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Anti-Israel NYC protesters chant support for Hamas, demand Mamdani make major changes at rally

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NEW YORK — Anti-Israel protesters gathered at Columbia University for a From Harlem to Gaza march Thursday evening to voice support for the Palestinian cause and make radical demands of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The march marked the second anniversary of the dismantling of the Gaza Solidarity Encampments at Columbia University and the City College of New York (CCNY), as well as the infamous takeover of Columbia’s Hamilton Hall

Students who took over the building unfurled a banner that said “Hind’s Hall,” a reference to Hind Rajab, a 6-year-old who was killed in Gaza during Israel’s war with the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.

The crowd consisted of students and supporters, many clad in keffiyehs, headscarves associated with the Palestinian movement. One protester wore a “freeze the rent” button from Mamdani’s mayoral campaign, even as the group criticized the mayor.

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As the group of protesters gathered outside the university gates, select members delivered speeches and messages, giving others time to join. One of the speakers said she was delivering a message from Elmina Aghayeva, a Columbia student who was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Aghayeva was released from ICE detention after a meeting between Mamdani and President Donald Trump.

After the speeches at the meeting point, the group marched along Amsterdam Avenue, going from 116th Street to the gates of CCNY. Along the way, New York Police Department officers escorting the march unsuccessfully attempted to move protesters from the street to the sidewalk.

When they made it to City College, the group stood within barricades set up by NYPD officers and continued chanting before getting into more speeches. After being escorted by police during the march, some protesters began taunting officers with chants of “Oink, oink, piggy, piggy, we will make your lives s—ty.” One speaker also referred to police as “f—ing pigs.”

Throughout the march, protesters chanted, “We don’t want no two states, we want ’48,” “from Harlem to Gaza, globalize the intifada” and “Palestine is our demand, no peace on stolen land.”

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Once they arrived at the end of the march, a new chant began: “Say it loud, say it clear, we support Hamas here.” That chant was quickly revised to “We support resistance here.” The shift came after a protester appeared to confer briefly with a chant leader, who seemed to take notice of press recording nearby.

One of the speakers read off the group’s list of demands for Mamdani, which included calling on CCNY to disclose all investments; divest from Israel, the Department of Homeland Security and prison labor; and adopt a permanent ethical investment policy. 

The group also demanded the mayor shut down what it described as the “illegal sale” of Palestinian land in New York City; remove Jessica Tisch and dismantle the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group; reimpose property taxes on Columbia University and New York University to fund public education; and abolish the CCNY Board of Trustees.

“Mayor Mamdani, you were very comfortable in using the struggle of the liberation of Palestine to win the hearts of New Yorkers and to put you in office. But now that you’re in office, we will hold you accountable to your words, and we will not allow you to use Palestine as a political tool,” a protester said before reading the list of demands. 

She later added, “Shame on you, Mamdani!”

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The group eventually broke out into chants of “Mamdani, take a stand, end the sale of stolen land” and “Zohran, take a side, justice or genocide.”

Mamdani’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict became a major issue during his mayoral campaign. His refusal for much of the campaign to condemn the phrase “globalize the intifada,” which many interpret as a call for violence against Jews, drew criticism. 

Additionally, his association with vocal Israel critic and far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker and Mahmoud Khalil, who played a key role in anti-Israel protests at Columbia, also drew scrutiny.

In a recent controversy, Mamdani released a video promoting the Rent Guidelines Board initiative that included a man wearing a keffiyeh, which some critics viewed as a political statement given its association with anti-Israel protesters.

While the mayor had skeptics in the Jewish community, he largely enjoyed the support of those on the left during his campaign. However, some of his supporters have since called on him to do more for the Palestinian cause.

Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani’s office and the NYPD for comment but did not immediately receive responses.

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Four noncitizens charged with illegally voting in 2020, 2022 and 2024 federal elections in New Jersey

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Four noncitizens were charged with illegally voting in multiple federal elections and making false statements while applying for U.S. citizenship, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

According to criminal complaints filed in the District of New Jersey, each defendant allegedly cast ballots in at least one federal election, including the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections.

“Four individuals have been charged with illegally voting in federal elections and making false statements applying for U.S. citizenship,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a post on X. 

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“The individuals — all noncitizens — voted in elections including the 2020 Presidential election, 2022 midterms, and 2024 Presidential election cycles.”

Prosecutors identified the defendants as David Neewilly, 73, of Atlantic County; Jacenth Beadle Exum, 70, of Bergen County; Idan Choresh, 43, of Monmouth County; and Abhinandan Vig, 33, of Monmouth County.

They are accused of registering to vote in New Jersey while not U.S. citizens and falsely certifying their citizenship status on voter registration forms.

“This administration will not tolerate aliens who attempt to vote in our elections when they know they are not eligible,” acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. 

“As alleged, these green card holders lied in order to register to vote and then lied again to immigration authorities by falsely claiming never to have voted in a federal election.”

