Just around 11pm January 26th an exodus of people left for the north of Gaza?
To the north, about 23 people, civilians and a Lebanese soldier, were killed and many more injured, by the Israeli military, in several places (?), as they tried to return to their homes in southern Lebanon. Israel was in violation of its commitments to withdraw by a certain time, but the Lebanon ceasefire has been renewed or extended.
[ consortiumnews.com/2025/01/27/craig-murray-israeli-atrocities-continue-in-lebanon/
[ diario-octubre.com/2025/01/28/hizbulah-rechaza-extension-de-retirada-israeli-de-sur-de-libano/ ]
[BAJ -- Ali Abunimah: My imprisonment in Switzerland -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGsMNLIteXw&ab_channel=TheElectronicIntifada 1:37:52]
consortiumnews.com/2025/01/27/outcry-at-2-day-detention-deportation-of-journalist-in-zurich/
consortiumnews.com/2025/01/27/how-the-israel-lobby-tries-to-silence-criticism-of-israel/
www.councilestatemedia.uk/p/ali-abunimah-has-been-freed-by-swiss
www.councilestatemedia.uk/p/you-cant-criticise-israel-in-the
www.councilestatemedia.uk/p/gaza-double-standards-show-everything
jalalayn.substack.com/p/is-trump-going-to-be-any-better
theworker.news/2025/01/28/two-judges-killed-in-tehran/
January 28th: blackallianceforpeace.com/bapstatements/welcome-home-leonard-peltier
January 27th: consortiumnews.com/2025/01/27/remembering-robert-parry-who-died-7-yrs-ago-today/
thenextrecession.wordpress.com/2025/01/28/ai-going-deepseek/
So they say (paywalled): www.nknews.org/pro/in-changing-world-north-korea-has-little-to-gain-from-pro-regime-sympathizers/ ]
[NSOTA's Statement on the war in Gaza, etc.: www.nsota.org/statement (NSOTA is a new university-type institution, operating in-person in the UK and online.)
On Jamaal Bowman, etc.: tempestmag.org/2025/01/dsa-never-recovered-from-bowman/
tempestmag.org/2025/01/leftist-studies-in-china-and-the-united-states/
tempestmag.org/2021/11/expel-jamaal-bowman/
Tempest Collective statement of solidarity with Ali Abunimah: tempestmag.org/2025/01/solidarity-with-ali-abunimah/
There was a webinar on the "Syrian Revolution" February 2nd: tempestmag.org/2025/01/whats-next-for-the-syrian-revolution/
On the current global economic order, "Capital's fairytales:" newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/fire-and-spark
"Trump and tech:" newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/fragile-leviathan
On the cancellation of the Romanian election (rescheduled to May 4th?): newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/fractured-romania
Cuba and the US government's "SSTL:" newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/abject-gesture
On David Lynch: newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/women-in-trouble
On Trudeau: newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/trudeaus-fall
France in Africa: newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/the-franc-zone
On TJ Clark's Bruegel: newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/world-upside-down
The environment and capitalism; "Technology and waste:" newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/exponential-abyss
On the current global economic order; "On Joseph Stiglitz:" newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/supply-sider ]
The Electronic Intifada has at least one livestream each week, currently on Thursdays or Sundays, broadcast on YouTube, Facebook, Rumble, X/Twitter, Twitch, and Instagram: www.electronicintifada.net
1. Sent out by email the evening of January 25th (online at: adc.org/ali-abunimah/ ); Palestinian-American journalist Ali Abunimah (born December 29, 1971 in Washington, DC: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Abunimah ) was arrested January 24th or before:
ADC Calls on Swiss Authorities to Immediately Release Journalist Ali Abunimah
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is outraged by news reports of the arrest of Ali Abunimah—founder and Executive Director of The Electronic Intifada and a prominent Palestinian rights advocate—by Swiss authorities. Mr. Abunimah, a United States citizen, has long been a committed voice against Israel’s injustices in Palestine, and his arrest appears to be a direct result of his outspoken advocacy.
In a statement posted by Electronic Intifada, Abunimah was arrested by Swiss police ahead of a speaking event in Zurich on Saturday afternoon. He is currently being detained and has had access to legal counsel. The arrest came one day after Abunimah arrived in Zurich for a speaking tour. When he arrived at Zurich airport on Friday, Abunimah was questioned by police for an hour before being allowed to enter the country.
ADC condemns the targeting of a journalist and human rights advocate for exercising freedom of expression. Speaking out against injustice in Palestine is not, and should never be considered, a crime. Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are universal fundamental rights that must be protected, not punished.
ADC stands in full solidarity with Abunimah and urgently demands his immediate release. We call on the U.S. State Department to fulfill its responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens abroad and do what it can to secure the safe and immediate release of Abunimah.
Abunimah’s arrest is a stark reminder of the increasing attempts to stifle voices calling for justice and accountability. We stand resolutely in support of journalists and advocates who risk their freedom and lives to expose human rights abuses and demand a more just and equitable world. We urge governments worldwide, and especially U.S. allies, to respect the fundamental freedoms of speech, expression, and press. Efforts to silence those who defend Palestinian rights set a dangerous precedent and must be unequivocally condemned.
ADC will continue to monitor this case closely and work with our partners, supporters, and the broader civil and human rights communities to ensure that justice prevails. We will not relent in defending Abunimah’s right to speak truth to power—or anyone else’s right to do the same.
Our work is not possible without your support. Consider making a contribution to ADC today.
2. Sent out by email January 25th at mid-day:
Extremist Zionist Organizations Threatening Community Members
Dear ADC Members,
Almost one week into the new administration and we have already seen a number of Executive Actions taken by President Trump. Earlier this week ADC strongly opposed the new Executive Order titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” Under this new Executive Order, the Department of Homeland Security can deny or revoke visas based on ideological beliefs.
Since the signing of this Executive Order, a number of U.S. based extremist Zionist groups have begun harassing Arab, Palestinian students. These groups are directly contacting students and making threats to report them to DHS officials to be placed on a “jihadi deportee list.” These groups are also pressuring universities across the country to report the names of international students to DHS and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE), in hopes of having them removed from the U.S.
Make no mistake - the actions taken by these radical third party groups have one intention, and that is to silence any students who show support for Palestine. All Americans must reject any attempts to use ideology as a basis of removal of individuals from the U.S., or to deny visa applications for entry into the U.S. These actions, along with the actions of extremist Zionist organizations, strip away the First Amendment Rights of Americans.
We will not relinquish our rights to freedom of speech, expression, and assembly simply to appease a foreign government.
ADC is closely monitoring and following reports of individuals being contacted and threatened. To provide the support needed for community members, ADC launched its 24/7 Legal Intake Hotline. The hotline is a confidential way for community members to seek support on legal matters such as immigration issues, workplace discrimination, school-based harassment, and more. After an intake, ADC attorneys will follow up directly with the client to provide support.
The Hotline, at 844-ADC-9955 (844-232-9955), is part of ADC’s broader legal strategy to address the new wave of challenges facing Arab and Muslim communities. Along with defending individuals from discrimination, ADC’s legal team will challenge policies that violate First Amendment rights and single out entire communities based on faith, ethnicity, or political opinion.
Individuals receiving emails from Zionist organizations threatening their immigration status are encouraged to contact ADC via email to legal[at adc org], or on our 24/7 ADC Legal Hotline at 844 - ADC - 9955.
Our work is not possible without your support. Consider making a contribution to ADC today.
3. Sent out by email January 23rd in the afternoon:
Announcing the ADC Legal Hotline
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[Re-posted:
Dear ADC Members,
In light of the growing challenges facing the community, ADC has launched an Emergency Legal Hotline to ensure legal support and protections for those who need it. The hotline, which is accessible 24/7, went live earlier this afternoon.
Since 1980, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has stood at the forefront of defending our community’s civil rights—through the post-9/11 targeting of Arab Americans, the 2017 Muslim Ban, the genocide in Gaza, and the relentless discrimination, persecution and speech suppression that defined them all.
We’ve been here before. And just as we did then, ADC is ready to fight back to ensure your rights are safeguarded. Our mission has never changed: to protect, empower, and advocate for the Arab-American community.
Announcing the ADC Legal Hotline
If you or someone you know is experiencing discrimination, has questions about immigration changes, labor rights, or even school-based harassment, the ADC Legal Hotline is here to help.
Call: 844-ADC-9955 (844-232-9955)
Your Support Is As Critical As Ever. We rely on your generosity to sustain and expand our legal services, advocacy efforts, and community programs. With your help, we can:
- Challenge unlawful, discriminatory Executive Orders and legislation.
- Protect families affected by xenophobic, anti- Arab and anti-Muslim immigration policies.
- Defend First Amendment rights and fight censorship in our schools and workplaces.
- Advocate for humane and just policies at the local, state, and federal levels.
We’ve been fighting—and winning—these battles for nearly 45 years. ADC has proven time and again that we have the spine, experience and expertise to confront times of great adversity.
