Arizona sheriffs are standing with the State of Israel and members of the Jewish community in the United States.
Last week, leaders from the Arizona Sheriff’s Association sent an open letter to communicate their support for members of the Jewish Institute for National Security of America.
The letter, signed by Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes and Navajo County Sheriff David Clouse, stated that they “stand against the recent spate of antisemitic criminal acts,” adding their commitment “to defend the places of worship Jews frequent and investigate any threats against members of the Jewish community.”
In their letter, Rhodes and Clouse wrote that they sit in daily horror due to the “senseless violence of the terrorist organization Hamas on the citizens of Israel – Jews and non-Jews alike.” They asserted that “the war in Israel and Gaza has given rise to crimes targeting Jews across the United States,” and declared that “antisemitic attacks won’t be tolerated here in Arizona.”
The sheriffs also said that “Israel’s right to defend itself isn’t up for debate.” They expressed hope that the world would “see a safer Middle East where Israel and its neighbors live in peace and prosperity” after the conclusion of the ongoing war.
As they closed their letter, the two Arizona officials encouraged “all law enforcement across the country” to “rise to the moment to support Jewish communities targeted by people looking to commit evil acts based on religious hatred.”
Antisemitism has seen an increase in the United States – even before the noticeable crescendo of actions and rhetoric after the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel. According to a report from the Tel Aviv University’s Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and the Anti-Defamation League, there was “a sharp rise in the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States and other countries” in 2022. The United States was credited with 3,697 of these incidents, compared to 2,717 in 2021 – over a thirty-five percent increase year-over-year.
However, since the October 7th massacre, the number of antisemitic incidents in the United States has grown exponentially. The Anti-Defamation League “recorded a total of 2,031 antisemitic incidents between October 7 and December 7, up from 465 incidents during the same period in 2022, representing a 337-percent increase year-over-year.”
Earlier this month, the Prescott City Council unanimously adopted a resolution that, in part, “called upon Prescott law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times.” This action followed an earlier resolution from the Arizona State Legislature’s Republican leaders, who “called on Arizona’s officials in the Executive branch to hold accountable any individuals who engage in any acts of terrorism supporting Hamas,” prohibited by state laws.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
The crisis at America’s southern border continues to present serious national security concerns.
Last week, it was reported that ten IEDs were found along the Arizona / U.S. – Mexico border.
AZ: ICYMI: @SEDENAmx seized 10 IEDs filled with black powder and shrapnel along with various weapons and vehicles east of the Sasabe Port of Entry.
This isn’t the first time an IED was discovered near the Arizona border— Back in May an IED bound for the U.S. was intercepted at… pic.twitter.com/LMWnqtWiTW
According to reports, the explosive devices were found on the Mexican side of the border, near Sasabe (located between Nogales and Lukeville).
Republican state legislators joined many from around the country to declare their outrage and worries over this latest revelation from the border. Senator Wendy Rogers said, “We’ve known this was coming.”
Representative John Gillette added, “We have confirmed that internal officer safety alert dated December 13th that warns CBP agents to be vigilant as (IEDs) found at the border. How long will it be until the terrorists crossing the border are wearing suicide vest? Biden admin 100% to blame.”
We have confirmed that internal officer safety alert dated December 13th that warns CBP agents to be vigilant as (IEDs) found at the border. How long will it be until the terrorists crossing the border are wearing suicide vest? Biden admin 100% to blame. pic.twitter.com/kF9VNkuVZI
— Rep. John Gillette AZ House LD30 (@AzRepGillette) December 15, 2023
Ali Bradley, a National Correspondent for NewsNation, reminded her audience that this episode wasn’t the first time that an IED had been found at the border.
EXCLUSIVE: An improvised explosive device bound for the U.S. was intercepted at an Arizona port of entry.
The improvised explosive device was intercepted during secondary inspection by CBP officers at the Douglas, Arizona POE on May 6th.
Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, the President of the Arizona Sheriff’s Association, issued the following statement when asked by AZ Free News for comment: “We have long said that sometimes very dangerous criminals and people with intent to harm America are crossing the border daily. We need more resources from both the federal government and the state to catch these people trying to harm America. Local law enforcement encounters more violent and dangerous criminals along the border than ever before. People smuggling IEDs are doing so to attack America. The federal government needs to understand the threat and then provide the needed resources.”
The news about the IEDs came just hours before Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs issued an executive order to mobilize members of Arizona’s National Guard to a local epicenter of the crisis in Lukeville. Hobbs’ action was criticized by some Republican legislators, who questioned her motivations and timing for the decision. Representative Justin Heap stated, “Katie Hobbs has never cared about the Border. The reason Hobbs needs to appear to be taking action now (after years of opposing immigration reform & spending her first year in office dismantling state efforts to secure our own border) is the Border Crisis is such a complete disaster that her advisors have warned her that continued inaction will hurt democrats chances of winning in an election year. This isn’t security, it’s political calculation.”
