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"Israel Is Not Alone" member knocks phone out of my hand – Press TV films incident
We had just completed a CNI press briefing at the National Press Club, when the next group scheduled to use the room, "Israel Is Not Alone," began to enter. One of their members saw our signs and began a discussion with a member of the CNI group. The conversation was heated but within appropriate bounds. Another "Israel Is Not Alone" member, however, then approached the CNI man in a somewhat threatening posture and loudly began to berate him.
At that point Lt. Col Karen Kwiatkowski, who had spoken on our panel, thought she recognized the man and he was asked his name. At first he only gave his first name, Jerry, but eventually also gave his last name: Boykin.
Lt. Gen Boykin (three stars) is known for making offensive statements about Islam and supporting Israel.
For some reason, I actually thought I might be able to convince him to rethink his positions. I told him I had been born at West Point and tried to tell him about Palestine. I was holding a booklet from our press conference, and asked him fervently to read it. He didn't say anything.
As I was trying to describe the facts, another man came up and began haranguing me. He was almost shaking with fury. He yelled that Muslims tear the fingernails off Christians and similar things. I tried to answer him, but he shouted over everything I tried to say. I got my phone out and tried to video what he was yelling at me. I then tried to resume my conversation with Boykin and tell him about my first trip to Palestine, but the man continued shouting at me, drowning out my words, so I again tried to video what he was yelling at me. He suddenly violently hit my hand and phone, knocking the phone across the room.
I was stunned. A bit shaken, I asked someone to get security, which they did. Some of the "Israel Is Not Alone" group, probably realizing that their member had just crossed a serious line and was guilty of battery, brought me the pieces of my phone (fortunately, and surprisingly, it still works). The man (I haven't yet learned his name) proffered an unconvincing apology.
Some people have suggested that I file charges. It turns out that a Press TV crew apparently filmed the whole incident and led off with part of it on their broadcast about our conference. You can see the video and news report here.
I'm undecided about filing charges. I know that if the situation were reversed, they would do so.
I don't know what's behind this angry, disturbed man. Was he angry because he was spreading such venemous lies? Or is it that the people behind "Israel Is Not Alone" are exploiting a vulnerable man and intentionally creating or fueling his rage?
A pro Israeli advocate knocked a camera out of the hands of Alison Weir, President of the Council for the National Interest Foundation. The group just finished their press conference on what they call unjustifiable US Aid to Israel.
The two sides met when the Press Club scheduled a pro Israeli news conference to follow held in the same room. The altercation illustrates heightened tensions on differing views regarding America's relationship with Israel.
The Council for the National Interest Foundation wants Americans to know how much of their tax dollars are going to Israel.
CNIF alleges Israel receives so much aid and special treatment because the US Congress is controlled by AIPAC, America's pro Israel lobby. Executive director Phillip Giraldi says Israel spends a lot of money on U.S. elections.
The Council for the National Interest Foundation says many members of Congress fear, if they don't always side with Israel, that they will face retaliation in their own re-election campaigns.
Giraldi is a former CIA counter terrorism expert. He questions why America gives aid to Israel when Israel conducts more espionage for profit against the US than any other US friendly country.
Retired Lt. Colonel Karen Kwiatkowski worked at the Pentagon and says Israel receives preferential treatment.
Kwiatkowski believes America is beginning to take more interest in US foreign policy in the Middle East in large part due to tough economic times. More and more Americans want to know where their hard earned tax dollars are going and why.
[Alison Weir
I've just learned that the furious man was William J. Murray, chair of the "Religious Freedom Coalition."
[Alison Weir
I later learned the name of my assailant: William J. Murray.
Murray is the head of something called The Religious Freedom Coalition, a fervently anti-Muslim organization. He is also, apparently, the son of infamous atheist proponent Madeline Murray O'Hare.
I consulted an attorney about the incident, and he advised me to file a police report since Murray's actions seemed to constitute "assault and battery."
I filed a pollice report and then waited and waited. Finally, the detective in charge of determining whether or not to prosecute Murray decided not to do so. The detective's name is in another notebook somewhere. As I recall, it was Rosenbaum or something similar.
