Following a ban, over 100 arrests have been made across the UK at events related to Palestine Action. Demonstrations took place in multiple cities, including London, Manchester, and Bristol, with arrests primarily made under the Terrorism Act 2000. Police confiscated signs and made arrests for supporting the group, while Defend Our Juries criticized the government’s actions. A high court hearing is scheduled to challenge the ban, which has been widely condemned by UN experts and civil liberties groups, while the home secretary announced the ban following Palestine Action activists breaking into RAF Brize Norton.
Read More
CNN team allegedly ambushed by West Bank settlers amid spiraling extremist violence, a scenario that unfortunately, feels all too familiar right now. It appears a CNN crew covering the ongoing tensions in the West Bank was targeted, with reports suggesting the attackers were masked settlers. They allegedly started by trying to pelt the reporters’ car with objects and later, after the police had left the scene, ambushed the team, using a club or mallet to break the vehicle’s window. This incident, if true, underscores the escalating violence and the apparent impunity with which some settlers operate in the region.
The timing of this alleged attack, especially in the context of escalating tensions, is definitely a cause for concern.… Continue reading
A 20-year-old Palestinian-American was reportedly killed by Israeli settlers while visiting his family’s farm in the occupied West Bank, with the family stating that settlers prevented ambulances from reaching him for hours. Another Palestinian man was also fatally shot during the attack. The attacks occurred amidst a surge in Israeli settler violence, which has led to the deaths of over 1,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023. The Israeli military stated it was aware of reports and looking into the incident, while the family has demanded an investigation by the US State Department. This incident, along with others, highlights the ongoing tensions and violence in the region, particularly in areas where settlers are actively expanding their presence and influence.
Read More
Israeli strike kills children near Gaza clinic with no immediate truce in sight – it’s almost unbelievable, isn’t it? It’s the kind of news that just makes you stop and stare. You’d think, with all the talk about precision strikes and avoiding civilian casualties, that things would be different. Yet, here we are, once again, grappling with the devastating reality of children being killed near a clinic. It’s like a punch to the gut, especially when you consider the context of medical care and aid that should be a protected zone.
Bombing sick children waiting for medical attention? That’s a statement that resonates with a specific kind of outrage.… Continue reading
Overnight, Melbourne police are investigating three antisemitic incidents. First, an East Melbourne synagogue was set on fire, followed by a protest at an Israeli-owned restaurant. Later, an incident occurred at a business in Greensborough where three cars were set on fire and spray painted. Authorities are currently investigating potential links between the incidents and have released images of a person of interest in connection with the synagogue arson.
Read More
Action Palestine loses bid to block UK government’s ban under terrorism laws, and it’s hard to ignore the layers of complexity surrounding this situation. The core issue boils down to the actions of the group, which have included vandalism and what some might call acts of sabotage against military targets in the UK. These actions, even if they don’t directly advocate for violence in their statements, clearly contribute to an environment where violent acts are considered acceptable to furthering their cause.
This situation brings into stark relief the difficulty in parsing intent versus impact. The fact that Action Palestine, despite any claims to the contrary, has engaged in activities like vandalizing aircraft and attacking individuals with sledgehammers raises serious questions.… Continue reading
Ireland’s parliament is currently reviewing a ban on goods originating from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, a move that has strained relations with Jerusalem. Despite the limited economic impact of such trade, the legislation is viewed as a potential precedent that could be adopted by other European Union member states critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza. The proposed ban comes amidst ongoing protests in Ireland, reflecting strong public sentiment regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This decision underscores the growing international pressure on Israel.
Read More
The Israeli embassy has expressed its deep concern over chants of “death to the IDF” made by Bob Vylan at Glastonbury, with police investigating the incident. The band also displayed a screen quoting a claim of Israeli genocide, during the performance, and the Culture Secretary has sought an explanation from the BBC. The BBC, which issued a warning during its iPlayer stream of the performance, has no plans to make the performance available on demand. Glastonbury Festival has stated it does not condone hate speech or incitement to violence.
Read More
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee explicitly stated the US is no longer pursuing a two-state solution, abandoning a long-standing policy. He suggested a future Palestinian entity could be located within another Muslim country, a position analysts see as reflecting a broader shift toward Palestinian erasure. This statement, coupled with recent US sanctions against Palestinian human rights organizations, creates significant diplomatic challenges for US allies still supporting a two-state solution. Critics argue this openly acknowledges a policy long demonstrated through US actions, while others highlight the ambassador’s explicitness as a significant escalation.
Read More
The UK, in conjunction with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, has sanctioned Israeli ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich for inciting violence against Palestinians. These sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes. The ministers’ actions, including calls for Palestinian displacement and opposition to aid delivery to Gaza, prompted this response. Israel condemned the sanctions as outrageous, while the UK emphasized that the rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is unacceptable and must cease.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood