Tabby Refael

True story.

They fled Iran as children, now they watch the regime collapse. Iranian Americans @houmanhemmati and @TabbyRefael react to the Ayatollah’s death, discuss the "uphill climb" to freedom and their hope for Iran's future. Listen: buff.ly/wREGGtT

Dick Carlson, Tucker's dad, loved Israel. I should know. I was with him in Israel for 10 straight days. Every bus ride, every tour, every meal. At Yad Vashem, I'll never forget what he said: "Thank God the Jews have Israel." Dick Carlson knew that Jews have faced unique threats throughout history, and that Israel was necessary to protect Jews everywhere. I know that because he told me that. Not long after we returned from Israel, I started working for @FDD, where he was already. We would have lunch every month or two for years. I can say without reservation that when it comes to Israel and the Jews, Tucker Carlson is no Dick Carlson. Dick Carlson supported Israel. Dick Carlson hated Hamas. Dick Carlson called "Radical Islam" an "enemy of the United States and of the West." Dick Carlson didn't question the patriotism of Jews who supported Israel. Dick Carlson didn't hate Christians who supported Israel, not least because he was one of them. Dick Carlson didn't insist that Jews needed to take DNA tests to prove that they're actually Jews. Dick Carlson never slandered "Zionists" by saying that they "don't care about America" or accused them of having "not much of a soul." Dick Carlson, in fact, rarely used the word "Zionist," even though he worked with many of them. And, of course, he was a Zionist himself. How did Dick Carlson describe the Jewish state? "Israel is a country under siege. And it's a democracy in a part of the world where there are no democracies." If you're looking for a north star to help you understand Israel and the Muslim world, you could do a lot worse than the late, great Dick Carlson. Like, for instance, his son Tucker.

Further clarification and emphasis: There is a great deal of misinformation and hateful noise circulating. To be absolutely clear: UCLA did not cancel Bari Weiss. It was Bari’s/CBS’s security team that requested a postponement due to insufficient safety measures, to their standards. At no point did UCLA capitulate to anti-academic, politically motivated pressure to silence her. Moreover, it is my understanding that UCLA continues to consider inviting Bari to deliver the Daniel Pearl Memorial Lecture in person at a later date. One hopes this will occur soon—and that academic freedom, not intimidation, will prevail.

Grateful and humbled to have been featured on the front page of @latimes in print and online yesterday regarding my local community's response to the horror unfolding in #i̇ran . Thank you, @haileybranson for capturing this moment. latimes.com/california/sto…

@yaelbt @DillonHosier We have the same ones in LA. Who's making these things?? I'm legitimately interested.

I don’t know anything about labor disputes, but I err on the side of whoever brings the giant balloon animal

A few months ago, at a major event for the USC @CasdenInstitute in Los Angeles, I asked Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi @PahlaviReza one question whose answer left the audience on its feet, resulting in an uproarious standing ovation over the prospect of a free Iran.

@MichaelRapaport 1. Thank you for your unbelievable support. Iranian Americans like me and 1 million+ others won't forget it. 2. Next year, maybe you can lay tefillin in Tehran. 💙

I'll help cover the cost of airfare for the first five travelers.

"Trying to categorize the best music of this century is like losing all of your former best friends in a tidal wave, then sitting on a deserted island and counting the one or two friendly coconuts that you have found nearby on the sand." #2025 substack.com/home/post/p-18…

I remember this interview. I vacillated between sympathy for Mr. Askari and his hard-working staff, and wondering if I should ask him whether he had any leftover egg rolls I could take home. #Jewish #Xmas #chinesefood @JewishJournal jewishjournal.com/commentary/col…

It's been two years and my cholesterol still hasn't recovered from all the glorious "research" I conducted for this one. #Hanukkah #donuts @LAmag @LAMagFood lamag.com/food/los-angel…

Ilsa: Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake. Sam: I don't know what you mean, Miss Ilsa. Ilsa: Play it, Sam. Play "The Netflix Thumping Sound." Sam: Oh, I can't remember it, Miss Ilsa. I'm a little rusty on it. Ilsa: I'll hum it for you. BA-BUM. BA-BUM. #WarnerBros

I think #Jewish college students just found their new drinking game: Take a shot every time one of his staffers has to apologize for selective racism. timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry…

I wrote this a few years ago. Never gets old. #rain #LosAngeles @JewishJournal jewishjournal.com/commentary/col…

Thank you for everything, @LisaAnsell2

Loved playing a small role in this. Thank you, @USC and @PahlaviReza

Los Angeles may now add "headstone theft" to the list of the many, many reasons why you should absolutely consider moving here. #losangeles