A former head of Human Rights Watch (HRW) described dozens of hostages held by Hamas as “utter irrelevancies” on Wednesday. Kenneth Roth, a visiting professor at Princeton and the former executive director of HRW, accused the Israeli government of giving “diversionary excuses” in response to charges against two top officials by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. The ICC charged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, of committing war crimes in the war against Hamas in Gaza. One of the “excuses” cited by Roth is Israel’s mission to rescue roughly 100 hostages taken by Hamas during its October 7, 2023, terror attack. “The Israeli government responded to the ICC war-crime charges with the usual diversionary excuses – the need to liberate the hostages, Hamas’s use of human shields, Israel’s democracy and self-defense, supposed ICC antisemitism – all utter irrelevancies,” Roth said in a post on X. The Israeli government responded to the ICC war-crime charges with the usual diversionary excuses – the need to liberate the hostages, Hamas’s use of human shields, Israel’s democracy and self-defense, supposed ICC antisemitism – all utter irrelevancies. https://t.co/HJTGy8oeb5 — Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) November 27, 2024 In a later post, Roth said that the ICC charges are not about whether Israel’s war is just, but about “HOW [Israel] is waging the war. Nothing justifies war crimes.” But he also called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and said Israel’s only reason for continuing the war in Gaza was Netanyahu’s “need for a forever war to retain power and avoid prison…” Roth served as the executive director of HRC from 1993 to 2022. He received pushback online for his characterization of the hostages held by Hamas. “I can think of 101 people, in addition to their families, who might argue that the hostages are not ‘utterly irrelevant’ to IDF operations in Gaza,” Melissa Weiss, executive editor of Jewish Insider, wrote on X. International Legal Forum CEO Arsen Ostrovsky called Roth “an absolute heartless monster.” Adam Cannon, the director of legal at the British tabloid The Sun, said that Roth’s post showcases the “huge anti Israel bias” as HRC. Cannon wrote to Roth on X: “Your dismissal of the Hamas atrocities and the hostage they took on Oct 7 just illustrates your total lack of understanding or maybe just abject bias when it comes to this conflict, undermining an organisation which should be at the forefront of helping solve the issues.”

President-elect Donald Trump announced this week that he has nominated Jamieson Greer to serve as the next U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in his new administration. “Jamieson played a key role during my First Term in imposing Tariffs on China and others to combat unfair Trade practices, and replacing the failed NAFTA deal with USMCA, therefore making it much better for American Workers,” Trump said in a statement. “His efforts under the former USTR, Bob Lighthizer, a spectacular leader and person, helped spur the return of Manufacturing jobs to America, and reverse decades of disastrous Trade policies,” Trump continued. “Jamieson will focus the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on reining in the Country’s massive Trade Deficit, defending American Manufacturing, Agriculture, and Services, and opening up Export Markets everywhere.” Greer, who served as the chief of staff to Lighthizer, is known for having the same hawkish views as his former boss when it comes to dealing with communist China. CHECK OUT THE DAILY WIRE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Jamieson received his J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and later in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, including a deployment to Iraq. ? NEW: President Trump announces the nomination of Jamieson Greer as U.S. Trade Representative. pic.twitter.com/hS6rqASdgT — Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 27, 2024 Republican senators expressed support for Greer’s nomination while reacting to the news on X. “Jamieson Greer is an extraordinary choice to be our country’s next Trade Representative,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). “President Trump knows he will work to make trade deals that put America FIRST!” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) wrote: “I look forward to meeting with USTR nominee Jamieson Greer and discussing how we can work together to advance a pro-America, pro-manufacturing, and pro-job agenda.” “Another great pick by President Trump! Jamieson Greer will work diligently to combat the threat of Communist China and bolster American manufacturing,” added Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL). “I look forward to his quick confirmation!”

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Team Kamala Chair Goes Scooby-Doo: If It Weren't For That Darned Media ...

