Tearing down America

Hi Global Recap readers,

Today, we have some upsetting videos from yesterday’s anti-Israel protesters that may upset any American or anyone who values their flag.

Please take your time to watch the videos. I’ve included them at the end of the newsletter, as they are lengthy.

📊 Also, thank you for all your poll contributions! We received so many hilarious and thoughtful responses. While most comments criticized VP Harris, there’s something positive to highlight about her today. 👇

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Manchester Airport Incident

The internet is buzzing with opinions on both sides regarding videos showing an officer kicking and stomping on a man’s head at Manchester Airport.

What Happened?

This is what we know so far, though the order of events is not yet clear. However, this is the sequence as reported by Greater Manchester Police.

• Officers were called to reports of an assault at Terminal 2, Manchester Airport at 8:25 pm on July 23.

• A male suspect was seen on CCTV at a ticket machine in the car park and officers were sent.

• While attempting to arrest one suspect, two officers were violently assaulted and punched to the ground and one female officer suffered a broken nose, and all three were taken to the hospital for treatment.

• Then the confrontation you see in the video above ensued.

Unverified Report

It is reported that the police needed to search a Muslim woman, but the men refused to allow their mother to be searched, citing Islamic law as the reason.

• It is unclear how this fits in with the story above, so please take this with a huge grain of salt.

• But it is mentioned here for your information.

Outcome

• Four men were arrested at the scene for affraying and assaulting emergency service workers.

• The incident has led to protests and statements from public officials.

• The police officer who was seen stomping on the subdued man has been suspended.

Diverging Views

Diverging views online focus on three primary aspects of the incident:

• the fact that those subdued by police were Muslim,

• the serious injuries sustained by police officers, and

• excessive use of force.

What Are People Saying?

Remember, these views were formed with whatever information was available at the time.

• Protesters, along with online users, claim that this incident was the result of racism.

• However, many are praising the police, arguing that people are completely ignoring the fact that the arrested men brutally attacked four officers, resulting in serious injuries and hospitalization. They also claim that the attack on a female officer by these Muslim men reflects their misogynistic values and their prioritization of Islamic law over assimilation into Western culture.

• People in the middle believe that while the arrested men were wrong for their non-compliance and brutal attacks, the officer’s actions were excessive.

I was going to ask for your opinion on this, but since we have incomplete information, it would not provide an accurate picture of your views.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Bodies of Hostages Recovered

The bodies of five Israelis taken hostage by terrorists on October 7 were recovered by the IDF from southern Gaza’s Khan Younis on July 25, 2024.

Hostages Recovered

The bodies of five Israelis killed and taken hostage by terrorists on October 7 were recovered by troops operating in the southern Gaza Strip and brought back to Israel on Wednesday.

• The hostages were previously declared dead by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

• Their remains were located in a tunnel in Khan Younis by troops, including special forces under the IDF’s 98th Division and Shin Bet agents.

• The recovery was made possible through Shin Bet interrogations of detained terrorists and other intelligence.

Reservist Jailed

An IDF reservist who filmed and circulated a video showing the recovery of the bodies was jailed for 10 days and permanently dismissed from reserve duty.

• The video showed five body bags in a military vehicle driving out of the Gaza Strip.

• The clip circulated on social media shortly after the bodies were recovered and before the remains were identified.

• The IDF condemned the behavior, stating it endangered the security of forces and harmed the families of the hostages.

Heroic Actions

Brodski and Ahimas were killed while serving in the forward command team of Col. Asaf Hamami, who was also killed on October 7 as they tried to fight off dozens of Hamas terrorists invading kibbutz Nirim.

• Ahimas’ brothers said he took control and led the battle against an unimaginable amount of terrorists while trying to care for the brigade chief and radio for help.

• Residents of Nirim said that were it not for the three, the kibbutz would have absorbed an even greater tragedy.

Personal Stories

The recovered hostages include:

• Ravid Katz,

• Oren Goldin,

• Maya Goren,

• Sgt. Kiril Brodski, and

• Staff Sgt. Tomer Yaakov Ahimas,

Their Stories

• Katz was a member of the Kibbutz Nir Oz security team who battled terrorists on October 7.

