Israeli settlers attack Palestinian father and son in occupied West Bank
Shaker Hamed al-Zaro told Wafa that settlers assaulted him and his son Faraj while they were inspecting their agricultural land near the Kiryat Arba settlement.
Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.
Zaro said he and his son suffered injuries to their heads, limbs, and chests.
The Zaro's land has decayed as settlers and the Israeli military prevent them from accessing it regularly.
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Middle East Eye
an hour ago
- Middle East Eye
France and UK's recognition ploy on Palestine is too little, too late
In recent weeks, the depressing European political discourse on Gaza - and more generally, on the right of Palestinians to self-determination - has cast a few rays of light onto a dismal situation. France, followed by the UK and Canada, formally announced its intentions to fully recognise a Palestinian state next month. The first two countries share the biggest historical responsibility for the mayhem endured by the Middle East and its people after the tragic decisions they took a century ago: from the 1916 Sykes-Picot Agreement, to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles and its fallout. If legal rights had real value, and had the countries of the region been braver and savvier, these two top colonial powers would have been buried under a long overdue class-action lawsuit worth billions of dollars for the immense damage they have inflicted on the Middle East. It is a tragic law of history that the most culpable often escape the punishment they well deserve. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In the meantime, if France and Britain follow through on their vow to recognise Palestine when the UN General Assembly meets next month, it is difficult to say whether this long-delayed act of justice would improve their respective political standings. French President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings are low and who has little to show for his historical legacy, might be hoping to boost his popularity among the country's large and vocal Muslim minority. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also dealing with plummeting support for the Labour Party - so much so that roughly 18 percent of Britons would consider voting for a new party led by former leader Jeremy Corbyn. Disastrously packaged gesture In addition, rather than justifying his overdue decision as what it is - a century-late act of justice - Starmer presented it as a lever to deploy if Israel fails to bring an end to the atrocities it has been carrying out in Gaza. Legal experts are unanimous that this is a genocide. If his clumsy intent was to make everyone happy, Starmer may find it has the opposite effect. Powerful pro-Israel lobbying groups in the UK will not forgive him, while the growing pro-Palestinian movement will see it for what it is: a disastrously packaged gesture. Follow Middle East Eye's live coverage of the Israel-Palestine war Israel and the US have reacted with fury to these developments, wrongly suggesting that the recognition of a Palestinian state would 'reward terror', while setting back the 'peace process'. And yet, three decades after the Oslo Accords, ostensibly designed to bring about that goal, it appears further away than ever, as Israel moves to annex more and more of the land that was supposed to form a Palestinian state. Israel's far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has said as much. He responded to the recent flurry of recognition announcements by telling the BBC: 'It's not going to happen. There will be no state to recognise.' Indeed, the US and Israel do not consider the recognition of a Palestinian state to be a long-overdue act of justice that fulfills the Palestinian people's inalienable right to self-determination. Rather, it is nothing more than a bargaining chip - and Israel must always have the last word. Instead of sanctioning Israel, the West is retreating into the fantasy of a 'virtual state' Read More » Only when Israel is satisfied with the conditions attached to the creation of a Palestinian state would this ever be allowed to happen - which, in the current political climate, likely means never. Until a few months ago, this twisted logic was shared by major European powers - but as images of starving children in Gaza became impossible to ignore, some have finally started to shift their approach. The real test, however, will not be whether these promises to recognise Palestine are ultimately fulfilled. Rather, it will be in what European democracies are ready to do to stop the ongoing massacre in Gaza, alongside the accelerating annexation, dispossession and deadly settler provocations in the occupied West Bank. Beyond shedding crocodile tears, are they willing to halt all military assistance to Israel and adopt sanctions against it, with the same zeal displayed against Russia - and following the example of smaller states like Ireland and Slovenia? Just this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu levelled harsh new accusations against France over its decision to recognise Palestine, saying the move fuelled antisemitism (and finally getting the scorn he deserved from Paris in response). At the same time, Hamas has formally accepted the latest Gaza ceasefire proposal presented by mediators Egypt and Qatar. While these might seem to be encouraging signals, neither will end the ordeal facing Palestinians - especially as the US and Israel continue to dig in their heels, with President Donald Trump on Tuesday asserting that both he and Netanyahu were 'war heroes'. This bizarre inversion of reality does not bode well for the future of Gaza. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Turkey bars Israel-linked ships after Hague Group pledge
