Attack on Aipac president's home in LA investigated as hate crime - reports

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Sun 26 Nov 2023 12.36 EST


A protest outside the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) president’s Los Angeles home is reportedly being investigated as a possible hate crime after social media videos showed demonstrators igniting smoke devices and spattering fake blood.

According to reports by the Los Angeles Times and other news outlets, Aipac president Michael Tuchin’s home in the Brentwood section was vandalized Thursday on Thanksgiving by protesters who also pounded pots in the driveway and held up a sign that read: “Fuck your holiday, baby killer.”

The Los Angeles police department (LAPD) confirmed it had responded to the block where Tuchin’s house is. The department posted on X – formerly known as Twitter – that protesters “caused a disturbance” weeks after the Israel-Hamas war that erupted in October.

“West LA officers responded [and] took crime reports for vandalism/hate crime [and] assault [with a] deadly weapon,” the department added. “Investigations are on-going. No arrests have been made at this time.” The Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass, added in a separate post that she has spoken with Tuchin – an attorney by profession – about the “disturbing” case.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/26/aipac-presidents-home-attack

[Ford_Prefect]

1. While I do not condone violent protest in general nor in this case, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac)

Last edited Mon Nov 27, 2023, 08:32 AM - Edit history (1)

bears a considerable responsibility for the state of things leading to the October 7 attack. AIPAC has agitated and demanded unquestioning US loyalty to Netanyahu and the Zionist Right wing who currently dominate Israeli policy and political life. They have attacked anyone who questioned the wisdom of ruthlessly expanding settlements or who asked if there were better ways to peacefully coexist as being anti- Semitic.

When voters and others have raised questions about just how much foreign aid Israel actually needs and just how much influence AIPAC wields in Congress, the State Department, or the White House, AIPAC has accused those journalists, students, and US Citizens of aligning with racists and neo-Nazis.

While Israel certainly deserves a voice to serve its many needs for trade and security, AIPAC got some 'splainin' to do.

(Edit: Corrected per comment below. TY)

[onenote]

6. I think you mean October 7

[Beastly Boy]

11. ActBlue is the largest PAC in the US, raising 4 times more in 2022 than AIPAC.

Do they have any 'splaining to do?

[Ford_Prefect]

16. AIPAC has specifically targeted individuals and institutions

And labeled them as anti-Semitic for merely disagreeing with funding levels for Israel, or questioning US foreign policy towards Israeli expansion of settlements. They have done this for decades regardless of US domestic politics.
They behave with similar animosity whenever someone questions the level of influence AIPAC appears to exert in either national or local US elections.

I am not presently aware of Act Blue participating in such distinctly un-American harassment.

[Beastly Boy]

17. Do you think Act Blue didn't target individuals and institutions and

labeled them anti-Democratic?

This is what PACs do. And many have done this for decades, regardless of US domestic politics.

And tell me how ActBlue does not solicit any animosity whenever their influence on US politics is questioned.

I am not even sure what you call un-American. What are the examples of AIPAC's un-American activities that you can cite? Did they ever vandalize any American homes? Break any American laws? Why is all the attention on AIPAC anyway when the OP is about a home of a Jewish family in America being vandalized? I would say that's very un-American, no?

And your point is... what, exactly?

[Ford_Prefect]

36. Thankyou for removing any contextual difference between AARP and the NRA. I cannot believe I never saw that before...

[Beastly Boy]

37. I removed the structural differences between the two. Actually , this applies equally to SwingLeft,

or any other PAC.

Contextual differences still remain unaffected, obviously.

[tornado34jh]

2. I think the AIPAC has way too much influence, and it is not for the good of the US

To be quite blunt, when Ilhan Omar say it is all about the Benjamins, in some ways, she is right. AIPAC demands that we give Israel unconditional support. While I don't think attacking the AIPAC president's home is a good idea, I think they have too much power, money, and influence to the US. They really are holding the US hostage. Honestly, they are lucky we even give Israel support, especially with Netanyahu's government.

[onenote]

7. "Not a good idea"?

