a problem that has been festering for over two decades now, and it has only gotten worse since October 7, 2023. Those who are wreaking havoc on our campuses and supporting the terror tactics of Hamas, which is actually designated by our government as a terrorist organization. Their apologists in academia, who whine about free speech, are condoning the bullying of Jewish students and the disruption brought to campuses by these asinine protests and encampments. Real students, particularly those of the Jewish faith, are having their right to an education taken away by this toxic campus atmosphere.

If the universities won't take action, I believe that people like Dhillon will. This is a civil rights matter, and the DOJ will be considering religious discrimination as part of Title 6 of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Next month, with the inauguration of Trump, we will have a government that will bring true pressure to bear-including financial pressure- on universities that cannot or will not protect their Jewish students. But beyond financial pressure, violation of civil rights is a criminal offense. There is clearly coordination-and conspiracy- to commit these acts across state lines. This is a federal matter.

Enough is enough.

Italy: The Ghost of Bin Laden Haunts Perugia

2024-12-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

Perugia

Last June a 37-year-old man, identified only as a "foreign citizen", but calling himself Bin Laden, attacked a bar* owner with a chair causing serious injuries. Yesterday, a court found him not guilty by reason of insanity and sentenced him to two years in a special loony bin for those in his legal category. The only problem is there are apparently no special facilities of that type in the region of Umbria. So everything is up in the air. For all we know, the guy is probably back at the bar having coffee. I have no idea. I am incapable of understanding it all.

*In Italy, "bars" are usually coffee bars as opposed to (alcohol) bars as we usually know them in the US.

The below article from Il Giornale is translated by Fousesquawk.

"Incapable of understanding"- The foreigner who, thinking he was Bin Laden, attacked a bar owner

A 37-year-old foreigner wound up in handcuffs after having attacked an 80-year-old owner of a bar in Perugia with a chair while calling himself Bin Laden. The man was still acquitted as a result of expert (opinion) that he was incapable of understanding and (forming criminal intent).

By Giovanni Fiorentino 10 December 2024-21:10

He wound up in handcuffs in the past months after having beaten a bar owner, aged 80, hitting him several times with a chair and shouting that he was Bin Laden. In the past few hours, following an expert opinion report from a previous proceeding against him, which stated that he was incapable of understanding and criminal intent, he was nevertheless acquitted. The protagonist of this story who arrived in Perugia is a foreign citizen, aged 37, and who at the end of last spring (according to what is reported by the online Perugia Today) attacked the owner/bartender of a bar in the Umbrian capital necessitating him going to the hospital. The attack occurred on the morning of June 5, (and) according to what has been reconstructed, the owner had asked the impatient foreigner to enter and wait until the opening of the commercial enterprise, but the (attacker) apparently did not take it well.

He threw a fit, saying he was Bin Laden. The old man, frightened, at that point, reportedly barricaded himself together with his wife inside the (bar) as a precaution that turned out to be in vain. The 37-year-old, in fact, reportedly broke the glass door of the bar using one of the chairs from the tables outside. And he reportedly used the same chair to hit the 80-year-old dealing him more blows and causing him to fall to the ground. The worst was avoided thanks to the intervention of the owner's wife, who while waiting for the arrival of the police, reportedly placed herself between the two. The attacked man was transported to the hospital, where he was found to (have sustained) "a proximal meta epiphyseal fracture of the right humerus", as well as "cortical infractions of the intermediate phalanx of the second finger of the left hand, cranial-facial trauma with fracture of the nasal bones, and a torn and bruised frontal fracture."

The man wound up in handcuffs and remained in jail until yesterday when a judge revoked the precautionary measure. The reason? His condition was confirmed by a psychiatric report from a previous proceeding for sexual violence (that ended in his acquittal), according to which, the accused is "strongly paranoid" and becomes aggressive when he feels himself in danger. Though being, "socially dangerous, his inability to understand, to (form intent) and to participate in the trial" was recognized.

And it was on this basis that the acquittal came about. The judge also ordered treatment in a Rems (physiatric hospital for those found not guilty by reason of insanity or socially dangerous) for two years even though there seems to be no such facility in Umbria. And at the moment, there seems to be no certainty as to the place where the foreign citizen will be treated nor when.

Netherlands: Amsterdam Soccer Rioters on Trial

2024-12-11T17:04:00.001-08:00

De Telegraaf

On November 7, riots took place in Amsterdam following a soccer match between a Dutch team and an Israeli team. Once the match ended, Israeli fans and other Jews were hunted down in the streets and beaten by young Muslim men. Five victims were hospitalized and dozens of men were arrested.

Now court proceedings against the defendants are in progress. In the below article from Algemeen Dagblad, it is reported that two of the defendants, not only attacked Jews physically but participated in chat groups dedicated to inciting attacks against "cancer Jews". Yet, incredulously, the public prosecutor sees no indications that anti-Semitism played a role. But we are talking about Dutch law here.

The article is translated by Fousesquawk.

Public Prosecutor: Rachid O. shared locations of "cancer Jews" to beat, 2 years demanded for Sefa Ö

Amsterdam riots- The Public Prosecutor's Ministry has demanded jail time up to 2 years against three rioters from the Ajax-Maccabi soccer match. Two men allegedly actually beat people, while a third actively shared information in a group chat on "cancer Jews to beat".

-By Raymond Boere, December 11, 2024 at 07:00./ Latest update December 11, 2024 at 17:27

The most severe sentence demanded was for Sefa Ö. from Amsterdam. According to the Public Prosecutor, he was involved in a total of four violent incidents in the city center after the soccer match. Images were shown in the courtroom in which it was seen how Ö. kicked a victim against a moving tram on the Dam (Square). He also threw punches at someone who was lying on the ground. Ö., a hairstylist with a wife expecting a child in four months, said that he was sorry that he was present, but would not say anything further.

More talkative was Rachid O. from Utrecht, who actively participated in the Buurthuis 2 group chat, in which, according to the Public Prosecutor, there was a hunt for Jews deep into the night. There were about 900 people in the group. Subsequently, O. called it stupid that he joined this chat out of curiosity. "But I was frustrated and angry how Maccabi fans were shouting, "Death to Arabs," earlier in the city."

