Israeli Soldiers Install Many Roadblocks Near Jenin
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2018-08-05
Israeli soldiers installed, overnight until early morning hours Sunday, many roadblocks in various areas in the southern part of Jenin governorate, in northern West Bank. Media sources said the soldiers installed roadblocks at the entrances of Zababda and Qabatia towns, also near the Arab American University and the bypass road …
imemc.org/article/israeli-soldiers-install-many-roadblocks-near-jenin/

Israeli Soldiers Abduct Many Palestinians, Injure One, In The West Bank
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2018-08-05
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Sunday at dawn, many Palestinians, during violent invasions and searches of homes, and shot one, in several parts of the occupied West Bank. In addition, the soldiers invaded Abu Shkheidim and Kobar villages, north of the central West Bank city of Ramallah, and attacked protesters with …
imemc.org/article/israeli-soldiers-abduct-many-palestinians-injure-one-in-the-west-bank/

Kushner wants 'honest effort to disrupt' Palestinian refugee agency, Abbas up in arms
RT | rt.com | 2018-08-05
The Palestinian authorities have slammed a reported plan by the US President's special adviser Jared Kushner to dismantle the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, saying it's a plot to take a key issue off any future negotiations.
rt.com/usa/435138-israel-kushner-palestine-refugee-agency/

Israeli Drone Targets Gaza
INA | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
An Israeli drone fired at least one missile, targeting a group of Palestinian youth in eastern Jabaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Saturday. A Ma'an reporter confirmed the incident, saying that no injuries were reported. On Friday, one Palestinian youth was killed and at least 220 others …
imemc.org/article/israeli-drone-targets-gaza/

Church Leaders Express Concern over Jewish Nation-State Law
INA | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
Heads of churches in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have reacted with dismay and concern to the Israeli Knesset's adoption, on 19 July, 2018, of a new Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, which specifies that "The right to exercise national self-determination in the State …
imemc.org/article/church-leaders-express-concern-over-jewish-nation-state-law/

Soldiers Attack, Injure, A Young Man In Bethlehem
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
Israeli soldiers attacked, Saturday, a young Palestinian man, driving a bus, south of Bethlehem, in the occupied West Bank, causing various cuts and bruises. The soldiers stopped a bus, driven by Jihad Ali Zawahra, 28, from the al-Ma'sara village south of Bethlehem, and forced him out. They then continuously struck …
imemc.org/article/soldiers-attack-injure-a-young-man-in-bethlehem/

Israel's Policies in Gaza Are Genocidal
Haidar Eid | globalresearch.ca | 2018-08-04
Note to readers: please click the share buttons above | Featured image: Razan al-Najjar, the 21 year old Gaza medic killed by an Israeli sniper on June 1, treating an injured man, undated photo from Palestine Live on twitter. | The 1948 …
globalresearch.ca/israels-policies-in-gaza-are-genocidal/5649556

Child Dies From Serious Wounds Suffered Friday
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
The Health Ministry in Gaza has reported that a child died, on Saturday morning, from serious wounds he suffered a day earlier, after Israeli soldiers shot him with live fire. The Health Ministry said the child, identified as Moath Ziad Soori, 15, died from serious wounds he suffered during the …
imemc.org/article/child-dies-from-serious-wounds-suffered-friday/

Video: Activists Stand in Solidarity with Gaza
INA | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
Israeli and international protesters demonstrated at Gaza fence in solidarity with The Great Return March On Friday August 3rd, "Return", a group of Israeli and international anti-Zionist activists, including activists from the International Solidarity Movement, protested on the east side of the Gaza fence, in solidarity with the Great March of …
imemc.org/article/video-activists-stand-in-solidarity-with-gaza/

Israel Rejects Travel for Hundreds of Gaza Patients in 2018
INA | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
At least 769 Palestinian patients have been denied exit from the blockaded Gaza Strip by Israeli authorities, since January, Israeli media reported this week. The applicants included Palestinians who sought medical treatment for diseases such as cancer. Israeli authorities cited first-degree relations between the applicants and Hamas members, for denying …
imemc.org/article/israel-rejects-travel-for-hundreds-of-gaza-patients-in-2018/

Palestinians Call for Boycott of Meteor Music Festival in Israel
INA | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
Via BNC official: We, Palestinian cultural organizations, municipalities and human rights campaigns, call for the boycott of Meteor Festival in Israel, scheduled for September 6-8, 2018. We urge all participating artists to respect Palestinians' non-violent resistance and withdraw from this complicit festival as a meaningful contribution to our struggle for freedom, justice …
imemc.org/article/palestinians-call-for-boycott-of-meteor-music-festival-in-israel/

Russia's International Army Games Might Bring Iran and Israel Together
Andrew Korybko | globalresearch.ca | 2018-08-04
Note to readers: please click the share buttons above | For what could be the first time ever, post-revolutionary Iran might not back out of competing against "Israel" in an international sporting event because of the serious damage that this stunt …
globalresearch.ca/russias-international-army-games-might-bring-iran-and-israel-together/5649508

Swedish-flagged Flotilla Vessel Intercepted by Israel
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2018-08-04
The Israeli army Saturday morning said that it had taken over a European ship, the Swedish-flagged "Freedom," captained by John Turnbull of Vancouver, that was aimed at breaking the naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip by the occupation forces 12 years ago. After the brutal violence and theft that …
imemc.org/article/swedish-flagged-flotilla-vessel-intercepted-by-israel/

Israeli Commandos Brutally Attack Freedom Flotilla Activists in International Waters
Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2018-08-04
Indigenous leader Larry Commodore returns to Canada after being released from an Israeli prison | The post Israeli Commandos Brutally Attack Freedom Flotilla Activists in International Waters appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/stories/israeli-commandos-brutally-attack-freedom-flotilla-activists-in-international-waters

Video: Syrian Army's Operation in Southern Syria in Numbers
South Front | globalresearch.ca | 2018-08-04
Note to readers: please click the share buttons above | On August 2, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that warplanes of the Israeli Air Force had bombed several fighters of the ISIS-affiliated Khalid ibn al-Walid Army near the occupied Golan …
globalresearch.ca/video-syrian-armys-operation-in-southern-syria-in-numbers/5649526

Sweden's 'Freedom' Vessel Under Attack as It Carries Medical Supplies to Gaza
Freedom Flotilla Coalition | globalresearch.ca | 2018-08-04
Note to readers: please click the share buttons above | At 20: 06 (CEST) we lost contact with the sailing vessel Freedom, sailing under a Swedish flag, which is on a mission to break the illegal Israeli blockade of the Palestinian people …
globalresearch.ca/swedens-freedom-vessel-under-attack-as-it-carries-medical-supplies-to-gaza/5649552

Trump Threatens Iran to Distract From Russia-Linked Criticism and Appease Israel
Marjorie Cohn | truthdig.com | 2018-08-03
There are a few reasons why the president's recent saber-rattling in Iran's direction may be about issues other than U.S.-Iran relations, strictly defined. | The post Trump Threatens Iran to Distract From Russia-Linked Criticism and Appease Israel appeared first on Truthdig: Expert Reporting, Current News, Provocative Columnists.
truthdig.com/articles/trump-threatens-iran-to-distract-from-russia-criticism-and-appease-israel/

Kushner's Cynical "Deal of the Century" for Palestinians in Action
Robert Fisk | counterpunch.org | 2018-08-03
Hindsight is unfair — but it might tell the truth. First, Donald Trump proclaims Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, thus depriving the Palestinians of their capital in the east of the city. The Palestinians are appalled. Mahmoud Abbas says he will no longer talk to the United States. So Trump rages that…
counterpunch.org/2018/08/03/kushners-cynical-deal-of-the-century-for-palestinians-in-action/

