Klein, Hikind Announce New Legislation Aimed at Cutting Off Taxpayer Dollars to Colleges and Universities that Support Boycott

News from Senator Jeffrey D. Klein and Assemblyman Dov Hikind

For Immediate Release: December 27, 2013

Contacts for Senator Klein: Eric Soufer, Anna Durrett, Jason Elan 718-822-2049

Contact for Assemblyman Hikind: Yehudah Meth 718-853-9616

Senator Klein, Assemblyman Hikind Denounce American Studies Association Boycott of Israel; Announce New Legislation Aimed at Cutting Off Taxpayer Dollars to Colleges and Universities that Support Boycott

December 27, 2013 -  In the wake of the American Studies Association's (ASA) targeted and singular boycott of Israeli universities, State Senate Co-Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester) and Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) announced plans to introduce legislation that would cut-off state aid to public and private universities who participate in organizations which, like the ASA, discriminate against countries like Israel. The legislation gives colleges and universities 30 days to withdraw their support from organizations that boycott countries like Israel or else lose state funding and bonding privileges.  

State Senator Jeff Klein and Assemblyman Dov Hikind said: “The ASA's boycott of Israel is not only a direct violation of New York State’s Human Rights Act, it's a slap in the face to Jews and supporters of Israel everywhere. Make no mistake: the ASA's boycott is targeted discrimination against Israel that betrays the values of academic freedom that we hold dear. We cannot encourage our colleges and universities to engage in this type of discrimination against Israel. New Yorkers expect us to reject discrimination in every form, and cutting off the state spigot is the best way of doing that. ”

Under the legislation, schools would also be required to immediately suspend the use of any state resources in support of organizations like the ASA. The legislation would also prohibit employees of New York State's public universities from participating in conferences or activities sponsored by groups that participate in discriminatory boycotts like the ASA. Under the legislation, schools could still join and support academic organization that boycott academic institutions located in countries listed under federal law as state sponsors of terrorism

The lawmakers will introduce their legislation at the state of the 2014 legislation session in January.

###

Thoughts on the Leiby Kletzky Security Initiative Going Live... and Knockouts

Tonight on the Dov Hikind Show: Yoni Hikind

We have a lot to discuss tonight, including the ASA boycott of Israel… And my son Yoni, a practicing therapist helping kids at risk, will have some keen insights regarding Bill de Blasio's daughter's message and courage. Don't miss this show!

HIKIND CALLS ON AG SCHNEIDERMAN TO ADDRESS ASA’S ILLEGAL BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

December 24, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       For Immediate Release

              718-853-9616 (office)      

    973-945-4903 (cell)

HIKIND CALLS ON AG SCHNEIDERMAN TO ADDRESS
ASA’S ILLEGAL BOYCOTT OF ISRAEL

DERSHOWITZ JOINS HIKIND IN CONDEMNING ‘BIGOTED BOYCOTT’ WHICH VIOLATES NEW YORK STATE HUMAN RIGHTS LAW

Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) called upon New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman today to address a violation of New York State’s Human Rights Law by the American Studies Association (ASA). On December 16, the ASA—an association of American professors with nearly 5,000 members—voted to endorse an academic boycott of Israeli colleges and universities, calling on American schools and academic groups to ban collaboration with Israeli institutions. Renowned legal expert Professor Alan M. Dershowitz joined Hikind in condemning the ASA’s bigoted boycott.

“This action by the ASA is a flagrant violation of New York State’s Human Rights Law,” said Assemblyman Hikind in a letter to Schneiderman, citing section Executive Law Article 15, 296.13, which addresses unlawful discriminatory practices. “This flagrant act of discrimination on the part of the ASA singles out only one of the 192 member nations of the United Nations. It seems clear that it does so not because of Israel’s U.N.-condemned disputes with its geographical neighbors, as such disputes are common. Moreover, Curtis Marez, the group’s president and an associate professor of ethnic studies at the University of California, admitted to the New York Times that ‘many nations, including Israel’s neighbors, are generally judged to have human rights records that are worse than Israel’s.’ Syria’s use of chemical weapons against its own citizens, including children, was condemned by all.

“So why did the ASA single out Israel for a boycott? Because Israel is the Jewish nation,” said Assemblyman Hikind.

“Academic freedom is destroyed by academic boycotts,” added Professor Dershowitz, “and the academic boycott against Israel is particularly bigoted because Israel has more academic freedom for all its citizens—Jewish, Christian, Muslim—than almost any other country in the world.”

