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In this photo illustration an Aljazeera logo seen displayed on a smartphone on 23 Mar, 2023 [Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images]
Al Jazeera Media Network denounced YouTube’s compliance with an Israeli decision to ban its channels, calling the move a “violation of media freedoms and international standards,” Anadolu reports.
In a statement late Thursday on the US social media company X, Al Jazeera stated: “We strongly denounce YouTube’s submission to the Israeli authorities’ decision to ban the broadcast of our channels on the platform and the blocking of our websites in Israel.
“This response violates the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which require global technology companies to protect freedom of expression and resist government pressure that silences independent journalism.”
Israeli authorities earlier this week decided to block broadcasts of Qatar-based Al Jazeera and Lebanon’s Al-Mayadeen for 90 days, according to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi announced Sunday on X that Al Jazeera and Al-Mayadeen would be blocked in Israel on their websites, television broadcasts, and YouTube beginning that day.
Al Jazeera said: “The banning of our digital platforms and websites on weak security grounds sends a dangerous signal that major technology companies can be co-opted as instruments of regimes hostile to freedom.
“This escalation is part of a broader and systematic pattern of Israeli violations, including the killing and detention of our journalists and the closure of our offices in the occupied territories, aimed at suppressing the truth.
“We call for an international investigation into how technology platforms submit to censorship and for safeguards against political pressure.”
As of 1100GMT, there had been no reaction from YouTube management.
Israel began barring Al Jazeera from operating in May 2024, and the decision has since been extended, citing the network’s coverage of Israel’s war in Gaza, Al Jazeera reported.
During the war, Israel killed more than 71,000 Palestinians and wounded more than 171,000 others, most of them women and children, and destroyed about 90% of the civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.
Israel has occupied Palestinian territories, as well as land in Syria and Lebanon, for decades and has rejected withdrawal and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital along pre-1967 borders.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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/O74hZCKKdpAKeir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Palestinians fill jerrycans with water distributed by tankers and carrying them back to their living areas in the Nuseirat camp, where infrastructure has been severely damaged by Israeli attacks and a water crisis persists, on January 10, 2026. [Adam Bilal – Anadolu Agency]
Gaza Municipality has warned of an escalating water emergency in the city, saying a severe shortage is worsening amid a sharp depletion of supplies after damage to a key pipeline.
In a statement published on its official Facebook page on Wednesday, the municipality said the water pipeline provided by the Israeli water company, Mekorot had been disrupted during bulldozing operations carried out by Israeli occupation forces east of the city and was directly damaged, cutting a supply line that previously covered around 70 per cent of Gaza City’s current water needs.
The municipality said the crisis has been compounded by extensive damage to water infrastructure, including the destruction of nearly 85% of water wells in Gaza City, further restricting available supplies for residents.
It said daily water demand before the war exceeded 100,000 cubic metres, but only a limited proportion of that need is now being met, leaving a deficit of about 90 per cent compared with pre-war levels.
The statement added that the destruction of nearly 150,000 linear metres of water networks, as well as damage to a desalination plant in the Sudaniya area north-west of the city, has reduced alternative sources that had previously eased pressure on the system.
According to the municipality, the latest break in the Mekorot pipeline led to water outages across wide areas of the city, including the Old City, Zeitoun, Sabra and Tel al-Hawa neighbourhoods, as well as parts of western Gaza City.
Gaza Municipality said it is continuing to coordinate with the Palestinian Water Authority to access the site and begin repair work, in an effort to restore part of the lost supply and limit the scale of the outage.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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/O74hZCKKdpAKeir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
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Israeli forces detain a photojournalist and distrain his equipment as they enclose the area around Jewish Brigade base where they ‘neutralized’ a Palestinian for allegedly carrying a knife according to their announcement in Hebron, West Bank on October 03, 2024. [Wisam Hashlamoun – Anadolu Agency]
A new report from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has ranked Israel as the third worst jailer of journalists in the world, behind only China and Myanmar, in a damning indictment of the state’s escalating war on press freedom.
The CPJ’s annual global census, released this week, recorded 320 journalists imprisoned worldwide as of 1 December 2025, with authoritarian governments using detention, legal harassment and violence to stifle independent reporting and silence dissent.
While China and Myanmar retained the top two spots, Israel’s position as the third worst jailer of journalists reflects its entrenched and systematic repression of Palestinian media workers, carried out through arbitrary arrests, administrative detention, and sweeping military censorship.