Blanche added the Justice Department “will use every authority to protect the integrity of U.S. elections.”

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According to prosecutors, the defendants later falsely stated on naturalization applications that they had never registered or voted in federal elections.

“As alleged, the defendants broke federal law by voting in elections they were not eligible to participate in and then made false statements under oath to conceal that conduct,” U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer said in a statement. 

“Today’s charges reflect this office’s commitment to protecting the integrity of our election system and ensuring that those who attempt to circumvent both our voting laws and our naturalization process are held accountable.” 

Neewilly was charged with voting by an alien in a federal election and making false statements related to naturalization. He appeared April 22 before a U.S. magistrate judge in Camden.

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Choresh faces multiple charges, including voting by an alien in a federal election and unlawful procurement of citizenship. He appeared May 1 in Newark federal court.

Vig was charged with unlawful procurement of citizenship and appeared May 1 in Newark.

Beadle Exum faces charges of making false statements related to naturalization and unlawful procurement of citizenship. She also appeared May 1 in Newark.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department and FBI for comment.

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Palestinian soccer boss refuses to shake hands with Israeli counterpart at FIFA Congress

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Palestinian Football Association President Jibril Rajoub refused to shake hands or even stand beside Israel Football Association Vice President Basim Sheikh Suliman during a tense exchange at the FIFA Congress Thursday.

Both officials were invited to the stage by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, but the Palestinian representative resisted efforts to bring him closer to his Israeli counterpart.

Infantino briefly placed a hand on Rajoub’s arm and gestured for him to step forward, but Rajoub did not comply.

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The Palestinian FA, led by Rajoub, has long pushed for Israel to be suspended from international soccer competition.

Rajoub defended his decision, saying he remains committed to formal processes but believes stronger action is needed.

“I still respect and follow the legal procedure, but I think it’s time to understand that Israel should be sanctioned. The double-standard policy should stop,” Rajoub said, according to The Times of Israel.

“I refused to shake hands. Sport is sport. … For me, that should be respected, but if the other side is representing a criminal like Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and speaking on behalf of Bibi as if Bibi is Mother Teresa, how can I shake hands or have a photo with such a man?

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“I think Gianni has the right to try to bridge gaps and bring people together, but I think maybe he does not understand or does not know the deep suffering of the Palestinian people.”

After the exchange, Infantino addressed the room, urging cooperation.

“We will work together, President Rajoub, Vice President Suliman. Let’s work together to give hope to the children. These are complex matters,” Infantino said.

Speaking just before the incident, Suliman emphasized the unifying role of the sport.

“In football, there is no place for politics,” Suliman said. “Everyone has the right to play and compete. We are teaching children values like respect, equality and love for others, and we hope that by the next time we meet, the situation will be better. We extend a hand to the Palestinian FA in the spirit of those shared values.”

UEFA was reportedly moving toward a vote to suspend Israel over the war in Gaza in September, but the motion was put on pause. 

Infantino announced no action would be taken against the team on Oct. 3 after a historic peace proposal by President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.

However, even after the peace proposal, Israeli sports teams have faced opposition and exclusion.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Father of teen allegedly killed by stepbrother on cruise says he can’t ‘relive’ trauma at murder trial

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The father of a teen allegedly slaughtered by her stepbrother on a cruise is skipping the June murder trial, saying he simply cannot “relive” the trauma of discovering the girl’s body in her cabin.

“Unless they ask for me to be there, neither my wife or I will be attending,” Christopher Kepner, 41, told the Daily Mail.

“I’ve heard all the evidence. I saw it for myself. They have everything they need. It’s going to be too painful to relive it all again.”

Kepner’s 16-year-old stepson, Timothy Hudson, is headed to trial June 1 in Miami federal court on first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse charges in the Nov. 7 slaying. Timothy has pleaded not guilty.

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In a harrowing account, Kepner described the moment his family vacation became a living nightmare.

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“I checked her pulse. I pulled her out from under the bed,” Kepner said. “I knew my daughter was dead long before the medical examiner got there. I don’t want to be back in that room.”

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Authorities later ruled her death a homicide caused by “mechanical asphyxiation,” caused by “mechanical asphyxiation,” according to documents previously reviewed by Fox News Digital.

According to investigators, she was found under the bed in her cabin, wrapped in a blanket and covered with life jackets. The cabin was shared with her stepbrother.

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Now, the family is working to remember the 18-year-old cheerleader from Central Florida affectionately called “Anna Banana.”

“We are celebrating Anna by keeping it all about her and doing the things she liked,” Kepner said. “We want to remember Anna how she lived — and not how she died.”

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If convicted, the teen faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

“I want to see him in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs. He does not need to be free. He does not need to be in the general public, around any kids or women in general,” Kepner previously said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Timothy Hudson’s attorney for comment.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida said. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters. We will present the evidence in court and pursue this case with professionalism and care. As in every case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

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