US Military Aid to Israel Set to Exceed $3.8B, or $23,000 Per Year for Every Jewish Family Living in Israel
Whitney Webb | mintpressnews.com | 2018-08-03
The massive funding for Israel's military is the result of the 2016 U.S.-Israel Memorandum of Understanding on security assistance between the Israeli and U.S. governments, which called for annual funding of $3.8 billion — or $23,000 per year for every Jewish family living in Israel — for the next 10 years. | The post US Military Aid to Israel Set to Exceed $3.8B, or $23,000 Per Year for Every Jewish Family Living in Israel appeared first on
mintpressnews.com/us-military-aid-to-israel-set-to-exceed-3-8b-or-23000-per-year-for-every-jewish-family-living-in-israel/246996/

Following The Israeli Model? The Yellow Peril Comes To Washington
Philip Giraldi | iranian.com | 2018-08-01
So President Donald Trump reckoned on Monday that the United States Intelligence Community (IC) just might be wrong in its assessment that Russia had sought to interfere in the 2016 U.S. election but then decided on Tuesday that he misspoke and had the greatest confidence in the IC and now agrees that they were correct […] | The post Following The Israeli Model? The Yellow Peril Comes To Washington appeared first on The Iranian.
iranian.com/2018/08/01/following-the-israeli-model/

Captain John Turnbull Aboard The Freedom Flotilla Headed for Gaza
Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2018-07-31
Just 300 miles from Gaza, Captain Turnbull expects a confrontation with Israeli military within hours of this interview, he has 12 people on board | The post Captain John Turnbull Aboard The Freedom Flotilla Headed for Gaza appeared first on The Real News Network.
therealnews.com/stories/captain-john-turnbull-aboard-the-freedom-flotilla-headed-for-gaza

Team Justice Scores. Adidas No Longer Sponsoring Israel Football Association
pacbi | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-31
Team Justice Scores. Adidas No Longer Sponsoring Israel Football Association: Update Cultural Boycott Red Card IsraelFollowing a global campaign, Adidas is no longer sponsoring football teams in illegal Israeli settlements. Palestinians call on new sponsor Puma to end complicity with Israel's violations of international law. | July 31, 2018 | By:
| | Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) …
bdsmovement.net/news/team-justice-scores-adidas-no-longer-sponsoring-israel-football-association

How Ahed Tamimi Became the Symbol of Palestinian Resistance to Israeli Oppression
Alice Speri | theintercept.com | 2018-07-31
NABI SALEH, West Bank — As if anyone needed reminding, even on the day of her release from prison, Israeli authorities seemed to want to show Ahed Tamimi, her family, and her many supporters that they control Palestinian lives. | Ahed and her mother, Nariman, were supposed to be freed on Saturday after serving an eight-month sentence in an Israeli military prison, but because Saturday is not a work day in Israel, their release was postponed. On Sunday, their family was told that they would be freed at 7 a.m. at a military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, nearly an hour and a half drive from their village, Nabi Saleh. When relatives and friends arrived there, the military sent them, as well as dozens of members of the press, to a different checkpoint, nearly two hours in the opposite direction. When they…
theintercept.com/2018/07/31/ahed-tamimi-released-palestine-child-prisoners/

Noam Chomsky Condemns Israel's Shift to Far Right & New "Jewish Nation-State" Law
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-30
Israel has passed a widely condemned law that defines Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people and gives Jews the sole right to self-determination. It also declares Hebrew the country's only official language and encourages the building of Jewish-only settlements on occupied territory as a "national value." The law has drawn international condemnation and accusations that Israel has legalized apartheid. For more, we speak with world-renowned political dissident, author and linguist Noam Chomsky. He is a laureate professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Arizona and professor emeritus…
democracynow.org/2018/7/30/noam_chomsky_condemns_israel_s_shift

Ahed Tamimi's Bravery Exposes Israeli, US Cowardice
Hezvo Mpunga | therealnews.com | 2018-07-30
Palestinian teenager Ahed Tamimi is free after eight months in an Israeli prison. While her bravery in confronting occupying Israeli soldiers has been celebrated around the world, Western media outlets have gone to great lengths to portray her as an aggressor. We speak to Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada | The post Ahed Tamimi's Bravery Exposes Israeli, US Cowardice appe…
therealnews.com/stories/ahed-tamimis-bravery-exposes-israeli-us-cowardice

