PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A petition for a ballot referendum that Jewish organizations call antisemitic was dropped shortly before a judge was expected to hear objections to the case.

It would have prohibited Pittsburgh from doing business with anyone engaged in working with Israel. A judge said this withdrawal came down to the fact that the petitioners did not have the proper amount of valid signatures to put the referendum on the ballot.

“This is about something that was illegal and not appropriate to be on the ballot,” said Jeff Finkelstein, the CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh.

He referred to a petition for a referendum that sought to prevent the city from funding or engaging with any entity doing business with Israel, until “Israel ends its military action in Gaza.”

It came from a group called ‘No War Crimes On Our Dime,’ with the Pittsburgh Democratic Socialists of America.

Ben Case is one of the leaders.

“This grassroots coalition came together in a matter of weeks this summer on the energy of Pittsburghers who felt this was something we could do to support the people of Palestine and pressure for peace,” Case said.

The federation and other Jewish organizations, with the city controller, filed objections to the referendum, calling it antisemitic.

“If you look at the definition of antisemitism, which is called the IHRA definition, one of the things it talks about is when the State of Israel is held to a higher standard than any other country in the world,” Finkelstein said. “You don’t see any of these groups talking about any country in the world and putting any kinds of sanctions on them. It’s only the State of Israel.”

They also said it is a violation of state law.

“The state has legislation saying that you cannot boycott, divest, or have sanctions against the State of Israel,” Finkelstein said.

Those wanting the ballot question said the county elections office did an initial review of the signatures they submitted and told them the referendum could be on the ballot. Technically, it didn’t have the required number of valid signatures from registered voters in Pittsburgh.

However, both sides say the fight is not over.

“We’ll use every avenue available to us to fight for peace, equality, and justice, from Pittsburgh to Palestine,” Case said.

“This is a community that has persevered, suffered the worst antisemitic attack in American history, and will continue to be strong going forward,” Finkelstein said.

Last week, Mayor Ed Gainey’s office told KDKA-TV that the mayor had serious concerns regarding the implications of the proposed referendum if it were to pass, and wanted to prevent it from becoming part of the home rule charter.

The Atlanta Falcons are releasing former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington, they announced on Sunday. Washington got a chance with the Falcons in July amid injuries in their wide receiver room, but he has been unable to parlay that into anything significant in that room.

It is yet another team that Washington was looking to make but has found his attempts unsuccessful. Over the last few years since leaving the Steelers, Washington has played for the Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, and others trying to stick in one spot.

Washington suffered a significant foot injury in training camp with the Cowboys in 2022. Ever since that injury, Washington has failed to make any practice squad or 90-man roster for more than a few weeks.

The Steelers’ second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Washington had his best season in 2019, racking up 757 receiving yards and three touchdowns. However, Washington would become buried on the depth chart over time as he failed to separate consistently.

Washington’s lack of playing time eventually got to him, with reports of him requesting a trade out of Pittsburgh during their 2021 training camp. Pittsburgh let him walk following the 2021 season, and his adventure around the NFL has continued since then.

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are having trouble avoiding injuries during training camp and their first two preseason games. After a disappointing 9-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills where the first team offense was nonexistent, there is some salt being thrown in their proverbial wound. It was announced that running back Jaylen Warren will miss multiple weeks due to an apparent hamstring injury.

After catching a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson, Warren left the game under his own power but looked hobbled. He missed the remainder of the game, and reportedly could miss some time. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissaro, Warren’s injury is a hamstring issue that could keep him out multiple weeks.

With the uncertainty of Warren’s return timeline, it’s possible he misses the team’s week one opener against the Atlanta Falcons. Steelers beat writer for Penn Live, Nick Farabaugh, added via his X account that Warren’s availability for week one is “going to be right on the border.”

The injury comes at the worst possible time for the Steelers. Warren’s 2023 campaign earned him a starting role with the team, as he formed a formidable one-two punch with Najee Harris. With 149 carries, he picked up over 700 rushing yards in addition to over 300 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Without Warren, Harris figures to continue his role as the Steelers’ bell cow. He may be given more carries with Warren out, but it’s possible the Steelers use this as a chance to give some other players an expanded look.

Behind Harris, there figures to be more opportunities for newly-signed Cordarrelle Patterson to work as a runner. Depth options like La’Mical Perine, Aaron Shampklin, and Jonathan Ward, who all impressed in small doses during preseason action, could also benefit from Warren’s injury.

The Steelers open their season in just a few weeks against the Falcons. The team travels to Atlanta to take on the Falcons on September 8, giving Warren just three weeks to get back on the field.

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