Bob Vylan US visa revocation ‘a sideshow': Bari Weiss
'It's a sideshow. Of course, this punk rocker Bob Vylan, who I'd never heard of before, has every right to get up and say, you know, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]…,' Weiss said during a Monday evening appearance on NewsNation's 'Cuomo.'
'That's really though, not what this is about,' she added. 'This is about calling out clearly a cultural ideological movement that is trying to purge Jews from institutional spaces, from cultural spaces.'
Weiss, who is Jewish, railed against the band and the U.K. for not addressing the music group's weekend chants against Israel's military amid the unrest in the Middle East, which were broadcasted across the world.
The Israeli Embassy condemned the chants as 'inflammatory and hateful rhetoric.'
Still, Weiss acknowledged that the UK does not have a First Amendment clause and is ultimately governed by 'different principles' than the U.S.
'What we are seeing happening is a active ideological movement, not just to demonize Israel, not just to demonize the Israeli military, not just to demonize the war that began on October 7, but to demonize Jews 'from the river to the sea,'' she told host Chris Cuomo, referring to the 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas. 'Palestine will be free. That's part of it.'
'Part of it is about erasing Israel from the map,' Weiss continued. 'But the larger movement happening here that I don't think people are yet alive enough to and I know that you are, and I know you talk about it so much on this show, is erasing Jews from the moral map.'
Despite her statements and criticism from Republican lawmakers, Bob Vylan defended their on-stage comments in a post online.
'We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine,' the duo wrote Tuesday on social platform X.
'A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza,' the group continued, referencing the nearly two-year war in the Gaza Strip. 'We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story.'
They added, 'And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.'
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Politico
26 minutes ago
- Politico
Good will Lander
Presented by the Coalition for a Better Times Square With help from Amira McKee Brad Lander is feeling pretty good for someone who just got trounced in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary. The city comptroller's campaign struggled to gain traction as Zohran Mamdani — younger and less experienced — soared high enough to eventually defeat former New York governor Andrew Cuomo by 12 points, according to unofficial results released Tuesday. But thanks to their unique cross-endorsement, Lander has been celebrating Mamdani's victory as if it was his own. 'People, it turned out, were so hungry for a more hopeful and collaborative form of politics,' Lander told POLITICO. The two progressive Democrats brokered their alliance in the last leg of the chaotic, 11-candidate primary contest, the first true cross-endorsement since the city began ranked-choice voting four years ago. The duo — one a Muslim millennial and democratic socialist, the other a liberal Jewish Gen Xer — campaigned together and even appeared on the same primary night stage. Lander supporters who ranked Mamdani second almost certainly added to the state lawmaker's margin against Cuomo, though the city Board of Election numbers released Tuesday weren't detailed enough to illuminate by exactly how much. Early returns showed Lander finished a distant third. The Brooklyn Democrat isn't ready to say what his next career steps will be, including whether he'll be part of a potential Mamdani administration. He has also been floated as a potential primary challenger to Rep. Dan Goldman. Lander, however, said he's hard at work paving the way for Mamdani to City Hall, serving as a liaison to stakeholders who need reassurances about having a hard-left leader who wants to raise taxes on the wealthy to help pay for services like free buses. 'I'm certainly talking to a lot of folks in the business and investor communities from my work as comptroller,' Lander said. 'In a lot of those conversations, I'm trying to help people see a positive path forward.' Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, in the general election, as well as Republican Curtis Sliwa and independent Jim Walden. Still unknown is whether Cuomo will mount an active campaign, following his embarrassing primary upset. Lander has been widely commended by the city's political left for boosting Mamdani. 'This is the character of a man,' Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said on primary night. 'He said, 'This city is more important than any one person.'' Former City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer said of Lander, 'He genuinely went from that feeling when you realize things aren't going your way to rediscovering purpose.' That's not to say it was easy for Lander, a progressive standard-bearer who watched his dream to run the country's biggest city sputter. Lander acknowledged that he struggled to replicate the 'coalition of progressives and moderates and focus on both affordability and safety' that had helped him win past elections. 'One important element of my campaign was competence and experienced leadership for the city,' he added. 'That is hard to make sexy or compelling.' Read more on Lander's role in the race by POLITICO's Emily Ngo. HAPPY WEDNESDAY: Got news? Send it our way: Jeff Coltin, Emily Ngo and Nick Reisman. WHERE'S KATHY? In Erie County and Virginia with no public schedule. WHERE'S ERIC? Public schedule not available as of 10 p.m. Tuesday. 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WELCOME TO THE WORLD: Allie Taylor, founder and president of Voters For Animal Rights, and Scott Taylor, a staff engineer at Shopify, welcomed Althea Starlight Taylor on June 29. — Anna Epstein, a director at FGS Global, and Aaron Steeg, an associate at Barrasso Usdin Kupperman Freeman & Sarver, on June 17 welcomed Alice Madeline Steeg, who is named for two of her late grandmothers. Pic HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) … NYC Council Member Rafael Salamanca Jr. … Andrew Rigie of the New York Hospitality Alliance …Josephine Stratman of the Daily News … Stephen Hanse, president and CEO of the New York State Health Facilities Association … Xavier Mission's Cassandra Agredo … Robert Press … NBC's Tom Llamas … Derek Gianino of Wells Fargo … NBC's Keith Morrison … Katherine Lehr … Jonathan Capehart … Courtney Geduldig … Brooke Oberwetter … Michele Gershberg … (WAS TUESDAY): Myron Scholes Missed Tuesday's New York Playbook PM? We forgive you. Read it here.
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Committee asks BBC boss for view on ‘what went wrong' with Glastonbury coverage
A Government committee has written to BBC director-general Tim Davie asking him for a "personal assessment of what went wrong" with the broadcaster's Glastonbury coverage. The BBC has faced strong criticism for continuing to livestream the performance of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, which is now the subject of a criminal police investigation, at the festival on iPlayer. They led chants of "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)" during their set on the West Holts Stage on Saturday, with the broadcaster providing on-screen warnings about discriminatory language on its platform. READ MORE: Government says stock up on nine emergency items as war risk increases READ MORE: My son's final words were 'dad did this and he did it on purpose' It later apologised on Monday and said the chants held "antisemitic sentiments" that were "unacceptable". Irish rap trio Kneecap, who are also facing an Avon and Somerset Police investigation, appeared on the same stage directly after Bob Vylan and led the Glastonbury audience in "Free Palestine" chants. It has since been revealed that Tim Davie was at Glastonbury when the pro-Palestine chants were broadcast. In a letter sent to Mr Davie by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Tuesday, chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage asked the BBC boss 12 questions after saying its coverage had caused "widespread concern". Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy previously said that "several" editorial failures "becomes a problem of leadership" during a statement on the BBC's coverage to the Commons. Among the questions, Dame Caroline said: "Before the festival started, did the BBC consider streaming all or part of its Glastonbury coverage with a short time delay, to allow room to respond to events if necessary?" The Conservative MP went on to ask how many BBC staff and contractors were working at Glastonbury or on its coverage, if staff with the authority to cut Bob Vylan's live stream were present during their performance and whether ending the live stream was discussed mid-performance. Dame Caroline then asked: "At what level were the decisions made to not stream Kneecap live and to stream Bob Vylan live, but with a warning on screen?" The letter asked if the BBC had a contingency plan for the event and who was responsible for forming and actioning the plan, before asking if the broadcaster would review its Editorial Guidelines and guidance for live output "to ensure they are fit for live streaming". The Tory MP added: "In summary, what is your personal assessment of what went wrong and what (are the) key lessons that the BBC will take away from the experience of live streaming Glastonbury 2025?" Dame Caroline said she hoped for Mr Davie's response to the questions within two weeks. Avon and Somerset Police said it had launched a probe into both the Bob Vylan and Kneecap performances after reviewing video footage and audio recordings, with a senior detective appointed to lead the investigation. A force spokesman said: "This has been recorded as a public order incident at this time while our inquiries are at an early stage. "The investigation will be evidence-led and will closely consider all appropriate legislation, including relating to hate crimes." In response to criticism of their performance on Tuesday, Bob Vylan said in a statement posted on Instagram that they were being "targeted for speaking up" and that "a good many people would have you believe a punk band is the number one threat to world peace." The statement said: "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. "We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine. A machine whose own soldiers were told to use 'unnecessary lethal force' against innocent civilians waiting for aid. "A machine that has destroyed much of Gaza."
Newsweek
41 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Iran Escalates Crackdown on Accused Israeli Spies With Mass Raid
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At least two people have been killed and more than 50 more arrested in a security raid by Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), which said it targeted Israeli-linked "terrorists," Iran's state-run media reported. Why It Matters The arrests are a sign of the uncertainty felt by Iran's security establishment after the Israeli and U.S. attacks. Authorities have escalated a security crackdown on alleged Mossad agents following the 12-day conflict in which Israel attacked nuclear and military sites across the country, killing top commanders and scientists. Israel has claimed widespread infiltration into Iranian territory and deemed it crucial for precision strikes during June's 'Operation Rising Lion' in which Iranian air defenses were effectively neutralized. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A member of Iran's Revolutionary Guard stands guard at Enqelab-e-Eslami (Islamic Revolution) square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What To Know IRGC ground forces along with security and intelligence agencies conducted the raids in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan under an operation named 'Martyrs of Security', the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. The IRGC did not clarify how two people were killed during the raids. It added that large amounts of weapons, including arms made in the United States, were found in the possession of those arrested. At least six people had been executed up until last week on charges linked to espionage, such as smuggling equipment and aiding operations targeting major Iranian infrastructure, and 700 arrested, according to state media reports. Human rights groups say Iran has one of the highest records of executions. Amnesty International described executions over accusations of espionage for Israel as "arbitrary" and called on the government to halt them. An Israeli security source told Reuters that the strikes on Iran were supported by years of intelligence work by the military and Mossad. In Israel, police arrested five people suspected of spying for Iran, Yedioth Ahronoth's news outlet reported Tuesday. What People Are Saying Iran's outlet IRNA, citing IRGC statement: "The arrested individuals are affiliated with terrorist groups based in the eastern part of the country. Their operational objectives included spreading insecurity throughout the southern province and executing disruptive acts against infrastructure and economic sectors." Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, on June 20: "Official calls for expediated trials and executions of those arrested for alleged collaboration with Israel show how the Iranian authorities weaponize the death penalty to assert control and instil fear among the people of Iran. The authorities must ensure all those detained are protected from enforced disappearance, torture and other ill-treatment, and afforded fair trials at all times, including during armed conflict." What Happens Next Authorities say they will continue hunting down more "potential accomplices," according to IRNA.