O. met up with friends in Amsterdam and then shared locations "where to beat cancer Jews". He sent reports like, "smack them down" and bragged how he had stolen a cell phone. "Slapped and took a cell phone", he said in the chat. He also allegedly shared a link that was to be sent to Jews in particular. When they reportedly opened it, it would automatically take a picture and their exact location would be sent to O.

It is clear to the police that O. explicitly hunted for Jews in this manner, and therefore, is complicit in the violence. But O. dismisses it as BS. He did not take the stolen phone after beating someone. He found the device on the street and quickly returned it to the rightful owner when the person himself called.

According to O., the link to actively track down Jews is nothing more than a joke. "I also sent it to my mother," he explained, which caused amazement with one of the judges. "You still say that it is BS and a joke, but it doesn't come across that way. This went on in the chat for hours."

For the prosecutor as well, the conversations were not as innocent as O. wanted the judges to believe. He demanded six months in jail, of which two months were provisional. Earlier in the day, the public prosecutor demanded a jail sentence of six months for Lucas D. (19) from Monnickendam, of which three (months) were provisional. According to the public prosecutor, he threw rocks at police near the stadium, had illegal, heavy fireworks, and participated in a chat group on Snapchat, in which there were calls to commit violence.

The images of the riots went all over the world. Politicians here and abroad talked about anti-Semitic attacks, but the Public Prosecutor's Ministry has no indication of this. According to the prosecutors, the riots were mainly inspired by the anger over the situation in Gaza and the identification of the Maccabi supporters with the Israeli army.

The case against one of the suspects has been postponed. This 22-year-old refugee from Gaza reportedly kicked someone in the head four times and is accused of attempted manslaughter. According to his attorney, his client grew up in a refugee camp in Gaza, and he is possibly seriously traumatized. The judges agreed that he should first be examined by a psychologist.

The court will issue its ruling on December 24.

Which Universities Have the Most Anti-Zionist Faculty?

2024-12-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

The Amcha Initiative, an organization established to expose and combat anti-Semitism on US university campuses, has come out with a groundbreaking study grading over 700 universities in terms of which have the most anti-Zionist faculty. This comes in the wake of the establishment of a new organization on campuses called Faculty for Justice in Palestine (FJP), set up to support Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).

I note with regret (but not surprise) that the campus where I taught part-time for 18 years, the University of California at Irvine, ranks near the top. Of course, I am well aware of the activism against Israel that has gone on there for many years, which has led directly to the rise in anti-Semitism on campus. In the wake of October 7, 2023, that activism doubled down in such a shameful manner. There were 'teach-ins" and an encampment that had to be broken up by police when they refused orders to disperse. Another black eye for the uinversity.

The Amcha press release can be accessed here. It has direct links to the recent study.

Netherlands: Update on Explosion in the Hague

2024-12-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

-RTL (NL)

Dutch police have taken three men into custody in connection with the explosion in the Hague Saturday morning that took 6 lives. It is not clear what their roles were. Police also report that the apparent target of the explosion, believed to be a bomb, was a bridal dress shop.

The below article from De Telegraaf is translated by Fousesquawk.

Police call: The Hague explosion targeted bridal fashion store, search for two autos

-By Gerda Frankenhuis and Lieke Jongbloed

Yesterday 20:33 in Domestic, updated 36 minutes ago.

The Hague- The Aliyah Styling bridal fashion shop was the target of the explosion that caused enormous chaos and the deaths of 6 persons on the Tarwekamp (Street) in the Hague. That was reported by police Tuesday evening on the TV program, Opsporing Gezocht.

Earlier Tuesday, police announced that they arrested three men Monday evening just before midnight. The bridal shop was located on the bottom floor. "We are, of course, in contact with the managers of the shop." On the ground floor next to the bridal shop, there are also the Bar Rosa and a shop for Indian furniture.

Why the bridal shop was the target is still a puzzle. The police are urgently calling for people who know more about the case or have more information about the reason for the explosion.

The investigative team is also looking for people who have more information about a dark blue 2009 Toyota Yaris that may have driven away at a high rate of speech shortly before the explosion. Information is also being sought on a champaign-colored Kia Ceed Stationwagen, also 2009. That could concern local residents or people who can link the cars to the explosion or conflicts.

Police hope to hear from local residents if they saw something suspicious around the building in the days leading up to the mega explosion on Saturday morning around 6:15. "If anything was noticed at the bridal shop, we would like to hear about it," said a police spokesperson.

Nineteen households without home

In the attack, 6 people, namely residents in the above apartments, were killed and 4 people were injured. A young boy of 8 years was saved from the rubble and now must live the rest of his life without his parents and sister. Nineteen households were left homeless.

The three men who are now in custody are in full restriction and can only have contact with their attorneys. later this week, they will be brought before the examining magistrate. What their role is in the attack is unclear.

UPenn Professor Hails Alleged NYC Shooter (and Former UPenn Student )

2024-12-10T10:08:00.002-08:00

Hat tip Campus Reform

Statue of Ben Franklin at UPenn

Luigi Mangione

Can a statue be far behind?

Prof. Julia Alekseyeva

"Yes!!"

Move over Ben Franklin. The university you founded has a new icon. That would be Luigi Mangione, the accused murderer of United Health Care CEO, Brian Thompson, and a former student at the University of Pennsylvania. At least according to UPenn English professor Julia Alekseyeva, who is singing the praises of Mangione and calling him the "icon that we all need and deserve".

Campus Reform has the story.

The past year has not been good for UPenn. Complaints of anti-Semitism, pro-Palestinian encampments, and the resignation (under pressure) of the university president. Now this. Is this all representative of the "values of blah blah blah" that the university professes to hold?

Regretfully, the answer is yes.

*Update (12-12-24)

Alekseyeva has apologized. (Hat tip Campus Reform).

At Columbia, Students for Justice in Palestine Has its Own Paper

2024-12-07T18:50:00.000-08:00

Germany 1930s

It has come to this: The Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at Columbia University now has its own newspaper , The Columbia Intifada.

The university has disassociated itself with it and says it resents its name appearing in the newspaper, The Columbia Intifada.

This raises the question of just who is financing this newspaper if not the university. Is it the national SJP organization or perhaps their umbrella/funding organization, American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), both co-founded by UC Berkeley professor Hatem Bazian? Could it be CAIR? The Muslim Brotherhood? Who knows?

In my opinion, Columbia should not allow this paper to be distributed on its campus. Let them peddle this trash off campus. Things are bad enough for Jewish students at Columbia without having SJP with its own newspaper being peddled on campus stirring up feelings with propaganda that will only result in more attacks against Jewish students. It brings back memories of Germany under Hitler when Julius Streicher (Gauleiter of Franconia) was the publisher of the anti-Semitic rag, Der Stuermer, which was sold all over Germany (above).

If Columbia really wants to restore its reputation, it should permanently ban SJP from its campus.

Netherlands: Massive Explosion in the Hague-At Least 4 Dead

2024-12-07T10:19:00.005-08:00

-RTL Nieuws

-Algemeen Dagblad

-RTL Nieuws

Early this morning, there was a massive explosion in an apartment block in the Hague. At least 4 people are dead. The cause is not known, but it appears there were two small bangs followed by a massive explosion.

Police are trying to identify and locate a car that drove from the scene at a high speed after the explosion.

Security cameras captured the sound of the two bangs followed by the explosion.

The below article from NOS.nl is partially translated by Fousesquawk. It is the section at the start of the article.

*Update 2:20 pm PST: The death count is now at 5.

*Update (12-8-2024): Dutch authorities have informed the public that there are indications the explosion result was part of a crime, but will not say what those indications are. The death toll remains at 5.

NOS News Today 08;19 Updated today 18:48

Survivor pulled out from the rubble-4 bodies recovered after the explosions

Around 06:15 this morning, in the Tarwekamp in the Hague, there was an enormous explosion. A porch apartment was partially collapsed. Four people are confirmed dead.

Here is what else we know:

Rescue workers have pulled a survivor from under the rubble.

Mayor Van Zanen is (expecting) the worst-case scenario and says that they are no longer talking about a rescue operation, but recovery work.

The municipality is holding a meeting today for those directly affected and residents.

According to the police, a car drove away at high speed after the huge explosion.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Netherlands: Police Release Surveillance Photos of Three Men who Attacked Two Women

2024-12-06T20:21:00.004-08:00

Arnhem in happier times

In October in the Dutch city of Arnhem, two women were beaten by a group of three young men who accosted them as they were walking to the train station early in the morning. This week, Dutch police have released surveillance camera images of the three suspects, who as yet, have not been apprehended.

The below article from De Telegraaf is translated by Fousesquawk.

Group of young men beat a woman (22) at night in Arnhem Station. "Too crazy for words"

Posted yesterday (December 5, 2024) at 06:40

Arnhem- The Gelderland police are looking for three suspects who, at the end of October, allegedly severely beat a 22-year-old woman from Groningen. The incident happened at night after a brawl in the street, after which the group turned against the young victim and knocked her to the ground.

Caption: The three suspects who harassed a few young women in Arnhem. One of the victims was badly injured.

The (victim) in her 20s was walking to the station in Arnhem on the night in question around 03:30 with some friends. They were approached by the three young men, but the women indicated they were not interested. After that, things quickly get out of hand. The 22-year-old lady receives several blows. She is also kicked several times, as can be seen in the images. When she falls to the ground, she is also kicked. One of her friends is also treated violently.

"She was taken to the hospital by ambulance and seems to have suffered, among other things, a broken nose, a concussion, and bruised back," said a police spokesperson. "It is too crazy for words how two women were beaten up here."

The police know that the suspects had something to eat at the Koren Market in the city center shortly before the beating. They (police) are asking (the friends of) the suspects to directly contact (police). The perpetrators are clearly on the camera images that were shown this week on the Oproep Gelderland crime investigation program.

Germany: Iraqi Asylum-Seeker in Custody Suspected of Planning Terror Attack in Augsburg

2024-12-06T15:57:00.000-08:00

Possible targeting of Augsburg Christmas Market

German police have arrested a 37-year-old Iraqi asylum-seeker who they say has contacts with ISIS. The reporting is ambiguous, but at some point in their investigation, police suspected the man may have been planning a terror attack on the Augsburg Christmas Market. European Christmas markets are a prime target for Islamic jihadists, and attacks in the past have occurred, for example, in Berlin and Strasbourg.

The first paragraph from the below article in today's Augsburger Allgemeine is translated by Fousesquawk. This paragraph appears to be the latest update in a chronology of events.

Suspicion of terrorism in Augsburg

Arrestee reportedly coordinator for ISIS terror action

A 37-year-old asylum-seeker is in deportation custody. Previously, there was talk of plans to attack the Augsburg Christmas market. All the developments are in the Newsblog.

-By Ina Marks, Holger Sabinsky-Wolf, Ingrid Fuchs, Maria-Mercedes Hering, and Jonas Klimm

December 12, 2024 at 17:53

Caption: Police cars at the Augsburg Christmas Market on Friday afternoon. The officers have an increased presence in the city on weekends.

A 37-year-old asylum-seeker from Iraq has been arrested in Augsburg and placed in custody pending deportation. Initially, it was thought that Ali G. had been planning an attack upon the Christmas Market in Augsburg, but this suspicion has not been confirmed. Yet, through his ISIS contacts and conspicuous posts on social media, the man has been in the sights of the authorities since October. According to the security authorities, there was and there is to date, no indication of concrete attack plans or concrete danger for Christmas markets in Bavaria. Die Welt had initially reported on the case based on its own research. The suspect is presently in the deportation custody facility in Eichstaett. Criminal investigations are ongoing at the same time.

France: Islamic School Under Investigation

2024-12-06T14:19:00.010-08:00

Hat tip François Desouche

Décines-Charpieu

A private Islamic school in France is under the microscope for allegedly advocating violent jihad, homophobia, and strict dress codes for girls that violate France's equality laws. The below article from Lyonmag is translated by Fousesquawk.

Books on jihad, homophobia, outfits imposed for girls... The Al-Kindi school in turmoil

In Décines-Charpieu, the private Muslim high school, Al-Kindi, is facing an administrative procedure that could lead to the cancellation of its association contracts with the State.

An inspection report, whose details have been reported by a source close to the investigation, shines the light on serious acts, ranging from pedagogical failures to violations of the values of the Republic.

