Trump bans travelers from 12 countries, citing attack on Jews in Boulder, Colorado
(JTA) — Citing Sunday’s attack on Jews in Boulder, Colorado, President Donald Trump has announced a ban on entry to the United States for people from 12 countries, most but not all majority Muslim.
The ban is redolent of the travel ban Trump imposed just weeks into his first term in 2017, which ignited turmoil at airports and fierce protests, including from Jewish communities and organizations. The Supreme Court ultimately upheld a version of the ban in 2018.
The new ban is more expansive. It applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Trump also limited entrance rights for citizens of seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Run for Their Lives, the Israeli hostage solidarity movement, presses on after Colorado firebombing
(JTA) — The firebombing in Boulder on Sunday targeted Run for Their Lives, a group that stages weekly public runs and walks around the world to raise awareness about Israeli hostages being held in Gaza.
After initially calling for a pause to the events, the group is telling its local chapters to decide for themselves whether to proceed and to consider taking extra precautions if they do.
The violence may have deterred some but participation in the movement appears to be increasing after the attack, according to Run For Their Lives global coordinator Shira Weiss.
Federal judge blocks deportation of Boulder suspect’s family
(JNS) — A federal judge in Boulder, Colo., blocked the deportation of the family of the suspect involved in Sunday’s attack on pro-Israel demonstrators.
Gordon Gallagher, a judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, ruled on Wednesday that Soliman’s wife and five children being deported “without process could work irreparable harm, and an order must issue without notice due to the urgency this situation presents.”
The judge concluded that Soliman’s family couldn’t be deported until his court or the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated his order. He ordered all parties to appear at a hearing on June 13.
Florida board blocks hiring of U of Michigan president criticized over encampment response
(JTA) — Florida officials have rejected the University of Florida board’s choice to helm the university, citing his record at the University of Michigan where his tenure included fierce pro-Palestinian protests.
Santa Ono drew criticism from both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel camps in Michigan over his handling of the protests. Pro-Palestinian activists accused him of being heavy-handed when he ordered their encampment cleared and students arrested in the spring of 2024. Pro-Israel voices, meanwhile, said he had been too lenient in allowing the encampment to last as long as it did.
