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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 6d

Newest FARA filings reveal: Israel to spend up to $4.1m on Christian PR campaign focused western U.S.

Israel’s secret ‘Esther Project’: DOJ filings reveal paid US influencer campaign amid AI-powered PR blitz - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · 9d

Scoop: Israel’s secret ‘Esther Project’: DOJ filings reveal paid US influencer campaign amid AI-powered PR blitz
www.jta.org/2025/09/30/i...

As Netanyahu calls social media the “eighth front,” new documents reveal how Israel is paying to shape U.S. opinion.

Renowned trauma expert Bessel van der Kolk banned from teaching at Omega Institute over 'antisemitic comments' - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Aug 20

The Body Keeps the Score made trauma guru Bessel van der Kolk a cultural hero. Some of his fans were horrified when he compared Israelis to Nazis at a recent talk. My story on what happened — and his ban from teaching at the storied Omega Institute. www.jta.org/2025/08/19/u...

The bestselling author of "The Body Keeps the Score" faced backlash after comparing Israelis to Nazis during a workshop.

Combating Domestic Violent Extremism Is No Longer a FEMA Priority

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Reposted by Asaf Elia-Shalev

molly taft @mollytaft.com · Aug 6

SCOOP from me: FEMA is planning to order states to immediately stop activities intended to combat domestic violent extremism - the latest in a broad federal move to downplay the threat:

Documents obtained by WIRED show FEMA plans to direct states and tribes to halt activities intended to combat domestic violent extremism so as to align with "current administration priorities."

www.wired.com

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Aug 5

As ‪@matthewdtaylor.bsky.social‬ has written, Ahn is a Pentecostal pastor in Pasadena and a leading figure in the New Apostolic Reformation, a Christian nationalist movement that blends politics with prophecy and spiritual warfare. x.com/TaylorMatthe...

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Aug 5

Over the weekend I went to the campaign launch of Che Ahn, who is running for California governor. He has been on my radar as a major figure in the Christian nationalist movement. No shofar or other Jewish rituals as I half-expected — but the Israeli flag was in the backdrop.

Trump promised to protect Jews and religious liberty. His refugee ban is keeping out 700 persecuted Iranian Jews. - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jul 31

I have written about how Trump campaigned on protecting religious liberty and fighting antisemitism—but the refugee ban has blocked 700 persecuted Iranian Jews from coming to the U.S. www.jta.org/2025/03/06/u...

Iranian Jewish Americans are calling on Trump to make an exception for their friends and family.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jul 31

4/ Thousands remain in limbo waiting for a legal route that once functioned as a lifeline. @HIASrefugees, @IRAP, and others have long raised alarm about this.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jul 31

3/ @USCIRF pressures Congress to act. But why no call on the executive branch to unfreeze the program and resume processing? I have asked the commissioned, and will update when/if they respond.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jul 31

2/ The Lautenberg program was frozen under the Trump admin as part of the refugee ban. That freeze hasn’t been reversed—meaning no new cases are being processed.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jul 31

1/ The new @USCIRF 2025 report urges Congress to reauthorize the Lautenberg Amendment—a key pathway for persecuted Iranian religious minorities to reach the U.S. But there's a glaring omission: no mention of Trump's freeze that still blocks the program.🧵
www.uscirf.gov/sites/defaul...

www.uscirf.gov

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jul 17

I never encountered that.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Jun 24

Congrats to all the AJPA award winners! I am honored that my series on the global crowdsourcing to support Israel's war efforts in Gaza first place for investigative reporting. shorturl.at/q87lp

shorturl.at

Want to understand CalRecycle's chemical recycling rules? You'll need to pay

Reposted by Asaf Elia-Shalev

Susanne Rust @susrust.bsky.social · May 30

In the continuing saga of CA's plastic law, CalRecycle introduced draft regs re chem recycling based on a report you can't access unless you pay $187 -which is kind of a scam, bc no standards or guidelines are in report. 🤷‍♀️ #plasticwaste @gavinnewsom.bsky.social #SB54 www.latimes.com/environment/...

CalRecycle's latest attempt at rules to implement the state's plastic waste law is under fire — including for its decision to use ISO guidelines on hazardous waste that cost nearly $200 to access.

www.latimes.com

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · May 29

Anyway, my reporting also shows that a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem and an Episcopal church in DC claim both Yaron and Sarah as their own, despite the Milgrim family's insistence that she did not convert to Christianity.

In Jerusalem and DC, Messianic and Episcopal communities mourn Capital Jewish Museum shooting victims as their own - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · May 29

My reporting that the IDF’s top international spokesperson is a Messianic Jew has gotten little reaction — which kind of validates the Messianic claim that they’re just ordinary Israelis who happen to believe worshipping Jesus is the most Jewish thing you can do.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · May 29

The international spokesperson of the IDF, Nadav Shoshani, grew up in a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem that was founded by his pastor father, meaning he was raised in with a religion that blends Jewish practices with worship of Jesus.
www.jta.org/2025/05/29/i...

Inside the evolving faith lives of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who had attended an Episcopal church in the months before they were gunned down last week.

In Jerusalem and DC, Messianic and Episcopal communities mourn Capital Jewish Museum shooting victims as their own - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · May 29

It's where he met Yaron Lischinsky, the slain embassy staffer whose faith has been the subject of much confusion.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · May 29

The international spokesperson of the IDF, Nadav Shoshani, grew up in a Messianic congregation in Jerusalem that was founded by his pastor father, meaning he was raised in with a religion that blends Jewish practices with worship of Jesus.
www.jta.org/2025/05/29/i...

Inside the evolving faith lives of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who had attended an Episcopal church in the months before they were gunned down last week.

The rise of Yehuda Kaploun: How a Hasidic fixer became Trump’s nominee for antisemitism czar - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · May 15

My profile of Yehuda Kaploun, Trump's pick for antisemitism czar: his history with Biden, the Adelsons and Elie Wiesel; recent infidelity allegations that roiled his synagogue and led to his departure; his role as a fixer in the Hasidic world, and more. www.jta.org/2025/05/15/u...

A senator named Joe Biden first raised Kaploun's profile in Congress.

Digital breadcrumbs lead to the team behind Jewish Onliner, the AI-powered website that got a Yale scholar suspended - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Apr 25

Honored to be among these fantastic journalists and thrilled for the recognition. rna.org/news/religio...

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Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Mar 28

Link: www.jta.org/2025/03/28/u...

The people behind Jewish Onliner don’t see themselves as journalists reporting the news, even if they are pleased to be making it.

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Mar 28

The email exchange addresses questions about how Jewish Onliner picks its targets, the role artificial intelligence plays in its work, the cost of anonymity, and how the initiative is funded. 5/5

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Mar 28

The person said the Jewish Onliner team is multinational and not affiliated with any government. They also said that they don't consider what they do journalism. 4/5

Asaf Elia-Shalev @asafeliashalev.bsky.social · Mar 28

The person confirmed their involvement and agreed to answer questions via email on condition of anonymity, citing the threat of antisemitism. I decided it was more important to get some questions answered than to publicly reveal their name and disregard their safety concerns. 3/5