Over 18,000 people sign petition calling on Iceland to boycott Israel Eurovision
pacbi | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-30
Over 18,000 people sign petition calling on Iceland to boycott Israel Eurovision: In the News Cultural Boycott Boycott Eurovision 2019The petition cites Israel's human rights violations against Palestinian people and calls on national broadcaster RUV to withdraw Iceland from the contest. | May 16, 2018 | By:
| | Euronews …
bdsmovement.net/news/over-18000-people-sign-petition-calling-iceland-boycott-israel-eurovision

Celebrities and public figures launch Irish campaign to boycott Eurovision 2019 in Israel
pacbi | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-30
Celebrities and public figures launch Irish campaign to boycott Eurovision 2019 in Israel: In the News Cultural Boycott Boycott Eurovision 2019In a stand for Palestinian rights, music legends, former Eurovision winner, commentator and presenters, performaning arts trade unions and well known LGBTQ+ and feminist campaigners and others endorse the call for Ireland to boycott Eurovision 2019. | June 27, 2018 | By:
| | Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) …
bdsmovement.net/news/celebrities-and-public-figures-launch-irish-campaign-boycott-eurovision-2019-israel

Headlines for July 30, 2018
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-30
Eight Die as Wildfires Rage Across California, India: More Than 500 People Have Died in Monsoon Season So Far, North Korea Returns Remains of U.S. Soldiers Killed During Korean War, Trump Threatens Government Shutdown over Funding for $25 Billion Border Wall, Judge to Appoint Independent Monitor to Oversee Detention Centers with Children, "Quiet Skies": Boston Globe Reveals TSA Domestic Surveillance Program, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Says She Plans to Serve 5 More Years on Bench, U.S. Officials Hold Direct Peace Talks with the Taliban, Gaza: Israeli Soldiers Kill 3 Palestinians, Including 11-Year-Old Boy, Palestinian A…
democracynow.org/2018/7/30/headlines

Dublin Lord Mayor calls for boycott of next year's Eurovision in Israel
pacbi | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-30
Dublin Lord Mayor calls for boycott of next year's Eurovision in Israel: In the News Cultural Boycott Boycott Eurovision 2019The Lord Mayor of Dublin has called for…
bdsmovement.net/news/dublin-lord-mayor-calls-boycott-next-years-eurovision-israel

Gaza Flotilla Ship Al Awda Violently Seized by Israelis; USS Liberty Survivor Amongst Those Captured
Consortiumnews.com | consortiumnews.com | 2018-07-30
UPDATED: Israeli forces have violently boarded a ship, being followed by Consortium News, that was headed to Gaza bringing humanitarian aid. A survivor of the USS Liberty is now in Israeli custody. By Joe Lauria Special to Consortium News Israeli… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2018/07/30/gaza-flotilla-ship-al-awda-violently-seized-by-israelis-uss-liberty-survivor-amongst-those-captured/

Amid Deadly Israeli Crackdown on Gaza Protests, Chomsky Says U.S. Must End Support for "Murderers"
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-30
In Gaza, thousands gathered Saturday for the funeral of 11-year-old Majdi al-Satari, who died after he was shot in the head by an Israeli sniper Friday at protests near the separation fence with Israel. Seventeen-year-old Moumin al-Hams and 43-year-old Ghazi Abu Mustafa were also shot and killed by Israeli snipers at the protests. In total, Israeli soldiers have killed at least 150 Palestinians since the Palestinians' nonviolent Great March of Return protests began on March 30. For more, we speak with world-renowned political dissident, author and linguist Noam Chomsky. He is a laureate professor in the Departmen…
democracynow.org/2018/7/30/amid_deadly_israeli_crackdown_on_gaza

'Israeli pedophile detector': Sacha Baron Cohen dupes Roy Moore in 'sex offender' prank
RT | rt.com | 2018-07-30
Hoping for an easy interview on Alabama's 'strong connection' with Israel, the Donald Trump-endorsed-but-failed Senate nominee Roy Moore was the latest dupee of comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, falling foul of a 'pedophile detector.'
rt.com/usa/434653-cohen-roy-moore-pedophile-prank/

Ahed Tamimi and Her Mother are Freed from Jail
Consortiumnews.com | consortiumnews.com | 2018-07-29
Ahed Tamimi and her mother were freed from prison on Sunday. Ray McGovern looks back on when he met the Tamimi family last year in their West Bank village and reflects on the spirit that drives them. By Ray McGovern… Read more ?…
consortiumnews.com/2018/07/29/ahed-tamimi-and-her-mother-are-freed-from-jail/

Headlines for July 27, 2018
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-27
700+ Migrant Families Still Separated as Reunification Deadline Passes, Protests Target President Trump's Family Separation Policy, House Votes 359-54 in Favor of Record Military Spending Bill, Michael Cohen Says Trump Knew in Advance About Meeting with Russians, House Republicans Set to Punish Rod Rosenstein over Mueller Probe, Pakistan: Imran Khan Claims Victory as Opponents Allege Vote Rigging, Gaza: Palestinians Call for Renewed Protests, Palestinian Teen Who Slapped Soldier to Be Released from Israeli Jail, Hundreds of African Refugees Scale Border Wall into Spanish Enclave, Laos: Aid Groups Say Death Toll f…
democracynow.org/2018/7/27/headlines

Israel forces teachers to leave Palestine
pacbi | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-27
Israel forces teachers to leave Palestine: In the News Academic BoycottIsrael is obstructing academic freedom at Palestinian universities through vari…
bdsmovement.net/news/israel-forces-teachers-leave-palestine

How Israeli Tech Firms Act as Global Agents of Repression
Richard Silverstein | thenation.com | 2018-07-27
How Israeli Tech Firms Act as Global Agents of Repression appeared first on The Nation.
thenation.com/article/israeli-tech-firms-act-global-agents-repression/

Palestinians Urge Irish Football Association to Cancel "Friendly" Match with Apartheid Israel
pacbi | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-27
Palestinians Urge Irish Football Association to Cancel "Friendly" Match with Apartheid Israel: Update Red Card IsraelHolding a friendly match with Israel sends the message that ending the dreams of Palestinians footballers is not significant. Palestinians urge the Irish Fo…
bdsmovement.net/nothing-friendly

Glasgow City Council Concedes to Supporters of Palestinian Rights, Vows to Refrain From Sponsoring Future Arms Fairs
leili | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-27
Glasgow City Council Concedes to Supporters of Palestinian Rights, Vows to Refrain From Sponsoring Future Arms Fairs: Update Military Embargo Boycott HP Apartheid Free Zones Local governments Sanctions and governmentsGlasgow City Council promises supporters of Palestinian rights that it will no longer sponsor arms fairs featuring Israeli weapons manufacturers and will ensure that the city's guidelines for hosting events reflect that "Glasgow is a human rights respecting city." | July 27, 2018 | By:
| | Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC), Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) …
bdsmovement.net/news/glasgow-city-council-concedes-supporters-palestinian-rights-vows-refrain-sponsoring-future-arms

Headlines for July 26, 2018
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-26
900+ Immigrant Families Still Separated at Deadline for Reunification, 8 Arrested at Protest of Chase Bank's Ties to Immigration Detention, Trump Says He's Reached a Deal to Halt Trade War with EU, White House Bars CNN Correspondent After She Questions Trump, Pakistan: Imran Khan Poised to Become PM as Opposition Rejects Vote, Syria: 216 Killed in ISIS Attacks on Southern City, Saudi Arabia Halts Oil Shipments as Yemeni Rebels Attack Tankers, Gaza: Israeli Strikes Kill 3 Palestinians as Ceasefire Breaks, U.N. Agency for Palestinians Lays Off Hundreds as U.S. Cuts Funding, White House Delays Planned Putin-Trump Me…
democracynow.org/2018/7/26/headlines

Israel Deports Human Rights Defender, Researchers and Delegation Over Support for Palestinian Rights
leili | bdsmovement.net | 2018-07-26
Israel Deports Human Rights Defender, Researchers and Delegation Over Support for Palestinian Rights: Update Right To Boycott Apartheid Free Zones Local governmentsIsrael's actions expose its escalating repression and system of apartheid | July 26, 2018 | By:
| | Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC) …
bdsmovement.net/news/israel-deports-human-rights-defender-researchers-and-delegation-over-support-palestinian-rights

Headlines for July 25, 2018
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-25
Pakistan: Millions Head to Polls as Suicide Bomb at Polling Station Kills Dozens, In Audio, Trump & Michael Cohen Discuss Payoff to Playboy Model Karen McDougal, White House Edits Transcript of Trump's Summit with Putin, U.S. to Provide Emergency Relief to Farmers Hurt by Trump's Trade War, Ivanka Trump Shutting Down Namesake Fashion Brand, Israel Shoots Down Syrian Jet; Bombing in Southern Syria Kills Dozens, Laos: 26 Killed and Thousands Displaced in Dam Collapse, Death Toll from Greek Wildfires Rises to 76, India: Nationwide Truckers' Strike Enters Sixth Day, Republican Brian Kemp Wins Georgia Primary, Will Fa…
democracynow.org/2018/7/25/headlines

Advocates: Israel's Jewish Nation-State Law Constitutionally Enshrines Racism Against Palestinians
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-23
A fragile ceasefire remains in effect after four Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed during violence Friday along the border with Gaza. During the flare-up, Israel launched dozens of strikes it said were targeted at Hamas rockets and mortars. The death of the Israeli soldier was the first since Palestinians launched weekly nonviolent protests at the border in March. Israeli forces have shot and killed at least 140 Palestinians during those protests, while wounding thousands of others. This comes as Israeli lawmakers drew condemnation Thursday for passing a law that defines Israel as the nation-state…
democracynow.org/2018/7/23/advocates_israels_jewish_nation_state_law

Headlines for July 23, 2018
Democracy Now! | democracynow.org | 2018-07-23
Trump Threatens Iran's Leader in All-Caps Tweet, Afghanistan: At Least 23 Killed in Kabul Attack Targeting Vice President, Pakistan: Suicide Bomber Kills Candidate Ahead of July 25 Election, FBI Has Tape of Trump Discussing Paying Off Model over Affair, FBI Document Alleges Trump Adviser Carter Page Conspired with Russia, Trump Reverses Course Again, Calling Russian Election Meddling a Hoax, Ceasefire Holds After Gaza Violence Kills 4 Palestinians, 1 Israeli, Israel Evacuates Syria White Helmets Volunteers to Jordan, Ecuador Preparing to Hand Julian Assange Over to British Authorities, Trump Calls on NFL to Suspe…
democracynow.org/2018/7/23/headlines

Foreign Correspondent: Netanyahu, Putin, and Trump Jockey for Power in Syria
Reese Erlich | progressive.org | 2018-07-13
We'll see if anything significant about Syria comes out of the Putin-Trump summit. But don't hold your breath.
progressive.org/dispatches/foreign-correspondent-netanyahu-putin-and-trump-jockey-syria-180713/

Ukraine Attacks Journalists Who Reported Israeli Weapons Flow to Its Neo-Nazi Militia
Ben Norton | grayzoneproject.com | 2018-07-10
Ukraine's embassy in Israel attacked Grayzone editor Max Blumenthal by name, along with The Real News and Electronic Intifada, spreading… | The post Ukraine Attacks Journalists Who Reported Israeli Weapons Flow to Its Neo-Nazi Militia appeared first on Grayzone Project.
grayzoneproject.com/2018/07/10/ukraine-embassy-israel-arming-nazis-max-blumenthal/