Palestine

Several countries urge protection of journalists amid Middle East escalation

Spread the love

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

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

World Cup fans turn stadiums into platform for solidarity with Palestine

Spread the love

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

Fans open a Palestinian flag prior the 2026 FIFA World Cup First Stage Group G match between Egypt and IR Iran at Lumen Field (Seattle Stadium) in Seattle, Washington, United States on June 26, 2026. [Samah Zidan – Anadolu Agency]

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has become a visible platform for expressions of solidarity with Palestinians, despite the absence of the Palestinian national team from the tournament, according to an opinion article by American writer David Vine.

Writing for Foreign Policy in Focus on 14th July 2026, Vine argued that the tournament has witnessed widespread public displays of support for Palestinians amid the continuing war in Gaza and increasing restrictions on pro-Palestinian demonstrations in some countries.

According to the article, fans, players, and coaches from numerous countries—including Egypt, Scotland, Brazil, South Korea, Morocco, Mexico, Türkiye, Norway, Senegal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, and Spain—publicly expressed support for Palestinians and called for their rights to life, freedom, and return.

READ: Palestine solidarity takes center stage throughout 2026 FIFA World Cup

The article states that demonstrations of solidarity extended beyond individual statements. Palestinian flags were displayed in stadiums, some players and coaches were seen carrying them, and chants of “Free Palestine” were heard both inside stadiums and in surrounding public areas.

Vine also noted that many spectators wore jerseys of the Palestinian national football team during matches.

According to the article, some fans displayed banners reading “Expel Israel from FIFA” and “Red Card for Israel,” referring to the football sanction used to send a player off the field for a serious offense.

The article reflects the author’s analysis and observations of fan activity during the tournament. FIFA has not issued a statement in connection with the reported displays described in the article.

READ: Norway uses influence in football to push for Israel’s suspension from FIFA

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/
Donald Trump calls for help from NATO allies in securing the Strait 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 Strait 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.
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.
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.

Continue ReadingWorld Cup fans turn stadiums into platform for solidarity with Palestine

The EU does not need to clarify its support for Israeli colonialism

Spread the love

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

A view of the flags of Israel and European Union. [Dursun Aydemir – Anadolu Agency]

Israeli colonialism entrenched an apartheid system. The reality has been documented multiple times and acknowledged even within Israel, most prominently by the non-governmental organisation B’Tselem in 2021. Recently, the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas was reported to have used the term apartheid during a visit to Mexico. Kallas has made several contradictory statements since the start of the genocide which reflect both the EU’s lack of political cohesion over sanctioning Israel, as well as the underlying concern to safeguard Israel’s impunity. 

However, Kallas’s remark comparing Israel to South African apartheid, has been blown out of proportion and out of all realms of credibility by Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who expressed displeasure at Kallas’s comment and blatantly called Israel “the only democracy in the Middle East”. Not even the world’s former colonial powers truly believe that statement, despite how times it is publicly uttered and endorsed. Former colonial powers recognise colonialism when they see it. 

Kallas’s response to Sa’ar stating he will sever all contact was replete with the usual contradictions, except for the assertion that “The EU is always committed to a constructive relationship with Israel.” Other than that, prioritising the two-state paradigm as the only solution, while noting that the implementation is becoming impossible due to illegal settlement construction, represents the usual EU position, as reflected in Kallas’s post on X. 

READ: Gaza shifts US politics as pro-Israel lobby suffers setback in New York primaries

The two-state is not a solution, and it is not just settlement expansion that makes the two-state obsolete. It is colonialism, which the entire world refuses to address, in order to maintain Israel’s presence in Palestine. 

The diplomatic spat is nothing but a useless spectacle. Israel revels in finding inconsequential distractions, many of them diplomatic, that briefly shift attention away from more pressing issues, such as the fact that Palestinians in Gaza remain forcibly displaced despite all the talk of reconstruction.

