Volume 15, Issue 38

“With all due respect. If you have a missile in your goddamn kitchen and you want to shoot it at me, am I allowed to defend myself? …These missiles are there. The button is pressed. The missile is launched. The missile comes out from the kitchen and onto my children.”

— President Isaac Herzog, October 12, 2023

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Missing Israeli Children

This Week's Featured Article

By Joseph Epstein | October 13, 2023

Upcoming Webinars

Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 at 12 PM ET

Several weeks ago a report published at the Semafor website, written by former Wall Street Journal reporter Jay Solomon, revealed that senior U.S. government officials and former top advisors were part of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s “Iran Experts Initiative.” Soloman’s article was based on materials gathered by Iran International that revealed emails showing government officials’ participation in this secret Iranian government influence scheme that may have impacted everything from sanctions relief to negotiations for a new nuclear agreement that led to the release of the $6 billion ransom payment recently made by the Biden administration. One thing is clear – Iranian influence peddlers and sympathizers, potential spies, have no place in serving in the U.S. government as they threaten our national security and that of our allies. In the face of the recent Hamas war, this could not be clearer. Gabriel Noronha, who has been working on these issues for many years, will be joining us to discuss this and related matters.

About the Speaker: Gabriel Noronha is the Executive Director of POLARIS National Security and a Fellow with JINSA’s Gemunder Center for Defense and Strategy. From 2019-2021, he served as the Special Advisor for Iran at the Department of State where he coordinated policy and directed the Department’s communications and congressional affairs for Iran.

From 2017-2019, he worked as the Special Assistant to the Senate Armed Services Committee under Chairmen John McCain and Jim Inhofe, helping write and pass the annual national security legislation, the National Defense Authorization Act.

Gabriel previously worked for U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte from 2015-2016. He works on a wide range of national security and political projects. He speaks and conducts research in Spanish, Russian, and Mandarin.

Thursday, October 19th, 2023 at 9 AM ET

In this upcoming webinar, we invite you to gain critical insights from Brigadier General (res.) Amir Avivi as he offers on-the-ground updates amidst the dynamic developments in Gaza, in light of the impending Israeli offensive. Discover key information regarding evacuations, casualties, hostage situations, the U.S. response, and escalating tensions along the Lebanese border. This exclusive session promises a deep dive into the evolving crisis, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the situation.

About the Speaker: Brigadier General (Ret.) Amir Avivi is the Founder and CEO of Israel’s Defense and Security Forum (IDSF) which is comprised of more than 17,000 senior reserve/retired officers, commanders, and operators from all branches of the Israeli security establishment. Retired from the IDF after more than 30 years of military, counter-terrorism, and national security experience, he held various command positions in the Corps of Engineers leading thousands of soldiers in a dynamic environment combating terrorism.

Brigadier General Amir Avivi (ret.) concluded his service as the Head of the Auditing and Consulting Department of the Israeli Defense Establishment, (including the Israel Defense Force, the Ministry of Defense and Israeli Military Industries). In that position, Avivi managed more than 100 military auditors and advisors. He was responsible for the audit of military readiness, budgeting, procurement, projects, bids, cyber, logistics, infrastructure and operations. Avivi fulfilled various command positions in the Corps of Engineers leading thousands of soldiers in a dynamic combat environment.

Avivi served as Brigade commander, Deputy Division commander and head of the Military School of Engineers. He also served as the aide-de-camp for the Chief of the General Staff of the IDF, Lt. General Moshe “Bogie” Yaalon.

Avivi was at the heart of the policy making process in the Israeli Government and Defense establishment during that term. Avivi also serves as the Principal of the New State Solution working group. Avivi is the Founder & CEO of Habithonistim.

Save the Date

Petition

Petition for the Immediate Removal of Joseph Massad from Columbia’s Faculty

Condoning and supporting terrorism is not acceptable. In Professor Joseph Massad’s newest article on The Electronic Intifada, he writes that the brutal attack that occurred in Israel on October 7th was a “stunning victory” and that Hamas' actions were “astounding,” “awesome,” and “incredible.”

This attack massacred over 1,300, injured over 3,000, as well as raped and kidnapped women, children, and the elderly (including Holocaust survivors) from over a dozen countries. Massad refuses to condemn Hamas—which is recognized as a terrorist organization by the US, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan—for its horrific actions. Instead, he shows support for the terrorist organization.

Massad’s decision to praise the abhorrent attack encourages violence and misinformation in and outside of campus, particularly putting many Jewish and Israeli students on campus at risk. Moreover, many students have expressed that they feel unsafe in the presence of a professor who supports the horrific murders of civilians.

Regardless of one’s stance on the conflict, supporting and praising one of the worst acts of terrorism in history is never acceptable. We call on Columbia University to hold Massad responsible for his comments and immediately remove him from the Columbia faculty.

Sign the Petition Here