New York State Executive Law Article 15, 296.13, states: “It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice (i) for any person to boycott or blacklist, or refuse to buy from, sell to or trade with, or otherwise discriminate against any person, because of the race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, or disability of such person, or of such person’s partners, members, stockholders, directors, officers, managers, superintendents, agents, employees, business associates, suppliers or customers, or (ii) for any person willfully to do any act or refrain from doing any act which enables such person to take such action.”

“Boycotting Israel and Israelis—many of which hold dual citizenship with the United States, and many of which are New York residents—punishes scholars simply because of their nationality,” said Hikind. “If that's  not a violation of the Human Rights law, what is?”

Another Knockout Attack in Flatbush

I was informed by the commander of the 70^th police precinct that there was another assault on a woman—what looks like a Knockout attack—this Shabbos afternoon on Elm Ave. in Flatbush. The incident wasn’t reported until after Shabbos.

I urge everyone to be cautious. That doesn’t mean fearful, just sensible and conscious of your surroundings.

More, we anticipate the first of our many cameras going up in Flatbush this week.

Jacob Ostreicher is Finally Free

Jacob Ostreicher’s Miracle

I’ve been thinking about the miracle of Jacob Ostreicher’s return to the United States. I say miracle because it seems to go against the laws of nature. Jacob—Yanky—was imprisoned in a country where justice is a game. He was robbed and mistreated and forced to endure the type of physical and emotional abuse that most people can’t even imagine. Cut off from family and community, trapped in a country where there is not even a U.S. embassy to advocate on his behalf, Yanky’s plight became something that touched the hearts of all who heard about it—not just those in the Jewish community but people from every culture who knew that, there but for the grace of G-d, walks every one of us.

Yanky had gone to Bolivia—left family and friends—for the same reason that many of our parents and grandparents were forced to leave the places of their birth and come to America. He was seeking opportunity. He had not exiled himself to a place without Torah for nothing—he had gone temporarily with a solid business plan and an ethical business model. He was growing rice. He was going to help feed people. How could he anticipate that his success would be used against him? That corrupt government officials would grab him and strip him of his property? Other people had gone to Bolivia from the U.S. and done business and returned safely. What happened to Yanky couldn’t have been anticipated.

From where I sat, Yanky’s ordeal was more frustrating than anything I can recall facing as an elected official. How could we protect a community member who sat behind the iron curtain of a lawless dictatorship? There was no one to talk to. But our community rose as a single voice crying out for justice. And I was proud to be part of a community that cared so much for one individual. A day did not pass—not a single day—where someone didn’t ask about Yanky Ostreicher, inquiring about his health and welfare, and asking how they could help.

 

Petitions were signed. Rallies at the Bolivian Mission to the U.N. were staged. Congressional hearings were convened. Cover stories and articles and televised news specials began to appear. We did not forget about Jacob Ostreicher. Yes, and as we shared his pain, we also rejoiced in his small victories. Each piece of promising news that seemed to bring our brother that much closer to freedom gave us hope. And then when it seemed to grow dark again for Yanky, we prayed.

Now, as the story of Jacob Ostreicher’s exodus from Bolivia unfolds, the important thing is not the detailed account of how he escaped. We will learn of those details in good time. Or perhaps they will forever be shrouded in mystery. None of that matters. Because regardless of how things seemed to unfold, it was Hashem who was ultimately behind our neighbor’s liberation.  It was Hashem who heard Yanky’s cries and saw his tears and those of his family members. It was Hashem who heard the prayers of our nation.

I remain forever grateful to my staff and colleagues who worked so hard to secure Yanky’s freedom. There were many. It seems like only yesterday that I sat with my friend Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio, my Director of Communications Yehudah Meth, and Yanky’s wife Miriam in my home, strategizing with regard to anything we could do to publicize Yanky’s plight. It seems like yesterday that we met with Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler, asking them to also adopt Jacob’s cause. And then there was the parade of elected officials who joined in raising our voices for Jacob at the Bolivian Mission to the U.N.  The selfless dedication to Jacob Ostreicher that came from former FBI agent Steve Moore and Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey were inspiring and gave us great hope. And of course there were the many rabbis and journalists and community members who refused to let Jacob’s story disappear.

And then there was Sean Penn, without whose dedicated and Herculean efforts this story may have been sadly prolonged. Hashem works in mysterious ways and you never know where Hashem’s salvation will come from. Sean Penn will forever have our gratitude and respect.

Most of all, there was Jacob’s wife Miriam, leading the charge. Miriam was the stalwart advocate that all of would pray for if we found ourselves in dire straits. When one door would close, she saw that another would open. Miriam is the quiet hero of the Jacob Ostreicher story.

There are people I am not mentioning. They know who they are and they do not need my gratitude because that is not what they worked for. Redeeming a captive is a special mitzvah and those who work on behalf of the misfortunate do so for its own sake. May the Al-mighty continue to bless their efforts.

