Washington, D.C
From protest to peace: A journey of faith in Washington, DC – opinion
We arrived at the protest rally just before the 11 a.m. start time. There weren’t many people there, and those who were, despite waving Palestinian flags, were more interested in shouting abuse at the assembled police officers and chanting about domestic American issues.
Then we realized that this wasn’t the main protest, but rather one of dozens of smaller rallies happening all over central Washington, DC last week, ostensibly to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress. What followed was three hours of walking through a dystopian hell, with masked youths chanting for Israel’s destruction, middle-aged men carrying swastikas, and young Americans screaming for an intifada on the streets of the US and Israel. A veritable sea of hate that threatened to swallow us whole.
We eventually made it to our hotel, and to the reason we were in DC: a conference of 250 young Christians arranged by the pro-Israel Christian organization, Passages. Often referred to as the “Christian Birthright,” Passages has for the last decade been bringing busloads of American college kids on 10-day trips to Israel to learn about the origins of their faith, as well as the story of modern Israel and the wider Middle East.
Now, with tourism to Israel in tatters because of the war, they pivoted and arranged this conference, in the seat of the American government – Washington, DC. What followed was four days of fellowship, learning together, touring the DC’s monuments, visiting the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, celebrating a traditional Shabbat dinner with an Orthodox rabbi, and much more.
It was a privilege to be invited, and to have the opportunity to teach about Israel, to such an eager audience. Everyone agreed with the sentiment of “Next year in Jerusalem,” and I know that many of the friends I made here in DC will be visiting the Holy Land as soon as they can. I was strengthened by their prayers for my family and for our brave soldiers, and heartened by their dedication to Israel in the face of such opposition.
The most impactful part of the trip was undoubtedly the final morning, when the siblings of two hostages, Or Levy and Romi Leshem-Gonen, shared the story of their loved ones. Our group are all lovers of Israel, and all know about the hostages, but I saw on their faces that this encounter will change them for the rest of their lives.
Unity in prayer
After the meeting, we walked together to the National Mall. We were a group of 250 young American Christians, a smattering of Israelis such as myself, my colleague Joanna Peled, and these two brave and broken hostage families.
We prayed together, in English, Hebrew, and Spanish (there were some representatives from a Spanish-speaking church in Texas). We prayed for peace, for reconciliation, and of course, for the hostages to return home, now!
I couldn’t help shedding tears of hope as we all sang “Hatikvah,” and prayed for the peace of Jerusalem. As our cries rang out loud and clear, I recalled that three days earlier the hatred and violence of the anti-Israel protest hung heavily on the air. Today, I reveled that I was on the right side of history. It was just love, peace, pain, and humanity.
The writer, a tour guide and educator, lives in Tzur Hadassah with his family.
TNND — A new report from the House Oversight Committee alleges former D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith pressured officers to manipulate crime data. The committee released the report on Sunday, less than a week after Smith announced she was stepping down.
You’re lulling people into this false sense of security. They might go places they wouldn’t ordinarily go. They might do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do,” said Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association.
Included in the report were transcribed interviews with the commanders of all seven D.C. patrol districts and the former commander currently on suspended leave. One was asked, “Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?” Their response, “Yes, I mean extremethere’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration.”
Every single person who lives, works, or visits the District of Columbia deserves a safe city, yet it’s now clear the American people were deliberately kept in the dark about the true crime rates in our nation’s capital,” House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) said in a statement.
“They are going to have to regain the public trust. Again, this is a huge integrity issue,” Brantner Smith said.
Among the reports findings, Smith’s alleged pressured campaign against staff led to inaccurate crime data. Smith punished or removed officers for reporting accurate crime numbers. Smith fostered a toxic culture and President Trump’s federal law enforcement surge in D.C. is working.
While Smith has not yet publicly responded to the report, she’s previously denied allegations of manipulating crime data, saying the investigation did not play a factor into her decision to step down at the end of the year.
My decision was not factored into anything with respect to, other than the fact that it’s time. I’ve had 28 years in law enforcement. I’ve had some time to think with my family,” Smith said earlier this month.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser also released a statement Monday, writing in part that “the interim report betrays its bias from the outset, admitting that it was rushed to release.”
According to crime stats from the Metropolitan Police Department, since the federal law enforcement surge started in August, total violent crime is down 26%. Homicides are down 12% and carjackings 37%.
The first candle lit on the National Menorah near the White House in Washington, D.C., marked the first night of Hanukkah — and solemnly honored victims of the Bondi Beach shooting.
The National Menorah Lighting was held Sunday night, hours after gunmen opened fire on a crowd celebrating the beginning of Hanukkah at Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed, including a 10-year-old girl, a rabbi and a Holocaust survivor, and over three dozen others were being treated at hospitals.
Authorities in Australia said it was a terrorist attack targeting Jewish people.
Organizers behind the National Menorah Lighting said the news from Australia, along with the bitter cold, forced them to consider whether or not to hold the annual event.
After consulting with local law enforcement, National Menorah Lighting organizers decided to hold the event and honor the victims.
Several D.C.-area police departments issued statements confirming there are no known threats to local communities, but are monitoring just in case.
Montgomery County Executive Mark Elrich condemned the attack and said community safety is a priority.
“Acts of antisemitism, especially those meant to intimidate families and communities during moments of gathering and celebration, must be called out clearly and condemned without hesitation,” Elrich said. “I have heard directly from members of Montgomery County’s Jewish community who are shaken and concerned, and I want them to know that their safety is a priority.”
WASHINGTON (7News) — Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith is facing yet another scathing report accusing her of manipulating crime data in the city.
The 22-page document from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform comes less than a week after a separate draft report from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and days after Chief Smith turned in her resignation.
The main difference between the Congressional report and the DOJ report is that this new one, released on December 14, contains transcribed interviews directly with commanders from all seven MPD patrol districts.
RELATED | DC Police settles with former employee over claims that crime numbers were manipulated
The testimony reveals how Chief Smith chastised and, in some cases, publicly humiliated staff in crime briefings.
“The Committee’s investigation heard consistent testimony about frustration and exhaustion among MPD commanders and the manifestation of a culture of fear, intimidation, threats, and retaliation by Chief Smith. Often, these manifestations were triggered whenever the Chief was presented with what she considers ‘bad news,’ particularly when that news pertained to any rise in public crime statistics. Chief Smith, according to testimonies, regularly took action against her subordinates who failed to aid in the preservation of her public image,” the report states on page two.
RELATED | Trump announces probe into DC police for inflating crime stats amid safety claims
The committee launched the investigation in August when whistleblowers came forward with concerns about data manipulation.
One line of questioning in the report states:
Question: Over the last few years, has there been any internal pressure to simply bring down crime statistics?
Answer: Yes, I mean extreme… there’s always been pressure to keep crime down, but the focus on statistics… has come in with this current administration or regime, and you know, that has manifested publicly.
7News reached out to Mayor Bowser’s Office for a comment in response to the report. A spokesperson provided the following statement:
The men and women of the Metropolitan Police Department run towards danger every day to reduce homicides, carjackings, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and more. The precipitous decline in crime in our city is attributable to their hard work and dedication and Chief Smith’s leadership.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
I thank Chief Smith for her commitment to the safety of D.C. residents and for holding the Metropolitan Police Department to an exacting standard, and I expect no less from our next Chief of Police.
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