INGREDIENTS
– 300 gm mozzarella
– 1/2 cup chickpeas flour
– 1 cup sunflower oil
– 1/2 cup all purpose flour
– 1/2 cup crushed breadcrumbs
Method
– Cut the cheese into 1/2-1 inch sticks and keep aside.
– Mix the maida and besan flour in a bowl. Add enough water and mix to a thick batter.
– Spread the breadcrumbs on a plate. Dip the cheese sticks in the batter and roll them in the breadcrumbs.
– Place them on a parchment paper and keep it in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
This is to ensure the cheese does not melt while frying and it has a crispy coating.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the mozzarella sticks until light golden brown.
Remove and drain excess oil. Serve with a dipping sauce of choice.
Month: January 2024
-
Mozzarella Sticks
-
Use raw milk on your face to get skin of your dreams
Milk is beneficial for your health, because it’s packed with vitamins, biotin, potassium, calcium, lactic acid, magnesium, selenium, and protein. But did you know raw milk can do wonders for your skin too? Yes it’s true, milk can keep you fit, inside and out.
There are various reasons why raw milk is the perfect home remedy for youthful and glowing skin. It helps to protect skin from free radicals, fades spots and marks, brightens your skin, enhances hydration, slows down wrinkles, fine lines, and the ageing process, and also promotes skin elasticity. What’s more, it can give you radiant skin.
You can use raw milk in many ways. Let’s find out how:
– It can be used a cleanser. Milk drives out all the dirt and dead skin cells from the clogged pores, preventing further blackheads and acne. It also removes fats from the oily areas and moisturises dry skin areas.
– Use: Dab a clean cotton ball in milk, apply it all over the face and massage in circular motion for five minutes. Wash with warm water.
– Milk is good for dry and flaky skin. It helps replenish lost oils making the skin smooth and moisturised throughout the whole day.
– Use: Dip a cotton ball in milk and dab all over the face. Allow it to stand for 20 minutes and wash with cold water. For best results, apply a mixture of mashed banana and milk on face, wash after half an hour.
– Exfoliating scrub: Milk is naturally rich in AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid) — a compound found in expensive beauty products. It mildly removes excess dead cells off the skin’s surface, thus revealing a soft and radiant skin.
– Use: Add milk to honey to create a natural scrub. Massage gently and wash with warm water after 15 minutes to get a glowing skin naturally.
– Lightens tans: If you want to get rid of toners laced with chemicals, milk is the best option available. Milk has high lactic acid which contains skin lightning properties.
– Use: Make an equal mix of milk and green tea. Dip a cotton cloth and apply it all over the tanned skin. Wash after 15 minutes. Use it thrice a week before bath for best results.
– Soothes sun burn: Cold milk relieves sun burns and inflammations. It creates a thin protein film that protects the skin and cools off burning sensation.
– Use: Apply full cream milk on the affected area as it contains healthy fats that soothes and lubricates skin.
– Foot spa: Milk softens cracked feet and toes by removing dead skin cells, making it clean and moisturised.
– Use: Soak your feet in warm milk-water mixture for some time and relax. Rub the cracked area with pumice stone and dry with a towel. Get soft and clean feet. -
Slim down your face with hair contouring
Hair color contouring can make your face look slimmer, wider, rounder, or more defined—it’s like Photoshop for your hair, and it’s your secret weapon to a fab look without the daily makeup grind.
What is it about?
Hair contouring a process of high-lighting and low-lighting certain parts of your mane to either enhance or subdue certain features. Similar to how face and body contouring works, one may use colour techniques to create the hair contouring effect. Highlighting and shading certain parts of the hair can create an illusion of a different face shape, depending on what you want to accentuate. Puja Singh, hair professional explains, “Like with any art form, light shades are for highlighting and darker shades are for creating a shadow effect, similarly to adopt this technique in hair contouring with colours, one might follow these simple guidelines.
Be Aware
Using healthier, natural hair-safe products are essential to avoid side effects. It is also advisable that every individual reads the ingredients list to be sure of the products being used on themselves.
Your hair color and cut can
define your face
The way you cut and colour your hair can really change your personality. The right colour and cut can make you look not just younger but also slimmer than you are.
Helpful tips
– A very short haircut will make you face appear wider.
– A mid-length, layered haircut can make it look slimmer.
– A side fringe can make your face appear thinner, even if you have a short haircut or bob.
– Long hair that covers your cheekbones looks stylish and gives your face a lean look.
– Light colored hair falling on your cheeks can make your face look wide..
– Get low lights or darker shades in the front hair that covers your cheeks and keep highlights or lighter colours for the crown.
– Coloring can enhance your face colour too, and can really add a lot of character to your face.
How does it work
Hair contouring is about applying highlights and lowlights in certain parts of your hair, to create an illusion of a different face shape.
This technique of colouring the hair can give your cheekbones a visual depth.
Hair contouring suits everyone because it is customised to your face shape and your hair colour tone.
It uses the freehand colouring method and is a low-maintenance style.
It is a pretty intensive act and one has to be clear about the basic rules and guidelines. However, depending upon the face cut and contouring requirement, it may take around one to two hours. -
Gypsy Rose eyes Kim Kardashian for prison reform partnership
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, fresh out of prison, has her sights set on a powerful ally in the realm of prison reform – none other than Kim Kardashian. While they haven’t sat down for a chat just yet, Gypsy is eager to glean insights from Kim’s experience in the justice system and her impactful work on prison reform.
Back in November, Gypsy reached out to Kim on Twitter from behind bars, expressing gratitude for recommending an HBO documentary about her case. In her tweet, Gypsy floated the idea of teaming up with Kim to bring about tangible change in the justice system.
Now that she’s out, Gypsy still sees Kim as a potential partner in her mission. She believes that Kim’s expertise can help her navigate the social media landscape and amplify her advocacy for prison reform.
