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Germany should change its policy toward Israel amid mounting violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories, ...
13/08/2026

Germany should change its policy toward Israel amid mounting violence against Palestinians in the occupied territories, former German Ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert said yesterday.

In an interview with Die Zeit, Seibert said Israel’s settlement policy amounts to ‘displacement through psychological and physical violence.’

He stressed that former Chancellor Angela Merkel’s commitment to Israel’s security as part of Germany’s national interest applies ‘within Israel’s internationally recognised borders’, not to settlers in the occupied West Bank.

‘These are illegal settlements under international law,’ Seibert said, adding that Germany’s national interest ‘does not support a sense of superiority over another population.’

Seibert urged Berlin to clarify what it means when it says it stands by Israel, stressing that support for Israel does not extend to every action of its government, including the occupation.

While a significant departure from Germany’s traditionally unwavering support for Israel, Seibert’s remarks fall short of addressing the broader reality of Palestinian dispossession. Germany still refuses to confront the occupation itself, support Palestinian rights and self-determination, or move beyond expressions of concern.

The UK government has refused to release information about an Israeli influence firm accused of interfering in Scotland’...
13/08/2026

The UK government has refused to release information about an Israeli influence firm accused of interfering in Scotland’s parliamentary election, citing national security and warning that disclosure could damage Britain’s relations with other countries, according to The National.

The Scottish newspaper said the Cabinet Office withheld all material requested under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws concerning BlackCore, an Israeli firm linked by France’s foreign interference watchdog to an alleged digital influence operation targeting Scottish First Minister John Swinney and the Scottish National Party (SNP).

The controversy follows findings by Viginum, France’s agency for combating foreign digital interference, which said in June it had identified BlackCore-linked operations targeting elections in Scotland, France, New York City, Angola and Togo.

In Scotland, Viginum identified the ‘mobilisation of at least 256 accounts’ that posted around 1,400 comments, primarily targeting Swinney, the SNP and the Scottish Government. Some 652 comments targeted Swinney personally, according to the investigation.

BlackCore removed its online presence after being publicly identified, while the people behind the alleged campaign have not been publicly established.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that Republic of Ireland supporters will not be allowed to atten...
06/08/2026

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that Republic of Ireland supporters will not be allowed to attend either of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League games against Israel.

The FAI cited ‘operational challenges and safety and security concerns,’ saying the decision was taken to ensure the safety of the Israeli delegation. As a result, no tickets will be made available to Irish supporters for either the home or away fixture.

The announcement follows sustained public pressure, political debate, and calls from activists in Ireland for a boycott of the matches over Israel's ongoing genocide in Gaza.

While the match schedule remains unchanged, the restrictions apply specifically to Republic of Ireland supporters attending the games.

A UK employment appeals tribunal has ruled that Professor David Miller was unlawfully dismissed by the University of Bri...
06/08/2026

A UK employment appeals tribunal has ruled that Professor David Miller was unlawfully dismissed by the University of Bristol over his anti-Zionist views, confirming that anti-Zionism is a legally protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act.

The tribunal found Miller was fired in 2021 because he expressed protected beliefs, making his dismissal unlawful, discriminatory, unfair, and wrongful. It upheld an earlier ruling that his comments were lawful, not antisemitic, and did not incite violence.

Miller said the judgment is a victory for anyone in Britain who opposes Zionism, arguing it will make it far harder for employers to discipline or dismiss people for holding anti-Zionist views. He also said his case had created a chilling effect on academic free speech and hopes the ruling will encourage others to speak out.

The University of Bristol said it was disappointed with the decision but remains committed to protecting free speech within its codes of conduct. The decision is likely to have significant implications for workplaces across Britain, including cases involving disciplinary action over speech on Palestine.

Italy's controversial Security Decree is facing renewed constitutional scrutiny after lawyers for a pro-Palestine activi...
03/08/2026

Italy's controversial Security Decree is facing renewed constitutional scrutiny after lawyers for a pro-Palestine activist challenged the law over its criminalisation of peaceful protest.

The case stems from the September 2025 arrest of an activist accused of taking part in a road blockade during a demonstration in Cagliari held alongside a general strike in support of the Global Sumud Flotilla. The defence argues the decree is unconstitutional because the government used emergency powers without the ‘necessity and urgency’ required under Article 77 of the Constitution and because criminalising road blockades violates the rights to assembly, free expression and strike action.

The challenge is the second to reach Italy's Constitutional Court after prosecutors in Turin also requested a review of the road blockade provision in June.

Under the decree, blocking traffic during protests, previously punishable by an administrative fine, has again become a criminal offence. Individuals face up to one month in prison, while group blockades carry sentences of six months to two years.

Turin prosecutors argue that temporary traffic disruption is inherent to demonstrations and strikes, warning the law prioritises traffic flow over constitutionally protected freedoms. They also questioned the government's use of emergency decree powers, saying no exceptional circumstances justified bypassing the normal legislative process.

British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan said on Friday they had successfully overturned a German entry ban they described as an a...
03/08/2026

British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan said on Friday they had successfully overturned a German entry ban they described as an attempt to silence pro-Palestine activism.
Frontman Pascal Robinson-Foster was detained at Berlin airport on 15 June, denied entry and deported to the UK.