Katie Hobbs has never cared about the Border. The reason Hobbs needs to appear to be taking action now (after years of opposing immigration reform & spending her first year in office dismantling state efforts to secure our own border) is the Border Crisis is such a complete… https://t.co/ZiXts3c6qQ
Representative Jacqueline Parker also weighed in on Heap’s assertions, saying, “It’s actually worse than that – she still isn’t going to do anything to fix the problems. Nothing will really change. She’s just giving lip service to anyone stupid enough to believe her & finding ways to waste the money we’ve allocated to secure the border.”
It’s actually worse than that -she still isn’t going to do anything to fix the problems. Nothing will really change. She’s just giving lip service to anyone stupid enough to believe her & finding ways to waste the money we’ve allocated to secure the border.
The governor’s order proves that she understands the significance of this crisis – especially as the state approaches a critical election year for both parties. However, Republicans and Democrats entering their second year of a divided government will likely be at odds when it comes to possible solutions to help Arizona stem the historic tide of illegal immigration.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
On Tuesday night, it was revealed that the Arizona State Senate had filed a lawsuit in the Maricopa County Superior Court against Governor Katie Hobbs over her refusal “to nominate agency directors, bypassing the Senate’s advice and consent processes.”
The lawsuit asks the Court to declare that the Governor has violated state law and to require her to nominate directors to any of the agencies missing Senate-confirmed heads.
This legal action from Senate Republicans, led by President Warren Petersen, promises to reignite a fiery political saga just weeks from the start of business for the Arizona Legislature.
Senator Wendy Rogers, who appeared to break the news of the lawsuit on “X,” celebrated the filing, highlighting her pride that her Senate Republican colleagues are “committed to upholding the law to protect Arizonans’ liberty.”
🚨LATE BREAKING🚨 Arizona Senate SUING HOBBS over her refusal to submit agency director nominations for Senate confirmation. AZ law REQUIRES agencies be led by Senate-confirmed directors. Proud my @AZSenateGOP is committed to upholding the law to protect Arizonans’ liberty. pic.twitter.com/78LQzZccmS
In September, Hobbs sent a letter to Petersen, informing him that she would “withdraw all director nominations that remain pending before the Senate and pursue other lawful avenues of ensuring State government can continue to function for Arizonans.” The governor blamed Senate Republicans for not “fulfilling (their) statutory obligations in good faith.”
After receiving Hobbs’ correspondence, Petersen stated that “This move by the Executive Branch showcases another prime example of an elected official who believes they’re already above the law and will go to extreme measures to bypass the requirements of the law when they don’t get their way.” Petersen also warned of the consequences of Hobbs’ unprecedented actions, saying, “Without directors fulfilling these obligations, the legality of every decision made by these state agencies is dubious, and litigation against the state would surely prevail.”
It didn’t take long for Petersen’s warning to come to fruition. One day after his statement, Arizona State Treasurer Kimberly Yee held a Board of Investment Meeting and refused to recognize “employees from the Department of Administration or the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions as legally participating members.”
Senator Jake Hoffman, the chairman of the committee that was tasked with vetting Hobbs’ nominees, reacted to his chamber’s breaking lawsuit against the governor, telling AZ Free News that the state’s chief executive has “made it abundantly clear to voters that Democrats care more about playing petulant political games and throwing temper tantrums than actually governing.” Hoffman contrasted Hobbs’ efforts with those of his colleagues, noting, “Republicans are committed to creating a government that works for every Arizonan.”
On February 2, Petersen announced the formation of the Senate Committee on Director Nominations, tasking this panel “with gathering information and evaluating qualifications on the governor’s executive appointments in order to recommend a course of action for the Senate to take on each individual.” The Senate President appointed five members to serve on the committee – three Republicans and two Democrats.
Over the next several months, the committee held multiple hearings for Hobbs’ nominees. Although Hobbs was upset that not everyone of her nominees received a passing grade, Petersen reminded observers that the process chosen by the Senate had “approved 70 percent of her nominees,” adding that “we are not a rubber stamp.”
Treasurer Yee is correct. The Governor has appointed 13 Fake Directors. They are illegitimate and should not be recognized as credible.
The Senate process was working to confirm nominees. We approved 70 percent of her nominees. But we are not a rubber stamp. 1of2. https://t.co/BSWzIX4fmj
The lawsuit follows increased efforts from Senate Republicans to set the agenda for 2024 in a critical election year for both political parties. The Senate Republicans recently released their Majority Plan, laying out their caucus’s priorities on eleven major categories. Republicans in both chambers also held a press conference this month to announce a plan to “ease the financial burden hitting hardworking Arizonans when they fill their gas tanks…by addressing fuel blend requirements in Arizona.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
A northern Arizona city is showing its support for the nation of Israel.