Despite the shoutout on social media, there’s been no direct communication between Gypsy and Kim post-Gypsy’s release. However, the door is wide open for a future collaboration. -
DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz among Hollywood stars named in Jeffrey Epstein court documents
Amid great hype, a new batch of previously secret court documents was unsealed late Wednesday, January 3, related to Jeffrey Epstein, the jet-setting financier who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
The new documents include a bunch of names from Hollywood. Stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz, Bruce Willis and Kevin Spacey have been name dropped. However, simply their mention doesn’t not imply that they have been party to any wrongdoing. One of the witnesses claimed that Epstein “would be on the phone a lot at that time, and one time he said, ‘Oh, that was Leonardo, or that was Cate Blanchett or Bruce Willis. That kind of thing.” The person then added that they had indeed not even met Leonardo DiCaprio.
Social media has been rife in recent weeks with posts speculating the documents amounted to a list of rich and powerful men who were Epstein’s “clients” or “co-conspirators.” There was no such list. The first 40 documents in the court-ordered release largely consisted of already public material revealed through nearly two decades of newspaper stories, TV documentaries, interviews, legal cases and books about the Epstein scandal. Still, the records — including transcripts of interviews with some of Epstein’s victims and old police reports — contained reminders that the millionaire surrounded himself with famous and powerful figures, including a few who have also been accused of misconduct. The documents being unsealed are related to a lawsuit filed in 2015 by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre. She is one of dozens of women who sued Epstein for abusing them at his homes in Florida, New York, the U.S. Virgin Islands and New Mexico. This suit was against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend who is now serving a 20-year prison term for helping recruit and abuse his victims.
Even before the documents were released, misinformation about what was in them abounded. Social media users wrongly claimed that late-night host Jimmy Kimmel’s name might appear in the documents, spurred by a crack New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made Tuesday on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. Kimmel said in a response on X that he had never met Epstein and that Rodgers’ “reckless words put my family in danger.” -
The Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay, Bryan Abasolo heading for a divorce
After finding love on “The Bachelorette” and four years of marriage, Marquette University Law School graduate Rachel Lindsay and her husband Bryan Abasolo are heading for divorce.
Abasolo filed for divorce from Lindsay in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, according to USA Today. The former couple has been separated since Sunday, the filing states.
Abasolo lists “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for his split from Lindsay. “Many of you know me as a chiropractor, and also a husband, my proudest role so far,” Abasolo said in a statement he shared on Instagram Tuesday. “After more than 4 years of marriage, Rachel and I have made the difficult decision to part ways and start anew … Sometimes loving yourself and your partner means you must let go.”
He asked for respect of their space “as we figure out our next steps.”
While Lindsay hasn’t directly addressed the matter on social media, earlier this week, she called this past year “one of the hardest” of her life in an Instagram post. The post included a video compilation in which Abasolo was included and tagged.
Lindsay finished third on Waukesha native Nick Viall’s season of “The Bachelor.” When Lindsay was named “The Bachelorette” in 2017, she became the first Black lead in the franchise’s history. Abasolo would end up proposing to Lindsay in Spain during the finale of the show to the dismay of fans on social media, who largely rooted for runner-up Peter Kraus, according to USA Today reports.
The couple tied the knot in August 2019 in Mexico, and opted to not have it televised.
Lindsay has appeared on other reality shows, including “The Bachelor Winter Games” and “Ghosted: Love Gone Missing.” And, she’s become a fixture in the entertainment news industry, hosting the popular “Higher Learning” podcast. She recently left her correspondent position at the entertainment news show “Extra.”
According to the divorce petition, Abasolo is seeking spousal support, though an amount is not specified, a USA Today report said. Additionally, Abasolo requested to terminate the court’s ability to reward spousal support to Lindsay.
Abasolo is also seeking ownership rights for his shared properties with Lindsay, which include a residence in North Hollywood. -
Janhvi Kapoor calls dating actors ‘chaotic’
The upcoming episode of Koffee with Karan Season 8 is gearing up for an enticing debut, promising a candid conversation with the Kapoor sisters, Janhvi and Khushi. The promo hints at an episode filled with sizzling moments and fiery revelations, with a spotlight on Janhvi Kapoor sharing insights into both her personal and professional life. In a sneak peek into the episode, Janhvi Kapoor delves into her experiences with dating actors, revealing the chaotic nature of relationships within the industry. Host Karan Johar prompts Janhvi to share her perspective on navigating relationships with fellow actors, to which she candidly responds, “It is chaotic for sure. Vanity is such a big part of this profession. I am extremely vain; this profession is where you need to be obsessed with yourself at all times. It consumes you.” Highlighting the challenges of dating actors, Janhvi emphasizes the competitive and peculiar dynamics that often arise in such relationships. She acknowledges the importance of being with someone comfortable enough to let you have your moments but expresses reservations about the inherent tension that comes with dating actors. Janhvi shares, “But I find with actors, they get very competitive and very weird.” When Karan queries if she would consider dating an actor given her current comfort level, Janhvi candidly admits that the tension in such relationships is something she finds challenging to handle, specifically within the demanding realm of the film industry.
-
Deepika opens up about wanting to become a mother, starting family with Ranveer
Deepika Padukone spoke about how she and actor-husband Ranveer Singh ‘hope to inculcate the same values in their children’ that her parents have brought her up with. In an interview with Vogue Singapore, the actor reflected on her how her parents Prakash Padukone and Ujjala Padukone raised her sister Anisha Padukone and her. She also discussed starting her own family with Ranveer.
Deepika Padukone praised her parents, saying, “When I meet the people I have grown up with — my aunts, uncles, family friends — they always mention how I haven’t changed one bit. That says a lot about our upbringing… In this industry, it’s easy to get carried away by fame and money. But no one treats me like a celebrity at home. I am a daughter and a sister first. I don’t want that to change. My family keeps me grounded and Ranveer and I hope to inculcate the same values in our children.”
When asked if becoming a mother ‘is something she looks forward to then’, Deepika Padukone said, “Absolutely. Ranveer and I love children. We look forward to the day when we will start our own family.”
Last year in November, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone were in Belgium as they celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary. Ranveer and Deepika tied the knot on November 14, 2018 at Italy’s Lake Como after dating for six years. They first met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s romantic film Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. They later also starred in Bajirao Mastani and Padmaavat.