In these challenging times, your contribution makes a critical difference. Please make a donation today to help fortify ADC’s Legal Department and ensure we can respond effectively to this new wave of challenging policies.
If you are an attorney who would like to be added to our referral network, please sign up HERE.
Today, more than ever, may Arab Americans stand in integrity, in community, and unafraid—and ADC will always protect and uplift our people.
In solidarity,
Abed Ayoub
ADC National Executive Director ]
4. Originally posted at: adc.org/adc-announces-its-24-7-legal-hotline/
ADC Announces Its 24/7 Legal Hotline
Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | January 24, 2025 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) announced the launch of its 24/7 ADC Legal Hotline—a critical resource for those facing discrimination or seeking clarity on immigration policies. With the signing of a new Executive Order that threatens to replicate the discriminatory 2017 “Muslim Ban,” and the swift advancement of IHRA bills at both federal and state levels, the ADC Legal Hotline comes at a pivotal time for Arab and Muslim communities.
For nearly 45 years, ADC has stood at the forefront of defending Arab Americans—particularly during moments of heightened profiling, speech suppression, and persecution. From the post-9/11 era to the original Muslim Ban in 2017, ADC’s legal team has repeatedly exposed and challenged policies designed to silence and intimidate our communities. Today’s increased momentum behind xenophobic Executive Orders and IHRA legislation further underscores the urgent need for robust legal support and community solidarity.
“ADC has been on the legal frontlines during some of the most trying chapters in our history,” said Chris Godshall-Bennett, ADC’s Legal Director. “With the recent slew of Executive Orders that may exclude and remove individuals based on their backgrounds, beliefs, or associations, it is more important than ever for civil society groups—regardless of background—to come together and defend the integrity of our legal system. No one should face intimidation or persecution simply for their background or for expressing dissent. Freedom of speech must be preserved, and our nation’s immigration laws must adhere to the Constitution, the law, common sense, and humanity. The new ADC Legal Hotline is here to ensure that those targeted by these efforts are quickly connected to effective legal assistance.”
Through the ADC Legal Hotline, individuals can seek guidance on a broad range of issues, including immigration changes, workplace discrimination, school-based harassment, and more. Following the hotline intake, ADC attorneys will provide confidential assistance and help connect individuals to an extensive referral network of attorneys across the country.
The Hotline, reachable at 844-ADC-9955 (844-232-9955), is part of a broader expansion of ADC’s legal efforts to confront the new wave of legal challenges faced by Arab and Muslim communities in the United States. In addition to defending individuals facing discrimination, ADC’s legal team is poised to challenge the constitutionality of policies that undermine First Amendment rights and target entire communities based on faith, ethnicity, or political opinion.
5. Originally posted at: adc.org/statement-from-adc-on-harvard-universitys-adoption-of-the-ihra-definition-of-antisemitism/
Statement from ADC on Harvard University’s Adoption of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | January 22, 2025 – Harvard University has now embraced the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which effectively declares criticism of Israel as a form of antisemitism. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the pro-Israeli lobby have spent extraordinary amounts of time mobilizing resources to pass the IHRA definition of anti-semitism in federal courts, state legislatures, and schools. This battle did not begin at Harvard University but rather has been decades in the making, with this announcement marking another attack on the freedom of speech of Arab Americans and other pro-Palestinian allies.
Rather than promoting genuine understanding of antisemitism, the IHRA definition weaponizes ‘antisemitism’ to undermine Palestine advocacy by criminalizing legitimate criticisms of the Israeli government. IHRA also criminalizes and punishes any criticism of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, which is recognized as illegal under international law.
The proposed definition is not intended to provide a concrete, functional definition of what constitutes antisemitic prejudice and discrimination, but rather it is an attempt to stifle the free speech and expression of all Americans.
The ADC, alongside other civil rights organizations, is concerned by the adoption of this definition and the potential consequences for Arab Americans and our allies. With Harvard taking on this definition and setting a precedent, it is imperative that other universities do not follow suit. We reject the need for any legislative definition of antisemitism, as it serves only to stifle necessary discourse rather than address true discrimination against Jewish people.
This definition harms the Palestinian movement and endangers students, faculty, and staff at universities. The students and employees at Harvard are now subject to hate crime allegations and potential administrative issues.
We call upon university leaders across the country to reject the IHRA’s definition of antisemitism and to uphold the First Amendment rights of pro-Palestinian allies.