In fact, the inspections reveal confusion between the statutes under contract and those outside the contract. Financial resources allocated to the executive under contract were reportedly used for activities outside the contract. Similarly, teachers paid for their work under the contract, were also reportedly employed during times not covered by this plan.

The pedagogical obligations, such as regulatory schedules for certain subjects, were reportedly not respected, which also constitutes a breach of the rules imposed by the State.

Books that advocate violent jihad

Yet more worrisome are works available at the establishment, notably at the Center of Information and Documentation (CDI), reportedly justifying violent jihad, advocating violence against homosexual persons, and conveying a backward vision of the role of women. Certain books also relate to the duties of women towards their spouses within the Muslim religion, in contradiction with the principles of equality.

The internal regulations of the establishment are also singled out for demanding that girls wear specific outfits- loose fitting and long clothing, a prohibition on makeup, piercings, or tight fitting clothing- without any similar mention concerning boys. A teacher in charge of the subject "The culture of Islam" was reportedly active on a YouTube channel where he supported imams convicted or expelled for supporting terrorism, by disseminating speeches contrary to the values of the Republic.

These are the elements that led to the Prefecture of Rhône to initiate an adversarial proceeding. A meeting before the Academic Consultation Commission, scheduled for December 12, should allow the leadership of the establishment to explain these facts.

Sweden: Teaching Children to Hate "Infidels"

2024-12-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hat tip RAIR Foundation USA, Gates of Vienna, and Vlad Tepes. Video translation by Fousesquawk.

I am cross-posting an article appearing today in RAIR Foundation USA in which it is reported that a teacher at the Imam Sadiq Islamic Center in Malmö, Sweden has been exposed teaching children to hate Jews and "infidels". The story is based on a Swedish State Television (SVT) exposé featuring videos of the children reciting pro-Palestinian, anti-"infidel" songs. Hat tip to Gates of Vienna and Vlad Tepes for the subtitling of the SVT video. Translation by Fousesquawk.

Who Will Be the DEA Administrator?

2024-12-05T08:43:00.003-08:00

This article first appeared in New English Review.

As a retired DEA agent, I have been following the Trump nomination process with greater than usual interest. I am gratified that Matt Gaetz dropped out of the attorney general nomination, and I think Pam Bondi will do a fine job as AG. There is no reason to oppose her though many of the Democrats will vote against her because she is a partisan conservative.

Right now, my biggest concern is who Trump will pick for DEA administrator. He could have left the current administrator, Anne Milgram in place, but this week, he announced that Hillsborough County (Fl) Sheriff Chad Chronister was his pick.

I had previously heard nothing about him, but within the DEA retirees' grapevine, there was widespread disapproval of the pick. Most of the objections centered around his arrest of a local pastor for holding services during the Covid pandemic, as well as his active promotion of the controversial DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). Just a couple of days after Trump's announcement, Chronister withdrew his name from consideration. It seems there was simply too much opposition. Another factor may have been the fact that his son was sentenced to prison in 2018 for stabbing someone the previous year.

There are two names that seem to be preferred by the retired DEA community, Derek Maltz and Mike Chapman, the latter of whom is Sheriff of Loudoun County, Virginia. Both are retired DEA agents.

Maltz had a very distinguished career with DEA and was a top-level manager. Since his retirement, he has become a national spokesman regarding the fentanyl crisis. That is presently, DEA's top enforcement priority, and he would no doubt continue that policy.

Chapman also had a distinguished career in DEA and has acquired more managerial experience since his retirement, especially as Loudoun County sheriff, where he has earned many accolades.

In the interest of full disclosure, during my career in DEA (1973-1995) I never had any contact or dealings with these two gentlemen. Post-retirement, I did happen to meet Mr. Chapman at the annual retirees' conference in Orlando a few years ago. By chance, we were seated at the same table during the formal closing dinner and had a chance to talk. I have never met Mr Maltz.

So what type of administrator does DEA need? Without dismissing the current administrator, Anne Milgram, I feel that the administrator should be someone with drug law experience as well as managerial experience. Ideally, the nominee would have political support, at least with the president, and hopefully within Congress. In addition, it would be helpful if the person was a former or current DEA agent with managerial experience both in the field and at the headquarters level- someone who understands the culture of the agency and can relate to the agents in the field. I admit.it is hard to find someone with all of those qualities. Most of our administrators have come from the outside; some have been good, others not so much.

I would also like to see someone who could come in and restore some of the traditional street activities of DEA, notably undercover work. It has often been perceived among us retirees that the agency has somewhat gone away from "street work". Drug enforcement is a very distinct type of police work. It is a totally different culture from the FBI, and any attempts to mold DEA into the FBI's image (which have been made) are ill-advised.

I don't know enough about the current administrator, Anne Milgram, to opine as to whether she should be replaced or kept in her position. Incoming President Trump intends to replace her, and I just hope he makes a wise choice the second time around.

Hitler Reacts to Hunter Biden Pardon

2024-12-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

My latest Hitler parody masterpiece.

Belgium: Antwerp Drug Kingpin Arrested in Dubai

2024-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

-De Morgen

Belgian media are reporting that Othman El Ballouti, a Belgian citizen of Moroccan origin, has been arrested in Dubai based on an international warrant issued in Belgium. El Ballouti is part of the notorious Moroccan Mafia (Mocro Maffia) that controls the drug trade in Belgium and the Netherlands. Belgium is requesting extradition. Ballouti is charged with the importation of multi tons of cocaine into Europe. He has already been sentenced to 7 years in prison on one of the charges and is facing a possible 20 years on a separate charge.

The below article from De Morgen (Belgium) is translated from Dutch by Fousesquawk.

Fight against drugs

Othman El Ballouti, kingpin of Antwerp's drug scene, arrested in Dubai

-Editorial staff

December 3, 2024 at 08:53

According to several sources, the sought-after Antwerp drug boss, Othman El Ballouti, has been arrested in Dubai. That is reported by the newspaper, Het Laatse Nieuws. Belgian justice has searched for El Ballouti for years. He was named as one of the biggest kingpins in the Antwerp drug scene.

-Editorial staff, December 3, 20234 at 08:53

In September, Othman El Ballouti, aka, "El Patron", was sentenced in Antwerp to 7 years in prison for the importation of 800 kilos of cocaine. He himself was not present for the hearing. The man has been living for years in Dubai, where according to investigations by international journalists, he has 11 properties worth 7.5 million euros.

Soon he will face a more serious sentence hanging over his head in another case. (In this case), a sentence has been demanded (by the prosecution) of 20 years in prison and a fine of 800,000 euros for the importation of 11 tons of cocaine. Through (monitoring) of the Sky ECC communications service, police (intercepted) countless communications between drug criminals. Thus the investigators gathered much information on El Ballouti.

For now, the United Arab Emirates will not (comment) on the arrest, and also in Belgium, justice circles have given no official confirmation. It remains to be seen if or when he will be sent to our country.

The uncle of (....)

El Ballouti is the uncle of Firaous, the 11-year-old girl who was killed in January of last year when her house in Merksem was shot at. The youngest brother of El Ballouti was also targeted by other drug criminals. Almost 10 years ago, he was held hostage for 37 days in Brussels and later in Paris, where he finally showed up at a police station. Othman El Ballouti was said to have paid ransom money, although he himself said that his brother managed to escape on his own. He also said that the kidnapping had nothing to do with the drug scene.

Sweden: 4 Men Charged in Terror Plot Against Jews and Synagogues

2024-12-02T15:02:00.010-08:00

In March of this year, Swedish police raided several addresses in the municipality of Tyresö, just south of Stockholm. Four men were arrested for plotting terror attacks against Jews in Sweden, including synagogues. The four, including two brothers who converted to Islam in their teens and an imam, are due to stand trial on December 10. Though they were arrested in March, it is only now that details of their case are starting to come out.

The below article from Aftonbladet is translated by Fousesquawk.

Terrorist defendants had Jewish targets-"Kill as many as possible."

By Matilda Aprea

Updated 18:00- Posted 16:19

Four men with ties to the Islamic State, including an "imam" and two brothers, charged for preparing to (commit) a terrorist crime with Jews as focus, among others, synagogues.

The defendants allegedly have had contacts with ISIS, worked in recruitment, and attempted to obtain possession of weapons and bomb materials, in which the older brother played a leading role.

All deny the crime, and the trial is expected to run from December 10, 2024 to Christmas.

Caption: The two detained brothers converted to Islam in their teens. They reportedly began to dress differently, and one of them reportedly disseminated jihadist propaganda on social media, according to SVT.

A religious leader, two brothers, and a man in his 20s are now charged with preparation for terrorist crimes.

All of them have allegedly acted on behalf of the Islamic State with Jewish targets in view.

"There was talk about synagogues, among other things," says Lars Hedvall, who is the preliminary investigation leader.

At the beginning of March, Security Police and the National Task Force raided several addresses in

Tyresö, south of Stockholm.

Four people were arrested and placed in custody suspected of preparing to commit a terrorist crime and aggravated weapons offenses-all them tied to the Islamic Cultural Association of Tyresö.

Since then, information regarding the suspected crimes has been sparse since those working the case have been prohibited from divulging (details).

Only now that charges have been brought against the 4 men is it made public that there were Jewish targets on behalf of the Islamic State, ISIS.

Caption: Police at the scene of one of the raids in Tyresö in the beginning of March

Synagogues were one of the targets

In the indictment, it seems that police had been monitoring the defendants for a long time. A large portion of the evidence consists of wiretapped conversations where terrorist crimes, among other things, were discussed.

"In this material, they spoke about synagogues and that they should be there and check when they had their gatherings. They also spoke of other targets. But it was Jewish interests that were in their sights," says senior prosecutor Lars Hedvall, who is the leader of the preliminary investigation.

Two of the charged men are brothers in their 20s. According to Aftonbladet's information, they converted to Islam in their teens and frequently visited the Islamic Cultural Association in Tyresö

The older brother, according to the indictment, swore allegiance to two ISIS leaders. He also reportedly has had a supervisory and coordinating role, according to the indictment.

The brothers have received instructions from ISIS, among other things, recruiting and inducing perpetrators to kill as many infidels as possible.

Caption (Security Police) during raid in Tyresö

"Minor perpetrators are the best"

He also reportedly advised ISIS that "minor Swedish perpetrators are the best," with a view to the low sentences in Sweden. They would be ready to die as martyrs.

The brothers also reportedly searched for bomb materials and weapons within organized criminal networks. According to the indictment, the younger brother also acted on behalf of ISIS in Somalia and helped with recruiting as well as receiving propaganda material and money.

Both brothers have also learned to handle weapons.

That innocent children could be killed in the planned attacks was no problem, according to the indictment, since the brothers considered this as "collateral damage", consequences that could be expected.

The charged man in his 60s has worked as an imam in the Islamic Cultural Association in Tyresö -according to the association itself.

According to the prosecutor, the man is described as an older, respected person who is consulted in religious questions.

"The imam" guided the brothers

Among other things, he has given advice to IS-affiliated persons in Sweden on jihad and attacks, as well as advice on potential targets.

The imam in question has also reportedly "guided" and given advice to the two brothers. In his telephone messages in a chat group were found threats against Jews.

"It is time for the Jews, the Zionists, to be driven off the face of the earth...."

The fourth man charged is also in his 20s and reportedly had contact with ISIS representatives and discussed what ISIS wanted him to do for them.

He also possessed weapons and ammunition, which according to the indictment, were for ISIS.

Although the police did not find any actual weapons, the prosecutor is convinced that they will also be convicted for aggravated weapons offenses.

"We have strong evidence for this. Wiretap material is quite clear and they say what kind of weapons, i.e. brand and type. One can also see the descriptions of weapons that showed up around these dates," says Lars Hedvall.

All the defendants deny any crime.

The trial starts December 10 and is expected to go until Christmas.

The Biden Pardon

2024-12-02T09:41:00.003-08:00

"Wait till you see my next pardon."

Today, President Joe Biden has erased the last sliver of doubt that his presidency has been the slimiest in US history. It also firmly buttresses the argument that he is the worst president in our history. In spite of repeated denials that he would pardon his son, Hunter, Joe Biden did exactly that issuing a blanket pardon not only for his conviction of gun charges and his plea to income tax charges but any crimes he may have committed between January 2014 and December 2024.

Despite Biden's above denials that he would pardon Hunter, and despite arguments that he changed his mind after watching his son being unfairly treated by the justice system, it has been reported by NBC that as far back as June 2024, even as those denials were being issued, pardon discussions were ongoing in the White House.

