When the Lie Becomes the Truth

Don't Believe Your Lying Eyes

Last week, I shared a photo of Muhammed, a toddler in Gaza suffering from malnutrition caused by Israel’s food and aid blockade. The image appeared in the New York Times alongside the headline “Gazans Are Dying of Starvation.”

The photo—a mother holding her emaciated son, his waist wrapped in a makeshift diaper due to the lack of supplies—sparked outrage, even from those who had been silent about Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Since that article was published on July 25:

• The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)—a UN-backed hunger monitoring group—declared that the situation there has “worsened dramatically” and that “the worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding.” Israel had blocked all aid from March to May, in violation of its ceasefire with Hamas. By May, the number of households facing extreme hunger had doubled. Since then, the GHF has taken over—and more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed at or near its aid sites. (Washington Post)
• Two of Israel’s leading human rights groups—B’Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights Israel—concluded that Israel is committing genocide. In its report, B’Tselem stated, “…it is our duty and responsibility to say the truth: Genocide is happening, right here and right now. This is our genocide, and we need to stop it.” (B’Tselem)

• David Grossman—a prominent Israeli novelist and Zionist whose son was killed in combat in 2011—said this week: “For years I refused to use these words: ‘genocide.’ But now I can no longer avoid it…” (News Channel 12, Israel | Gray Zone)
• Barack Obama broke his silence on Gaza, calling it a “crisis” and urging Hamas to return hostages and prevent starvation. The statement was weak—and people mocked the president for breaking his "perpetual vacation" to speak up for starving children—but it marked his first public acknowledgment. (His last and only other statement was on a podcast where he was equally tepid in his concern). (Obama on X)
• Hillary Clinton—who has smugly ignored protesters—called for the “full flow of humanitarian” aid. (Hillary Clinton on X)
• Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), who recently posed with Netanyahu in DC, called the situation “heartbreaking” and urged increased aid. (Booker)
• Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) became the first and only Republican to call Israel’s actions in Gaza a genocide. She also condemned fellow Republican Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) for his Islamophobic comments gleefully celebrating the starvation of Palestinians—remarks so extreme that even AIPAC disavowed him. (X)

By Wednesday—six days after the article—Israeli government defenders latched onto a familiar tool in journalism: the correction. The New York Times issued an editors' note saying its original piece didn’t include the fact that Muhammed had a preexisting condition.

The exact nature of the condition remains unknown. But genocide deniers quickly weaponized the correction to falsely claim that Muhammed was sick only because of that illness – not Israel.

Billionaire Bill Ackman said the Times should be sued. Others accused the paper of “blood libel” and antisemitism.

The correction doesn’t change the core fact: Muhammed suffers from malnutrition. And the same NYT article confirms what his doctors say—it can only be reversed with food and water.

But they’re not entirely wrong—his condition matters... and it reveals a more damning truth.

Israel hasn’t just blocked food and water. It has blocked medical supplies. Prevented doctors from entering Gaza. Bombed nearly every hospital—leaving fewer than half still functioning, and only at bare-minimum capacity.

Israel has also denied sick and disabled Palestinians the right to leave Gaza for care. Many have died waiting for approvals that Israel purposely delays or denies.

Had these services and supplies been available in Gaza, Muhammed wouldn't be on the cusp of malnutrition.

Starving a population isn’t accidental. It’s deliberate. As famine expert Alex de Waal wrote in the New York Times:

“It is a calamity that was foreseeable and foreseen. Starvation takes time; authorities cannot starve a population by accident.”

And history tells how this starts.

Genocides begin by targeting the sick, disabled, and weak. Two years before launching its industrial-scale slaughter of Jews, the Nazi regime began its “Euthanasia Program,” the mass murder of disabled people considered a “threat to the gene pool.” Today, we are watching the same logic unfold: children like Muhammed will not be the last.

Meanwhile, experts warn the full scale of suffering may still be hidden.

Starvation data depends on people reaching hospitals or clinics—which are often unreachable. Dr. Mark Brauner, an Oregon-based ER doctor who just returned from Gaza, says many children may already be beyond help:

“The gut lining has started to auto-digest and it will no longer have adequate absorptive capacity for water or for nutrition. Death is unfortunately imminent for probably thousands of children.” (Huffington Post)

More from Gaza below.

The Economy, Stupid

Trump fired Erika McEntarfer, head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), on Friday, accusing her of “rigging” the latest jobs report to make him look bad. Such manipulation would require coordination among hundreds and is effectively impossible.

