UN chief condemns Israeli occupier attacks on Palestinian communities in West Bank

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A view of fire damage and Hebrew graffiti at Al-Rahmah Mosque as a Palestinian resident inspects the scene after an arson attack by Israeli settlers in the village of Kusra, south of Nablus in West Bank, Palestine on July 26, 2026. [Hisham K. K. Abu Shaqra – Anadolu Agency]

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday condemned attacks by Israeli occupiers against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including attacks on two mosques, Anadolu reports.

“The secretary-general condemns the attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, including the reported arson attacks on two mosques, vandalism of private property, and attacks targeting Palestinians and their livelihoods,” UN spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters.

Haq said attacks against places of worship are “heinous and unacceptable” and warned that they risk further inflaming an already volatile situation.

“The secretary-general calls for those responsible to be swiftly identified and held accountable in line with Israel’s obligations under international law,” he said.

READ: UN official warns Gaza recovery ‘far too slow’ as occupied West Bank escalation risk grows

Guterres urged Israeli authorities to take immediate measures to prevent further attacks by settlers against Palestinians and their property, including places of worship.

“The secretary-general further calls on the Israeli authorities to take immediate and effective measures to prevent further attacks by settlers against Palestinians or their property, including places of worship, and to ensure the protection of civilians,” Haq said.

Attacks by the Israeli army and occupiers in the West Bank have escalated since Israel launched its genocide in Gaza in October 2023. According to official Palestinian figures, at least 1,182 Palestinians have been killed, around 13,000 injured and nearly 24,000 arrested in the occupied territory during the same period.

READ: Israeli army raids Quran radio station in occupied West Bank, shuts it down

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Vote Labour for Genocide.
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Continue ReadingUN chief condemns Israeli occupier attacks on Palestinian communities in West Bank

Israeli occupiers establish new settlement outpost in northern West Bank

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Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and illegal Israeli settlers attend the inauguration ceremony of the illegal “Doren” settlement outpost, established south of Hebron in West Bank, on June 16, 2026. [Wisam Hashlamoun – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli occupiers established a new illegal settlement outpost Tuesday on Palestinian land in the town of Yasuf, east of Salfit in the northern West Bank, the third such outpost in the province in two days, Anadolu reports.

Yasuf council chief Juma Abdel Fattah told Anadolu that Israeli occupiers set up the new outpost northeast of the town, erecting a tent in the Al-Nasba area around 50 meters from Palestinian homes.

The area has faced repeated violence by occupiers, with two Palestinian homes in the area threatened with demolition by Israeli authorities, he said.

Abdel Fattah warned that the new outpost was part of an Israeli policy “to impose facts on the ground and tighten restrictions on residents.”

This is the third outpost established by occupiers in Salfit province over the past two days, he said.

READ: Israeli army raids Quran radio station in occupied West Bank, shuts it down

Settlement outposts are sites established by occupiers, often by setting up mobile homes or tents on Palestinian land, before later turning them into illegal permanent settlements with support from the Israeli government.

The UN considers the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, occupied Palestinian territory and says all Israeli settlement activity there is illegal under international law.

In recent weeks, the West Bank has seen an escalation in occupier attacks on Palestinians and their property, amid accusations by Palestinians and Israeli and international rights groups that the Israeli army protects occupiers and sometimes participates in the attacks.​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​According to the Palestinian Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission, occupiers carried out 3,488 attacks against Palestinians and their property in the first half of 2026. The attacks included assaults on people, property and land, the establishment of new settlement outposts and preventing farmers from accessing their land.

READ: Israeli army arrests 14 Palestinians, demolishes 3 homes in occupied West Bank

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Vote Labour for Genocide.
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Continue ReadingIsraeli occupiers establish new settlement outpost in northern West Bank

Germany rules out sanctions against Israel despite West Bank concerns

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German Chancellor Friedrich Merz holds a press conference at the Chancellery to address current issues in Berlin, Germany, on April 9, 2026. [Halil Sağırkaya – Anadolu Agency]

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday ruled out general sanctions against Israel, while voicing deep concern over the Israeli government’s activities in the occupied West Bank, Anadolu reports.

“We are observing the Israeli government’s activities in the West Bank settlements with great concern,” Merz said at a joint press briefing with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Dublin.

“I have expressed this on several occasions to Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu, including in personal conversations. But we do not believe that general sanctions against Israel are the right approach,” he said.

The German leader reiterated his hardline stance against imposing sanctions against Israel, citing his country’s Nazi past.

READ: Report exposes pro-Israel network pushing Germany to defund UNRWA

“I always advocate among European heads of state and government that Germany bears a special responsibility toward the State of Israel in this regard. And for that reason, we cannot and will not join sanctions regimes against Israel in general. And that is certainly how things will remain for the time being,” Merz added.

In July, Germany renewed its opposition to a potential EU ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements.

According to German media reports, Berlin is becoming increasingly isolated within the EU over its opposition to trade restrictions on goods from the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

At least 20 EU countries reportedly asked the European Commission in June to clarify what measures could be taken in response to the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

READ: Germany criticizes Israel over West Bank, stops short of backing tougher EU measures

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Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Continue ReadingGermany rules out sanctions against Israel despite West Bank concerns

Several countries urge protection of journalists amid Middle East escalation

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Relatives of Palestinian journalist Amal Muhammad Shamali, who lost his life following the Israeli attack on makeshift tents in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp, brought the body from the morgue of al-Awda Hospital for funeral process in Gaza City, Gaza on March 9, 2026. [Moiz Salhi – Anadolu Agency]

Members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC) issued a joint statement Tuesday expressing concern over the safety of journalists and media workers and the impact of escalating regional tensions in the Middle East on access to information, Anadolu reports.

The coalition said independent media play a critical role during armed conflicts by providing accurate and timely information to affected communities and the international public.

In the statement, the signatories said they were concerned about what they described as an increasing number of journalists being killed, arrested or detained across the region.

“The safety of journalists and media workers, and the access to information are under serious threat,” it said.

The statement accused the Israeli government of preventing independent international journalists from entering Gaza for over two years, saying the restrictions have limited independent reporting on the conflict.

“We strongly condemn all forms of violence directed against journalists and media workers, including media infrastructure, press facilities, and clearly marked media vehicles,” it said.

READ: Palestinian journalist says prison starvation, medical neglect led to brain hemorrhage after release from Israeli prison

The coalition further expressed concern over what it described as a crackdown on journalists and freedom of the press in Iran, including internet shutdowns.

The statement said the reported incidents raise concerns about the protection of journalists under international humanitarian law and press freedom in conflict situations.

It called on all parties involved to comply with international humanitarian law and to ensure the protection of civilians, including journalists.

The coalition also said deliberate attacks on journalists are unacceptable and may constitute war crimes, while stressing that detained journalists should be treated in accordance with international law.

The statement was signed by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Ghana, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

READ: Israel killed 8 Palestinian journalists, committed 467 media violations in 1st half of 2026: Press union

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/. New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing the same policy of active support of and denial of genocide by Israel.
Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.

Continue ReadingSeveral countries urge protection of journalists amid Middle East escalation

UK government rejects calls to recognise Gaza genocide despite UN findings

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People stage a pro-Palestinian demonstration and call on Labour Party leader Andy Burnham, who is preparing to take office as prime minister, to impose comprehensive sanctions on Israel, in London, United Kingdom on July 18, 2026. [Raşid Necati Aslım – Anadolu Agency

Britain’s new government has rejected calls from 80 MPs and peers to recognise Israel’s genocide in Gaza, impose a full arms embargo and introduce comprehensive sanctions against the occupation state.

The decision has intensified criticism of Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, whose first statements in office raised expectations of a break with the policies of former Prime Minister Keir Starmer but have so far produced little substantive change.

In a cross-party letter led by Labour MP Kim Johnson, members of the House of Commons and House of Lords urged Burnham to recognise the findings of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry, which concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.


The parliamentarians called on the government to “fundamentally change its position” by supporting Palestinian rights and taking steps to prevent further Israeli violations of international law.

They also urged ministers to implement the International Court of Justice’s ruling on Israel’s illegal occupation, impose comprehensive sanctions, introduce a complete arms embargo and prohibit trade in goods and services linked to illegal Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. 

However, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declined to endorse any of the demands.

The rejection follows criticism of Miliband’s first statement as foreign secretary, in which he referred explicitly to “Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine” but described Israel’s assault on Gaza only as “conflict in the Middle East”.

British governments and senior ministers have repeatedly made legal and political judgements about Russia’s conduct without waiting for a final international court ruling. The UK described Russia’s invasion as illegal from its outset and accused Russian forces of committing war crimes.

In September 2025, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. It found that Israeli authorities were responsible for four of the five genocidal acts identified in the 1948 Genocide Convention and urged all states to fulfil their legal obligations to prevent and punish the crime. 

In June 2026, the Commission reported that Israeli authorities and forces continued to commit genocide and other atrocity crimes, including through the deliberate targeting of Palestinian children. 

The UN findings are part of a much broader body of expert assessments.

READ: UK accused of branding Gaza children security threat while blocking family re-unification

Amnesty International concluded in December 2024 that Israel had committed and was continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem reached the same conclusion in its July 2025 report, Our Genocide. The International Association of Genocide Scholars later declared that Israel’s policies and actions met the legal definition of genocide under the Genocide Convention. 

Despite these findings, the British government has maintained that only a court can make a genocide determination.

During a House of Lords debate following the UN Commission’s September 2025 report, ministers insisted that the government would not describe Israel’s actions as genocide until a competent national or international court had ruled on the issue.

Burnham had sought to distance himself from Starmer’s record before entering Downing Street. He acknowledged that Labour “got it wrong” in its initial response to Gaza and admitted that Britain had been too slow to call for a ceasefire.

However, he stopped short of recognising genocide, arguing that the matter should be left to international courts. Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali accused Burnham of hiding behind the courts when discussing Israel while showing no similar hesitation in condemning Russia.

Ali warned that the duty under the Genocide Convention is to prevent genocide rather than wait until the destruction has been completed and formally adjudicated. Recognising the evidence, he argued, would also raise questions about Britain’s arms exports, surveillance cooperation and wider support for Israel.

READ: Israeli rights watchdogs say Israel committing genocide in Gaza

This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel's genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism "without qualification". Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Keir Starmer explains that UK is actively supporting Israel’s genocidal expansion and repeats his previous quotation that he supports Zionism “without qualification”. Keir Starmer said “I said it loud and clear – and meant it – that I support Zionism without qualification.” here: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/keir-starmer-interview-i-will-work-to-eradicate-antisemitism-from-day-one/
Experiencing issues with this image not appearing. I suspect because it's so critical of Zionist Keir Starmer's support of and complicity in Israel's genocides.
Genocide denier and Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is quoted that he supports Zionism without qualification. He also confirms that UK air force support has been essential in Israel’s mass-murdering genocide. Includes URLs https://www.declassifieduk.org/keir-starmers-100-spy-flights-over-gaza-in-support-of-israel/ and https://youtu.be/O74hZCKKdpA
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Vote Labour for Genocide.
Continue ReadingUK government rejects calls to recognise Gaza genocide despite UN findings