There are more lessons in Jacob Ostreicher’s story than I can enumerate. Among these lessons are the need to maintain faith even in the darkest hour. I repeated that to Yanky every time I had the privilege of speaking with him. “Don’t give up,” I said. “You are coming home!”

And now Yanky is home. It doesn’t matter how because it was all orchestrated by Hashem.  And I am so very grateful.

Dov Hikind

Special Agent Steve Moore Discusses Ostreicher Case Tonight on the Dov Hikind Show

Tonight, join me as my special guest Steve Moore discusses the Jacob Ostreicher case and Jacob's return to the U.S.

In an FBI career that spanned 25 years, Special Agent Steve Moore rose to supervise the Los Angeles Al Qaeda squad, and later the LA FBI Extra-Territorial Investigations squad, which was charged with the investigation of acts of terrorism against U.S. persons or interests for all of Asia and parts of Pakistan. He was the case agent on many high-profile FBI cases.

As an FBI undercover Agent, Steve conducted covert surveillance of white supremacist organizations and conducted classified foreign intelligence-related undercover operations.   As a member of the FBI’s Rapid Deployment Team, he was assigned as lead investigator on the FBI’s terrorism response team at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Additionally, he has taught and organized counter-terrorism training and investigation conferences around the world.

Steve is currently a private investigator, and is on the board of advisers for the “Special Investigative University”, SIU.  He is also involved in pro-bono advocacy for innocent persons accused of crimes in U.S. and foreign courts.  He has recently appeared on the “Today” show, “Good Morning America”, and “Anderson Cooper 360”.

The Dov Hikind Show 7pm on 620 AM, WSNR.

Congressman Grimm Supports Hikind’s Effort to Deport Nazi War Criminals

NEWS FROM

ASSEMBLYMAN DOV HIKIND

December 17, 2013

Contact: Yehudah Meth                                                       

For Immediate Release

718-853-9616 (office)

Congressman Grimm Joins Hikind’s Effort to Deport Nazi War Criminals

Plans to Enlist Other Congressional Representatives to Fight for Justice for Holocaust Survivors

Congressman Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island) is supporting Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) in calling on Germany to accept all Nazi War Criminals living illegally in the United States. Last month, Assemblyman Hikind launched a campaign to bring the remaining Nazi war criminals living in America to justice.

“The rights and freedoms we enjoy in America should not extend to those who commit genocide,” said Congressman Grimm, a Member of the Board of the Holocaust Museum in Washington. “Nazi War Criminals who are living in this country illegally should not be here and we will not rest easy while they are.”

“This farce has gone on too long,” said Assemblyman Hikind. “Why are illegal Nazi war criminals still here? Because of a technicality. We can’t deport them because there’s no country that wants them. We need to fix this. A technicality can’t impede justice.”

Hikind vowed to pursue Nazi war criminals that had been identified by the U.S. Justice Department data—Nazis who had been ordered deported by the U.S. but had never left the country. The Justice Department’s list included Vladas Zajanckauskas in Sutton, Massachusetts; Theodor Szehinskyj in West Chester, Pennsylvania; John Kalymon in Troy, Michigan; and Jakiw Palij in Queens, New York.

Assemblyman Hikind plans to stage a protest in Michigan sometime during the coming weeks. On November 10, Assemblyman Hikind, along with Rabbi Zev Friedman of Rambam Mesivta, led a group of more than 150 yeshiva students and Holocaust survivors to Queens where they protested Palij’s presence  in the U.S. in front of the Nazi’s home as Palij himself looked out of his window upon the crowd. Assemblyman Hikind promised to return, and to travel to and lead similar rallies in front of the homes of the other identified Nazis war criminals.

“We don’t want these murderers living among us—among the descendants of the men, women and children they tortured,” said the Assemblyman. “Their presence here mocks the memory of the tens of thousands they collectively murdered. It is our obligation to remove this evil from among us. And it is only just that today’s German government accept them into Germany so these mass murderers can finally be prosecuted.”

photo caption: Congressman Michael Grimm visiting Assemblyman Dov Hikind today to discuss the Nazi war criminals in America.

B"H - Yanky Ostreicher is Home!

With thanks to Hashem, I am thrilled with the news that Jacob Ostreicher has returned home to America!

Another Knockout Attack in Midwood

I received a phone call after Shabbos notifying me of another unfortunate Knockout attack that occurred during Shabbos. The attack occurred today at approximately 1 pm on a Jewish woman on Avenue M and East 3^rd in the Midwood community. The victim did not report the attack, which she said was committed by an African-American male, until after Shabbos.