Earlier this month, the Prescott City Council passed a resolution to condemn Hamas and declare support for the Jewish State of Israel.
The motion to pass the resolution, taken during the City Council’s voting meeting on December 12, was unanimously adopted 7-0. After the result was announced, those in attendance, as well as some of the members behind the dais, broke into applause.
Prescott Mayor Phil Goode, who ushered the resolution through the meeting, said, “I’m quite proud of this council and our adoption of this resolution. As I said, I hope there are other cities and towns in this state that will follow our lead.”
In the resolution, Prescott leaders highlighted the state’s adoption of “the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism which includes anti-Zionism.”
The resolution gave seven action items for the city to follow in its support of Israel, which were as follows:
Reaffirm its support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the Jewish State of Israel;
Recognize Israel’s right to act decisively and unilaterally in self-defense to protect is citizens;
Express its support for Israel’s right to pursue without interference or condemnation the elimination of Hamas;
Convey its most heartfelt condolences to all Israeli victims as well as their families and communities;
Call upon Prescott law enforcement to remain vigilant in protecting Israeli Americans, Jewish Americans and all supporters of Israel from acts of crime and unlawful discrimination that tend to manifest at such times;
Encourage all other Americans to likewise condemn Hamas as well as any official body that refuses to recognize Israel’s right to act decisively in self-dense to protect its citizens; and
Call upon the United States to provide all assistance as may be required to support Israel in its defense against Hamas and all other terrorist organizations.
The Prescott City Council’s strong demonstration of support for Israel follows a similar action taken by the Arizona State Legislature on October 11, when Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma issued a Joint Legislative Proclamation to “denounce the horrific acts of war against Israel and support Israel’s right to defend itself” – among other calls to action for the Legislature.
Today a Joint Proclamation Supporting Israel has been signed by @votewarren & @RepBenToma and condemns the hateful attack on our ally. Let's turn the Capitol Dome light blue to show AZ's support for Israel.
Another week brought another near-record number of apprehensions in the Tucson Sector of the southern border.
Late last week, John Modlin, the Chief Patrol Agent of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector, announced that his agents had encountered 18,400 illegal aliens over the past seven days. The new number from Chief Modlin clocked in at just 500 fewer migrants than the previous week, which was regarded as historic for the sector.
The revelation from Chief Modlin came just one day following Governor Katie Hobbs’ announcement that she was mobilizing members of Arizona’s National Guard to the border near Lukeville. Hobbs made sure to point fingers at the federal government in her news alert, saying, “The crisis at the border is unacceptable. We need the federal government to step up, do its job, and bring security and stability to the border. I will continue to work with anyone who can help us bring an end to this mess.”
The crisis at the border is unacceptable. We need the federal government to step up, do its job, and bring security and stability to the border. I will continue to work with anyone who can help us bring an end to this mess.
Ali Bradley, a National Correspondent for NewsNation, shared a prediction that largely due to the record-number of apprehensions occurring in the Tucson sector, the total arrests for December across the entire southern border “is on track to blow November encounter numbers out of the water.”
NEW: CBP sources confirm December is on track to blow November encounter numbers out of the water:
167k for the first 17 days of December. 130k for the first 17 days of November.
The Tucson sector is leading the charge and is seeing the most people showing up there to self… pic.twitter.com/PMQSA6CWxo
In the Arizona Senate Republicans’ latest Week in Review, Senate President Warren Petersen addressed the crisis at the border, saying, “Every week, we continue to have human smugglers, murders, rapists, drug dealers, child sex traffickers, and terrorists entering our state, as record-breaking numbers of illegals cross our border. Biden has sent a message to the entire world that our southern border is wide open, and this is the consequence. Meanwhile, the closure of the Lukeville Port of Entry continues to impact trade, tourism, and the daily lives of Arizonans who live in these rural parts of the state. We need resources and funding sent to the border now, and we call on President Biden to act immediately. The U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that the border is the responsibility of the Federal Government, therefore our hands are tied in many areas when it comes to the border.”
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Petersen also highlighted an area where the legislature and governor could take action together to help mitigate the crisis, writing, “But, if the Federal Government isn’t going to step up or enforce existing law, then we need a law allowing states to enforce immigration policy and deport those entering Arizona illegally.”
Despite Hobbs’ efforts to be perceived as taking the border crisis seriously, she is unlikely to work with Petersen and his Republican colleagues on such a proposed law.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