• McEntarfer, a civil servant approved overwhelmingly by Congress—including Republican senators JD Vance and Marco Rubio—was serving under Biden’s appointment.
• The monthly BLS report tracks job creation using data from thousands of companies. July’s report showed just 73,000 new jobs—far fewer than economists expected.
• The agency also revised job growth for May and June downward by 258,000—a routine adjustment when late data or corrections come in.
• Over the three-month period from May to July, the net gain was just 35,000 jobs—a sign of economic stagnation, which Trump didn’t like not because it was false, but because it made him look bad. (CNBC)
• What this means: Trump’s unfounded claims could destabilize the reliability of U.S. economic data. Global financial markets depend on BLS data as a “gold standard,” and undermining the independence of these reports could transform the economy into a politically manipulated illusion.

Trump's House of Cards

Days after meetings with Trump officials, Ghislaine Maxwell—convicted sex offender and Epstein associate—was quietly moved to a minimum-security prison in Texas.

• The transfer was carried out at record speed by the Bureau of Prisons instead of the US Marshals—which is the standard—suggesting a "quid pro quo" deal with the government. Federal guidelines typically bar sex offenders from such facilities, which have weaker security and are located near residential areas. (Politico)
• For years, the official story about Trump and Epstein’s falling out was that they fought over a house. Now, Trump says Epstein “stole” underage girls working for him—including Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April.
• Giuffre was 16 at the time—a minor. Why was she working at Mar-a-Lago’s spa? And what did Epstein “steal” her for? (The Nation)

“We now know from the words of the President himself that Virginia was right all along, and that she was trafficked out of Mar-a-Lago,” one of her lawyers. (The Nation, CNN)

HEADLINES

• Trump says he moved two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russia after former Russian President Medvedev made threatening remarks, referencing nuclear retaliation. Trump called the comments “provocative” and said the move was “just in case.” He also threatened Russia with stiff tariffs if it didn’t accept a Ukraine ceasefire deal. (New York Times)
• Trump imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil—the highest levied against any country—after Brazilian authorities prosecuted former President Jair Bolsonaro, who, like Trump, attempted to overturn election results. (AP)
• The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which funds NPR, PBS, and hundreds of local outlets, says it will shut down after the Trump Administration cut over $1 billion from its budget. Republicans called it biased and redirected the funds to tax cuts for the wealthy. The CPB provides essential information to rural and underserved communities. (Washington Post)
• Senate Democrats, joined by Republican Senator Josh Hawley (MO), advanced a bill banning stock trading for lawmakers, their spouses, the president, and vice president. It would not apply to presidents until after Trump’s term ends. Convenient. (The Hill)
• The Senate narrowly confirmed Emil Bove (50-49) to a federal judgeship despite whistleblower evidence indicating he previously encouraged ignoring legal obligations. Bove, Trump’s former criminal defense lawyer, was part of a Justice Department team that deported hundreds under the Alien Enemies Act to prisons in El Salvador. (Politico)
• Venezuelan men deported by Trump’s administration to a brutal El Salvador prison described severe beatings and psychological torture. Investigations found that 197 out of 238 deportees had no criminal record, with half undergoing legal immigration processes. One detainee reportedly wrote in blood on the walls: “Stop hitting us. We are fathers. We are brothers. We are innocent people.” (ProPublica)
  • According to Isabel Carlota Roby, senior staff attorney at Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, if proven, these abuses may constitute crimes against humanity under U.N. conventions against torture. An international panel is currently investigating. (Washington Post)
• The Smithsonian removed references to Trump’s two impeachments in a presidential exhibit. Although denying White House pressure, the removal aligns with Trump’s consistent efforts to reshape historical narratives and institutional truths. (AP, Washington Post)
• Trump’s White House “proudly” announced plans to build a $200 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom adjacent to the existing structure, funded by anonymous donors. Construction will begin in September. The ballroom will be bigger than the main White House structure! (White House)
• The Trump Administration is developing a voluntary health data system with major tech companies to streamline medical record access, raising serious privacy concerns given the administration’s history of questionable data handling. (ABC News)
• Harvard is considering a settlement with the Trump Administration after suing them for cutting off government funding. As they did with Columbia, the government accused the school of antisemitism and of violating student civil rights with diversity and equity policies and cut off government funding. The settlement could be close to $500 million — more than two times what Columbia University paid. (NYT)
  • Democrats say they’ll launch an investigation into Harvard if they settle with Trump under “political pressure” and jeopardize “institutional autonomy and academic freedom.” (Harvard Crimson)
• Brown University agreed to a $50 million settlement to end Trump administration pressure, requiring increased support for workforce programs, local Jewish communities, Israel education, and limitations on recognizing transgender students. (Al Jazeera)
• UCLA will pay $8 million to settle claims by three Jewish students and a professor who said the school violated their civil rights during anti-genocide protests. The money will cover legal fees and support groups fighting antisemitism. (AP)
• The Trump Administration froze over $100 million in funding to Duke University, accusing it of systematic racial discrimination. Education Secretary Linda McMahon cited the school’s use of racial preferences in hiring. (Duke Chronicle)

From Gaza

• In response to mounting global outrage, Israel announced “tactical pauses” to allow aid deliveries into Gaza. But truck entry remained far below what’s needed. Visiting Ramon Air Force Base in the Negev Desert, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged only to “allow the entry of minimal humanitarian supplies.” (AP | Times of Israel)
  • A few reporters were allowed to fly with the Jordanian military during Gaza aid drops — but under strict rules. “We were told the Israeli side had warned that any shots of Gaza filmed from the air could result in these aid flights being cancelled,” one reporter said. (Sky News)

• On Thursday, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Netanyahu, who now wants a one-time comprehensive deal with Hamas instead of a phased approach. Talks remain stalled, as Hamas says it won’t negotiate until sufficient humanitarian aid is allowed into Gaza. (Times of Israel)
  • Witkoff, joined by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, visited a GHF aid distribution site in what appeared to be a tightly managed photo-op. “100,000 meals delivered” banners were printed in advance — a hollow milestone. At that rate, Palestinians have received half a meal per person per day for 60 days.
  • That same day, a Gaza medical worker said at least 14 people seeking aid were shot and killed, and 150 more were wounded. (Drop Site News)
  • In a leaked recording of a meeting with hostage families, Witkoff said: “Hamas has done a good job of getting people to believe some of the nonsense they spew — for instance, that some of the children are starving… When, in fact, they suffer from other medical conditions… That has to be repudiated. That has to be done loudly.” (Kan News)
• This week, whistleblower Anthony Aguilar — a former GHF contractor, 25-year U.S. military veteran, and decorated former Green Beret — came forward with disturbing claims about conditions at the GHF aid sites he worked at. Aguilar says he resigned after witnessing violations of the Geneva Conventions: razor wire at aid sites, distribution centers placed in active war zones, and dry food handed out without any water to cook it.
  • He also says GHF contractors and Israeli soldiers routinely fired on Palestinians waiting for aid — including a five-year-old boy named Amir, who asked to kiss Aguilar’s hand after receiving a box of dry goods. Moments later, Aguilar says, Israeli soldiers shot and killed Amir. The military denied responsibility and circulated a photo of a different child, falsely claiming it was Amir, still alive. The boys look nothing alike. GHF has dismissed Aguilar as a disgruntled employee.
  • Aguilar has appeared on multiple media outlets, including a now-viral interview with Tucker Carlson — where Aguilar speaks with emotion while Carlson appears visibly stunned. (Tucker Carlson | Breaking Points)
• Nine out of 10 Israeli military investigations into alleged war crimes in Gaza have been closed without finding fault or left unresolved, according to a conflict monitor. The IDF claims dozens more cases are still under investigation. (The Guardian)
• A BBC investigation found that of 160 children shot in Gaza, 95 — more than half — were shot in the head or chest. These are classic sniper kill shots, and suggests the children were targeted. (BBC)
• Israel finally released activist Chris Smalls, one of 21 people detained while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza via the Handala flotilla. Smalls says he was beaten and choked by uniformed Israeli officers. (CBS News)
• An Israeli military delegation was barred from entering Auschwitz with an Israeli flag. The museum defended the decision, citing policies to prevent the site from being used for political purposes. Israeli soldiers present called the decision humiliating and antisemitic. (Times of Israel)

POLITICS OF GENOCIDE

• The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to continue sending millions in U.S.-funded weapons to Israel.
  • Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced two resolutions to stop the sales:
    • SJ 41 would have blocked shipments of fully automatic assault rifles, which the Israeli government often gives to settlers who attack Palestinian civilians. It failed 27–70.
    • SJ 34 would have blocked $675 million in bombs and munitions — part of the billions in U.S. arms fueling Israel’s genocide in Gaza. It failed 24–73. (Vote 1 | Vote 2)
    • The good news: support for blocking arms is growing. In April, just 15 senators backed a similar resolution. This time, according to Punchbowl News, over half the Senate Democratic Caucus voted to block weapons to Israel.
    • One senator who didn’t oppose the sales? NJ’s Cory Booker — even though a 14-year-old American citizen and NJ resident, Amer Rabee, was shot and killed by Israeli forces earlier this year. No one has been held accountable.
    • Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) missed the vote entirely — to appear on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Slotkin, who has tried to position herself as someone concerned about humanitarian suffering, later claimed: “Had I made it back for the vote yesterday, I would have voted yes to block offensive weapons to Israel based on my concerns over lack of food and medicine getting to civilians in Gaza.” She never explained why she prioritized a TV appearance over the vote. (The Hill | X)
• In an open letter to Columbia University’s acting president, Claire Shipman, Professor Rashid Khalidi announced he is withdrawing from teaching his Middle East history course this fall. Khalidi, who has taught at Columbia for 23 years, cited the university’s $100 million settlement with the Trump Administration and its acceptance of policies that conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism. The school also agreed to appoint a provost to monitor courses on the Middle East, mandate ADL-run staff trainings, and allow classroom visits from external non-academics. “The idea that the teaching, syllabuses and scholarship of some of the most prominent academics in their fields should be vetted by such a vice-provost, such ‘trainers’ or an outside monitor from such a firm is abhorrent,” Khalidi wrote. “It constitutes the antithesis of academic freedom.” (The Guardian)
• Canada announced it will recognize a Palestinian state — with conditions, including elections and demilitarization of Hamas. France had just done the same. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would recognize Palestine only if Israel refuses a ceasefire. (NPR)
  • Trump, unhappy with Canada’s recognition, threatened to punish the country in future trade talks. “Trump’s threat… is the latest way he has sought to use his trade war to coerce countries on unrelated issues.” (AP)
  • Portugal says it is consulting internally on recognition. (Euro News)
  • Slovenia — the first EU country to recognize Palestine — is now the first to ban arms sales to Israel. (Al Jazeera)
• At a UN summit in Geneva, Israeli Knesset member Amir Ohana told delegates a Palestinian state could be created “in London or Paris.” Dozens of diplomats walked out in protest. (Drop Site News)
• The State Department announced sanctions against the Palestinian Authority and Palestine Liberation Organization for taking Israel to the International Criminal Court, supporting “terrorism” (primarily in textbooks), and paying stipends to families of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel — most of whom are held without charge or trial.
• At the ADL’s urging, TikTok hired Erica Mindel — a former IDF soldier and State Department staffer — to oversee hate speech enforcement, with a focus on antisemitism. The ADL is so widely criticized for conflating Palestinian advocacy with antisemitism that even Wikipedia has banned it as a source. The group has also worked with U.S. law enforcement to spy on Arab-American organizations and funded U.S. police training trips to Israel. (Middle East Eye)

From the Occupied West Bank

• This week, an Israeli settler shot and killed a Palestinian father of three and English teacher in the West Bank village of Mussafer Yatta — the same village featured in the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land. The victim, Awdah Hathaleen, contributed to the project. He was standing in front of a community center when he was gunned down.
  • The settler, Yinon Levi, was caught on camera waving a gun and firing indiscriminately at a crowd trying to stop him. Levi had accompanied a bulldozer to uproot the village’s water and electrical lines. He had previously been sanctioned by the Biden administration for violent attacks on Palestinians — sanctions that Trump lifted on his first day in office.
  • Levi was released on house arrest and acquitted within days. The Israeli court claimed it couldn’t find the bullet that killed Hathaleen. (The Times of Israel)
  • Israeli authorities have refused to release Hathaleen's body to his family – which could suggest that they may have tried to remove or destroy evidence... oh, such as a bullet lodged in Hathaleen's body. (Times of Israel)
  • Several of Hathaleen’s friends and relatives were arrested and remain in prison. When mourners gathered at his home, Israeli soldiers ordered them to disperse.
  • An American nurse who witnessed the killing said she tried to revive Hathaleen with CPR but was detained and taken to prison. She says while in custody, she saw the four Palestinians arrested in the incident bound and blindfolded, while Levi “was walking around freely and sharing cigarettes with police officers.” The nurse added: “They don’t want people to feel comfortable helping Palestinians.” (The Intercept)
• Also this week, Khamis Ayyad, a Palestinian-American father of five from Chicago, was killed after settlers set fire to homes and cars in his West Bank village overnight. Ayyad, who had relocated to the region but worked for an American company, died of smoke inhalation while trying to extinguish the flames. (ABC-7)
  • Ayyad is the second American to be killed by settlers in the West Bank in July. Earlier this month, settlers beat Sayfollah Musallet to death while he was visiting the town of Sinjil in the West Bank. (Al Jazeera)
  • At least 8 other Palestinian-Americans have been killed in the West Bank. No one has been accountable for their murders. (Al Jazeera)