The report highlights the growing use of vague security charges, prolonged pretrial detentions, and denial of access to lawyers—tactics long used by Israel against Palestinian media workers.
Many of the journalists imprisoned by Israel are held under administrative detention, without formal charges or trial, a practice widely condemned by human rights organisations as a violation of international law.
The CPJ also confirmed that Israel continues to bar international journalists from entering Gaza, denying independent access to a war zone where it is conducting what leading legal scholars, including the UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, have described as a genocide.
CPJ found that since 7 October 2023, Israel has Israel arrested more than 90 journalists during the course of the genocide and according to Reporters Without Borders killed at least 210.
Despite the mass killing of civilians and destruction of media infrastructure in Gaza, Israel has refused to allow international press into the territory, even as it claims to be a democratic state with “the most moral army in the world”.
“Israel, the only country on the worst jailers’ list that is traditionally considered a democracy, began imprisoning Palestinian journalists rapidly following the start of the Israel-Gaza war in October 2023,” the report said.
Regarding torture of prisoners CPJ said that the “greatest number of torture and beating claims since 1992 have occurred in Iran, followed by Israel and Egypt”.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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/O74hZCKKdpAKeir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
FEARS mounted over the weekend about the health of the remaining Prisoner’s for Palestine hunger striker, 22-year-old Umer Khalid, held in Wormwood Scrubs.
Mr Khalid is the last remaining hunger striker to take part in the Prisoners for Palestine hunger strike campaign and is currently being held on remand at the London prison.
He has been charged in connection with an action that took place at RAF Brize Norton, where two military aircraft were spray-painted last June.
The Palestine activist is on day 17 of his hunger strike and day three of his thirst strike.
Mr Khalid suffers from a rare genetic disorder, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, which severely increases the risks associated with his hunger strike.
He was initially on hunger strike for 12 days before becoming seriously unwell and unable to walk. It is understood he has asked prison staff not to intervene in the event that he becomes unconscious.
The Prisoners for Palestine group has written to the Home Secretary asking that the government meet Mr Khalid’s representatives to end the hunger strike safely.
Amnesty International also raised concerns about Mr Khalid’s welfare at the weekend after he escalated his hunger strike by refusing water.
The rights charity’s Kerry Moscogiuri said: “Umer Khalid is in a desperate situation and we urge representatives of the government to meet with his lawyers before it is too late.
“Amnesty International has long opposed the misuse of terrorism powers that have led to lengthy, oppressive and disproportionate detention conditions, contributing directly to this crisis.
“None of the people who have been involved in the hunger strikes have been found guilty of a crime, yet some have been held in prison for up to 18 months in restrictive conditions after anti-terrorism powers have been used against them.
Palestine Action joke that appeared in the UK satirical magazine ‘Private Eye’.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/O74hZCKKdpAKeir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
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U.S. President Donald Trump (L), and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (R) sign the charter of the Board of Peace during the 56th World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 22, 2026. [Turkish Foreign Ministry – Anadolu Agency]
The Turkish foreign minister said Friday that US President Donald Trump has the capacity to pressure Israel to halt its actions in the Gaza Strip, saying the US leader can act independently and exert real influence if he chooses, Anadolu reports.
Speaking during the “On the Record” program with journalist Hadley Gamble, Hakan Fidan said he believes Trump has the capacity to stop the fighting in Gaza, noting that Israel has violated the ceasefire agreements multiple times.
“We believe that President Trump is the only person who can really put pressure on Israel,” Fidan said.
“We think that Mr. Trump is independent of every objective of different lobbies, so he can really think independently, and he can really take action independently. So, if he wants, he has the capacity to put pressure on Israel and stop Israel’s wrong behavior.”
Asked about the possibility of Turkiye sending troops to Gaza, Fidan noted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that Ankara is prepared to do everything within its means to contribute to the Gaza peace plan.
Fidan said Turkiye would be willing to take part in an international stabilization force in Gaza, but stressed that a deployment would depend on broader discussions and consensus within the international community.
‘Stability in Iran is important for all of us’
“I will advise my American friends: ‘Don’t make it,’” Fidan said when asked about the prospect of American intervention in Iran.
“Because they are already putting a lot of pressure on Iran. The sanctions are really hurting the Iranian economy. That’s why the people are protesting,” he added.
He pointed out that Iran is open to negotiations but warned that if Tehran feels cornered, it could prepare for a worst-case scenario.
“If there is only one sincere intention, which is solving the problem, I believe that there is an opportunity.”