6. Sent out by email January 21st in the afternoon:
ADC Statement on Trump Travel Ban Executive Order
For Immediate Release
ADC Contact: media[at adc org]
Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | January 21, 2025 – The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) strongly opposes the new Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This directive lays the groundwork for another discriminatory policy that targets individuals from predominantly Muslim and Arab countries—essentially replicating the notorious 2017 Muslim Ban. The government now has wider latitude to use ideological exclusion to deny visa requests and remove individuals who are already legally in the United States.
Using identical statutory powers in President Trump’s 2017 Muslim Ban Executive Orders, this new directive instructs the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report within 60 days identifying countries whose vetting and screening processes are deemed too deficient. That determination could trigger either partial or full suspensions on admitting nationals from these listed countries, as authorized by section 212(f) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)).
The new order goes a step further than its 2017 predecessor by adding language that opens the door to ideological exclusion by allowing the government to deny visas or entry based on perceived political opinions, religious beliefs, or cultural backgrounds:
“Section 1. Policy and Purpose.
(a) It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.
(b) … And the United States must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the United States do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security.”
Moreover, the order authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to remove individuals from these identified countries who are already legally in the United States, again using ideology as a basis for removal. Such practices echo some of the most troubling chapters in our nation’s history, when the government barred and scrutinized people solely for their viewpoints or associations rather than any credible security concern.
ADC calls on the Trump Administration to stop stigmatizing and targeting entire communities, which only sows division. America’s promise of freedom of speech and expression—a principle that President Trump himself has long highlighted—now stands in stark contradiction to his new Executive Order. These measures, similar to the “Non-Profit Killer” and IHRA bills plaguing our federal and state legislatures, collectively chip away at our First Amendment rights from multiple angles, corroding the pillars of our democracy. We know that past iterations of the Muslim Ban failed to pinpoint actual threats, while imposing inhumane consequences on families seeking safety, reunion, or opportunity.
We cannot allow governments to continue to erode our First Amendment rights or to revive the fear and distrust that defined the post-9/11 era. Standing against these regressive measures is our shared responsibility. If we permit this corrosion of rights for one community, we risk the freedoms of all.
The ADC stands resolute in its commitment to protect the civil and human rights of Arab Americans and all who face discrimination. Our work depends on your support—particularly now, as we move to bolster the ADC Legal Department in response to this new Executive Order and anticipated future actions. Please consider donating today to help strengthen ADC’s legal efforts.
7. Sent out by email the morning of January 17th:
ADC Statement on the Gaza Ceasefire
For Immediate Release
ADC Contact: media[at adc org]
Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | January 17, 2025 – After 15 months of genocide by Israel, a ceasefire agreement has been officially reached. ADC welcomes the announcement of the ceasefire in Gaza, and acknowledges the many challenges still ahead. One thing is abundantly clear – October 6, 2023 cannot be looked at as the status quo that Palestinians and the region must be forced to return to. As ADC stated 15 months ago:
For decades Israel has been perpetrating unspeakable crimes against humanity, collective punishment, and has sustained an open-air prison for Palestinians in the blockaded Gaza Strip. It has allowed for the relentless and daily attacks by Jewish settlers on Palestinian towns and cities, and the desecration of Holy sites. Palestinian families have been mercilessly torn apart, and generations of Palestinians have grown up in the grip of violent oppression by an occupying force. To overlook or minimize these facts is to lack depth in understanding and compromise moral clarity.
As the world focuses on the pause in Gaza bombings, we remind governments that ethnic cleansing, apartheid, occupation, and annexation persist in the West Bank and East Jerusalem—making lasting peace impossible. Any outcome allowing permanent military rule over Gaza or a recolonization of Palestinian land will merely reignite the genocide. The ultimate goal must be dismantling the blockade, ending the occupation and apartheid so Palestinians can determine their own future. Peace can only emerge when liberation, justice and accountability prevail, and when the international community works to end these inhumane conditions once and for all.
The genocide against Palestinians in not over. Palestinians in Gaza face a humanitarian crisis that is a continuation of the genocide: the forced starvation, destruction of healthcare infrastructure, and environmental devastation imposed by Israel’s illegal occupation and continuous bombing will continue taking lives. The U.S. and world community must do what they can to ensure that much needed humanitarian aid is entering Gaza.
Throughout this crisis, President Biden’s administration delayed and undermined efforts to secure a ceasefire, isolating the United States on the global stage. Now, amid reports that the incoming President Trump and his team applied pressure to reach this deal, we cannot ignore the urgent need for accountability. The ceasefire does not absolve Israel of its war crimes or its systematic violation of international law, nor does it justify the U.S. rush to arm Israel without regard for internal concerns about war crimes and American legal obligations. A comprehensive review of U.S. arms transfers to Israel is imperative, and an arms embargo must be imposed to stop the relentless cycle of violence.