Deepika will be seen soon in the sci-fi action film Kalki 2898 AD opposite Prabhas. She also has director Siddharth Anand’s aerial action film Fighter opposite Hrithik Roshan, which will be released on January 25, 2024. She will also be seen in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again. Ranveer will also be seen in the action film. -
Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira marries long-time partner Nupur
Superstar Aamir Khan and film producer Reena Dutta’s daughter Ira Khan on Wednesday tied the knot with her long-time partner Nupur Shikhare. Ira, who is the founder and CEO of a mental health support organisation, registered her marriage with Nupur, a celebrity fitness trainer, at a five star hotel in suburban Bandra.
The marriage was attended by their close family members, including Aamir, his ex-wives Reena Dutta and Kiran Rao, among others. The ceremony was followed by a reception at the same hotel.
Ahead of the wedding, Nupur, who is in his 30s, was seen jogging from his residence in Santacruz to the wedding venue, wearing an athleisure outfit. He later danced along with his friends to dhol beats outside the venue.
Videos from the ceremony circulating on social media showed Nupur and Ira signing the marriage documents, surrounded by their families and friends, while the guests cheered for them.
Ira, 26, was dressed in a traditional outfit. The couple will have another wedding ceremony in Udaipur on January 8, followed by a grand reception in Mumbai on January 13. -
Ranbir puts on police uniform, shoots an ad with Rohit Shetty
What are the chances that fans can get to see Ranbir Kapoor in a Rohit Shetty cop film? The actor surprised fans dressed in a cop uniform and sporting a moustache as he shot for an advertisement with the director. Ranbir’s look has impressed fans, who commented on the possibility of him doing a film where he plays a police officer. Several pictures of Ranbir dressed as a police officer emerged on social media, which were posted by his fan accounts on X (formerly Twitter). In one of the pictures, he was seen sitting on a chair waiting for a shot. In one shot, the actor looked handsome as he was seen walking towards the set in a pair of black shades. A third picture saw Ranbir do a fist bump with director Rohit Shetty.
-
Indian American Republican candidate Sen. Niraj Antani raises more than $600,000
OHIO (TIP): Ohio’s Indian American state Sen. Niraj Antani said Wednesday, January 3 that he has raised $612,348 in 38 days for his Congressional campaign. The fundraising efforts covered the 4th quarter, commencing from his campaign announcement on November 14th and concluding on December 31. Notably, this substantial amount was generated without relying on general election funds or self-funding.
Expressing his gratitude to his supporters, Sen. Antani, who represents the state’s sixth senate district, stated, “I am deeply grateful to my supporters. I have fought for the American Dream every day in the Ohio legislature, and I’ll do the same in Congress.”
The announcement comes following the retirement of Congressman Brad Wenstrup from Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District on November 8, 2023. Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District, spanning 16 counties across approximately 150 miles in southern Ohio, exhibits a significantly Republican-leaning partisan voter index. The Republican primary in Ohio is scheduled for March 19, 2024.
“This sum vaults Senator Antani into the top tier of this race,” said Antani’s campaign manager Nathan VanVlymen. “We feel very confident we will outraise and outwork all of our opponents.”
On November 13, Antani told the local media that he would be serving out his full term which ends December 31, 2024. “Today, I am announcing that I am not seeking reelection for the state Senate.”
Antani, born and raised in southern Ohio, was the first Member of the Ohio General Assembly to endorse President Trump for the 2024 election. If elected, he would become the 1st Republican Hindu member of Congress. Antani is currently serving his first term in the Ohio Senate, having previously served three terms as State Representative in the Ohio House of Representatives. -
Indian American Nikesh Arora Palo Alto CEO becomes a non-founder billionaire
SAN FRANCISCO (TIP): Nikesh Arora, a SoftBank veteran and now the CEO of cybersecurity company Palo Alto Networks, has entered the billionaires’ club after a hefty paycheck he received from the firm.
He received a $125 million stock and options compensation package from Palo Alto when he was hired in 2018.
Since then, the company’s share price has more than quadrupled and Arora’s stake is now worth $830 million ($1.1 billion Singapore dollars), according to a report.
At Google, his compensation package was about $51 million in 2012 and he received stock awards worth at least $200 million by the time he left.
He joined SoftBank Group in 2014 and amassed a $135 million first-year compensation package.
Arora was president and chief operating officer of SoftBank Group from 2014 to 2016 and received a total compensation of over $200 million, a Japanese record at the time.
If we combine the pay awards Arora received in his career, his net worth stands at $1.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
“That makes him a rare non-founder billionaire tech chief executive,” the report noted.
On June 1, 2018, Arora took on the role of CEO and chairman at Palo Alto Networks.
Arora began his career at Fidelity Investments in 1992, holding a variety of finance and technology management positions, ultimately serving as vice president, finance of Fidelity Technologies.
(Source: IANS) -
Committed to managing China ties responsibly: US
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): US President Joe Biden on Monday, January1, assured his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that he is committed to managing the bilateral ties “responsibly” as the two leaders exchanged congratulatory messages to mark the 45th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The two presidents met on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco in November and agreed to cool down the raging tensions between the top two economies of the world. In his message to Xi, Biden said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, the ties between the US and China have facilitated prosperity and opportunities for both the countries and the world. Biden said he is committed to “managing this important relationship responsibly”, adding that he looks forward to continuing advancing the US-China relationship based on the progress made by the predecessors of the two leaders and through multiple meetings and discussions between the two heads of state, China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Their summit took place after a comprehensive round of talks between high-level officials of the two countries. In his letter, Xi urged Biden to earnestly implement the outcomes of the summit, saying history has already proven and will continue to fully prove that mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the right way for China and the US to get along with each other as two major countries. Xi pointed out that he and Biden, during their meeting in San Francisco, laid out a future-oriented “San Francisco Vision,” charting the course for the development of China-US relations.
Xi Jinping stressed that he was willing to work with Biden to continue to steer the course of China-US relations to benefit the two countries and their people and promote the cause of world peace and development.
During their summit, Xi and Biden agreed to resume high-level military communications which were severed after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in 2022.
-
Tax Season 2024: IRS launches Tax Professional Awareness Week from Jan 8
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): With the 2024 tax filing season just around the corner, the IRS is launching a special Tax Professional Awareness Week on Monday, Jan. 8, to assist tax professionals on what to expect during the filing season and start 2024 on the right foot.