Kallas, meanwhile, responded with the usual statements that reassure Israel of the EU’s commitment to safeguarding colonialism, despite the visible purported disagreements. Sa’ar, for example, accused Kallas of “acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness towards the State of Israel”, yet the only unfairness has been solely directed against the Palestinian people. 

Colonialism is abnormal, and the EU supports it. Why, for example, did Kallas seek to placate Sa’ar instead of taking a firmer stance against Israel’s apartheid system? An utterance by a high ranking official could have been followed by at least a stronger assertion, not to mention that the EU could take political, diplomatic and economic measures that directly target Israel. Instead, the rhetoric is shifted to the two-state paradigm, which is obsolete and which Israel opposes. So much for Kallas being described as anti-Israel, when the response to Sa’ar’s complaint was to find common ground for further Israeli colonial expansion. 

Israel implemented apartheid, and it also committed genocide. In light of Kallas’s unofficial comment, the EU’s Ambassador to Israel Michael Mann told the Jerusalem Post, “It is not the official policy of the European Union that Israel is an apartheid state. I want to make that absolutely clear.”

It is absolutely clear. So much that there is no need for clarification, not even when a diplomatic dispute arises. 

BLOG: Symbolism for Palestinians is impunity for Israeli colonialism

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.

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/
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it's fun to kill everyone ... unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
Donald Trump sings and dances, says that it’s fun to kill everyone … unless he gets distracted or falls asleep.
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 ReadingThe EU does not need to clarify its support for Israeli colonialism

“The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government” – Ellie Chowns reacts to Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon

Spread the love
Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.
Ellie Chowns, Green Party MP for North Herefordshire. CC image Wikipedia.

Reacting to Israel’s escalating action in Lebanon, Dr Ellie Chowns MP said:

“Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon has already killed thousands of people, displaced more than a million from their homes, and destroyed vital infrastructure, displaying an indefensible disregard for civilian lives and international law.

“This cannot continue. The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government on the world stage. The Green Party repeats our calls for the UK Government to end all arms sales to and military cooperation with Israel, to drive independent investigations into war crimes and support justice mechanisms for victims, and to impose sanctions on Netanyahu and all other government officials responsible for breaches of international law.

“The people of Lebanon – like the people of Palestine, Iran, and Israel – deserve to live in safety and peace, not to have their human rights used as bargaining chips which can be disregarded without consequence. The UK must stand on the side of international law and justice, and act now to help prevent further atrocity.”

Continue Reading“The UK must put an end to the impunity that has enabled and emboldened the Israeli Government” – Ellie Chowns reacts to Israel’s escalating military campaign in Lebanon

Former ICC prosecutor says she faced pressure and threats over Palestine investigation

Spread the love

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

Former ICC’s Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda [Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung/Flickr]

Former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Fatou Bensouda, said she was pressured and threatened in connection with investigations related to Palestine, including direct contacts from former Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Bensouda said Cohen met her twice — in Munich and New York City — and explicitly requested that she halt investigations concerning Palestine.

She described the request as direct interference in the work of the court.

According to Bensouda, the pressure later escalated into indirect threats targeting members of her family. She said her husband was followed and information was gathered about him in what she believed was an attempt to influence her decisions.

Bensouda stated that she informed Dutch authorities about the threats but did not receive what she considered adequate protection.

READ: Ben-Gvir criticises ICC and vows further escalation

She also said that member states of the ICC did not provide sufficient political backing in the face of Israeli pressure related to the Palestine investigations.

The former prosecutor stressed that the court must continue its work independently despite political pressure, arguing that international justice should not be subordinated to political interests.

The comments come amid ongoing controversy surrounding ICC investigations into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The ICC previously issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over allegations related to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

READ: ICC chief prosecutor says he is ‘exonerated’ in alleged misconduct probe

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/
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.
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 ReadingFormer ICC prosecutor says she faced pressure and threats over Palestine investigation