That’s pretty weak language in response to a violent attack

[tornado34jh]

10. I still stand by the fact that the AIPAC has too much influence in the policy of the US

I am not changing that stance. I do not support unconditional support to Israel, especially blindly supporting Netanyahu's government. His government is a big reason for why we are in this mess to begin with. Now, in regards to the attacking of the house of the president of AIPAC, this doesn't help the Palestinian cause, in fact it makes it worse. I do not condone what they are doing there. But at the same time however, with people attacking and killing Palestinians, even those in the US who are of Palestinian descent, I am finding it hard to feel sympathetic. Perhaps if Netanyahu didn't bring settlers into the West Bank, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Yes, a lot of the problems are because of Hamas and the Palestinians who support them, but Israel is no saint in this conflict. By the way, the Palestinians would still lose even if they didn't support Hamas because Israel is overpowered with weapons which we give them, so even then it isn't a fair fight anyway.

[Beastly Boy]

13. SaveAmerica is double the size of AIPAC

It is basically Trump's piggy bank, calling for unconditional support for Trump, paying for his legal fees and rallies.

Do they have too much influence in the policy of the US? Do the houses of their top execs get vandalized? How would you feel if they were? Would you feel less sympathetic towards such vandalism if SaveAmerica didn't pay for Trump's lawyers?

[tornado34jh]

21. I don't feel sorry for Trump or his lawyers

SaveAmerica is the PAC thing for Trump and his cult. In terms of too much influence in the US? No storming duh, Sherlock! Why do you think a lot of what is going on right now has to do with the judges he picked? Do you honestly think that without this, we would be in this position? How many times have we said that corrupt judges and the like are letting this guy off when you and I know damn well that if we did anything this guy did we would be thrown in jail, no questions asked? We see that a lot of the Republicans would rather follow Trump, and that is probably because they know that they won with him. SaveAmerica is not about the average person, it is about the rich. The lawyers, even if they knew that their cases were frivolous, instead of backing away, followed him all the way through even as we know how dangerous Trump is. They followed a wannabe authoritarian dictator, so why should I feel sympathetic to them?

[womanofthehills]

20. AIPAC (UDP) - messed big with Summer Lee

AIPAC's Super PAC Spends Millions to Defeat Summer Lee, Other Progressives (Luckily she won - this is from 2022)



“As The Interceptreported late Monday, a super PAC started last year by AIPAC called the United Democracy Project (UDP) has spent more than $2.3 million on the district's Democratic primary race.

About $100,000 from the group has gone to support attorney Steve Irwin while a majority of the ads UDP has paid for have attacked Lee as someone who only "calls herself a Democrat" due to her criticism of President Joe Biden during the 2020 primary race.

According to liberal pro-Israel group J Street, UDP has attempted to conceal its connection to AIPAC by attacking Lee's positions on issues unrelated to Palestinian rights, such as her support for Medicare for All.

"The United Democracy Project sounds innocuous and the advertising that they're running in these districts is about healthcare and reproductive rights and things that have nothing to do with Israel," Logan Bayroff, a spokesperson for J Street, told The Guardian Tuesday.” https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/05/17/aipacs-super-pac-spends-millions-defeat-summer-lee-other-progressives

[tornado34jh]

25. That is the point I am trying to make

What does the AIPAC do that is good for us? Who do you think the money is getting to? If it were about Israel, why are they talking about things that have nothing to do with it? I am skeptical of their intentions. They want us to follow hawkish Israel positions. What good does that do for us? I have made it clear numerous times that Israel's government is a big reason for why we are in this mess. How funny is it that when Bennett and Yapid were the prime ministers, I didn't hear any issues.

[Beastly Boy]

12. Service Employees International Union is nearly double the size of AIPAC

They demand unconditional support for service employees.

Do they have too much power, money and Influence? Are they holding the US hostage? Should they consider themselves lucky that the members of the union get medical benefits?

When Ilhan Omar was talking about the Benjamins, did she perchance have this PAC in mind?

[tornado34jh]

29. Don't even try to put words in my mouth that I never said

When have you heard anybody complain about the SEIU except for the Republicans and their billionaire donors? Name me one Democratic representative/senator that complained about them. Besides, the AIPAC and SEIU are not even in the same category. At least the SEIU does something that helps people. I have yet to find convincing evidence that the AIPAC helps us. If somebody can prove that the AIPAC helps us, I would like to hear it.

[Beastly Boy]

33. Aww Lordy! I would never dare! No Siree, spare the thought!... Oh wait...

WTF? Which words did I try to put in your mouth, exactly?

You must be unaware that both SEIU and AIPAC are political action committees that, regardless of your sympathies to their respective causes, serve exactly the same function. They both serve people. Your likes or dslikes play no role in their purpose.

And neither one is obligated to serve "us", whatever your definition of "us" may be. Unless you are a service employee, SEIU doesn't serve you. And unless you are a supporter of Israel, AIPAC doesn't serve you either. PACs donate to political campaigns. So unless you are running for office, you will not see a penny of their money either. Duh.

[tornado34jh]

35. I am fully aware what a PAC is

I have said that the AIPAC has wanted hawkish, pro-Israel positions. Meaning, what the current Israel government is doing. Why do you think the current Israel government has increased settlements in the West Bank? Tell me how this will help. Besides, with all the weapons Israel gets from us, why do we need to send them aid? I highly doubt Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt will go after them. Furthermore, I have never once mentioned about the SEIU, which is not even related to AIPAC not I have said I was anti-union. However, not all PACs have influence equally. I don't recall hearing too much of the SEIU as of recently, except for alleged allegations of violence against people they disagree with, but to me that sounds like right-wing drivel. I don't recall any lawmakers supporting them, unless someone can tell me otherwise But I certainly have heard way more of the AIPAC. They will spend millions of dollars against anyone who doesn't tow the hawkish pro-Israel line, whether Republican or Democrat. I am pretty sure that the only people complaining about the SEIU are the Republicans.


What are the goals of these PAC's? The reason I criticize the AIPAC is because I think their hawkish pro-Israel positions, particularly the fact that the US needs to give unconditional support to them has not helped us. But in regards to the SEIU, their goals are for higher wages/benefits, freedom to form unions, etc. That I support. You said in the previous post that because I think the AIPAC is having too much influence, that this means I think the SEIU is getting too much influence. What? When did I say that? How did the SEIU get involved in this whole thing? The goals of these PACs are different. I am very much against corporate greed. You assumed that because I was critical of the AIPAC having too much influence that it somehow translates to other groups like the SEIU and that I considered the SEIU lucky that the union members had medical benefits. You just assumed that and put words in my mouth on things that I never said. I am fully aware of what a PAC is, but it is what they are doing that matters. I never once was critical of the SEIU, that wasn't even brought up until now. SaveAmerica? Yes, I am fiercely critical of them, they are supporting the insurrectionist. You shouldn't assume that because I am critical of one PAC that it translates to others.

[yardwork]

18. AIPAC is holding the U.S. hostage?

Really?

[tornado34jh]

27. Or what? You don't think they are a big reason for trying to silence criticism of Israel?

I have said many times that Israel is not immune to criticism. When Democratic politicians have legitimately asked questions about Palestine, and the giving of aid, they spent tons of money trying to defeat candidates that don't toe the line (i.e. hawkish Israel positions). The GOP who supports them has to nothing with Israel, it's all about this "Second Coming of Jesus". Also, we give Israel numerous amounts of military aid and so it's not even a fair right in regards to Palestine. Do we want a larger war with other countries in the Middle East? While we are at it, if we want to go down that hawkish route, in regards to Hamas, why isn't Israel attacking Qatar and Iran who are the biggest funders of them? They have the weapons to do so. Heck, they just attacked the Damascus Airport in Syria just recently.

[yardwork]

28. None of what you said there provides any evidence that the U.S. is being held hostage by AIPAC.

They're a lobbying PAC. They try to influence politicians and write policies. That's what PACs do. You and I probably disagree with dozens of PACs.

If any PAC is holding the U.S. hostage it might be the NRA, but nobody ever says that.

[tornado34jh]

30. I am skeptical of the intentions of the AIPAC

I am aware of how a PAC works. Yes, I think the NRA is probably one of the biggest ones. I have said here many times that a two-state solution is probably the best option, but do we really think that it will happen? I have also been clear I do not support armed settlers in the West Bank.

[yardwork]

31. You and I disagree with AIPAC's goals, that's clear.

I just think the phrase "AIPAC is holding the U.S. hostage" is an exaggeration, and one that comes pretty close to old antisemitic tropes like "Israel is hypnotizing the west." Jewish people aren't holding anybody hostage. That's Hamas. They're the ones holding people hostage.

[tornado34jh]

34. Okay, maybe not hostage, but I think the AIPAC is still skeptical

I have made clear that the policies of Israel do not help. Yes, Hamas did take the hostages and all that, but again, why is no one going after their financiers? I don't believe that Hamas could just get all those weapons and all that in Gaza alone. I know Iran, and Qatar are their biggest, but I think there are some countries secretly financing them. However, the AIPAC wants to follow these hawkish, pro-Israel positions. How is that going to help anything? As it is, with these armed settlers in the West Bank, which I have said many times are a big reason for why we are in this mess, assuming that all the Palestinians don't support or didn't supported Hamas, who out there is going to help them? The Fatah party? I highly doubt it. Matter of fact, that was a big reason they looked to Hamas, because they thought the Fatah party was corrupt, had nepotism, failure of the peace process, lack of leadership. So if you discount both those, who else is out there?

[Behind the Aegis]

3. Bigoted idiots.

But, in the grand scheme, it could have been much worse. Of course, just another notch in the belt of the haters of Israel and Jews...y'know, us kikes have too much power, we control the US, all wars are our fault, and on and on. The song never changes.

[EllieBC]

4. Have they announced when we can use our space lasers?

Seeing as though we have all this power might as well use it.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I am not sure. I missed the last meeting of the ZOG-Oklahoma Chapter.

However, I am sure I might get some insight in the new book I am reading: Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories. I'll let you know through our secret channels, so look to the night sky for the signal!

[BumRushDaShow]

9. Hey! Haven't run into you into you in awhile

Hope your family is well!!!

[EllieBC]

15. Hiya!

Everyone is well! I mean there’s a teenager now so that’s about as well as can be expected.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. LOL

Now another level of... ahem... interesting times!

[Old Crank]

8. Another brick

In the violence begets violence wall.

Can, will anyone say enough is enough?

[sarisataka]

14. Wow, some of these replies

Are straight off propaganda posters

[yardwork]

19. It's interesting.

When there are threads about anti-Muslim violence or verbal attacks, everybody on DU agrees that it's deplorable. Nobody defends the attackers.

But in cases where the targets are Jewish people (or even a Jewish name on the New York Public Library) there are always "what about" and "it's not that bad" and in this case, "they had it coming" type posts.

It's noticeable.

[Danmel]

32. It is definitely noticeable

And appalling.

[womanofthehills]

22. Why pro-Israel lobby group Aipac is backing election deniers and extremist Republicans

From Oct 2022. - “The US’s largest pro-Israel lobby group is backing dozens of racists, homophobes and election deniers running for Congress next month because they have pledged to defend Israel against stiffening criticism of its oppression of the Palestinians.

The powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) has justified endorsing Republicans with extremist views, including members of Congress with ties to white supremacist groups and representatives who attempted to block Joe Biden’s election victory, on the grounds that the singular issue of support for Israel trumps other considerations.

But Aipac’s support for rightwing politicians has privately embarrassed some Democrats also endorsed by the powerful group and drawn accusations from more moderate pro-Israel organisations that it is attempting to stifle legitimate criticism of hardline Israeli policies .”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/pro-israel-lobby-group-aipac-midterms-election-deniers-and-extremist-republicans

[BuddhaGirl]

26. Some disturbing info at that link

Aipac even endorsed rabidly anti-LGBTQ candidates.

"Richard Haass, a former US diplomat and president of the Council on Foreign Relations, described the endorsement of politicians who “undermine democracy” as “morally bankrupt and short-sighted”. The former head of the strongly pro-Israel Anti-Defamation League, Abe Foxman, described the endorsement of election deniers as a “sad mistake” .

Aipac has defended its backing of extremists on the grounds that support for Israel is more important that other issues."

Shameful!

[womanofthehills]

23. Why pro-Israel lobby group Aipac is backing election deniers and extremist Republicans

From Oct 2022. - “The US’s largest pro-Israel lobby group is backing dozens of racists, homophobes and election deniers running for Congress next month because they have pledged to defend Israel against stiffening criticism of its oppression of the Palestinians.

The powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) has justified endorsing Republicans with extremist views, including members of Congress with ties to white supremacist groups and representatives who attempted to block Joe Biden’s election victory, on the grounds that the singular issue of support for Israel trumps other considerations.

But Aipac’s support for rightwing politicians has privately embarrassed some Democrats also endorsed by the powerful group and drawn accusations from more moderate pro-Israel organisations that it is attempting to stifle legitimate criticism of hardline Israeli policies .”https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/pro-israel-lobby-group-aipac-midterms-election-deniers-and-extremist-republicans