The special week is the IRS’ latest effort in support of taxpayers and the tax community. Each year, millions of taxpayers seek the help of tax professionals to prepare their federal tax returns and other filings.
“As the 2024 tax season rapidly approaches, Tax Professional Awareness Week highlights the vital role they play in helping taxpayers and our nation,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Tax professionals play a critical role in ensuring the integrity of our tax system. We continue to urge taxpayers who need help to reach out to a trusted tax professional, including those who work with recognized national organizations.”
A significant number of taxpayers eligible for refundable credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit choose to enlist the assistance of tax preparers and rely on paid tax professionals to accurately file their returns. The IRS reminds taxpayers to make sure they choose a trusted, respected tax professional for help. The IRS has more information available to help taxpayers select a tax professional.
As a reminder, taxpayers can also use the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. For available more information and locations, see free tax return preparation for qualifying taxpayers.
During the week, the IRS will focus on several critical topics often faced by tax professionals through social media posts and outreach materials:
Due Diligence issues.
Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs).
Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs).
E-File.
E-Services.
Identity Theft.
The IRS will also present two important webinars:On Wednesday, Jan. 10: Answering Your Frequently Asked Questions on Due Diligence.
On Friday, Jan. 12: Sailing Through the Rules of Refundable Tax Credits.
The IRS webinars will include information on additional resources, training and tools available, at no charge, to tax professionals through the online Tax Return Preparer Toolkit. Attendees can earn Continuing Professional Education credit for attending the live webinars.In addition to the IRS webinars, other training opportunities will be available during Tax Professional Awareness Week at courses, seminars or expos presented by members of the tax professional community including the Texas Society of CPAs, the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan.
For more information, visit Tax Professional Awareness Week.
-
Eight Indians held in Qatar get 60 days to contest their jail terms
NEW DELHI (TIP): The death penalty of eight former Indian Navy officials, who had been in the custody of Qatari authorities since August 2022, has been commuted to “varying quantum” of jail terms, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday, January 4. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the legal team had been given 60 days to appeal against the jail terms.
“On December 28, the Court of Appeal in Qatar gave a verdict in which the death sentence was commuted and replaced with varying quantum of jail terms. Our legal team has received a copy of the court’s order, which is a confidential document. But I can confirm that the death sentence has been removed,” Mr. Jaiswal said. “As far as the next step is concerned, 60 days are there when the matter can come up for appeal in the Court of Cassation which is the highest court of Qatar,” he added.
The eight men – Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Saurabh Vashisht, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta, Commander Amit Nagpal, and Sailor Ragesh – were employed by the Al Dahra company in Doha and were allegedly accused of breaching sensitive secrets at the time of their arrest. Although both India and Qatar have been secretive about the charges due to their sensitive nature, the former navy personnel were reportedly involved in training various security-related service providers for Qatar, and the company was also involved in producing high-tech Italian-origin submarines that are known for stealth capabilities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first public outreach to the Qatari leadership when he met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on the sidelines of COP28 on December 1 is believed to be significant towards the latest development in the high-profile case. In a social media post, Mr. Modi had said that he had discussed the “well-being of the Indian community in Qatar” with the Emir.
-
Judge denies Rudy Giuliani’s request to extend deadlines in Georgia election case
ATLANTA (TIP): The Fulton County judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case has denied Rudy Giuliani’s request to push back a deadline for motions to be filed in the case.
In an order Friday, January 5, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee rejected Giuliani’s extensions request, keeping in place a Monday deadline.
The judge wrote that Giuliani “does not articulate exactly what discovery must still be reviewed, or why the review has not been completed in the approximately four months that have passed since arraignment.”
He added that while Giuliani “claims to have filed ‘many’ motions concerning discovery, none appear on the docket.” A spokesperson and attorneys for Giuliani did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday night. Attorneys for Giuliani, who was indicted along with 18 co-defendants for allegedly violating Georgia’s racketeering laws in connection with the 2020 election, previously told the court they were “still processing” voluminous discovery in the case and asked for a deadline extension. In addition to the racketeering charge, Giuliani is accused of conspiring to pressure state officials to act on false election claims.
Four defendants in the case have pleaded guilty, while Giuliani and former President Donald Trump, who each face 13 criminal counts, pleaded not guilty.
Trump has sought unsuccessfully to delay various legal challenges until after the election. His lawyers have contended that the Fulton County district attorney’s proposed Aug. 5 start date for the trial “would be the most effective election interference in the history of the United States.”Friday’s order comes as Giuliani faces mounting legal woes, and fees.
Last month, he filed for bankruptcy protection after being hit with a $148 million verdict in a defamation lawsuit that centered on false claims he made about election workers to boost Trump’s stolen election claims.
Giuliani’s former lawyers sued him last year over allegations that he had not paid legal fees that they said amounted to $1.36 million. He responded to the lawsuit by saying the amount sought was excessive. Giuliani also faces a $10 million lawsuit filed by Noelle Dunphy, a woman whose allegations included Giuliani’s harassing her and discussing the selling of presidential pardons after she was hired in 2019. Giuliani has denied the claims.
-
New York A.G. Seeks $370 Million From Trump After Civil Fraud Trial
NEW YORK (TIP): The New York attorney general on Friday, January 5, asked the judge who had overseen the civil fraud trial of Donald J. Trump to penalize the former president about $370 million, saying the trial had demonstrated that he had gained that amount through unlawful conduct, New York Times report says.
The sum was well over the $250 million that the attorney general, Letitia James, had estimated in the fall of 2022, when she sued Mr. Trump, accusing him of inflating his net worth to obtain favorable treatment from banks and insurers. The trial began in October and proceedings ended last month, but Mr. Trump’s fate is not yet settled. The attorney general’s penalty request came in a post-trial brief filed on Friday. Mr. Trump’s lawyers, in one of their own filings, wrote that “the attorney general has woefully failed to prove her case and is not entitled to any of the relief,” including any financial penalty.
A lawyer for Mr. Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the $370 million figure.
Next week, the lawyers will make closing arguments in front of the trial judge, Arthur F. Engoron. The nature of Ms. James’s lawsuit meant that there was no jury; Justice Engoron has said he will try to issue a ruling on the case by the end of this month.
Along with the steep financial penalty, Ms. James, a Democrat, is asking that Mr. Trump, a Republican, be barred from participating in New York’s real estate industry and from running any company in the state.
Justice Engoron, also a Democrat, has in the past been persuaded by Ms. James’s arguments. Before the trial began, he ruled in her favor, finding that Mr. Trump had committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets, and thus, his net worth. The bulk of the trial concerned whether the former president’s conduct had violated other New York laws, as well as the potential consequences for his wrongdoing.
The trial was a contentious affair, as lawyers for Ms. James and Mr. Trump clashed on issues major and minor, and the former president frequently attended the proceedings, using the hallway outside the courtroom as a campaign stop. There, he inveighed against the attorney general, the judge and the judge’s chief law clerk, whom he attacked as politically biased, prompting Justice Engoron to issue a gag order barring Mr. Trump from commenting on court staff.
The former president’s lawyers argued that the proceedings had stemmed from Ms. James’s political bias, and they repeatedly moved to derail the trial, calling multiple times for a favorable verdict based on what they said was a lack of sufficient evidence. Justice Engoron was unconvinced. On Dec. 18, five days after the proceedings ended, the judge denied the motions, appearing dismissive of Mr. Trump’s case.
He wrote that some of the lawyers’ arguments “personify frivolity,” took issue with the testimony of their financial experts and again took issue with Mr. Trump’s often-raised argument that the valuation of the assets in question was subjective.
“Let no one be fooled,” Justice Engoron wrote. “Valuations, as elucidated ad nauseam in this trial, can be based on different criteria analyzed in different ways. But a lie is still a lie.”
-
Adrienne Adams reelected council speaker; Farías in, Powers out as majority leader
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams was reelected by a unanimous vote at the council’s charter meeting Wednesday, January 3, – a foregone conclusion leading up to the meeting that nonetheless kicks off the new two-year session and Adams’ second term as speaker. Adams was first elected speaker in 2022, becoming the first Black speaker of the council.
But while most of the council’s other leadership appointments predictably remained the same as last session, there was one surprise shakeup. Council Member Amanda Farías, who was elected to represent the 18th District in the Bronx in 2021, was appointed majority leader of the council, a role that Council Member Keith Powers filled in the last session. Powers, who has represented Manhattan’s East Side in the council since 2018, is term-limited and ineligible to run again in 2025, as is Adams.
“Designating Council Member Farías as Majority Leader is a step towards preparing the institution for its next generation of leadership and expanding representation,” council spokesperson Mara Davis said in a statement. “She will be the first Latina to hold this position, and it marks the first time the top leadership positions of the New York City Council will all be women, and women of color. Council Member Keith Powers has been a critical member of Speaker Adams’ leadership team, and there are no plans for that to change.”
Powers also characterized the decision as a matter of passing the baton to the large class of new members who entered the council in 2022. “It’s a conversation that we had with the speaker about making sure that we’re promoting some of the new members,” he told City & State after the meeting. “It’s something we discussed. We’re in continued conversations about my role and what’s going to happen next, and I’m looking forward to that.” Powers said that the switch isn’t a sign that he plans to make an early exit from the council. “This is the greatest job I’ve ever had, and it always will be,” he said. “I’m here until the end.”
The start of the last session in 2022 – which saw a vacancy in the speaker seat that Adams secured out of a crowded field of competitors, the addition of dozens of new members to the body, and the first majority female council – was met with more fanfare. But Wednesday’s meeting nonetheless struck a celebratory, first-day-of-school tone. (The meeting was essentially the first day of school for the body’s four new members – Chris Banks, Kristy Marmorato, Yusef Salaam and Susan Zhuang.) Special guests at the meeting included state Attorney General Letitia James, who administered the oath of office to Adams, along with Reps. Greg Meeks and Adriano Espaillat, and former City Council Member Paul Vallone.
Still, this year’s speaker vote was largely procedural, and no other members were nominated. “I thought this was my chance,” cracked Republican Minority Leader Joe Borelli, as he cast his vote for speaker. “It wasn’t. I support Adrienne E. Adams.”
(Source: City and State) -
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to travel to New Delhi next week for US-India trade policy forum ministerial meet
NEW YORK (TIP): US Trade Representative Katherine Tai is scheduled to travel to New Delhi next week and will co-chair the ministerial-level meeting of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
On January 13, Tai will meet with civil society representatives, business leaders and stakeholders to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s engagement and commitment to fostering closer ties between the two countries.Tai’s visit marks the first trip to India in the new year by a senior Biden administration official.
Tai and Goyal will co-chair the 14th ministerial-level meeting of the United States-India Trade Policy Forum (TPF). During this year’s meeting, Tai and Goyal will “discuss a broad set of issues to enhance the resiliency of the trade relationship, including agriculture, industrial products, services, and the protection of intellectual property, among other topics,” a statement issued by the Office of the US Trade Representative said on Friday.
Last year, Goyal and Tai had co-chaired the 13th ministerial-level meeting of India-United States Trade Policy Forum in Washington DC on January 11. During his January 9-11 visit to the US last year, Goyal had also met with CEOs, addressed the Indian community and held roundtable meetings with business leaders and think-tanks in New York.
(Source: PTI) -
SUOZZI URGES BIPARTISAN APPROACH TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION CRISIS
GLEN COVE, NY (TIP): Former Congressman Tom Suozzi , on January 2, called on President Biden, as well as House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to find common ground on border safety and immigration reform and urged the passage of bipartisan legislation to solve the migration crisis at the southern border and reform the immigration process.
In separate letters to the President and Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jefferies, sent this morning, Suozzi urged that they “prioritize immigration issues” and offered up proposals for a “comprehensive, moderate solution that finally secures our border and recognizes the hardships and suffering that have resulted from the federal government’s decades-long failure to address this very real problem.”
At a Zoom press conference held this morning, Suozzi stated, “The residents of New York’s 3rd Congressional District and the American people are angered by the inaction of their federal government on comprehensive immigration reform and border security.”
Suozzi continued that “one party, one chamber bills will not bring safe borders and immigration reform.” He stressed that “together, we must find common ground and pass a bipartisan, bicameral bill that will secure our borders and finally address the hardships and suffering caused by decades of inaction.”
Suozzi also discussed his prior proposal, crafted with former Republican Congressman Peter King in 2019, to bring “common sense solutions to secure our borders,” including better radar technology, improved ports of entry, enhanced physical barriers, more immigration judges, and more border patrol agents.
During the press conference, Suozzi pointed out that a key component of his 10-Point Plan, released on December 19, 2023, included common-sense measures to address the immigration crisis. Suozzi proposes that Congress provide more border security funding to hire additional border patrol agents, immigration judges, and asylum officers, as well as securing and implementing more smart technology. He also is in favor of enhanced physical barriers and an “Ellis Island” plan to help secure the border and bring order to the current crisis.”
“We should build a new, comprehensive complex at the border to expedite the processing of migrants. We should hire more immigration judges who would rule on asylum cases without delay,” Suozzi stated in his remarks. “Those migrants who have credible claims for asylum would be more effectively processed. And a clear protocol would be put in place to quickly deny entry to those who do not qualify. A workable plan to deport those applicants denied entry would be implemented.”
Joining Suozzi at his press conference, the Minority Leader in the Nassau County Legislature, Delia DeRiggi-Whitton expressed her disappointment in Suozzi’s opponent, Mazi Pilip, who has served for the last two years in the legislature with DeRiggi-Whitton.
“I had hoped that she would be someone who could make a difference in the legislature, someone who would speak up. But I have been so disappointed with her. She has followed the party line on every vote. She is not, in any way, proactive,” DeRiggi-Whitton said.
The Minority Leader added that “at our recent budget meetings, Pilip never even asked a single question.” “I’ve tried reaching out to her, tried to engage her in conversation, and she’s never tried to even speak with me,” revealed DeRiggi-Whitton. “That’s not the kind of Congressperson this district needs,” she added.
Pilip’s unwillingness to discuss important issues or policy, as well as her refusal to debate, has been noted in news accounts of her candidacy. Newsday recently reported that, in the county legislature, “a review of two years’ worth of transcripts shows Pilip speaks much less frequently than her colleagues. At many meetings, the only words she said into her microphone were “here” during roll call attendance and “aye” during vote tallies.”
When asked specifically which of Pilip’s votes troubled her, DeRiggi-Whitton replied,
“Democrats recently proposed a budget amendment to bolster the Nassau County Police Department by hiring 100 new police officers, and Mazi Pilip voted ‘NO,’ along with every other Republican.” “She had the chance to stand up for the people of Nassau, and instead, she stood down for her party. She had a chance to show her independence, a chance to vote for 100 new cops, and she refused,” DeRiggi-Whitton added later.
DeRiggi-Whitton concluded her remarks by saying, “We have lost a year of representation in Congress with George Santos. We can’t afford to lose any more time. We can’t wait for Mazi Pilip to ‘catch up.’ She later added, “We need someone in Congress like Tom Suozzi, who knows exactly how things work in Congress, or should I say, don’t work. Tom Suozzi can fix it.”
-
New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar introduces “SMOKEOUT ACT” to shutter illegal smoke shops in the State
Assemblywoman’s Bill will close 36,000 illegal smoke shops statewide, including 1,500illegal shops fueling crime in New York City
SOUTH QUEENS, NY (TIP): Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-AD 38) introduced the SMOKEOUT Act (A8428), one of her major priorities for passage this Albany session. The SMOKEOUT Act (Stop Marijuana Overproliferation and Keep Empty Operators of Unlicensed Transactions) grants municipalities across the State, including New York City, the power to immediately shutter all illegal, unlicensed smoke shops once and for all.
Illegal smoke shops are able to operate with almost total impunity because local municipalities lack authority to enforce cannabis shop violations. The 2021 bill passed in Albany legalizing recreational cannabis established a Cannabis Control Board as the only agency in the entire State authorized to close unlicensed cannabis retailers and order the seizure of merchandise. Currently, New York City can only raid a smoke shop if there is suspicion of certain other violations, such as untaxed cigarettes. Even then, the City cannot close the shops.
Upon passage of Assemblywoman Rajkumar’s SMOKEOUT Act, New York City and all municipalities across the State will have the authority to close illegal smoke shops and seize all merchandise. This will allow New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and law enforcement statewide, to get into action swiftly shutting down smoke shops and permanently eliminating their blight. Mayor Adams says when granted the enforcement power from Albany, he could clear up the smoke shops problem in 30 days.
The Assemblywoman revealed plans for her smoke shop legislation at a December Mayoral town hall in Corona, earning praise from Mayor Adams and loud cheers from the packed room of Queens community leaders.
Assemblywoman Rajkumar said at the town hall, “I am proud to announce today that in our State Capitol this session, I am introducing a bill to expand the City’s power to shut down the illegal, unlicensed smoke shops that are plaguing our communities. These unlicensed illegal smoke shops are endangering the children of our community and they are hotbeds of crime.”
Mayor Adams said at the town hall, “The Cannabis Law that was passed was supposed to allow only those legal shops to open. The problem with the law, it did not give local municipalities the power and authority to go in and enforce the illegal shops. We are asking the representatives in Albany, that was the bill that Assemblywoman Rajkumar was talking about. We are saying, ‘Give us the enforcement power.’ Right now, the State has the enforcement power and the State does not have the manpower to do the enforcement power. And so many of these places are opening and they’re laughing at the fines. It’s the price of doing business. They’re making so much money that they’re just opening and continuing to sell to our children. And so we’re hoping this year in Albany that we are now going to get the enforcement power.”
New York City is now home to an estimated 1,500 shops illegally selling cannabis without a license; there are an estimated 36,000 statewide. Smoke shops have become a magnet for crime in New York City: filled with valuable contraband and loose cash, they are a tantalizing target for armed robberies. Such robberies skyrocketed from 137 in 2021 to 593 in 2022, or almost 1 robbery for every 2 smoke shops. In 2023 alone, there have been at least five fatal shootings in smoke shops, including one in Assemblywoman Rajkumar’s district.
Often these unlicensed smoke shops also sell other contraband including untaxed cigarettes and psychedelics. Some offer edibles appealing to children, packaged to resemble sugar cereals and other popular children’s snacks. Shops are opening across the street from schools.
Besides breeding crime and endangering neighborhoods, illegal smoke shops unfairly compete with the legal cannabis dispensaries authorized by the Cannabis Law of 2021. These legal operators underwent a lengthy licensure process and sell rigorously tested and regulated cannabis. Legal shops cannot meet the prices of illegal shops’ unregulated cannabis, and there are only 40 legal dispensaries across the State. This undermines the legalized cannabis program’s intent to provide economic empowerment to people who were impacted in the past by Draconian drug laws, and to reinvest in communities that were historically targeted for enforcement.
Cannabis products from illegal shops even present a danger to the users. A random sampling of illegal smoke shop cannabis products found that 40% contained dangerous contaminants such as E. coli, salmonella, lead, and pesticides. None met the safety standards of New York’s legal cannabis.
The current rate of smoke shop closures, however, is unacceptably slow, moving at snail’s pace since municipalities lack the authority to shutter them on their own. The staggering number of shops, combined with limited resources by the Cannabis Control Board, has resulted in it issuing only 305 orders for illegal smoke shops to close during 2023. This amounts to less than 1% of illegal shops. Even then, the Board often takes no action to enforce the order to close, and illegal shops continue to operate anyway.
Assemblywoman Rajkumar is working with a broad and diverse coalition of community leaders across the City to drive her SMOKEOUT bill through Albany. She has already been in discussions with the Office of the New York City Sheriff, which conducts smoke shop raids.
After introducing the bill, Assemblywoman Rajkumar said, “It is time to immediately close all 36,000 illegal smoke shops across our state, including the 1,500 illegal smoke shops fueling crime in New York City. My legislation puts the power back in the hands of the people and municipalities, so that we can stop the sale of unlicensed cannabis that is endangering our children and our neighborhoods. We will come together as one State this Albany session and eliminate these epicenters of crime.”
-
Global Punjab TV Under New Leadership: Vikas Vohra, Tapender Kumar and Jaspal Shetra Take the Helm
NEW YORK (TIP): Global Punjab TV, a prominent media company, has undergone a transformative change with the acquisition by Vikas Vohra, Tapender Kumar and Jaspal Shetra. The trio bring a wealth of experience and vision to steer Global Punjab TV into a new era of success.
Notably, the media giant is expanding its reach and launched it on Sling TV in the USA, marking a strategic move to captivate a wider South Asian audience. This initiative aims to strengthen the channel’s presence in the international market and cater to the diverse tastes of viewers in the United States.
Excitingly Global Punjab TV is gearing up for its imminent launch in India on Many Cable / OTT Platforms promising a blend of quality content and innovation.
“With a commitment to providing engaging and culturally relevant programming, the channel aspires to become a household name across the nation”, said Head of The Channel Pardeep Gill.
Vikas Vohra expressed his enthusiasm for the journey ahead, stating, “We are thrilled to lead Global Punjab TV into a new chapter. Our focus is on delivering content that resonates with our audiences worldwide. We look forward to shaping the future of Global Punjab TV and creating memorable viewing experiences.”
-
Indian Missions in Vancouver, New York and Nicosia bag One District One Product Award
NEW YORK CITY (TIP): ‘One District One Product’ is among the several initiatives of the Government of India in line with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat”, a self-reliant India. The idea is to select, brand, and promote One Product from each District of the country, harnessing traditional strengths and technology for holistic development.
The prestigious ODOP Awards were conferred upon Indian Districts, States and Indian Missions abroad by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar and Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal on January 3 as part of the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Utsav’. The Awards aim to recognize and honor those who have demonstrated exceptional accomplishments in furthering economic development through the ODOP approach.
Consulate General of India in New York was among the three Indian Missions to receive the prestigious ODOP Award 2023. It was declared the runners-up in the category of India’s Foreign Missions for its contribution in promoting ODOP items in the world.
India’s Consulate General in New York, with active guidance and support of MEA and Department of Commerce, has undertaken major campaign to showcase and promote One District One Product items of India in the Unites States. Some of the popular products include Araku Coffee, Assam and Darjeeling Tea, ittar (perfume) from Kannauj, Lakadong turmeric, jute and textiles products, millet-based food items, Dhokra metal handicrafts and Longpi pottery, among others. In 2022, Consulate organized an ODOP float at the iconic ‘India Day Parade’ in Manhattan and also put up ODOP stall at Times Square on the occasion of International Yoga Day which created widespread awareness in New York and around about ODOP items. Besides these, numerous trade shows, product launches and other events have been hosted and organized by the Consulate to promote and popularize these distinctive expressions of India’s diversity, heritage, culture and economic potential.
The ODOP initiative stands as a testament to the Government of India’s commitment to promoting the country’s unique products globally, paving the way for a self-reliant India on the global stage.
-
Indian community activist in US welcomes move allowing diaspora members to contribute to Ram Mandir
NEW YORK (TIP): As preparations are underway for the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, a prominent Indian community activist here has welcomed measures allowing diaspora members to contribute to the development of the temple.
Social activist Prem Bhandari had earlier appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allow members of the Indian diaspora across the world to contribute to the development of the Ram Temple in Uttar Pradesh. Asserting that there are over 3.5 crore Non-Resident Indians and Persons of Indian Origin around the world, he said that many of them would like to contribute to the development of the temple.
Provisions have now been made on the website of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra for holders of the Indian as well as Non-Indian Passport to make donations and contributions.
The website notes that the Trust has obtained registration under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) 2010, and “devotees holding Non-Indian Passport can now voluntarily contribute towards the objectives of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust.” Bhandari, who founded the ‘Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir’ organization, welcomed this step and urged members of the 3.5 crore-strong Indian diaspora across the globe to contribute to the Trust.
The Ram Mandir will be consecrated on January 22, where Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the grand “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony. (Photo / Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust) Ahead of the Pran Pratishtha (installation of the deity) ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22, Bhandari said it will be a “historic opportunity” and Indian devotees from around the world will now be able to contribute any amount they deem fit for this special occasion that has come after 550 years. He added that he, along with the Overseas Friends of Ram Mandir organization, has started reaching out to Indian diaspora members globally from the New Year and is providing them with the link to send their voluntary donations directly to the temple.
