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Statement from the Embassy of Israel: False Claims Regarding IDF Fire in Gaza

Statement from the Embassy of Israel: False Claims Regarding IDF Fire in Gaza

Scoop01-06-2025
The Embassy of Israel in New Zealand would like to address and clarify recent reports regarding allegations of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) fire toward Gazan civilians near a humanitarian aid distribution site.
These claims are false
An initial IDF inquiry confirms that no fire was directed at civilians in or around the humanitarian aid distribution area. The incident in question occurred approximately one kilometre away from the distribution site and outside of its operating hours. During that separate event, IDF troops responded with warning shots toward individuals approaching their position under suspicious circumstances. There is no connection between this defensive action and the false claims circulating in the media.
Hamas continues to exploit humanitarian aid efforts
The IDF is working in coordination with the American humanitarian organisation GHF and international agencies to facilitate the delivery of aid intended for Gazan civilians — not Hamas.
We wish to remind the public and the media that Hamas is a brutal terrorist organisation that deliberately endangers the lives of Gazan civilians in order to preserve its control over the Gaza Strip. Hamas systematically undermines humanitarian aid operations by seizing supplies, attacking aid convoys, and violently obstructing access to food. It uses disinformation as a strategic weapon — manipulating the media and public opinion to conceal its crimes and shift blame.
Drone footage released by the IDF today shows armed individuals in southern Khan Yunis firing at Gazans trying to collect looted aid. These gunmen, identified as Hamas operatives, are seen obstructing access to food and basic necessities.
You may view the footage here: https://bit.ly/4jNBNZT
We urge all members of the media to treat unverified claims from Hamas-affiliated sources with extreme caution. In past incidents, such disinformation has led to serious misreporting, ultimately harming the prospects for stability and humanitarian relief on the ground.
We remain committed to supporting the safe and effective delivery of aid to Gaza's civilian population and to countering those who would weaponise suffering for political gain.
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It's No Longer Illegal To Be A Proudly Violent Proud Boy
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  • Scoop

It's No Longer Illegal To Be A Proudly Violent Proud Boy

New Zealand has lifted the terrorist group designation from the extremist group the Proud Boys, sparking fears their members may resurface. It started as a fringe movement in the United States - a group of self-described "Western chauvinists" known as the Proud Boys. A bunch of them were jailed after the 6 January US election riots, and they have now been pardoned by President Trump. Their legacy of far-right extremism, violent rhetoric, and polarising influence has raised questions not just in American courtrooms but on Kiwi shores too. "They have been organising in New Zealand, although they deny that is the case," Stuff investigative journalist Paula Penfold tells The Detail. "Now, the terrorist designation that they were given [in New Zealand] in 2022 has been allowed to expire, and we don't yet know the reasons for that to have been allowed to happen, we don't yet know whether the Proud Boys are still active in New Zealand, but we think it's pretty important that our authorities should find out." Founded in 2016 by Gavin McInnes, the Proud Boys quickly gained notoriety for their involvement in violent street clashes, their role in the 6 January Capitol riots, and their unwavering embrace of conspiracy theories. While their presence in New Zealand has remained relatively low-key, Penfold - who has been investigating the group for several years - says their ideology has crossed borders with concerning implications. "We had been working with a researcher of the Far Right who had been compiling a dossier of people he believed had been sympathising and identifying with the Proud Boys for several years by then, going back to around 2019. "They had been making posts on social media, which were anti-Muslim, and racist, and misogynistic, and were promoting gun culture. "They had come up with their own New Zealand Proud Boys insignia. They would attend anti-immigration rallies, wearing the distinctive black and yellow polo shirts of the Proud Boys that they wear in America. "And they would post on social media, in New Zealand, quite openly at that stage, using the term 'uhuru', which is a Swahili word for freedom that they had co-opted, the Proud Boys, and they would photograph themselves doing the 'okay white power' symbol. And they were reasonably open about it." She says the 15 March terrorist used that same "okay white power" symbol in court, before he was convicted of killing 51 people in two mosques in Christchurch in 2019. But when Penfold questioned the Kiwi men online about their ties to the Proud Boys, she was met with quick denials. "They were dismissive. They said they were just a group of friends. Although they did admit at their height, a leader had been in contact with the founder Gavin McInnes in the States, but they denied they were doing anything other than going drinking, and shooting, and hanging out, just as a bunch of mates, a fraternity." Then, in 2022, the New Zealand government took a bold stance, listing the Proud Boys as a terrorist entity, a move that made global headlines and was praised by anti-extremism campaigners. "It was big news... and what it would mean in practice was that anyone who supported or funded or participated in Proud Boys actions here was committing a criminal act, imprisonable by up to seven years, so it was a big deal," Penfold says. But then last month, without any fanfare, the group slipped off the list of designated terrorist entities. The only statement on the move was released on the website of the New Zealand Gazette - the newspaper of the government. Penfold describes it as bland and brief. "The designation had been made under the Terrorism Suppression Act... and every three years that designation will expire unless the prime minister seeks to extend it." When asked why he didn't extend it, a response to Penfold from the prime minister's office "didn't specifically answer that", but she was told "the Proud Boys remain on the radar... and if any new information comes to hand, they will consider it." "Those who monitor terrorist organisations and far-right extremist groups... are really concerned at this step that the designation has been allowed to lapse", Penfold says. So as New Zealand grapples with the rise of conspiracy-fuelled protests and declining trust in democratic institutions, the Proud Boys' shadow, although faint, may still be felt. Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.

Diddy cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges
Diddy cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges

Otago Daily Times

time13 hours ago

  • Otago Daily Times

Diddy cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges

Sean "Diddy" Combs has been cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have put him behind bars for life but found guilty of lesser prostitution-related offenses. It was a blow to prosecutors who said the music mogul used "violence and fear" to abuse women. The verdict is overall a win for Combs, a former billionaire known for elevating hip-hop in American culture. The 12-member jury unanimously convicted him on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, but acquitted Combs of racketeering conspiracy and two counts of sex trafficking two of his former romantic partners: the rhythm and blues singer Casandra "Cassie" Ventura, and a woman known in court by the pseudonym Jane. After the judge dismissed the jury and lawyers for both sides, Combs knelt before his chair and appeared to pray. Combs then rose and faced the courtroom gallery. 'I'm gonna be home soon,' he said, smiling and clasping his hands. 'I love you. Thank you, I love you.' Combs' family and supporters erupted into applause and cheers. Combs, 55, who had pleaded not guilty to all five counts, faces a maximum 10-year prison sentence on each of the two prostitution counts. Prosecutors acknowledged in a court filing that federal sentencing guidelines appeared to recommend a maximum sentence of 5-1/4 years. Combs' lawyers argued that two years would be the outer limit. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian is expected to hold a hearing on Combs' request to be released on bail pending sentencing. The trial focused on prosecutors' allegations that Combs for two decades used his business empire to force Ventura and Jane to take part in drug-fueled, days-long sexual performances sometimes known as "Freak Offs" with male sex workers in hotel rooms while Combs watched, masturbated and occasionally filmed. During the seven-week trial in Manhattan federal court, jurors saw some of the 1000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant authorities found during searches of his homes, which prosecutors said he would use in the performances. Prosecutors unsuccessfully argued that Combs' conduct toward both women amounted to sex trafficking because he compelled Ventura and Jane to take part in the performances using physical violence and threats to withhold financial support or leak sexually explicit images of them. "The defendant used power, violence and fear to get what he wanted," prosecutor Christy Slavik said in her closing argument on June 26. "He doesn't take no for an answer." ACQUITTAL ON THREE CHARGES The jury's acquittal on the most serious charges signals that the prosecution failed to draw a direct line between Combs' abuse of Ventura and Jane and their participation in the sexual performances. The defense acknowledged that Combs engaged in domestic violence, but argued that Ventura and Jane were strong, independent women who consensually took part in the sexual performances because they wanted to please Combs. Defense lawyers accused prosecutors of trying to criminalize Combs' private sex life. Sarah Krissoff, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said the jury may have viewed Combs' conduct as evidence of toxic romantic relationships, but not sex trafficking. "It doesn't fit what they would expect to be sex trafficking," said Krissoff, now a partner at law firm Cozen O'Connor. The Bad Boy Records founder could have faced life in prison if he were convicted on sex trafficking or racketeering conspiracy. Combs, once famed for hosting lavish parties for the cultural elite in luxurious locales like the Hamptons and Saint-Tropez, has been held in federal lockup in Brooklyn since his September 2024 arrest. Combs' family left the courthouse to chants of 'love, love, love,' from Combs' supporters. During his career, Combs' stage monikers included Love, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. In a statement after the verdict, the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office, which brought the case, said sex crimes were "all too present" across society. "Americans want this scourge stopped and perpetrators brought to justice," read the statement from Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ricky Patel. With the criminal trial over, Combs still faces dozens of civil lawsuits accusing him of abuse. Ventura sued him in November 2023 for sex trafficking, and they settled a day later for $20 million. Combs, once feted for turning artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Usher into stars, has denied all wrongdoing. After the verdict, Ventura's lawyer Douglas Wigdor said in a statement that she had "paved the way" for Combs' conviction.

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