24 Oct 2023

Israeli flyers dropped on Gaza offer cash for intel on hostages

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By Alisa Odenheimer and Fadwa Hodali, Bloomberg News

The Israeli military began offering cash and protection for anyone who shares accurate information on the whereabouts of hostages held by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and European Union.

Gazans found the leaflets on the streets across Gaza on Tuesday after they’ve been dropped from Israeli aircraft, the latest in a slew of steps by Israel to locate some of the people Hamas is holding captive.

“If your will is to live in peace and to have a better future for your children, do the humanitarian deed immediately and share verified and valuable information about hostages being held in your area,” read the leaflets, written in Arabic and shared by the Israel Defense Forces.

“The Israeli military assures you that it will invest maximum effort in providing security for you and your home, and you will receive a financial reward. We guarantee you complete confidentiality,” they said.

More than two weeks after Hamas attacked and killed around 1,400 Israelis, there are growing calls inside the country to rethink the scope of a ground invasion that had been expected any day. The fate of the hostages — estimated at around 200 including perhaps several dozen who are dead — is one of the main concerns that have so far held back the land incursion.

Hamas has so far released four hostages, including two elderly people that were set free on Monday through Qatar’s mediation.

24 Oct 2023

Google Maps disables live traffic data in Israel, Gaza at Israeli military’s request

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By Marissa Newman, Bloomberg News

Alphabet Inc.’s Google is disabling live traffic conditions in Israel and the Gaza Strip for its Maps and Waze apps at the request of the Israeli military, ahead of a potential ground invasion into Gaza.

“As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities,” a Google spokesperson said in a statement.

Google is removing real-time crowding data in Israel and Gaza at the request of the Israel Defense Forces, according to a person with knowledge of the matter who asked not to be identified to discuss internal matters. Live traffic information could reveal Israeli troop movements.

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The company took similar action in Ukraine last year after Russia’s invasion of the country, disabling real-time vehicle and foot traffic data.

While Maps and Waze won’t show real-time traffic, drivers using the navigation systems will continue to receive estimated times of arrival that are based on live conditions, Google said.

Israeli tech site GeekTime, which first reported the development, said Apple Inc.’s Maps app also complied with the Israeli army request. A representative for Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Israel called up more than 300,000 reservists after attacks from the terrorist group Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in southern Israel and saw more than 200 taken hostage. Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada and the European Union.

The country’s military has hinted at a ground invasion of Gaza, which has received criticism from world leaders over risk of civilian casualties. U.S. President Joe Biden said he’d asked about “alternatives” to a ground war during his meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

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24 Oct 2023

White House press secretary says she misheard question on antisemitism during briefing

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White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre misheard a question about concern over the rise in antisemitism amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas during Monday’s press briefing, she told POLITICO in a statement.

“I did mishear the question,” Jean-Pierre said. “As I have footstomped many times from the podium and on the air, antisemitism is an abomination that this President has fought against his entire life; and I feel strongly about that work. That’s why, in the briefing room, I have blasted the repulsive increase in antisemitic rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and hate crimes in our nation, calling out that, tragically, this is a rising threat.”

During the briefing Monday, Jean-Pierre said the White House had not seen “any credible threats,” when asked about the administration’s level of concern about increasing antisemitism. She then went on to address “hate-fueled attacks,” against Muslim and Arab Americans.

The response received backlash online, including from one Democratic lawmaker who slammed the “weak answer” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“What a weak answer,” Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) posted Monday evening. “The simple answer is yes, you are concerned about the rise of antisemitism. Of course we are also worried about hatred against Muslim Americans. Must do better.”

The number of antisemitic incidents across the world has been on the rise since the war between Israel and Hamas began earlier this month, according to the Anti-Defamation League. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has directed U.S. attorneys across the country to keep in close contact with state and local officials as threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities rise.

President Joe Biden denounced both antisemitism and Islamophobia during an Oval Office speech last week, following the death of Wadea Al-Fayoume, the 6-year-old Palestinian American boy who authorities say was stabbed to death because he was Muslim.

“We can’t stand by and stand silent when this happens,” Biden said. “We must without equivocation denounce antisemitism. We must also without equivocation denounce Islamophobia. And to all you hurting, I want you to know I see you. You belong. And I want to say this to you: You’re all American.”

Jean-Pierre has previously condemned antisemitism during several White House press conferences. In an Oct. 12 briefing, she noted that the “entire Biden–Harris administration” is “committed to doing all we can to protect against antisemitism and other forms of hate.”

24 Oct 2023

Report: Red Sox narrow head of baseball ops search, Craig Breslow a top candidate

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The Red Sox search for a new head of baseball operations appears to be edging closer to the finish line.

According to multiple reports the Red Sox have narrowed their pool of targets and informed candidates whether or not they’ll move on to the second round of interviews. It is unknown how many candidates are still under consideration or if there will be additional rounds after the next one, but according to The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, Chicago Cubs assistant general manager and former Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow is considered a frontrunner for the job.

If Breslow ends up landing the position, it will cap off a rapid ascent through the front office ranks since his retirement from baseball.

After 12 seasons pitching in the big leagues, including five with the Red Sox, Breslow joined the Cubs front office in 2019 and became deeply involved in the organization’s pitching development efforts. The 43-year-old Yale graduate was promoted to director of pitching and then to his current role as assistant GM/vice president of pitching, and under his leadership the Cubs have produced numerous homegrown arms who are already making an impact on the big league staff.

Breslow is also a Connecticut native who lives locally in Newton, and he still has close ties to the organization from his days as a player.

How Craig Breslow became a top candidate for Red Sox GM job

One candidate who reportedly won’t advance in the process is Minnesota Twins general manager Thad Levine. Initially believed to be a top candidate, Levine was reportedly informed on Monday he is no longer being considered for the role. Levine has served as the No. 2 man in the Twins front office under president of baseball operations Derek Falvey since November of 2016 and has helped lead the club to four playoff berths in seven seasons.

Others known to have interviewed for the job include Red Sox assistant general managers Eddie Romero and Mike Groopman, Red Sox VP of amateur scouting and player development Paul Toboni, former Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler and former Houston Astros GM James Click, who reportedly removed himself from consideration after interviewing.

The Red Sox have also faced a number of setbacks throughout their search process, with several targets reportedly turning down the chance to interview. That list reportedly includes Philadelphia Phillies GM Sam Fuld, Los Angeles Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes, former Miami Marlins executives Michael Hill and Kim Ng, former Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, Arizona Diamondbacks executives Mike Hazen and Amiel Sawdaye, Twins president Falvey and Red Sox assistant GM Raquel Ferreira.

Many of those would-be candidates reportedly cited family considerations as their reason for declining to pursue the role, though the frequent turnover among top Red Sox executives and the inability to hire their own manager and top lieutenants has been cited as a reason for concern as well.