Before the band could challenge the decision in court, German police withdrew the travel ban, acknowledging there was no legal basis for refusing entry, allowing the band to travel freely to Germany.
In a statement on Instagram, Bob Vylan called the move ‘another attempt to silence and intimidate those that oppose the ongoing genocide in Palestine’, saying the outcome showed the importance of challenging efforts to suppress dissent.

The band said authorities gave no explanation for either the deportation or the reversal.

A police file obtained by The Intercept alleged Robinson-Foster spread antisemitic narratives and ‘Hamas propaganda’ that threatened Germany's public security and could damage the country's reputation by appearing to tolerate antisemitism and calls to violence.

Robinson-Foster came under international scrutiny after leading chants of ‘Death, death to the IDF’ during Bob Vylan's Glastonbury 2025 performance. Although investigated, he was not charged.

The Germany incident marked the first time the band had been denied entry to a country. Following Glastonbury, the US revoked Bob Vylan's visas, their German tour was cancelled, and the band said they have since faced repeated questioning at European borders.

More than 1,500 people facing terrorism charges over alleged support for the direct action group Palestine Action were c...
03/08/2026

More than 1,500 people facing terrorism charges over alleged support for the direct action group Palestine Action were caught in widespread confusion after their cases were simultaneously adjourned and listed for hearings at Westminster Crown Court.

Campaign group Defend Our Juries (DOJ) said 1,579 defendants had their cases scheduled for Thursday despite many having already received letters postponing proceedings until October. Some notices even instructed recipients that they ‘must attend’ court before telling them, ‘Please do not attend.’
Defendants who travelled from across the UK arrived to find conflicting information, non-existent courtroom listings, and generic letters stating attendance was not required. DOJ said the mix-up exposed ‘complete meltdown’ in the criminal justice system following the group's proscription.

The confusion came as the Supreme Court ruled that Palestine Action can challenge its ban. The proscription has led to thousands of arrests over the past year, many involving people accused of displaying signs or clothing expressing support for the group.

Former government lawyer Tim Crosland described the court's handling as unprecedented, saying it appeared designed to avoid the logistical challenge of processing hundreds of terrorism cases at once. DOJ spokesperson Clive Dolphin argued the court was unlawfully treating hundreds of individual cases as a single ‘block booking’, despite each requiring separate consideration.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service said all defendants had been informed of the changes and would continue to receive updates.

Outside the court, police arrested 77 protesters during a demonstration in support of Palestine Action. Most were detained on suspicion of expressing support for a proscribed organisation, while four were arrested for allegedly encouraging criminal offences.

Human Rights Watch condemned the use of terrorism legislation against peaceful protesters, warning it undermines freedom of expression and ‘makes a mockery of justice.’

The Scottish Government has increased its humanitarian assistance for Palestine to £1 million, announcing an additional ...
28/07/2026

The Scottish Government has increased its humanitarian assistance for Palestine to £1 million, announcing an additional £250,000 contribution to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The latest pledge brings Scotland's total humanitarian support for Palestinians since the start of Israel's war on Gaza to £1 million.

Scottish ministers said the funding is intended to help address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where civilians continue to face acute shortages of food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. According to The National, the Scottish Government will also provide £500,000 to the Palestinian Territories to support essential services, including healthcare, clean water, food, emergency shelter, education, and protection programmes.

The announcement comes ahead of a meeting on Monday between First Minister John Swinney and the Palestinian Ambassador to the UK.

According to an investigation by The National, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has accepted tens of thousands of poun...
23/07/2026

According to an investigation by The National, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has accepted tens of thousands of pounds in political donations from individuals with links to defence companies and the US technology firm Palantir, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest following his appointment to oversee Britain's defence spending.

The report identifies long-time Labour donor Trevor Chinn as one of Streeting's major donors, noting that Chinn is a senior adviser to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which has been reported to be expanding investments in the European defence sector.

Streeting is now responsible for delivering the UK's defence investment plan, including increased military spending, raising questions about his acceptance of donations from controversial figures and from individuals linked to companies complicit in genocide.

The Metropolitan Police has reversed its decision to close a war crimes case involving four UK nationals accused of comm...
23/07/2026

The Metropolitan Police has reversed its decision to close a war crimes case involving four UK nationals accused of committing international crimes while serving with the Israeli military in Gaza, according to an exclusive report published this morning by Declassified UK.

The original 240-page complaint, submitted by the Public Interest Law Centre (PILC) and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), alleges that 10 British or dual nationals committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the wilful killing of civilians, attacks on civilians and forcible population transfer.

The Met had previously concluded there was no realistic prospect of a prosecution, but has now announced a fresh assessment following the threat of judicial review by British-Palestinian campaigner Lubna Speitan.

Human rights groups welcomed the move, saying that allegations of war crimes must be investigated regardless of political sensitivities. The decision comes amid growing scrutiny of Britons serving in the Israeli military, with previous reporting estimating that more than 2,000 UK nationals have served in the Israeli armed forces since October 2023.

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