Finally, we remember and honor the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian lives lost over the past 15 months. We will not forget the role our own government played in carrying out the genocide, including President Joe Biden choosing a legacy of genocide over peace. We will continue to advocate for an end to the occupation, a comprehensive arms embargo, and the liberation of Palestine. Let this ceasefire be the first decisive step toward ending an era of violence, and not a mere pause that delays the inevitable.
8. Sent out by email the evening of January 10th:
ADC Joins Partners to File Title VI Complaint Against Santa Clara Unified School District
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[Re-posted:
Dear [ ]:
Hello, my name is Chris Godshall-Bennett, Legal Director at the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC). I want to share an important development regarding our efforts to defend the rights and dignity of Arab and Palestinian students, parents, and educators.
Recently, ADC joined the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of San Francisco Bay, the National Lawyers Guild of San Francisco Bay, and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC) to file a Title VI civil rights complaint against the Santa Clara Unified School District (SCUSD). Our complaint states that SCUSD administrators engaged in or permitted actions that discriminated against Palestinian and Arab communities, resulting in a hostile educational environment. We are deeply concerned about restrictions on Palestinian perspectives in the classroom, incidents of harassment, and the uneven treatment of student-led events.
Our primary concern is ensuring the district upholds every student’s fundamental right to a safe and respectful learning atmosphere, free of discrimination and censorship. ADC stands ready to protect the rights of those facing discrimination and to ensure schools respect their obligations under Title VI and the First Amendment. We believe no student, parent, or educator should be silenced for expressing their identity or advocating for human rights.
The complaint has been formally submitted to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. While we await their determination, please know that ADC will remain steadfast in seeking just outcomes for all students who have been impacted.
Thank you for standing with us in this vital work. Should you have any questions or information that may aid our advocacy, please reach out at any time. We value your ongoing support and commitment to ADC’s mission of upholding the civil rights of Arab and Palestinian communities nationwide.
Chris Godshall-Bennett
Legal Director
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) ]
9. Sent out by email January 9th in the afternoon:
Update: U.S. Department of Education Orders Relief for Palestinian and Arab Students at Rutgers University Following ADC Complaint
Washington, D.C. | www.adc.org | January 9, 2024 – After a complaint filed by ADC and CAIR-NJ last year, the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has directed Rutgers University to address probable violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint alleged that Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students at Rutgers are facing unlawful discrimination and identity-based censorship. The Department of Education agreed.
OCR found that Rutgers failed to sufficiently respond to reports of discrimination made by Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students. Notably, OCR also determined that Rutgers likely violated Title VI by removing posters and memorials placed by Palestinian students to call attention to the ongoing genocide in Palestine because it selectively enforced university policies against Palestinian students [Has UNC-CH or its departments done this sort of thing?]. Furthermore, OCR found that Rutgers failed to protect its Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students from hostile actions by third parties, such as doxing and harassment.
OCR also resolved complaints of anti-Semitic harassment made by Jewish students at Rutgers. ADC welcomes OCR intervention in legitimate complaints of such discrimination, but rejects any conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism. We demand that OCR and all other government agencies refrain from making such a conflation when addressing anti-Jewish racism.
To address these violations, OCR directed the University to review all policy and procedures to ensure compliance with Title VI; to conduct listening sessions with Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim student organizations; to submit all complaints filed by students in 2023-2024 to OCR for review; to submit all disciplinary actions taken against students and student groups in 2023-2024 to OCR for review; to train employees on discrimination on the basis of shared ancestry; to provide annual non-discrimination training for campus police; and to administer a climate assessment of the university as a whole. OCR also directed Rutgers to re-assess and redress the harm faced by a particular student who experienced anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim discrimination. Rutgers will also be required to submit an audit of its 2024-2025 disciplinary records.
ADC Legal Director Chris Godshall-Bennett said, “Title VI exists to protect all students from discrimination on the basis of their race or shared ancestry. Palestinians are not an exception to this rule. Rutgers students deserve more from their university and we welcome OCR’s intervention to ensure that their rights are respected and protected. Nevertheless, the rights of students remain under attack and the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism is a threat to both free expression and the fight against real antisemitism. ADC remains committed to ensuring our students can continue to lead the charge against genocide and apartheid without unlawful interference by their schools or the government itself.”
If you need assistance from the ADC Legal Department please email legal@adc.org.
Click here to support ADC by making a contribution today .
About ADC
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S., founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk. ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination in the U.S., enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.
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