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Amnesty warns French bill could criminalise solidarity with Palestinians

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Demonstrators march through central Paris carrying Palestinian flags, banners and symbolic displays denouncing the death penalty and Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, during a protest organized by CAPJPO-Europalestine, as French police officers monitor the procession, in Paris, France on April 9, 2026. [Ümit Dönmez – Anadolu Agency]

Amnesty International warned on Monday about the potential impact of a proposed French law aimed at penalising anti-Zionism, saying it could effectively make support for Palestinians a criminal offence.

In a statement posted on the X platform, the organisation’s France branch criticised what is known as the “Yadan law”, warning it could lead to “criminalising support for Palestinians”.

The statement said French MP Caroline Yadan plans to submit the bill to the National Assembly on 16 April, cautioning that it could open the door to “extremely serious abuses”.

The draft law, first introduced in November 2024, proposes penalties for denying the existence of the State of Israel or comparing it to the Nazi regime.

READ: Algerian president, Pope Leo XIV call for justice for Palestinians

The French parliament is set to begin debating the bill, titled “Combating new forms of antisemitism”, starting on 16th April.

Supporters of the Palestinian cause and left-wing lawmakers oppose the proposal, arguing it could be used to punish anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel under the guise of tackling antisemitism.

More than 500,000 people have signed a petition on the parliament’s website opposing the bill, while a protest against it was held in Paris on Sunday.

READ: Israeli army detains 30 Palestinians in West Bank raids

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/

Continue ReadingAmnesty warns French bill could criminalise solidarity with Palestinians

Hezbollah launches ‘hard-to-detect’ drone for first time: Israeli broadcaster

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

Firefighters work where rockets fired by Hezbollah reportedly struck several locations in Nahariya, Israel’s northern Galilee region, on March 16, 2026. [Samir Abdalhade – Anadolu Agency]

The Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that Hezbollah launched at least 40 drones towards northern Israel on Monday, causing significant damage. Among them was a drone deployed for the first time, equipped with an optical guidance system that makes it difficult to detect.

According to the broadcaster, one of the drones crashed in the settlement of Kiryat Shmona. 

It said only a small number of the drones were intercepted, while the rest struck targets, causing heavy damage, without providing further details.

Kan added that the new drone is considered an advanced aerial system, resistant to electronic warfare and difficult to detect or stop. It said the drone can manoeuvre inside buildings, carry up to 5 kilograms of explosives, and reach ranges of tens of kilometres.

Separately, the Israeli website Globes reported that Hezbollah has recently begun using FPV (first-person view) drones to target Israeli tanks and armoured personnel carriers in southern Lebanon.

READ: UNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

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/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ...
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone …
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he's heard that she's a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he’s heard that she’s a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.

Continue ReadingHezbollah launches ‘hard-to-detect’ drone for first time: Israeli broadcaster

Israeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon and Tyre’s ancient citadel

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Smoke rises as the Israeli army carries out airstrikes on multiple locations in southern Lebanon on February 28, 2026. [Ramiz Dallah – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on southern Lebanon on Monday, targeting the town of Qantara and the outskirts of Tibnin, while artillery shelling struck the ancient citadel of Tyre, a site listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.

According to the Lebanese National News Agency, the citadel area includes the shrine and tomb of Prophet Simeon the Just, raising concerns over damage to cultural and historical heritage.

Israeli drones and artillery also targeted multiple towns and villages across southern Lebanon, amid continued escalation.

READ: UNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

An earlier airstrike on the town of Bustan resulted in the deaths of several Syrian workers, while another strike on Nabatieh al-Fawqa killed a young man.

Israeli air operations have also extended to the southern suburbs of Beirut and areas in southeastern and northern Lebanon, alongside a ground incursion that began in mid-March.

The escalation follows ongoing hostilities since 2nd March, after Hezbollah launched attacks on Israeli-controlled areas in response to US and Israeli strikes on Iran on 28th February.