Emphasizing that Iran is a major neighboring country, so what’s happening there affects a wide region, he said, “So, stability in Iran is important for all of us.”
Fidan said Ankara believes dialogue, not force, is the only viable path to resolving disputes between Iran and the international community. “Dialogue is the only way to sort out the problems.”
“The public dissent and protest and demonstrations in Iran — I think the regime and the government are receiving necessary messages. But because of their own problems with the international system, financially and otherwise, it’s not easy for the government to deliver the economic means to their own population.”
He said Iran needs to make a change in its foreign and security policies to “really obtain certain opportunities,” but stressed that he does not believe developments in or around Iran would lead to regime change.
Regional outlook
Asked about broader regional developments, Fidan said he sees reasons for cautious optimism, particularly in Syria, and expressed hope that the ceasefire in Gaza would continue.
He said developments in Syria demonstrate that regional countries, the US and the international community have, for the first time, come together quickly on a Middle East issue and have begun taking concrete steps.
“I think that tells something,” Fidan said. “If we can repeat this on other problems in our region or globe, we can really make quick achievements.”
“But our region will never be the same,” he said, adding that Turkiye’s hope and work is “about to make it better compared to the past.”
Fidan said Ankara is seeking to play a constructive role wherever possible and stressed that it is vital for regional problems to be addressed by regional countries. He said this approach aligns with “Trump’s overall policy methodology,” noting that the US does not want to act as the “global police of the global order.”
Addressing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Fidan said Turkiye believes regional unity is essential and it is unfortunate to see two close partners drifting apart.
“But we believe that they will come around because they are brothers and sisters and they are old friends. And I think in due course, they will sort out their own problems because they are experienced leaderships, both the UAE and the Saudis.”
Turkiye’s EU membership
Fidan said that Turkiye’s EU membership will not happen as long as the bloc maintains an identity-based political mindset toward Turkiye.
Noting that the EU prioritizes Turkiye’s different religion and civilization, which prevents progress, Fidan stated that the bloc has failed to become trans-civilizational by becoming a supranational institution.
Pointing out that Germany and France supported Ankara’s EU bid until 2007, he rejected claims that Turkiye’s membership would strengthen far-right movements, stressing that, regardless, the movements rose.
He stated that Europe would have been stronger and Brexit might not have happened if Turkiye had been an EU member.
On European security, Fidan said the EU has long relied on US protection and is now searching for its own security architecture, adding conflicting interests among global powers often put Turkiye in a difficult position, which could have been avoided through unity.
While economic ties between Ankara and the EU are strong, he noted that security cooperation remains insufficient.
Trump administration makes major correction towards Turkiye
Criticizing the US policy during former President Barack Obama’s term of cooperating with the PKK terror group to fight ISIS (Daesh), Fidan said the plan was supposed to be temporary but has continued for more than a decade.
He added that Trump is now making a major correction to the policy.
Emphasizing Turkiye’s NATO membership, Fidan said a NATO ally cannot support a terror organization hostile to another NATO country and welcomed the change.
Turkiye supports equal constitutional citizenship for all Syrians
Noting that international reports wrongly portray the YPG/SDF terror group as the sole representative of Syrian Kurds, he pointed out that the PKK terror organization has forced more than 12 political parties into exile.
He said Syrian Kurds want to live as equal and dignified citizens of Syria, noting that many were denied citizenship under Bashar al-Assad.
Fidan added that while Assad rejected that demand, the current Syrian leadership is trying to correct the mistake.
Stating that Turkiye supports equal constitutional citizenship for all Syrians, Fidan said everyone should be able to live with their own identity and religion within a unified state.
On regional relations, Fidan said countries now favor dialogue over confrontation.
He stressed that differences can be set aside to focus on shared interests, calling it a mature approach to statecraft.
Cooperation on issues such as Gaza and Syria, he added, shows growing regional goodwill, especially between Turkiye and Arab countries.
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
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/O74hZCKKdpAKeir Starmer objects to criticism of the IDF. He asks how could anyone object to them starving people to death, forced marches like the Nazis did, bombing Gaza’s hospitals and universities, mass-murdering journalists, healthworkers and starving people queuing for food, killing and raping prisoners and murdering children. He calls for people to stop obstructing his genocide for Israel.Orcas discuss Genocide-supporting and complicit Zionists. Donald Trump, Keith Starmer, David Lammy, Rachel Reeves, Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting are acknowledged as evil genocide-complicit and supporting cnuts.
Umer Khalid [Pic: Prisoners for Palestine]