Of course, I am biased, but I have never liked the idea of presidential pardons except when there is a clear miscarriage of justice. Even in those cases, the justice system should be sufficient to correct miscarriages without a president getting involved. This one totally undermines the principle that everyone is equal before the law.

It is reported that the federal investigation into Hunter began around 2018 when Donald Trump was president. Even so, it continued after Biden took office. It was under his administration, that charges were actually brought, but the prosecution in Delaware saw a sweetheart deal between Hunter and federal prosecutor, David Weiss, blow up when the judge refused to accept the plea.

Of course, given Trump's legal problems (which I believe were politically driven), there is no shortage of arguments back and forth as to whether justice has been thwarted by his re-election as president and the US Justice Department's withdrawal from the cases. It appears at this point that all the prosecutions against Trump, both state and federal, are now going away. Trump's opponents are claiming that this also shows that not everyone is equal before the law, and they have their points. My argument against that is to reiterate that in my opinion, the Trump indictments, both at the state and federal level, were political witch hunts. No one side will ever convince the other.

One of the interesting questions being argued this morning is whether this blanket immunity now opens Hunter up to being questioned about his father's alleged role in his financial dealings, for example, in Ukraine and China. It appears he won't enjoy the ability to take the 5th Amendment and refuse to answer questions. Since the pardon covers acts between January 2014 to December 2024, what if he lies to federal investigators who might come around in 2025 asking questions about the roles of Joe Biden and the President's brother, James Biden, in his shady dealings? Under federal law (18 USC 1001) that is a crime.

Personally, I would like to see this drama come to an end. Ever since 2016 when the FBI found itself investigating both Trump and the Democrat nominee, Hillary Clinton, it has been eight years of Hell for this country, and depending on whose ox is being gored, a belief on the part of so many Americans that our justice system has been weaponized to go after political opponents. As a retired DOJ employee, my own belief is that the Department is in serious need of reform. It remains to be seen whether the incoming administration will go after those who they think have perverted the justice system. While I believe a lot of people abused their power and need to be held accountable, my preference would be to see changes brought to the Justice Department and the FBI in the pursuit of reform as opposed to revenge. When Matt Gaetz was the nominee to be attorney general, I was not optimistic. I am optimistic about Pam Bondi, however. I think she will bring integrity and professionalism to the job.

But as for Joe Biden, after four years of one incredible failure after another, this will be the final nail in the coffin of his legacy.

Germany Wrestles "From the River to the Sea"

2024-12-02T08:16:00.003-08:00

This article first appeared in Times of Israel Blogs.

Federal Court of Justice, Karlsruhe, Germany

There is an interesting legal contest going on in Germany as the country tries to deal with the explosion in anti-Semitism brought upon mostly by its immigrant population.

Two Bavarian courts have ruled that the phrase, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” is a symbol of Hamas, designated in Germany as a terrorist state, is a call for violence against Jews in Israel, and should be illegal and subject to criminal penalties. The case appears headed for the German Supreme Court to be settled since other courts in the country have taken a different view. While the two Bavarian courts consider the phrase a clear call to genocide and the destruction of the Jewish state, others feel it is ambiguous and/or covered under the country’s freedom of expression laws.

Germany has made great efforts, at least in the past several decades, to atone for its crimes under the Nazis, most of all, the Holocaust, for which total atonement is impossible. While the country is a democracy, Germany does not enjoy the same freedom of expression as we do in the US. Hate speech, or what the authorities judge as hate speech, can land you in court. In addition, Germany has a federal intelligence agency within the Ministry of Interior called the “Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution”(Bundesverfassungsschutz) which investigates those who would try to undermine the country’s democracy, which would include extremist groups on the right or left, as well as Islamic extremists. In addition, the country is very sensitive to anti-Semitic speech, for obvious reasons, and speech against Muslims, largely due to its restive Muslim population.

That presents an interesting quandary since the country’s Muslim population numbers have exploded since then-Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the floodgates to refugees from the Middle East in 2015 due to the Syrian civil war, refugees consisting largely of young, unaccompanied men who brought with them a religiously-instilled hated of Jews. The latest fighting between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah has made that situation infinitely worse. This has obviously undermined Germany’s efforts to erase anti-Semitism. Attacks upon Jews in Germany, mostly at the hands of Muslim immigrants, migrants, and asylum-seekers have brought back images reminiscent of the 1930s and 1940s.

So the question begs: What do the German courts do about the Palestinian ditty that advocates the destruction of all of Israel? From an American point of view, while I certainly consider the phrase to advocate the destruction of Israel and to be part and parcel of Hamas, I doubt it would be outlawed in the US because our laws regarding speech and expression allow for far worse things to be said than Germany would allow. Hate speech in the US is also considered protected speech unless it directly incites a violent attack. It can also be considered as evidence of a hate crime, for example, if an attacker uses hate speech during an attack against a member of another ethnic group. That might result in an enhanced charge for a “hate crime”, which makes the offense more serious. Use of offensive speech in itself is generally considered protected speech.

As to “From the river to the sea,” I have heard this phrase used constantly over the years in the US. Now it is being seriously challenged as a call for genocide. Whether that would ever lead to its criminalization in the US, I have serious doubts. That doesn’t mean that it should not be called out for what it is by Israelis and supporters of Israel. In essence, it is a call for a “Judenrein Palestine” in what is today Israel. The international Palestinian movement has been very effective over the years in swaying public support against Israel in the West. The good side needs to use every argument to win the public relations war in places like American universities.

As for Germany, however, ultimately, their courts decide to do with, “From the river to the sea”, I’m glad the subject is up for discussion, both in the courts and the public. If their highest court decides to ban it, far be it from me to tell them how to run their country. Even if the courts won’t condemn it criminally, we can still-and must-condemn it morally.

Germany: Bavarian Courts Rule on "From the River to the Sea....."

2024-11-30T11:12:00.001-08:00

There is an interesting debate going on within legal circles in Germany as to whether the slogan, "From the river to the sea", regularly used during anti-Israel protests, should be declared illegal on the grounds that it advocates the destruction of the Jewish state of Israel. Two district courts in Bavaria have ruled in two separate cases that it should be punishable under law, the same as pro-Nazi expressions are illegal in Germany.