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized California on Wednesday for its ongoing ballot counting weeks after the November 5 election.DeSantis wrote in a post on X, "We are on the eve of Thanksgiving and California still hasn't finished counting votes. Post-election day ballot 'dumps' continue to net Democrat votes over two GOP incumbents."'No one believes this isn't completely shady.'He raised concerns that the ongoing ballot counting could reduce the Republican House majority to "a razor thin" margin of 220-215.“What a farce,” DeSantis declared.The Republican National Committee reported that it has already filed lawsuits against several states, including California, for counting mail-in ballots after Election Day. RNC Chairman Michael Whatley called it "absurd." He noted that California allows ballots received a week after Election Day to be counted, adding that it has taken the state "almost a month to count them.""Every vote in every state matters, and the RNC will work with our state parties and candidates to ensure Election Integrity across the country. It is clear that we need real election reforms to Protect the Vote in California," Whatley declared in a post on X.He stated that the RNC and the California Republican Party "have been on the ground with attorneys and observers across the state throughout the process of voting, curing, and counting."Fox News Digital reported that the RNC partnered with the National Republican Congressional Committee and Elon Musk's America PAC to launch a ballot-curing operation in California.Gates McGavick, senior adviser to Whatley, told the news outlet, "The RNC, NRCC, and CAGOP's election integrity operation was on the ground in California before Election Day, on Election Day, and has continued working ever since November 5th. Our attorneys and trained volunteers are in place to ensure transparency throughout the election process."The vast majority of voters in California opt to mail in their ballots, which has reportedly slowed down the tabulating process. During the 2022 election, nearly 90% of the votes cast were via mail-in ballots.Due to California's prolonged ballot counting, several local races still have not been called, including House bids for the 13th and 45th Congressional Districts.Former Acting Director of U.S. National Intelligence Richard Grenell commented on the sluggish vote counting.Grenell wrote on X, "No one believes this isn't completely shady that California is still counting votes."Rep. Mike Collins (R-Georgia) called on California to lose an electoral vote for every day it spends after Election Day counting the ballots.Even Musk also commented on the state's slow progress, stating, "India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes."The California Secretary of State’s office stated earlier this month, “Counting every vote takes time, but at the CA Secretary of State’s office, we’re committed to ensuring every eligible vote is counted. Final results will be certified on December 13th. Thank you for your patience as we work to protect your voice in our democracy!”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette fought six men who were allegedly intoxicated and harassing staff at a restaurant. Bissonnette was known as a fighter during his six seasons in the NHL, and those skills were put to the test on Sunday night in a Scottsdale, Arizona, restaurant. The 39-year-old did not go looking for a fight; rather, he was at his favorite spot, Houston's, that he says he visits a few times per week. "The bar where I normally sit was packed. I sat in the dining area, and at one point, there was a bit of a ruckus going on in the bar," Bissonnette said in a video posted to X. "It was a bunch of drunk golfers. Things obviously continued to escalate. They asked one guy to leave, and then one guy kept getting in the manager's face, put his hands on him," Bissonnette said. The physicality lasted about 30-45 seconds, the former player went on, explaining he soon went over and told the man they were "going to have problems" if he continued to harass the staff. 'I ate three kicks, one in the neck two in the head.' Bissonnette elaborated on the story on his Barstool Sports podcast, "Spittin' Chiclets," where he revealed more details on what he said to one of the alleged aggressors. "I walk over, I grabbed the guy's arm, I said, 'Listen, buddy, if you keep harassing and assaulting the staff here, we're going to go outside and have some problems.' The minute that left my mouth, the guy beside him starts throwing punches, and the next thing you know there was about four guys start swinging at me," he recalled. "We're in the middle of the bar area, and we're just throwing," the hockey player continued. Bissonnette said while he was taking punches, his shirt was ripped, his shoes came off, and at one point he was even dropped to the ground and got "boot f***ed." "I ate three kicks, one in the neck, two in the head," he continued. "I'll get their names, and this is gonna be a thing." Scottsdale Police mostly corroborated Bissonnette's story in a statement to Fox 10 Phoenix, but did not comment on whether or not the men were intoxicated. "There was an altercation inside the restaurant with six adult men and the management. Reportedly, Paul Bissonnette tried to help management calm the men and get them to leave. The situation escalated to the men assaulting Paul Bissonnette both inside and outside of the restaurant," Scottsdale Police Sgt. Allison Sempsis told the outlet. The men have since been identified and charged with the following: Danny Bradley, accused of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct John Carroll, accused of misdemeanor disorderly conduct William Carroll, accused of two counts of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct Sean Daley, accused of felony aggravated assault, felony forgery, and misdemeanor disorderly conduct Edward Jennings, accused of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct Henry Mesker, accused of misdemeanor assault and disorderly conduct Daley's felony charge is allegedly in regard to a possibly fraudulent military identification card that was reportedly found in his wallet. Paul Bissonnette (right) punches Jared Boll of the Columbus Blue Jackets during a fight in the second period on March 16, 2013.Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images During his recollection, Bissonnette was particularly angered due to how respectful and talented he said the staff at the restaurant is. "I'm very, very angry," he said, assuring the audience that surveillance video of the interactions would be released. Always trying to find humor in the situation, Barstool Sports owner Dave Portnoy shared a text message from Bissonnette the day after the altercation. "Just saw a story saying you got jumped. Are you okay?" Portnoy asked Bissonnette. "Ya. Took some but gave more," the former fighter replied. Portnoy called the response "vintage" Bissonnette. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman caught a child who fell out of the stands at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.The scary scene happened following a 30-27 Chiefs win against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday as the Chiefs were walking off the field.While Chiefs players like Carson Steele and Travis Kelce were making their way into the players' tunnel, several young fans were leaning over the railing trying to get their attention.However, one young fan in a Nick Bolton jersey was being held back by a security guard who was wearing a "Bank of America Stadium" jacket. When the security guard turned away, the young fan, likely around 10-12 years old, fell head-first through a gap in the railing toward the ground and other equipment.It was at that point that defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton saw the child falling and lunged forward to prevent him from landing on his head after the approximate 10-foot fall."Go back to your seats!" the security guard yelled as the child was being helped up. "Everybody go back to your seats, this kid just fell!"As the security guard once again had his back turned, the boy was helped back into the stands by Wharton while fans yelled to the security personnel to help him.'I kinda grabbed him right by the back.'Wharton offered his perspective of the incident the following Tuesday on "The Pat McAfee Show."In a clip uploaded to X, McAfee asked the defensive tackle what, if anything, he was thinking at the time of the ordeal."Did you not think? Was it just natural reaction?" the host began."Well, I'd say it was natural reaction," Wharton replied. "Usually, when I leave a game [I] try to throw my gloves in the crowd. And I think I heard my name a little bit. And when I heard my name, I seen [the boy] coming down."It was apparently a bad day for security at the stadium, as Wharton then pointed out there were more guards who didn't seem to realize what he was doing."They were looking at us. But, I just had to kinda, like, push [the boy] into the stands a little bit to make sure he didn't hit too hard."Host McAfee then comically asked the player what kind of catch he made when rescuing the child."So what was it? Was it a one-handed grab, snag of what, like, his shirt, his shoulder? How did you go about it, honestly?""I kinda grabbed him right by the back," Wharton explained, grabbing the back of his own shirt, near the collar. The 26-year-old added that he guided the child toward the stands on the ground level to make sure he didn't hit floor. Wharton said he is now hoping to find the unidentified child and have him attend another Chiefs game."I would like to reach out to him, get him out to the game, and, you know, get [to] be able to reflect with him a little bit more if I could."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!