Bhandari said that the prime minister thinks not just about the 140 crore Indians living in the county but also about the sentiments of the 3.5 crore diaspora living across the globe by allowing its members to contribute to the Ram Mandir.
“January 22 will be a historic day. We are so fortunate that we are seeing the inauguration of Ram Mandir in our lifetime. It is a dream come true,” Bhandari said, adding that this day would not have been possible without the contributions of so many people and the “visionary leadership” of the prime minister.
“We feel as if Lord Ram is returning to Ayodhya on January 22 after vanvas. Such is the atmosphere and happiness there. Ayodhya will be the global capital of Hinduism soon,” he said.
The Ram Mandir will be consecrated on January 22, where Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and more than 6,000 people are expected to attend the grand “Pran Pratishtha” ceremony.
(Source: PTI) -
Israel at a crossroads after apex court verdict
Israeli observers don’t feel that the court judgment would end the present domestic turmoil.
By Vappala Balachandran Four developments, directly or indirectly related to the Israel-Hamas war, have taken place this week. On New Year’s Day, Israel’s Supreme Court pronounced the long-awaited judgment on the amendment passed by the parliament on July 24, 2023. In an 8-7 verdict, the court struck down the Netanyahu cabinet’s amendment to the ‘basic law’ that had removed the court’s power to declare the government’s decisions as ‘unreasonable’. This amendment had triggered 10-month-long protests and created unprecedented fissures within the Israeli society before the brutal Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
On January 2, Israel assassinated Saleh al-Arouri, deputy head of the political bureau of Hamas and co-founder of its military wing Izzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, in a drone attack while he was holding a meeting in Beirut. Some other high-ranking Hamas members were also killed. This made Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemn the strike as an ‘Israeli crime’ aimed at dragging Lebanon into a “new phase of confrontations” in the present war. Al-Arouri was second only to Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and was the operational link with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Yahya Sinwar and Al-Arouri were reportedly leading the present phase of the war in Gaza.
Israel is considering contesting South Africa’s suit at the International Court of Justice, filed on December 29, 2023, for an urgent order declaring that Israel had breached its statutory obligations under the Genocide Convention during its war in Gaza. The Netanyahu government is particularly sore with South Africa for comparing the plight of Palestinians with that of the Blacks in South Africa during the apartheid era. Israeli paper Haaretz reports that the name of American lawyer Alan Dershowitz is being considered for the hearing.
The fourth development is the reported decision by the US authorities to reduce their naval presence in the region by the withdrawal of US aircraft carrier Gerald Ford and its task force from the West Asian seas, leaving only one carrier, Dwight D Eisenhower, there. Israeli media has attributed this setback to the ‘tense’ Biden-Netanyahu exchanges on the Gaza war, his ‘dismissive’ attitude towards the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the statements of Netanyahu’s right-wing colleagues about the future management of Gaza by excluding PA.
The January 1 court judgment must be studied in the peculiar background of Israel not having a written Constitution, although United Nations Resolution 181 on the partition of Palestine (November 1947) and Israel’s declaration of independence (May 1948) had envisaged the drafting of a Constitution. This was not done due to many reasons. Firstly, the draft prepared by Shalom Zvi Davidowitz, an American rabbi living in Israel, contained many references to God which were opposed by the ‘secular’ lobby.
According to historian Anita Shapira, discussions in 1949-50 did not settle anything and reached a deadlock. Hence, the first Knesset decided on a compromise resolution by Israeli politician Yizhar Harari that instead of a single document, a series of ‘basic laws’ would be written by the future Knessets. This was called the ‘Harari Resolution’. As a result, 11 ‘basic laws’ were written between 1958 and 1992. Israel is guided by these laws.
Shapira also quoted Israel’s founding father David Ben-Gurion, a ‘lifelong’ socialist, who spoke against having a written Constitution due to a peculiar reason — that Israel did not have its ‘Aliyah’ (migration) yet. She also felt that Ben-Gurion was trying to avoid internal quarrels, especially with religious parties.
Suzie Navot, Vice-President of Israel Democracy Institute, quoted Ben-Gurion: “Let them come, let them make Aliyah, and then we’ll see. If all of them come from America, we will have a Constitution like America’s. If all of them come from Russia, perhaps we will have a different Constitution.” She added that the religious parties felt that they already had a “Constitution, the Torah, and there was no need for another one written by human beings”.
Israeli observers do not feel that the court judgment would end the present domestic turmoil. They quote Netanyahu’s statement (July 28, 2023) that Israel would enter ‘uncharted territory’ if the court struck down his amendment to the highly contentious ‘reasonableness’ law. When asked whether he would abide by the court ruling to strike it down, he refused to say anything. But his party Likud said it was “unfortunate that the court decided to issue a ruling at the heart of the societal disagreement in Israel when IDF soldiers from right and left are fighting and endangering their lives”.
The Times of Israel (January 2) said the country could “plunge into a full-scale constitutional crisis”. Justice Minister Yariv Levin, the main force behind this legislation, defiantly said that the court judgment would not “stop PM Netanyahu’s coalition from responding”. He did not say how the government would respond. However, Benny Gantz, who joined the government on a wartime, emergency basis, called for the court’s decision to be respected.
Others were more specific. While one group of Israel watchers felt that Netanyahu’s all-out war against Hamas, despite international opprobrium over civilian deaths in Gaza, was meant to revive his domestic popularity, which was badly scorched by the protests, others said that he was already in the campaign mode. The Jerusalem Post, in an op-ed written before the court verdict, said Netanyahu “has made little secret of his plan to remain in office after the war”. The latest ploy is to declare that only he could stop another Oslo process —he is the only leader who can prevent the Americans (Biden) from imposing the ‘two-state’ solution.
As such, his campaign pitch to the ‘rightist’ lobby would be that if it votes for someone else, such as Yair Lapid, Benny Gantz, Naftali Bennett or Yossi Cohen, it will get ‘another Oslo’. His argument would be that only he can stop that from happening.
(The author is a former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India)