Turkey has imposed new restrictions on Israeli-owned and linked ships, barring them from visiting the country's ports, a senior Turkish official told Middle East Eye. Reuters reported that Turkish port authorities this week began informally requiring shipping agents to submit letters declaring that vessels are not connected to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for Turkish ports. The report added that vessel owners, managers and operators must have no ties to Israel, and that certain types of cargo, including explosives, radioactive materials or military equipment, cannot be on board if en route to Israel. Bloomberg, meanwhile, reported that Turkish-flagged ships have also been barred from calling at Israeli ports. A senior Turkish official confirmed to MEE that Ankara has taken these moves against Israel as part of its punitive steps over the genocide in Gaza. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In May 2024, Ankara suspended its $8bn bilateral trade with Israel in response to Israel's war on Gaza. This prompted Turkish companies to use third countries, such as Greece or Palestine, to continue shipping goods to Israel. That loophole was closed in November, when Turkey introduced a three-stage process for companies exporting to Palestine. Under the new rules, businesses must obtain approval from the Palestinian economy ministry before completing transactions. The latest shipping restrictions follow Ankara's announcement last month that it was taking up six measures against Israel, in line with The Hague Group's joint statement from the Bogota Emergency Conference on Palestine. Sanctions pledge The Hague Group, a bloc of eight countries consisting of Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, Senegal and South Africa, was launched on 31 January in The Hague with the stated goal of holding Israel accountable under international law. Turkey became the first country to formally endorse the commitments adopted at the summit on 16 July. The Bogota conference, which convened several countries in an effort to halt the Gaza genocide and hold Israel to account, concluded with a joint declaration calling for international sanctions and legal accountability for what participants described as 'grave violations of international law'. Colombia summit: What's next for The Hague Group? Read More » The six measures include suspending military exports to Israel, refusing transit of Israeli weapons through Turkish ports and airspace, and reviewing all public contracts to block state institutions and pension funds from supporting Israeli companies or the occupation of Palestinian territories. The declaration further commits signatory states to preventing the provision of dual-use items to Israel and to ensure that local industries do not supply materials that could facilitate genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or other violations of international law. It also calls on states to prohibit the transit, docking and servicing of Israeli vessels at their ports where there is a clear risk of the vessels carrying arms, munitions, military fuel, related equipment or dual-use goods to Israel, while remaining compliant with international law. The Bogota summit, co-hosted by Colombia and South Africa, brought together representatives from more than 30 countries across Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. It marked the most coordinated diplomatic effort yet by a coalition of states opposing Israel's military campaign in Gaza. Turkish-Israeli relations deteriorated sharply last year after Turkey joined South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide and began mobilising international platforms to build an alliance against the Israeli onslaught.
Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Activism you can feel: How pro-Palestine youth are responding to online censorship
When Israel initiated plans to evict Palestinians from their homes in occupied East Jerusalem to make way for illegal settlers, millions of young people around the world got involved in a high-profile social media campaign to raise awareness. Using the hashtag #SaveSheikhJarrah, more than 40 million people joined in, forming part of a wave of online organising that set the stage for a new era of pro-Palestine digital activism. That trend continued as Israel launched its ongoing genocide in Gaza in October 2023 with activists dedicating their instagram feeds and TikTok reels to spreading awareness of Israeli atrocities. But mounting censorship on social media, digital fatigue and a hunger for deeper forms of engagement, are forcing organisers to shift gears and adopt new modes of activism. Many Gen Z and millennial activists are going analog, turning to tangible and material means of information sharing. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters This buregoning shift allows them to overcome surveillance on social media platforms and lets them share their message directly with people in the "real world" in ways that feel more personal and engaging. In south-east London, the Peckham Keffiyeh collective sells hand block–printed tote bags and scarves to raise funds for Gaza while spreading political messages. Their latest design features the slogan 'Make proscription unenforceable', a reference to the UK's crackdown on pro-Palestine direct action group Palestine Action. The artwork includes drawings of police cars, a keffiyeh-print border, and images of balaclavas, a nod to Irish hip-hop group trio Kneecap, whose member Liam Og O hAnnaidh is facing terrorism charges in the UK after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert. Elsewhere, Maqam Books, a nomadic community bookshop run by Mahmoud Masoud, brings rarely available Arabic and English titles on Palestine to pop-up art events and creative gatherings across the UK. By curating literature often absent from mainstream bookstores, Masoud offers young audiences an entry point into Palestinian history, politics, and storytelling. 'Sense of purpose' 'With social media, posting something will take you two seconds,' says Naiema, a student at University College London. 'But crafting something and putting in that extra effort makes you feel more connected to the cause. It gives me a sense of purpose, like I'm actually doing something rather than sitting around.' Naiema incorporates analog forms of activism in several ways, from designing calligraphic posters and distributing leaflets to baking Palestine-themed cupcakes. 'Crafting something and putting in that extra effort makes you feel more connected to the cause. It gives me a sense of purpose' - Naiema, student at UCL In the second year of a degree in History and Politics, Naiema said social media often feels fleeting, with posts easily swiped past and forgotten. In contrast, a leaflet or banner demands attention and engagement, confronting people in ways that are harder to ignore. She cites the impact of stickers, which she frequently sees plastered across London's public transport network and she displays on her own belongings. 'My laptop is completely covered in them,' she said. 