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Thursday, March 13, 2025

Israel accuses UN of ‘blood libel,’ slams accusations of genocide, sexual violence in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the United Nations’ Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as antisemitic after its report on Thursday accusing the Jewish state of carrying out “genocidal acts” and sexual violence tactics against Palestinians.

The UNHRC’s report alleged that Israel “intentionally attacked and destroyed” Gaza’s main fertility center with its blocking of aid medication that ensures safe pregnancies and deliveries.

The intergovernmental body charged it was a deliberate act to prevent Palestinian births.

Netanyahu vehemently denied the allegations and blasted the UN council as “an antisemitic, rotten, terrorist-supporting, and irrelevant body.”

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“Instead of focusing on the crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the Hamas terrorist organization in the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the UN is once again choosing to attack Israel with false accusations, including unfounded accusations of sexual violence,” Netanyahu said in a statement, referencing the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack.

The UNHRC concluded that the destruction of women’s health clinics and surge in maternity deaths due to the restricted access of medical supplies violated the Rome Statute and the Genocide Convention, with the acts slammed as the crime against humanity of extermination.

The report also accused Israel’s military of using forced public strippings and sexual assaults as part of their standard tactics to punish Palestinians.

Israel had arrested ten soldiers last year after they were charged with sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman base near the border.

The Israel Defense Forces denied the UHRC’s allegations, saying it has concrete policies that “unequivocally prohibit such misconduct.”

Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the report was nothing more than a conspiracy theory attempting to demonize the Jewish state.

“It is one of the worst cases of blood libel the world has ever seen (and the world has seen many),” the ministry said on X. “It accuses the victims of the crimes committed against them.

“Hamas is the organization that has committed horrendous sexual crimes against Israelis. It is indeed a sick document that only an antisemitic organization such as the UN could produce,” the agency added.

Hamas, who has faced its own war crimes allegations from the UN, said it welcomed Thursday’s report as a real reflection of the situation in Gaza.

“The UN’s investigation report on Israel’s genocidal acts against the Palestinian people confirms what has happened on the ground: genocide and violations of all humanitarian and legal standards,” the terror group said in a statement.

Israel disengaged from the UNHRC in February following previous allegations that the Jewish state’s war campaign in Gaza was tantamount to genocide, given the large number of civilian deaths, the destruction of nearly all hospitals, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Israel is also not a party to the Rome Statute, which gives the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to rule on cases involving crimes against humanity.

The ICC still has active warrants for the arrest of Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over their actions in Gaza.

The ICC also issued warrants against Hamas’ Oct. 7 masterminds last year, accusing them of war crimes and sexual violence during the terror attack that killed more than 1,200 people and saw another 251 kidnapped.

The Oct. 7 organizers, including chief architect Yahya Sinwar, have since been killed by Israel’s forces.

More than 48,500 people have been killed as a result of the war, according to the Hamas-run ministry of health, which does not differentiate between civilians and terrorists.

The IDF last estimated that it had killed more than 17,000 Hamas operatives during the war.

https://nypost.com/2025/03/13/world-news/israel-slams-un-accusations-of-genocide-sexual-violence-in-gaza/

Is the Japanese ‘shikibuton’ method the key to better sleep?

A centuries-old Japanese sleep practice could be the key to revitalizing rest.

While Western preferences prioritize plush mattresses and abundant bedding, the Japanese approach to rest favors a minimalist method for settling in and sleeping deep.

The secret is a “shikibuton,” which sleep doctor Dr. Hiroshi Takeda says “keeps the spine in a neutral position, reduces pressure points and improves circulation.”

A “shikibuton” — pronounced “she-key-boo-tawn” — is a firm, rollable, futon-style mattress designed to be used directly on the floor. Meant to mimic the experience of sleeping on the earth with minimal support, they are between 3 and 4.5 inches thick.

The thin mattress is traditionally handsewn, stuffed with cotton and blessedly devoid of synthetic materials, PFAs, flame retardants and activating chemicals.

“A soft mattress can cause the body to sink in unevenly, leading to poor spinal alignment and restless tossing and turning,” Takeda said, in partnership with Furniture in Fashion.

“A firmer surface like a shikibuton keeps the spine in a neutral position, reduces pressure points and improves circulation, helping the body relax more quickly.”

If you’re open to a minimal approach but not quite ready to trade in your pillow top for a floor futon, Takeda suggested a few easy-to-adopt modifications.

Go hard and low

“Consider a firmer mattress topper or a supportive mattress to prevent sinking,” he said. Additionally, a bed frame with a low profile can mimic the grounded feel of a shikibuton.

Shelby Harris, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and director of sleep health at Sleepopolis, previously told The Post that firmness and feel are secondary to form.

“A good mattress will keep your spine aligned while you sleep. Your sleep position, body type and personal preferences for feel and materials will all play a role in determining which mattress is best suited for your needs,” she said.

Invest in a buckwheat pillow

“Traditional Japanese pillows are filled with buckwheat husks, which mold to the shape of your head and neck, providing optimal support and better airflow. Unlike memory foam, these pillows don’t trap heat, keeping your head cool all night,” explained Takeda.

Although most Americans sleep with two pillows, Missouri physical therapist Sammy Spiegel said the two-pillow system — which she dubbed “two-pillow syndrome” — contributes to poor posture.

Other sleep specialists generally recommend dozing with just one pillow behind the head because it allows for a more natural alignment of the spine and neck, lowering the risk of pain and discomfort.

Declutter your bedroom

“Keep only essential bedroom furniture and avoid excessive décor,” advised Takeda. “Japanese interiors emphasize minimalism and calm, which reduces mental stimulation before bed.”

Studies have shown that spaces function as our psychological home, places of comfort and security that operate as an extension of our identity.

And who wants to be a messy, dusty, mite-ridden mess?

As The Post previously reported, clutter can increase the risk of developing a mood disorder, stunt creativity, decrease productivity, diminish energy and interfere with concentration and decision-making.

A highly cluttered environment could also lead to communication or relationship struggles, as the distraction of all the visual stimuli could interfere with reading others’ expressions and emotions.

Breathe deep

“A common Japanese breathing practice for relaxation involves inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 7 and exhaling for 8, this slows the heart rate and signals the nervous system to wind down,” shared Takeda.

This breathing pattern, developed as a variation of an ancient yogic technique, is a favorite among psychologists.

To give it a try, sit up with your back straight, and place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth.

Exhale through your mouth, around your tongue, then close your mouth and inhale through your nose for four counts.

Hold your breath for seven counts, before exhaling through your mouth for eight counts. This cycle counts as one breath — repeat three more times so you complete it four times in total.

Keep it cool

“A cooler sleeping environment (around 60-66°F) mimics Japan’s natural nighttime climate, triggering melatonin release and helping you fall asleep faster,” explained Takeda.

Research has established the relationship between temperature and sleep regulation.

Dr. Alex Dimitriu, a psychiatrist and sleep doctor based in California, echoed Takeda’s advice. He previously told The Post that a cold room — between 60 and 67 degrees — is best for getting to and staying asleep, noting that when your body temperature drops, it signals it’s time to slow down.

However, the precise, optimal temperature for drifting off varies between experts. The Sleep Foundation recommends aiming for 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while Cleveland Clinic supports setting the thermostat at 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit to turn your bedroom into a “cool, dark and quiet” cave.

Cleveland Clinic sleep psychologist Michelle Drerup explains that “heat is a huge disruptor for REM sleep,” the sleep stage associated with dreaming.

https://nypost.com/2025/03/13/health/try-out-this-japanese-sleep-method-for-better-rest-tonight/

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