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How American Jewish groups are reacting to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s sentence

(JTA) — American Jewish organizations reacted to the news that Robert Bowers, the man who murdered 11 Jews at prayer in 2018, has been sentenced to death. Groups stressed in their comments that the memory of the victims should remain paramount. Many also expressed gratitude that the shooter’s devastating crime was treated with the gravity it deserved. 

Below is a rundown of statements, in whole or in part, from Jewish organizations in response to Wednesday’s verdict:

American Jewish Committee: “As we collectively process the jury’s decision today, what should always be top of mind is the memory of the eleven people murdered in a synagogue while at prayer by a cold-blooded hater of Jews. Ultimately what is of most significance is not how the shooter will spend the end of his life, but the fact that the U.S. government pursued this case with vigor and demonstrated that such crimes will not be countenanced, excused, or minimized.”

World Jewish Congress: “Today’s decision represents a measure of justice for the slaughter of 11 Jewish worshippers on that fateful day in 2018 at the Tree of Life synagogue. Nothing can ever bring back the people killed in the attack, the deadliest act of antisemitism in the history of the United States. The jury’s decision is a stark reminder to remain vigilant about countering antisemitism, wherever it may hide. I call on American leaders to amplify their efforts to protect Jewish communities across the country so that such a tragedy never again takes place.”

Secure Community Network: “This sentence sends a message to violent extremists, terrorists, and antisemites everywhere that the United States will not tolerate hate and violence against the Jewish people, nor any people of faith. Though nothing will replace those taken from us nor ever fully assuage the grief that continues, this sentence is another step on the path to justice… While this event may have stretched the will and spirit of the Jewish community, it never broke it – nor will any act of hate or violence.”

Squirrel Hill Stands Against Gun Violence: “The jury today issued its final verdict, ensuring that the perpetrator of the deadliest act of antisemitic violence in American history will never walk free. We thank the many participants in the judicial process, including the jurors, Judge Colville and his staff, the prosecutors and other Justice Department employees who worked long and hard to bring us to this day.  We are also grateful to the law enforcement officers who put themselves in harm’s way on October 27, 2018, and saved many lives. And we remember the eleven people murdered that day because they were Jews and because of the easy accessibility of guns in our state and nation.”

Alan Hausman, Tree of Life Congregation: “I am thankful for the thoughtful deliberation and hard work of all who got us to today’s decision. Nothing about this process has been easy. I will forever be grateful for all those who have helped our congregation these past four-plus years: the public safety department and law enforcement officers, our fellow Pittsburghers, and people of all faiths and backgrounds from across the country and around the world. While today’s decision is hard, it also marks the start of a new chapter at Tree of Life, and I find myself hopeful because of the love and support we still receive as we continue to heal and move forward.”

Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Tree of Life Congregation: “Today’s decision and the pending sentences on the non-capital crimes mark the closing chapter of an emotional, months-long trial. In the years we have spent waiting for this trial to take place, many of us have been stuck in neutral. It was a challenge to move forward with the looming specter of a murder trial. Now that the trial is nearly over and the jury has recommended a death sentence, it is my hope that we can begin to heal and move forward. As we do, I have my faith, bolstered by the embrace and respect with which my community has been treated by our government and our fellow citizens. For this and the seriousness with which the jury took its duty, I remain forever grateful.”

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The post How American Jewish groups are reacting to the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter’s sentence appeared first on Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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Iranian Lawmakers Push for Nuclear Weapons as Tehran, Moscow Prepare Deal on New Reactors

Iranian lawmakers participate in an open session of parliament, Tehran, Iran, Sept. 13, 2025. Photo: Icana via ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect

Iranian lawmakers are pushing for a major shift in the country’s official defense policy, calling for the development of a nuclear weapon as a deterrent amid stalled talks with European powers and the looming threat of renewed United Nations sanctions.

More than 70 members of Iran’s parliament signed a letter to the country’s National Security Council, calling for a “review of the Islamic Republic’s defense doctrine,” Iranian media reported on Monday.

In the letter, Iranian lawmakers argued that while a 2010 fatwa — a religious ruling — by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei prohibits the use of nuclear weapons, developing and maintaining them “as a deterrent is another matter.”

“In Shia jurisprudence, a change in circumstances and conditions can alter the ruling,” the letter read.

“Moreover, safeguarding Islam — which today is bound to the preservation of the Islamic Republic — is among the paramount obligations. On this basis, the original prohibition can, as a secondary ruling, be transformed into a permissibility,” it continued.

The lawmakers’ push comes as Iran grapples with the threat of UN sanctions under the so-called “snapback” mechanism, set to take effect Sept. 28.

On Friday, the UN Security Council rejected a draft resolution to permanently lift sanctions on Iran, after Britain, France, and Germany launched a 30-day process last month accusing Tehran of violating the 2015 nuclear deal meant to curb its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian pledged that the country would withstand any renewed sanctions and continue pursuing its national interests.

“The ‘snapback’ may try to block the path, but it is ideas and determination that pave the way forward,” Pezeshkian said in a televised speech on Saturday.

“They cannot stop us. They can strike our Natanz or Fordow, but they forget that it is people who built them — and people who will rebuild them,” the Iranian leader continued, referring to the Israeli and US strikes on the country’s nuclear facilities in June.

Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, with officials citing Khamenei’s fatwa order against nuclear weapons as evidence.

However, Western countries have long accused Tehran of seeking the capability to develop nuclear weapons.

“We will never surrender in the face of excessive demands because we have the power to change the situation,” Pezeshkian said in his address over the weekend.

Britain, France, and Germany — collectively known as the E3 — have offered to delay reimposing UN sanctions for up to six months to give more time for negotiations on a long-term deal over Iran’s nuclear program.

However, the offer depends on Tehran restoring access for UN inspectors, addressing concerns about its enriched uranium stockpile, and engaging in talks with Washington.

Unless Iran and European powers reach an agreement to delay the reimposition of sanctions within a week, the snapback process will go forward.

Russia and China, also signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal, have strongly opposed the European push to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran.

On Monday, Mohammad Eslami, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, announced that Tehran and Moscow are set to sign an agreement in the coming days to build new nuclear power plants, further expanding their defense cooperation

According to Eslami, the agreement between the two governments calls for Russia to build eight nuclear power plants.

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French Towns Raise Palestinian Flags as Jewish Groups Across the West Decry Premature ‘Palestine’ Recognition

Palestinian flags fly over French town halls as municipalities defy a government ban ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s planned recognition of a Palestinian state. Photo: Screenshot

More than 50 municipalities across France defied an Interior Ministry order on Monday, raising Palestinian flags on their facades ahead of President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement recognizing a Palestinian state later in the day.

The contentious gesture came after Socialist Party leader Olivier Faure urged mayors last week to raise Palestinian flags over town halls in support of Macron’s initiative and opposition to the war in Gaza.

However, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau asked mayors not to follow through with such gestures, citing the principle of neutrality in public services and warning that these violations would be referred to administrative courts.

“There are enough divisive issues in the country without importing the conflict in the Middle East,” the French official wrote in a post on X.

Several French town halls have been forced to take down Palestinian flags following court rulings.

On Monday, Macron announced France’s recognition of a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, joining other Western countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

“We must do everything within our power to preserve the very possibility of a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security,” Macron said at the beginning of a planned three-hour session at the UN. “The recognition of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people takes nothing away from the rights of the people of Israel.”

Macron outlined a plan for a “renewed Palestinian Authority” under which France would open an embassy subject to factors such as reforms, a Gaza ceasefire, and the release of all remaining hostages taken from Israel and held by Hamas in the enclave.

Yet, a majority of the French people oppose an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state, with 71 percent rejecting any recognition before the release of all remaining Israeli hostages still held in Gaza and the surrender of Hamas, according to a newly released survey.

On Friday, 20 French Jewish leaders issued a joint letter to Macron urging him to recognize a Palestinian state only after the release of all remaining hostages and the dismantling of Hamas, warning that any other approach would be “capitulation in the face of terrorism.”

“While France has prudently refrained from any recognition of a Palestinian state since 1948, pending the establishment of conditions for peace and mutual security, how can it justify doing so while the war triggered by the worst antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust is still raging?” the letter said.

“Recognition … before the fulfillment of the conditions you have set out would be claimed as a symbolic victory for Hamas, which would only worsen the murderous stranglehold it imposes on the Palestinians,” it continued.

Other Western countries have argued that recognizing a Palestinian state now would be premature. Germany, for example, has said it will recognize Palestinian statehood only “at the end of the process” of a negotiated two-state solution.

“For Germany, recognition of a Palestinian state comes more at the end of the process. But this process must begin now,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Monday.

“A negotiated two-state solution is the path that can allow Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace, security and dignity,” he continued.

Italy has also announced that it will not recognize a Palestinian state at this time.

Supporters of the recognition argue that this move would actually undermine Hamas’s control, noting that the terrorist group has never supported a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and would likely oppose a Palestinian state since it would have no governing role.

However, Hamas has repeatedly praised such plans to recognize a Palestinian state as “the fruits of Oct. 7,” citing the Hamas-led invasion of and massacre across southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, as the reason for increasing Western support.

Israeli and US officials have strongly opposed recognizing a Palestinian state, warning that such a move would only reward terrorism, hinder Gaza ceasefire negotiations, and embolden Hamas.

According to Robert Satloff, executive director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, this initiative by several Western countries overlooks Israeli public sentiment, which he says dooms the plan before it begins.

“Without Israelis believing a Palestinian state makes them more secure, this proposal is performative and delusional,” Satloff wrote in a post on X.

“And since Israel’s hostages will still be held under Gaza when all these diplomatic big-wigs leave New York, [Macron’s] plan will only invite ridicule and disgust among Israelis, making the idea of statehood more distant than ever,” he continued.

Jewish groups in Britain, Australia, Canada, and France have criticized their governments’ recognition of a Palestinian state, warning that such moves would embolden extremists and fail to advance peace.

The Australian Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) condemned Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision, calling it a reward for the Oct. 7 atrocities.

“This move emboldens Hamas, undermines peace efforts, prolongs the suffering of Palestinians under Hamas rule, and fuels global incitement against the Jewish people,” CIJA CEO Noah Shack wrote in a post on X.

“The government’s policy should be clear-eyed and focused on releasing the Israeli hostages, securing a ceasefire, and the removal of Hamas from power,” Shack added.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews strongly condemned Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision, noting serious concerns within the local Jewish community.

“As we feared and warned, the way the UK has chosen to recognize a Palestinian state has done nothing to advance a ceasefire, free the hostages, stop the suffering of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, or advance long-term peace,” the statement read.

The Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA) condemned Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision, accusing him of departing from the long-standing policy of a negotiated two-state solution by taking a unilateral step.

“Unilateral recognition removes any incentive for the Palestinians to reform or return to negotiations,” ZFA CEO Alon Cassuto said in a statement.

“If Australia wants to help, it should support Palestinians to reform and build their institutions, the foundations of any viable Palestinian state. That is how we should contribute to real peace, not by emboldening terrorists through empty symbolism,” Cassuto continued.

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Conservatives Condemn Tucker Carlson for Seemingly Blaming Jews for Killing Both Jesus and Charlie Kirk

Tucker Carlson speaks on July 18, 2024, during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY via Reuters Connect

At the memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sunday, Tucker Carlson — the former Fox News host-turned-far-right conspiracy theorist podcaster — appeared to advance two antisemitic ideas at once, both blaming the Jewish people for the crucifixion of Jesus and further amplifying his previous suggestions alleging Israeli involvement in the slaying of one of the world’s leading Christian Zionist voices.

In the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, Carlson said during his speech that Kirk’s murder “actually reminds me of my favorite story ever,” before proceeding to offer his own spin on a medieval passion play.

“So, it’s about 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem, and Jesus shows up and he starts talking about the people in power. And he starts doing the worst thing that you can do, which is telling the truth about people. And they hate it, and they just go bonkers,” Carlson said. “They hate it, and they become obsessed with making him stop. ‘This guy’s got to stop talking. We’ve got to shut this guy up.’”

Carlson continued his story before the crowd of mourners, describing how “I can just sort of picture the scene in a lamplit room with a bunch of guys sitting around and eating hummus, thinking about what do we do about this guy telling the truth about us. ‘We must make him stop talking.’ And there’s always one guy with the bright idea, and I can hear him say, ‘I’ve got an idea: Why don’t we just kill him? That’ll shut him up. That’ll fix the problem.’”

Carlson then burst out laughing before adding, “It doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t work that way. Everything is inverted.”

US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) — who has recently taken up popular leftist talking points falsely accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza — praised the speech, posting on the X social media platform that “Tucker Carlson just gave the best speech that was centered on what being a Christian is. It’s about Jesus and it starts with faith and repentance and it changes us. Which leads us to God. Thank you Tucker.”

