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Washington is not telling truth about the Gaza pier

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Washington is not telling truth about the Gaza pier


The Biden administration wants you to believe the U.S. is leading international efforts to get humanitarian relief into Gaza and that supplies are “flowing to Palestinians” via the military’s pier operation there.

On Monday, Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder announced that to date,1,573 tons of aid had been delivered from the pier to the beach, including 492 tons since it reopened on Saturday after some bad weather knocked it out of commission last month.

But supplies from the pier aren’t flowing to Palestinians, and never really have.

Hardly any food from the pier on the Gaza coast has actually reached starving Gazans since it became operational on May 17. The World Food Program (WFP) said only 15 trucks from the pier reached its warehouse inside Gaza for distribution from May 17-18, and that no aid came from the pier from May 19–21.

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In Rafah specifically, no aid will reach Palestinians in need so long as Israel’s military offensive persists. WFP halted all deliveries to Rafah on May 21 due to Israel’s invasion of the city.

In addition, on Sunday, the WFP announced that it “paused” distribution of any more humanitarian aid from the pier due to security concerns after a U.S.-backed Israeli operation killed nearly 300 Palestinians the day before. WFP is the U.N. agency in charge of coordinating deliveries from the pier into Gaza.

The 492 tons of aid the Pentagon just boasted about will sit in warehouses on the beach until further notice. Meanwhile, the UN says that all humanitarian operations in Gaza are on the brink of collapse.

The reality is that the $320 million (revised more recently down to $230 million) “maritime humanitarian corridor” that Biden first announced during his State of the Union address in March is not working, at least not for Palestinians. It does serve the Biden administration’s interests by making it look like the U.S. is “doing something” for the civilian population while supporting an Israeli policy that destroys and starves it. The pier, in essence, provides humanitarian cover for an inhume policy.

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Pier one imports

Biden administration officials argue the pier isn’t a failure or public relations stunt but critics disagree.

On May 17, the first day the pier was operational, former USAID official and current president of Refugees International Jeremy Konyndyk said, “The pier is humanitarian theater. Much more about political optics than humanitarian assistance. … [T]he president is tweeting about a humanitarian gimmick while actual humanitarian capacity in Gaza grinds to a halt.”

On May 23, in response to a press question about Konyndyk’s comments, director of USAID’s Levant humanitarian response Dan Dieckhaus said, “You know, I would not call within a couple of days getting enough food and other supplies for tens of thousands of people for a month theater…everyone’s entitled to their opinion, but I think we are already making a meaningful contribution to the overall effort.”

But according to U.N. humanitarian aid data of food imports into Gaza from January through May, far more food aid reached Gazans before the U.S. pier opened. On May 7, Israeli forces closed the Rafah crossing as part of its invasion of the city. By the end of the month, 66,181 fewer pallets of food reached Palestinians in May compared to April. The pier, which opened May 17, didn’t come close to compensating for this shortfall: According to the IDF, just 1,806 pallets of food from the pier reached aid agency centers in Gaza before it broke apart in a storm on May 25.

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Meanwhile, food and other aid is piling up outside Gaza at the Rafah land crossing.

Not enough food was getting into Gaza before Israel closed the Rafah crossing, either. Through March of this year, monthly food imports into Gaza were virtually identical to what they were in 2022, even though food needs are five times higher now than they were then. The U.N.’s humanitarian response plan for Palestine in 2022 implemented $226 million for food security and nutrition. Requirements for those sectors in 2024 stands at $1.1 billion.

Political optics

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A new report from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Program concluded that 1.1 million Palestinians could face starvation by mid-July primarily because of “the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict” and “the heavy restrictions on access and goods.” The Biden administration enables the first problem by shipping weapons to Israel every 36 hours and tolerates the second by refusing to use the leverage those shipments afford to stop Israel from obstructing aid.

Some deny that that leverage exists, but Biden has already demonstrated that it does. On October 9, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced a “complete siege” of Gaza, pledging that, “there will be no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Everything will be closed.”

A couple weeks later, Gallant was pressed by Knesset lawmakers on why he agreed to let a trickle of aid in from Egypt. Gallant replied, “the Americans insisted and we are not in a place where we can refuse them. We rely on them for planes and military equipment. What are we supposed to do? Tell them no?”

Israel’s reliance on arms and political protection from the United States puts Biden in an extraordinarily powerful position to influence what Israel does and doesn’t do in Gaza. The current conditions on the ground reflect Biden’s policy choices. Currently, Israel is bombing civilian centers using U.S.-made munitions, while getting aid to Palestinians in need is “almost impossible,” and famine is imminent in Gaza everywhere it isn’t already happening.

Rather than change these conditions with a phone call to Israeli leadership, Biden told the U.S. military to build a pier.

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There’s no time for humanitarian theater, according to the FAO/WFP report: “In the absence of a cessation of hostilities and increased access, the impact on mortality and the lives of the Palestinians now, and in future generations, will increase markedly with every day, even if famine is avoided in the near term.”

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Washington Capitals’ Alex Alexeyev pepper-sprayed by police, charged with public intoxication – WTOP News

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Washington Capitals’ Alex Alexeyev pepper-sprayed by police, charged with public intoxication – WTOP News


Alex Alexeyev of the Washington Capitals has been charged with public intoxication following a fight in Arlington, Virginia, early Saturday morning, police said. 

A Washington Capitals player has been charged with public intoxication following a fight in Arlington, Virginia, early Saturday morning, police said.

Arlington County police said Alex Alexeyev, 25, of Arlington, was arrested around 3:30 a.m. in the 3100 block of Clarendon Boulevard after a patrol officer deployed pepper spray on the Capitals defenseman.

Police said officers on patrol in the Clarendon area were flagged down by a witness who reported “an active fight outside a business” between Alexeyev and another person.

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A first-round pick by the Capitals in the 2018 NHL Draft, Alexeyev made his NHL debut in 2021.

Alexeyev’s contract with the Capitals expires this summer and he’s slated to become a restricted free agent, according to CBS Sports.

The Carolina Hurricanes ended the Capitals’ season last week.

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Denzel Washington snaps during heated exchange with photographer on Cannes red carpet: ‘Stop!’

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Denzel Washington snaps during heated exchange with photographer on Cannes red carpet: ‘Stop!’


Don’t mess with the Equalizer.

Denzel Washington was caught getting into a tense exchange with a photographer at France’s Cannes Film Festival on Monday, May 19.

The Oscar winner, 70, looked fired up when he approached the line of shutterbugs at the world premiere of Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest,” in which Washington stars.

He was talking to Lee, 68, and being approached by A$AP Rocky, 36, who also stars in the film, when one photographer decided to grab him in an attempt to get the A-lister’s attention.

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Denzel Washington (left) gets into tense exchange on the “Highest 2 Lowest” red carpet. Getty Images
The actor pointed his finger in the photographer’s face while screaming at him. Getty Images

The move appeared to set Washington off because the “Gladiator II” actor decided to confront him.

Firmly pointing his finger in the photographer’s face, the actor repeatedly screamed “stop” as he approached the man.

Ignoring Washington’s concerns by laughing in the award winner’s face, the star continued shouting at the man.

The man grabbed Washington’s arm while he was being greeted by A$AP Rocky, which appeared to set the actor off. Getty Images
The cameraman further annoyed Washington (left) by laughing in his face. Getty Images
The man also grabbed Washington (left) when the actor walked away. Getty Images

When the superstar turned around to walk away, the photographer grabbed his arm, provoking Washington to snap.

Pulling his arms from the cameraman’s grasp, Washington showed the man he meant business.

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“Stop it!” the actor shouted, with the veins popping from his neck. “Stop!”

The Post reached out to Washington’s rep for comment.

Washington (left) repeatedly screamed, “Stop!” Getty Images
The actor (right) stars as the lead in Spike Lee’s “Highest 2 Lowest.” ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA
Washington (left) was with A$AP Rocky just seconds before the confrontation took place. WireImage

Washington didn’t let the heated altercation keep him down, though.

He was surprised at the Cannes Film Festival with an honorary Palme d’Or honor from inside the theater before the film’s premiere.

After showing a reel of his legendary career, festival chief Thierry Frémaux addressed the crowd to give Washington the prestigious honor.

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“It’s a very special day,” he said, per Deadline. “Denzel, because you are here, we want to make something special for you … it’s a kind of way for us to tell you our adoration, what you have done in cinema. Nobody knows about that except Spike Lee, who wrote me to do that.”

Inside the screening, Washington (right) was presented with an honorary Palme d’Or. AP

Lee walked up to the stage with Washington to present the coveted award to his dear friend.

“This is my brother right here. I love him, I love him. I’m glad you’re here where all the people love you too,” Lee told him.

“This is a total surprise for me so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all,” Washington said to the crowd. “It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike.”

The honor was a surprise to Washington, who gave a speech while collecting the award. via REUTERS
“Highest 2 Lowest” cast and crew pose on the red carpet during arrivals for the film’s screening. REUTERS

“To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” he added, prompting laughter from his peers. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.”

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“Highest 2 Lowest” is a thriller and the English reinterpretation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 Japanese movie “High and Low.” The latter was loosely based on the 1959 novel “King’s Ransom” by Ed McBain (real name Evan Hunter).

The movie follows David King (Washington), a successful executive who becomes an extortion victim when a kidnapper mixes up his son (Aubrey Joseph) with his driver’s kid and holds him for ransom.

Jeffrey Wright plays the chauffeur.

“Highest 2 Lowest” is scheduled to hit theaters on Aug. 22 and will be available on Apple TV+ in September.

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Kandace Washington speaks following passing of son Kyren Lacy

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Kandace Washington speaks following passing of son Kyren Lacy


BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Three weeks ago, Kandace Washington buried her eldest son LSU standout receiver Kyren Lacy who died by suicide. Sadly, this isn’t the first time Washington has experienced this type of tragedy.

Kandace Washington(WAFB)

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We sat down with Washington, who is a school counselor, to discuss how she’s using her story of strength and resilience to inspire others who may be struggling. She also explains how her voice has guided her through the darkest of times…including now.

Singing has been a saving grace for Washington. It’s how she coped with the loss of her father as a child and now her son Kyren, both dying by suicide.

“You never think that you’re going to bury your child, so in my mind I don’t think anything can get any worse and then this happened and I’m like…I don’t understand,” Washington said.

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She adds, “Growing up when I was four or five unfortunately my father committed suicide and then when I was 13 my mom passed away from ALS.”

The void left her sister to run a household of four.

“My oldest sister was in college when my mom passed away. She actually had a scholarship to sing in the choir at Southern University and she left Southern to come and raise us after all that happened. So that was pretty tough growing up without parents,” Washington explained.

Washington became a parent herself at 17…giving birth to Kyren while still in high school. Now she’s a high school counselor in Texas.

“This new normal is just a part of my calling,” Washington said.

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She plans to use her story to help her students find their way.

“We see it. A lot of students struggling with mental health. Different things that they’re going through at home. How to balance. How to juggle everything,” said Washington.

She is a counselor now offering unique insight on the subject of suicide.

“Just give them some hope, some light at the end of the tunnel. And I can share it, you know, from both perspectives you know. Because at one point it took me almost 40 years to even understand what my dad was going through because I was looking at it as, you know, you left. You didn’t think about me. You didn’t care about me. It took me over 40 years to just really have empathy and to understand that you know the weight of the world sometimes is a lot. And so now that I’m experiencing it with Karen again… I just have so much empathy. And then I’ve seen some of the things that he’s had to go thought and endure and I have a lot of empathy for my dad and Kyren.”

And she has advice for other parents.

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“I would just encourage parents to talk to their kids, and to listen. To listen and to understand,” Washington said.

She also recommends talking to your children about the dangers of social media and bullying online.

“If you’re on social media and you’re commenting negative things and when you close your phone and you close your laptop and you feel good about yourself… something is wrong,” Washington said.

Kandace Washington holds up her son's jersey.
Kandace Washington holds up her son’s jersey.(WAFB)

Washington believes her son Kyren became a target after he was arrested in January after of being accused of driving recklessly and causing a deadly accident. She says the crash and all that followed pushed things over the edge.

“People go through things. They make mistakes. They make wrong decisions. Everybody has. They only difference with my son is everybody knew who he was,” Washington says.

Washington explained she still can’t fully comprehend what her son was feeling before his death but hopes time will bring clarity and healing.

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“I believe that with time, everything will reveal itself, but right now it’s a lot of unanswered questions,” she said.

What Washington knows for certain is that her family, her faith, and her music will see her through as she returns to her job as a counselor in the fall. She hopes to preserve her son’s legacy by continuing his work to uplift the community.

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