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Alison, thank you for continuing to challenge people like this out-of-control zionist who made a fool of himself, as they so often do. Congratulations on the Press TV coverage of the incident.
Alison, I would be very grateful if you could contact me about a related project.
Thank you.
Mike
The title, United States of America is no longer properly descriptive. It would be more accurate and appropriate if it would be USrael.
Zionist Jews opened a brilliant offensive against the autonomy of the United States with the publishing of the Scofield Bible in 1907. It was deemed that the support of Christendom would be required to establish or reincarnate Israel.
The Scofield Bible was simply a notated bible. Notations which in every way possible interpreted the Bible in such a way as to instruct the reader to honor the Jews and to support the establishment of the Jewish State.
It has been wildly successful at redirecting the loyalties of Christian Americans to Jews and now to Israel. Every time there is a significant occurrence or change in the status of Israel, the notes are updated to make them more relevant for Christian believers.
The copyright and the trademark of the Scofield Bible is owned by the Jewish owned Oxford Press. Does the word dupe have any relevance here?
I would definitely press charges against that man who hit the phone out of your hand. Without a doubt!
I definitely agree with pressing charges. Even though the phone still works, there is most likely scratches on the exterior and internal damage which could lead to problems or premature failure.
But this has nothing to do with the phone, what this man did is considered an attack and most certainly he would press charges if the situation were reveresed. The fact that it is all on film only helps.
It's ironic that this show of behavior while arguing about radical violent Islam exposes the the reality of how violent the people spreading this nonsense really are. This man probably abuses his spouse and his children.
The Fundamentalist beliefs which these people share with Congress and Zionist lobbies such as AIPAC, the real reason why they blindingly support Israel, is because of the whole rapture thing. Even if you suspend reality for a minute and pretend there is a shred of truth to that story, do these violent and hateful fundies really think that Jesus would rapture them?
You should definitely press charges. You did nothing wrong, and he acted like an out of control idiot. Press charges PLEASE!
You are very courageous Allison. Please stay that way.
I'm guessing this is the "Israel you're not alone" press conference that was held after the CNI event... you can see some of the same guys from your video above:
http://youtu.be/raBBptHlGRE
Sorry you had to deal with this Alison. All the best.
Alison, I am strongly in favor of you pressing charges. This man's impulsive & aggressive action, is Israel's actions in the Mideast in microcosm. And, just as the world's failure to insist (and enforce) Israel live according to the rule of law has led to repeated and greater crimes against the Palestinians and Israel's neighbors, failure to insure this bully understands Lincoln's famous statement on individual rights ("Your right to swing your arm ends where my nose begins") will only serve to reinforce his sense of exceptionalism and insure that more, perhaps worse, attacks occur in the future. In short, he's a loose cannon that needs to be forcibly restrained.
Your continued composure throughout the assault was quite remarkable... that was nothing less than an assault. While you certainly have a "right" to pursue this legally, I submit it would detract from your real work. Many who oppose you will likely smile smugly, if you don't take action. I would suggest that the higher wisdom of knowing which battles to choose is a consideration as to how this would affect you.
I watched your composure during that event... you have earned my respect.
Just a curiosity, though... didn't the organizers at the club not realize there may be a conflict in scheduling two opposing sides of an issue back to back? What were they thinking?
You most definitely should press charges against this violent zionazi who commited a felony assault on you. You have the video to play in court. Open-and-shut case!
Yeah, and of course, PressTV declined to mention that you were filming the guy at the time, no doubt to create additional propaganda for your organization and suggest that all supporters of Israel behave this way.
It is no great shakes to be the darling of the Iranian state press.
If the man who assaulted you is the chair of some committee, you should absolutely file charges.
Not pressing charges would be a sign of disrespect, a patronizing sign, for the attacker, which in terms it would cause him to be offended, more angry. Ignoring the aggressor, whether this individual or the State of Israel, provokes the greatest sense of rejection and anger.
Had the tables been turned, you Allison, would've been branded anti-semitic and slapped with a lawsuit. Not to mention the field day media would have. File your lawsuit.