'I've had people approach me about my stickers, sometimes positive, sometimes negative. Regardless, it sparks a conversation.' Naiema said she draws inspiration from her grandfather, who fought for Bangladesh's liberation from Pakistan in 1971 and relied heavily on analog forms of resistance. 'It's important not to stop using those older methods, because they were still very effective. Analog media is something that can't be censored as easily as social media,' she said. Stifling activism online Through social media, Palestinians in Gaza, and their supporters across the globe, have challenged mainstream media narratives by documenting Israel's brutality. They have captured everything from Israel's bombardment of designated safe zones to the kidnapping of doctors treating patients in hospitals. But young activists are increasingly facing algorithmic shadow bans and the removal of pro-Palestinian content by major social media platforms. The New York-based art collective, 8-Ball, reported that its fundraising campaigns for families in Gaza have been suppressed on Instagram. 'Online, we're overloaded with information - something profound followed instantly by something trivial. It's hard to internalise. Analog slows things down' - 8-Ball volunteer In December 2023, Human Rights Watch released a 51-page report detailing how Meta's content moderation policies on Instagram and Facebook have increasingly censored pro-Palestinian voices. Meanwhile, TikTok has come under criticism for its July 2025 hiring of Erica Mindel, a former US State Department contractor and Israeli army instructor, to oversee hate-speech policies. Responding to accusations of censorship, a Meta spokesperson said: "We have been public about the fact that we adopted a number of temporary product and policy measures in response to this conflict, and we also have broader policies on recommendability and demotion that can impact pages like this. "We acknowledge we make mistakes, but any implication that we deliberately suppress a particular voice is unequivocally false." As part of its initiatives, 8-Ball has been distributing Palestine zines at fairs and running pro-Palestine zine-making workshops. 'Zines let you reach people directly, without algorithms, and it feels safer,' one volunteer, who requested anonymity, explained. 'Plus, they break out of social media's echo chambers. You can bring them anywhere, leave them anonymously, and reach different age groups and communities. That kind of autonomy makes them powerful.' DIY zines, small, self-published pamphlets that are easy to circulate, were popularised during the feminist movements of the 1980s and '90s. They have since seen a strong resurgence within Palestinian activism The volunteer attributed a renewed popularity in zines to a growing desire for community and tangible connection. 'Online, we're overloaded with information - something profound followed instantly by something trivial. It's hard to internalise. Analog slows things down.' State-sponsored censorship Posting on social media has also become an particular source of anxiety for international students in the US, many of whom have faced threats of deportation over their pro-Palestine activism since the Trump administration took office. In June, the US State Department announced that all student visa applicants would be required to set their social media profiles to 'public'. 'We're under constant surveillance online,' another 8-Ball volunteer added. Pro-Israel website Canary Mission used to identify students for deportation, says ICE Read More » 'Every gesture is tracked: what you scroll past, how long you linger. Platforms like Instagram don't have our best interests in mind, and relying on them as the primary source of information feels dangerous. They can be useful tools, but they shouldn't be the only ones we use.' According to scholars Alice Mattoni and Diego Ceccobelli, young activists are instead turning to face-to-face organising as a way to secure greater privacy and evade surveillance. Sharing physical space for meetings, they noted, has become a valued activity in itself. Within these gatherings, the creation and circulation of physical media about Palestine is common. Activists prepare banners and other art work for demonstrations and write the names of slain Palestinians for posters, a practice intended to counter desensitisation to the rising death toll in Gaza. 'Global crises feel overwhelming, but at the community level things feel more manageable. It might sound cheesy, but community and reciprocity go a long way in sustaining activism,' the 8-Ball volunteer said. Gen Z and Millennial consumers have driven the resurgence of analog products in recent years, from vinyl, to film cameras to CDs. Analog appeal While once dismissed as nostalgia tied to retro trends in entertainment and fashion, researchers suggest this shift reflects the tactile appeal of analog objects, which foster deeper, more immersive, and emotionally fulfilling experiences than digital screens. 'I think young people like to have analog mementos of culturally significant events or moments, something they can hold on to and reflect on, as opposed to reading Instagram captions or insipid Instagram graphics,' said Jynnan Ong, cofounder of Baeisanz, a London-based collective that fosters cultural awareness and solidarity of Asian identities. 'Pamphlets, posters, leaflets, flyers, stickers, help young people feel like they are part of something' - Jynnan Ong, cofounder of Baeisanz collective 'Pamphlets, posters, leaflets, flyers, stickers, help young people feel like they are part of something. It is a reminder that they were there and stood up for something they believed in and had the courage, freedom, and energy to say something with their chest,' she added. The group, which organises exhibitions, film screenings, solidarity fundraisers, radio shows, and audiovisual performances, has used analog media to shed light on the genocide in Gaza. To balance the reach of online platforms with the intimacy of analog experiences, Baeisanz has created both physical and digital zines. 'There's power in appealing to the local and having something precious experienced in person,' Baesanz co-founder Sarah Khan added. 'At the same time, the issues we're speaking to are incredibly important, and thinking beyond the local is crucial for encouraging a wider sense of solidarity with Palestine and the urgency of that. 'There's power in the intimacy of analog being part of a more intimate space, but there's also the question: does this need to reach further? How can we make that accessible? Is this a message to be kept in a room, or to be sung on the streets?"