• Goldin ran Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak’s mechanic shop and was among the first to respond to the attack.

• Goren was setting up the kibbutz’s kindergarten when she was snatched by terrorists.

• Brodski and Ahimas were part of the forward command team trying to fend off the attack on kibbutz Nirim. Residents of Nirim said that were it not for them, the kibbutz would have absorbed an even greater tragedy.

Hostages and Pressure

There are now thought to be 111 hostages in Gaza, including the remains of 39 confirmed dead by the IDF, out of the 251 people abducted during the Hamas onslaught nearly 300 days ago.

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces intense pressure to reach a deal with Hamas to end the war and swap the remaining hostages for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Seeking to End War

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is on a mission to find “common ground” with China to end the war with Russia.

Historic Visit

Kuleba’s visit to China is the first by a Ukrainian foreign minister since the war began.

• He met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Guangzhou.

• The visit aims to find common ground for peace.

• Kuleba believes a just peace in Ukraine aligns with China’s strategic interests.

• He aims to get China on board for a peace conference before the US presidential election.

China’s Position

China has close ties with Russia and a unique stance on the war.

• China did not attend a recent peace conference in Switzerland. However, it is seeking to facilitate a peace deal between the two nations to enhance its diplomatic standing above the US, which has been facing significant diplomatic scrutiny both internally and externally.

• China has been pushing for an end to the war considering both sides’ interests, but this position conflicts with Ukraine and Western countries demanding a Russian withdrawal.

Diplomatic Dynamics

China has recently brokered the so-called Beijing Declaration, an agreement between Hamas, Fatah, and other Palestinian groups to form an interim national reconciliation government for post-war Gaza.

• If China successfully brokers a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, its diplomatic influence will significantly increase. Would you rather side with a nation that brokers peace deals or one known for starting wars abroad?

🇷🇴 ROMANIA
Russian Drones in Romanian Airspace

Romania confirmed that three Russian Shahed kamikaze drones entered its airspace during an overnight attack on Ukraine.

Drone Incursion

• Russia launched 38 Shahed drones at Ukraine overnight to attack Ukraine.

• Ukraine’s air-defense systems successfully shot down 25 drones, with three of them crossing into Romania.

Romanian Response

Romanian authorities took immediate action to address the situation.

• Residents in Tulcea heard multiple blasts and were warned about falling drone fragments.

• Authorities assured the public that the drones were not targeting Romania specifically.

• Two Finnish Air Force F-18 jets were dispatched from a Romanian air base to monitor the situation.

• The Ministry of National Defense is investigating and searching for drone fragments.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Tearing Down America

To wrap up today's newsletter, here are a few videos from the violent protests on Capitol Hill during Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's address to Congress yesterday.

Burnt And Taken Down

At Union Station, protesters took down three American flags and replaced them with Palestinian flags.

• They then burned the American flags while shouting “Allahu Akbar.”

• It’s important to note that lowering a national flag is usually done through formal ceremonies as a sign of respect. Removing a flag in such a manner is typically done during wartime to indicate that the location has been captured.

• Thankfully, the American flags were later raised again the House Speaker and Republican congressional lawmakers.

Hamas is Coming

Protestors also defaced the Columbus Memorial Fountain with the words, “Hamas is Coming.”

Maggots

The DC Palestinian Youth Movement released maggots and crickets throughout the Watergate Hotel where Netanyahu is staying. Additionally, the protesters pulled multiple fire alarms throughout the night.

Accountability

They also filmed themselves dragging and attacking DC police officers to prevent them from arresting a protester.

• People online are demanding harsher punishments for these individuals who obstructed justice, similar to the convictions of many January 6th protesters.

• However, they were allegedly released almost right away.

Vice President’s Statement

To Vice President Harris’ credit, she released a statement condemning their actions.

• She also directly called out those supporting Hamas, explicitly reminding people that Hamas is a terrorist organization.

• Does this mean the perpetrators will face appropriate punishment? Most likely not. This is merely a slap on the wrist.