Israeli airstrikes continue across Lebanon, contributing to rising casualties and increasing concerns over further regional escalation.

READ: Algerian president, Pope Leo XIV call for justice for Palestinians

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/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don't need people to join wars after they've already won. He's challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Straight of Hormuz despite saying on 7 March 2026 that they don’t need people to join wars after they’ve already won. He’s challenged with the claim that he lies as much as the IDF.
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he's heard that she's a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he’s heard that she’s a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.

Continue ReadingIsraeli airstrikes hit southern Lebanon and Tyre’s ancient citadel

Turkish top diplomat says Netanyahu seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy

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

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during his visit to Anadolu’s Editorial Desk at the agency’s headquarters in Ankara, Turkiye on April 13, 2026. [Utku Uçrak – Anadolu Agency]

Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan said Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy, amid rising regional tensions.

Speaking during a meeting with editors at the Anadolu Agency headquarters, Fidan stated that Israel “cannot live without an enemy after Iran,” in reference to ongoing geopolitical developments.

The Turkish minister’s statements come amid ongoing Israeli attacks on Turkey and its President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following Ankara’s announcement of an indictment against 35 Israelis — including Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges including genocide — suspected of targeting the Global Flotilla as it attempted to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

In his remarks, Fidan said that his country believes it is inappropriate for countries to intervene to open the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the movement of people through the Strait of Hormuz should not be obstructed and that no country should pay fees for passage.

READ: Algerian president, Pope Leo XIV call for justice for Palestinians

The Turkish Foreign Minister stressed the necessity of establishing a security alliance in the region to bolster trust among its countries.

Iran had announced its intention to impose fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while US President Donald Trump declared that his country would impose a blockade on Iranian ports starting today.

Commenting on the escalation in the region, Fidan stated that what Lebanon is witnessing is part of Israel’s expansionist policies, warning that the crisis there could escalate into a regional conflict.

He noted that following the announcement of a two-week truce between the United States and Iran, it was understood that the agreement included Lebanon, adding: “Netanyahu sabotaged it as usual, and America remained silent about it.”

READ: Turkey urges global response to ‘Israel’s potential acts of sabotage’ amid ceasefire in Mideast

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/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ...
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone …
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he's heard that she's a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he’s heard that she’s a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.

Continue ReadingTurkish top diplomat says Netanyahu seeking to designate Turkey as a new enemy

UNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon

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

A view of the heavy destruction in the buildings of Shema, a town in southern Lebanon’s Tyre district, following the withdrawal of the Israeli army two days ago, on January 13, 2025. [Stringer – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli forces have destroyed the shrine of Prophet Shimon the Just in the town of Shamaa in the Tyre district, according to official and local media reports.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Israeli artillery shelling targeted the area of the ancient citadel in Tyre, where the shrine was located. The site was listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, granting it international cultural protection.

According to the report, surrounding hills near Shamaa were subjected to intermittent shelling early Monday, though there was no immediate confirmation of casualties.

READ: EU calls for immediate halt to attacks in Lebanon, urges protection of civilians

Lebanese media, including Al-Akhbar, said Israeli forces had bulldozed the shrine before destroying it in an airstrike.

The shrine had previously been destroyed during the 2014 war before being restored by local residents, who regard it as a historical religious site and mosque.

The incident comes amid continued Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, the escalation since 2nd March has resulted in 2,055 deaths and 6,588 injuries.

Israeli military operations continue across southern Lebanon, where Israeli forces have maintained a presence in certain areas for decades, alongside renewed incursions during the current escalation.

READ: Hezbollah: Ukraine unable to help itself, its statements on confronting Iran ‘absurd’

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/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ...
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone …
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he's heard that she's a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.
Donald Trump warns against following the Onaquietday.org blog, says that he’s heard that she’s a which with a black cat and a dangerous kitchen.

Continue ReadingUNESCO-listed shrine destroyed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon