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Israel economy shrinks 3.3% due to war with Iran

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Hundreds of Israelis gather at Habima Square to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government in Tel Aviv, Israel on January 17, 2026. [Mostafa Alkharouf – Anadolu Agency]

Official Israeli data revealed that the Israeli economy contracted by 3.3 percent year-on-year during the first quarter of 2026, impacted by the repercussions of the ongoing war with Iran.

According to a report published Sunday by the Israeli economic website Globes, the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics stated that the Israeli economy experienced a 3.3 percent annual contraction during the first quarter of this year.

The website explained that this sharp decline ended a period of growth that had lasted for two consecutive quarters, indicating that the war with Iran was the primary cause of the recorded economic downturn.

The data showed that the GDP per capita decreased by 4.5 percent annually compared to the last quarter of 2025, which the website described as the most realistic indicator for measuring the standard of living in Israel. The report indicated that the Israeli economy had recorded annual growth of 2.9 percent during the last quarter of 2025, before declining significantly at the beginning of this year.

The Central Bureau of Statistics stated that private consumption expenditure fell by 4.7 percent year-on-year, following a similar decline of 4.6 percent in the last quarter of last year.

Conversely, the report explained that security spending rose by 9 percent year-on-year, amid ongoing military operations.

Israel imposes strict censorship and a broad blackout on its economic and human losses resulting from the wars it is waging in the region, and it prohibits the dissemination of images and videos related to these losses.

READ: Netanyahu says Israeli army nearing completion of Gaza mission, signals readiness for all Iran scenarios

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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/
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 …
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes' concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country's economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.
Orcas discuss Donald Trump and the killer apes’ concept of democracy. Front Orca warns that Trump is crashing his country’s economy and that everything he does he does for the fantastically wealthy.

Continue ReadingIsrael economy shrinks 3.3% due to war with Iran

Palestine Action barrister wins appeal in contempt case

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https://www.declassifieduk.org/palestine-action-barrister-wins-appeal-in-contempt-case/

A protest outside Woolwich Crown Court where the Palestine Action activists were tried (Photo: Alamy)

Rajiv Menon KC faced proceedings which his chambers said were unprecedented in English legal history

A leading human rights barrister has won his appeal against contempt of court proceedings, which were levelled at him for a closing speech in the trial of Palestine Action activists. 

The court of appeal’s ruling on Tuesday in the case of Rajiv Menon KC comes as it has also emerged that four of the defendants found guilty in a retrial can be sentenced as terrorists.

Three court of appeal judges found that the trial judge, Mr Justice Johnson, “had no jurisdiction” to refer the case against Menon to the High Court. 

…

Campaign group Defend Our Juries (DoJ) said: “Rajiv Menon KC did what every defence barrister should be free to do – in discharging his duty to his client: he told a jury the truth about their own rights.”

“The fact that contempt of court proceedings were even brought against a barrister for his closing speech – for the first time in British legal history – should deeply concern everyone who cares about the rule of law,” the group added.

Menon had been accused of violating Johnson’s orders in the first trial of six activists who broke into an Israeli-owned arms factory near Bristol in 2024 at the height of the Gaza genocide.

He barred the lawyers from inviting the jury to disregard the court’s ruling of law or to acquit the defendants on the basis of conscience, known as the principle of jury equity.

…

Original article at https://www.declassifieduk.org/palestine-action-barrister-wins-appeal-in-contempt-case/

Keir Starmer says that he's banning words and phrases now as well as placards.
Keir Starmer says that he’s banning words and phrases now as well as placards.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine 'Private Eye'.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine ‘Private Eye’.
Keir Starmer confirms that he doesn't know anything about democracy.
Keir Starmer confirms that he doesn’t know anything about democracy.
Continue ReadingPalestine Action barrister wins appeal in contempt case

Nine Arrested While Holding Jury Equity Signs Outside Filton24 Trial

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https://novaramedia.com/2026/04/24/nine-arrested-while-holding-jury-equity-signs-outside-filton24-trial/

Protesters sit with handwritten signs outside Woolwich Crown Court, 24 April 2026. Credit: Defend Our Juries

‘An absolute right to acquit according to conscience.’

Nine people have been arrested for breaching a Section 14 order while holding signs communicating the principle of jury equity outside a court where Palestine Action activists are being retried. 

Their signs read: “Jurors have an absolute right to acquit according to their conscience” and “Jurors deserve to hear the whole truth”.  The latter sign appears to reference a court order, which prohibits British media outlets from reporting on certain aspects of some proceedings.

The nine people arrested were holding handwritten signs outside Woolwich crown court on Friday 24 April, where six Filton24 defendants are currently being retried on charges of criminal damage in connection with a Palestine Action raid on an Elbit Systems factory in Filton, South Gloucestershire, in August 2024.

A Section 14 order was implemented on both Thursday and Friday to prevent any demonstrations near the court outside of a designated area. A DOJ spokesperson told Novara Media that the area where protest was permitted by the Metropolitan police is a mile away from the court, which defeats the purpose of the protest. 

…

The principle of jury equity is the common law principle that juries have the power to acquit according to their conscience. Its origins can be found in Bushell’s Case of 1670, which established the right of a jury to find facts and apply the law to those facts according to its conscience – without fear of judicial reprisal. 

A plaque in the Old Bailey, visible to any serving juror or court user passing through the Grand Hall, includes a reference to this same principle. 

DOJ has called today’s arrests on the basis of the Public Order Act a “cynical attempt” to bypass the high court judge’s 2024 ruling on the Warner case. 

…

https://novaramedia.com/2026/04/24/nine-arrested-while-holding-jury-equity-signs-outside-filton24-trial/

Keir Starmer confirms that he doesn't know anything about democracy.
Keir Starmer confirms that he doesn’t know anything about democracy.
Continue ReadingNine Arrested While Holding Jury Equity Signs Outside Filton24 Trial

Iranian media claims clashes with US forces during rescue of American airman

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A view of wreckage and remains of the downed F-15 fighter jet is seen in Iran on April 05, 2026. [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Anadolu Agency]

Clashes broke out between Iranian forces and US troops during a rescue operation of an American pilot in which a US C-130 support aircraft was reportedly downed, Iranian media claimed Sunday, Anadolu reports.

According to Defa Press Agency, Iranian law enforcement special units destroyed several US assets, including a special operations aircraft HC-130, two Black Hawk helicopters, and multiple drones.

Following the clashes, fighting reportedly continued on the ground between Iranian units and surviving or supporting US personnel, it added.

Earlier in the day, Iran claimed that it had shot down a US C-130 support aircraft in southern Isfahan.

Fox News also reported that several US service members were injured during a mission to extract the second crew member of an F-15 fighter jet downed over Iran.

No official statement has yet been issued by the US regarding the Iranian claims.

Regional tensions have escalated since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,340 people to date, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. Iran has also restricted the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

READ: US revokes residency, detains relatives of slain Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani

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Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
Climate science denier Donald Trump confirms that he knows nothing about democracy and that more liquid gold is being secured according to his policy of global privateering.
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.
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says "Wish someone would lock him up".
Orcas discuss rotting brain. Front Orca says “Wish someone would lock him up”.

Continue ReadingIranian media claims clashes with US forces during rescue of American airman