The below article by Frederik Schindler in WELT is translated by Fousesquawk. I will be writing about this question in more detail in the very near future.

Israel-hate

"The Hamas slogan is treated no differently under criminal law than the Hitler salute, for example".

By Frederik Schindler

Political editor

Posted 13:27 (November 29, 2024)

The first two court decisions that classify the slogan, "From the river to the sea," as a symbol of the Hamas terrorists are legally binding. The judiciary in Bavaria declares that their "clear position" on this issue" is having an effect. The criminal liability of the slogan is controversial.

It is the most well-known slogan that has been used for decades by anti-Israel activists. "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free“. In this slogan, there is no more room for the state of Israel, which, in addition to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, extends over 78% of the territory between Jordan and the Mediterranean. Now the first two court decisions have become legally in force, in which the use of the slogan is punishable.

This regards two criminal rulings from district courts in Sonthofen and Fuerstenfeldbruck. Both are available to Welt am Sonntag. It regards postings on the X platform from November of last year. A few weeks after the terror attacks by Hamas on Israel, an (X) user used this slogan on November 3. Ten days later, another posted: "No, never recognition of a genocidal state like Israel. From the river to the sea, no Israel territory!"

The State Prosecutor's offices in Kempten and Munich see this as the use of symbols of anti-Constitution and terrorist organizations, punishable under Paragraph 86a of the Criminal Code-and applied to the district court to issue an order of punishment (sentence). In the first case, it was 4,200 euros to be paid- 60 euros a day for 70 days. In the second case, it was 5,400 euros, equivalent to 60 euros a day for 90 days. Since no objection was filed, these became legally binding in mid-July and the beginning of October. Otherwise, the penalty order would have been in an indictment in a principal court hearing.

"They knew, or at least accepted that it was the expression of a slogan of Hamas," the District Court of Sonthofen found in its decision in the penalty order. In Fuerstenfeldbruck, the document reads: "The expression symbolizes in a catchy (phrase) the proclaimed goal in the Hamas Charter that Israel should be fully incorporated into a Palestinian state. This goal assumes the logical destruction of the state of Israel."

The Commissioner for Anti-Semitism in the Bavarian judiciary, senior public prosecutor Andreas Franck, assesses the (sentences) positively: "Our clear position on this issue is showing an effect. There have hardly been any cases in public space in Bavaria where the Hamas slogan has been reported."

Criminal penalty for the slogan is controversial

On November 2, 2023, the Federal Interior Ministry banned Hamas. A portion of the decree is the ban on using their symbols publicly. The slogan, "From the river to the sea" is also named. Since 2017, it stands in the charter of the Islamist terror organization, where it states: "Hamas rejects any alternative to the complete and unrestricted liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea." However, it was already used by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the 1960s, so it is clearly older than the 1987-founded Hamas. On the contrary, the 1977 election platform of the current Premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, states: "Between the (Mediterranean) sea and the Jordan (river), there will only be Israeli sovereignty."

The criminal liability of the slogan is controversial. Some activists point out its ambiguity and stress that they are demanding not the eradication of Israel or Jewish life, rather the "liberation of Palestine from Israeli occupation"- or a secular and democratic state, in which Jews and Palestinians could live equally. Other courts have interpreted the expression as covered under freedom of expression.

In March of this year, the Hessian Administrative Court threw out the demonstration requirements of the city of Frankfurt, with which it wanted to ban the slogan. The court stated that criminal liability was "extremely doubtful". The main principle says nothing about how the goal of "a free Palestine, including the territory of Israel," should be reached- for example, either through armed struggle or treaties under international law. There are no visible concrete indications that the use (of the slogan) must be understood as a mandatory call to violence and terror. The Bavarian Administrative Court decided in June that the city of Munich could not ban the slogan from demonstrations across the board if there was no "recognizable reference to Hamas".

The Federal Administrative Court has not yet dealt with it. In addition, there is not yet a Supreme Court decision in existence in criminal law. In November of this year, for the first time, a state court classified the slogan as a terrorist organization symbol. A Berlin superior court based this on case law of the Federal Court of Justice (BGH) in which it is stated that a symbol does not have to be used exclusively by a terrorist organization and when it is founded to be counted as such a symbol. It is sufficient that Hamas, "through its constant use of the slogan, makes it its own". Since an appeal against the verdict has been filed the BGH must now handle it.

In its case law, the Federal Court of Justice consistently describes freedom of expression as "absolutely established in free and democratic order". It is a violation against the fundamental right of freedom of expression, it stated in an earlier decision in 1995, if a court, in the case of ambiguous statements, "relies on the meaning that leads to conviction without first having excluded the other possible meanings with conclusive reasons."

Constitutional law professor Anna-Katharina Mangold, who teaches at the University of Flensburg, says, "The possible interpretation of the slogan as a mere demand for democracy and equality must be accepted as a legal basis, when in a specific case, it is not completely implausible". It is "really regrettable that the Bavarian district courts did not consider the Karlsruhe* case law."

* Karlsruhe is the seat of the Federal Supreme Court in Germany (translator).

Justice Anti-Semitism Commissioner Franck is of a different opinion. The leeway for the slogan,"From the river to the sea", in light of freedom of expression, is significantly narrowing. "The Hamas slogan is treated no differently under criminal law than the Hitler salute, for example. It takes very special circumstances, for one or the other, to go unpunished,"

Political Editor Frederik Schindler reports for WELT on the AfD (Alternatif fuer Deutschland party), Islamism, anti-Semitism, and Justice themes. His column "Counter Speech" appears biweekly.

Switzerland: Asylum-Seeker Desecrates the Black Madonna of Einsiedeln

2024-11-29T08:23:00.004-08:00

The Black Madonna of Einsiedeln

On November 16, a 17-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker walked into the monastery chapel of the Swiss town of Einsiedeln, and in front of astonished visitors, tore the clothing off of the much-venerated Black Madonna, which had been placed there in the 15th century, removed the crown, and put it on his own head before police arrived to take him into custody.

The below article from Bote (Switzerland) is translated from German by Fousesquawk.

Confused teenager undresses the Black Madonna

A sad incident in the monastery in Einsiedeln. A deranged 17-year-old caused damage to the Black Madonna. Before the eyes of the shocked pilgrims, he tore the clothing from the image of grace.

November 16, 2024 at 18:32

At noon Saturday, at the Chapel of Grace in the Einsiedeln Monastery, a disturbing incident occurred that will be talked about for a long time. In the evening, the Einsiedeln Monstery announced: "In the presence of many praying pilgrims, a confused person forcibly removed the clothing of the Black Madonna". According to information from TeleZur, the 17-year-old asylum-seeker from Afghanistan also set the crown of the Black Madonna on his head.

The much-venerated image of grace from the 15th century, which is visited annually by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, suffered light damage."We are thankful that more did not occur, and above all, nobody was injured," said the Einsiedeln Monastery. And further," We are deeply sorry about this incident and are thinking of the many people present whose religious feelings were hurt. Our prayers and thoughts are with them, as with also the person taken into custody." As possible crimes, among others, there is disruption of religious freedom and property damage.

The motive of the 17-year-old is presently under police investigation. The Schwyzer (canton) police spokesperson Roman Gisler: "The person was taken to a medical institute." The monastery thanks the police officers who quickly arrived on the scene, as well as the monastery stewards for their "courageous and judicious intervention."

Finally, the message from the Monastery leadership said, "In our efforts to make the Einsiedeln Monastery a place of peace and reconciliation, we use this event as an opportunity for prayer. In this sense, the Rosary prayer on Sunday evening, 17 November at 18:15 will be specially designed."

The importance of the Black Madonna

The Black Madonna of Einsiedeln has for centuries, been an important destination for pilgrims from all over the world. She is visited annually by several hundred thousands of pilgrims. In the Chapel of Mercy, the pilgrims bring their diverse concerns. The 117-centimeter-high Madonna with the child in her left arm, came to the chapel in 1466. In accordance with the declaration of the monastery, the Jesus-child is naked. The Mother of God figure wears a strawberry red imitation damast fabric dress held by a belt under the breast and falls down in bright folds. The monastery fire of 1465, which broke out in the Holy Chapel, destroyed the old Madonna. Whether the image of a new image of mercy was commissioned or a statue already in the monastery was used is uncertain.

DOJ Orders DEA to Halt Airport Searches

2024-11-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

This article first appeared in New English Review.

This week, the Department of Justice ordered the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Anne Milgram, to discontinue a controversial enforcement program that had come under renewed scrutiny after a video surfaced of DEA agents attempting to obtain a consensual search of a traveler’s luggage at Cincinnati Airport.

As a retired DEA agent, I had some experience with this practice, which has been going on for many years. I retired from DEA in 1995, which gives you an idea how long the practice has been in effect. Some aspects may have changed over the years, but since it has come under scrutiny since the Cincinnati incident, I thought I would share my own personal knowledge.

Since drugs and the cash proceeds from drug trafficking are often transported through airports, train stations, and bus terminals, some DEA agents and task force officers have been trained to interdict the drugs and cash through approaches to certain travelers who raise suspicions. The agents would approach the person in question, identify themselves, and ask for permission to search their luggage or person.

There are certain indicators that might raise the suspicion of a trained investigator. One that was reported in the Cincinnati case was the fact that the person in question had purchased his ticket shortly before departure. There are others that also pertain to the circumstances of the person’s travel and/or behavior. Already, the reader might be thinking: ”profile”. That is a tricky term and can quickly lead to charges of racial profiling, which by law, is not allowed, yet critics of the program have often made that accusation. On the contrary, it is the actions of the person in question that count, not their ethnicity.

Since I was also a US Customs agent prior to joining DEA in 1973, I would also like to point out that Customs agents and inspectors have what we call Customs search authority. That means that Customs personnel have the right to search any and all items entering the US from other countries. That right also extends to items suspected by Customs personnel to have crossed the border. Customs search authority also means that items that have entered the country can be searched at ports of entry or anywhere else. That authority does not extend to other law enforcement agencies.

Returning to the actions of DEA agents at US airports involving domestic flights, that means that DEA agents must obtain consent to search a traveler’s luggage or person. If consent is not granted, the agents only recourse is to obtain a search warrant based on probable cause that the person is carrying drugs or drug money. To develop that probable cause during an encounter requires specialized training that not all DEA agents have-or least had in my day. No consent, no probable cause, it’s “Have a nice day, Sir. Sorry to bother you.” If the agents decide they have probable cause to seek a search warrant, the traveler is free to leave but the luggage stays until the search warrant is signed or denied. As was shown in the Cincinnati video, a positive reaction by a detector dog adds to probable cause.

It is also true that money that has been seized can be subject to civil administrative forfeiture. The person from whom the money is seized has the right to petition for its return, but it is his or her own burden to prove the money was not proceeds or instruments of drug traffic. In practice, many of those truly involved in the drug trade choose not to petition for return of the money for obvious reasons. There is also a procedure for criminal forfeiture in cases where people are actually charged with drug trafficking, and in these cases, the standard of proof is greater as opposed to civil procedures. In civil forfeitures, an arrest and/or conviction is not necessary.

To be honest, I was never comfortable on the handful of occasions I participated in this kind of enforcement action although on occasion, I was present when drugs or money were found. While I did not receive the requisite training, I always accompanied an agent or agents who did.

Through the retired agents’ grapevine, I have seen mixed reactions to this decision. Some say it should have been abandoned a long time ago. Others point out that it was Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, a liberal activist, who issued the order, and predicted that when President Trump returns to office, it will be resumed. After all, the practice has been challenged in the courts and (when conducted properly and with probable cause) has been upheld.

I myself have mixed reactions. Conducted properly, it was legal. I always felt that this was a program that required the highest degree of professionalism and skill. One bad incident and we risked losing the authority altogether. While I am not judging the Cincinnati incident, it seems to reinforce the knowledge we always possessed that if you abuse a power, you will lose that power.

And let’s be honest: No matter how diplomatically an agent conducts himself/herself, any innocent traveler who experiences this will leave with a bad taste in their mouth. At any rate, considering the publicity this case has caused, I wanted to present as accurate a picture of the practice as I could given the fact that I am now three decades removed from being in drug law enforcement. This enforcement practice has led to countless seizures of drugs and money linked to the drug traffic, but all it takes is one unfortunate encounter to put it at risk of being shut down.