The Quds News Network, a Palestinian news agency, also boosted Carlson’s comments, writing, “Tucker Carlson suggests Israeli involvement in Charlie Kirk’s death during TPUSA’s [Turning Point USA’s] memorial for its late founder.”

David Friedman, who served as US ambassador to Israel in President Donald Trump’s first term, called the speech “antisemitic innuendo,” adding that such comments were “never appropriate, but even less so at a memorial service for a great man.” Friedman later wrote that the memorial “was not about him” and that the very debate over Carlson’s remarks underscored how out of place they were.

Ryan Saavedra, a reporter for the Daily Wire, accused Carlson of being unable to “contain his hatred for Jews for even just a few minutes,” noting that the attack on Jewish people was one of the first themes Carlson raised in his tribute.

Other commentators also condemned the insinuations. Matthew Schmitz, editor of the conservative Compact magazine, summarized Carlson’s pattern: “Once again, Tucker Carlson finds a way to insinuate that Charlie Kirk’s murder had something to do with Jews. No matter what happens, someone, somewhere will find a way to blame it on Jews.”

Richard Goldberg, a former Trump administration official and senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), sees danger for the Republican Party should Carlson continue as a dominant thought leader.

“Tucker’s unhealthy obsession with Jews and Israel is a disease that is poisoning the Republican Party,” Goldberg wrote on X. “While I am not surprised by his decision to use Charlie Kirk’s assassination as a platform to spread this disease – indeed, he is a disciplined strategic communicator – I am surprised by how few conservatives have the backbone to stand up and say they will no longer platform him.”

Goldberg said Carlson “has a freedom of speech” but that “we have a freedom of association.” He argued “this is about the future of American conservatives. We cannot make the same mistake many Democrats did with people whispering to each other, ‘Don’t worry, it’s just a small minority, it’ll go away.’ I don’t know what the motivation is – Qatari money, click-bait, personal animosity related to past employment problems, or something else. What I do know is that it’s toxic, it is 180 degrees from President Trump and it needs to be met with a decision by those we call ‘leaders’ to stop platforming him (and those who echo such vile sentiments).”

Arsen Ostrovsky, CEO of the International Legal Forum, went even further, posting on X that “Tucker Carlson is a modern-day Neo-Nazi. What a disgusting and loathsome human being. To use Charlie Kirk’s funeral to launch into an unhinged, antisemitic, conspiracy theory tirade, is an unconscionable defilement of Charlie’s memory and everything he stood for!”

FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz wrote that “Tucker Carlson used the memorial for Charlie Kirk — a passionate friend of Israel & the Jewish people — to spread antisemitic blood libels. I knew his father, Richard Carlson, Vice-Chair at FDD who strongly supported Jews & Israel. I just can’t fathom what happened to Tucker.”

Carlson’s comments come amid an eruption of conspiracy theories following Kirk’s assassination. As The Algemeiner reported last week, Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal, a pro-Iran commentator, alleged that Kirk had been pressured over his pro-Israel views by billionaire investor Bill Ackman and other advocates. Those claims, denied by all involved, were amplified by Carlson, podcaster Candace Owens, who has become a prolific promoter of antisemitic conspiracy theories, and Greene, who cast Kirk as a “Christian martyr” targeted by Jewish influence.

Kirk’s producer, Andrew Kolvet, and Ackman both dismissed the allegations as false, stressing that Kirk maintained cordial relations with pro-Israel figures and that discussions at a recent gathering were wide-ranging and friendly. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson of Utah with the killing, citing his animosity toward Kirk’s positions on LGBTQ issues as the motive. Law enforcement has not presented any evidence linking Israel or Jewish groups to the crime.

Actress Patricia Heaton, who has emerged as an engaged pro-Israel advocate in recent years, echoed Goldberg’s call for conservatives to cull Carlson from the ranks of the respectable.

“I beg conservatives, especially podcasters, to stop giving Tucker Carlson any exposure,” Heaton wrote on X. “Stop going on his show. There’s something really wrong with him. My Spidey-sense was triggered the first time I ever heard him and his creepy laugh.”

Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow and the new CEO of his organization Turning Point USA, expressed forgiveness for Robinson during her speech at the memorial.

“That man, that young man … I forgive him,” she said. “I forgive him because it was what Christ did and is what Charlie would do … The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love. Love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”

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