Israel will not send a senior representative to Pope Francis' funeral

Israel's response to the death of the pontiff, who was a critic of the war on Gaza, has been muted

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By MEE staff
Published date: 25 April 2025 12:59 BST

"Meanwhile, some officials, including the former ambassador to Italy, Dror Idar, said no representatives should attend the pope's funeral on Saturday because he "incited #antisemitism".

#PopeFrancis, who died at the age of 88, was an outspoken supporter of the #Palestinian people during #Israel’s ongoing 18-month assault on the besieged #Gaza Strip.

Thousands of pro-#Palestinian social media users, including many from Gaza, have paid tributes to him."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/Israel-will-not-send-senior-representative-Pope-Francis-funeral

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal Contains “Red Lines” for Hamas on Continued Israeli Occupation and Disarmament

Drop Site obtained the draft of a deal currently being pushed by the U.S., #Egypt, and #Qatar. Hamas insists it will not capitulate to #Netanyahu’s new demands.

from #DropSiteNews
Jeremy Scahill and Jawa Ahmad
Apr 25, 2025

"It is on this point—the conditions for a permanent ceasefire—that #Hamas and Israel stand in complete opposition to each other. The current draft effectively asks Hamas to agree to continued military occupation of #Gaza and disarmament."

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/new-gaza-ceasefire-deal-red-lines-hamas?r=2y9nd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

While the world watches #Gaza, here is what’s happening in the West Bank

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews
By JULIA FRANKEL, PHIL HOLM and JOSEF FEDERMAN
Published 1:02 AM EDT, April 25, 2025

"#Israel is staging a massive offensive across four major refugee camps in the north of the #WestBank. The raids, at their height, pushed 40,000 people from their homes. Many are now sheltering with relatives in neighboring villages, others racking up debt renting apartments while they wait to return.

#Israeli officials, meanwhile, have said those displaced will not be allowed to go back for at least a year."

https://apnews.com/article/while-the-world-watches-gaza-here-is-whats-happening-in-the-west-bank-0000019648ecdf1aa397edfda9970000?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

#AllEyesOnWestBank
#EndTheOccupation #SettlersOut
#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

US plans to evacuate citizens from Gaza ahead of Trump's Middle East visit, source says

#Trump administration is arranging the evacuation of more than a dozen #US citizens out of #Gaza

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Sean Mathews
Published date: 25 April 2025 17:21 BST

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-plans-evacuate-citizens-gaza-ahead-trump-middle-east-visit-source-says

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Kehlani Removed From #CornellUniversity Performance Due to Opposition to Israel’s War in #Gaza

The president of the university, which recently had more than $1 billion in funding frozen by the #Trump administration, said that #Kehlani “has espoused #antisemitic, anti-#Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media

By Matthew Strauss
April 24, 2025

https://pitchfork.com/news/kehlani-removed-from-cornell-university-performance-due-to-opposition-to-israel-war-in-gaza/

#FakeAntisemitism
#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine @israel

Israel cracks down on official posts mourning Pope Francis

Israeli diplomats criticise foreign ministry's handling of pontiff's death, saying it damages Israel's image

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Mera Aladam
Published date: 23 April 2025 16:17 BST

"Israel’s orders to remove official posts expressing condolences on the death of Pope Francis has sparked outrage among international observers and stirred controversy among Israeli ambassadors.

In several now-deleted posts, accounts belonging to the Israeli foreign ministry in various countries mourned the pontiff’s death on X following the announcement of his passing, writing: "Rest in peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing.""

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-cracks-down-posts-mourning-pope-francis

#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

#PopeFrancis remembered as ‘dear friend’ by the people of Gaza

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By MEE staff
Published date: 21 April 2025 20:28 BST

"Thousands of pro-Palestinian social media users, as well as many from Gaza, paid tributes to Pope Francis, remembering him for his support for the Palestinian people during Israel’s 15-month ongoing onslaught in the besieged enclave.

In his final address on Easter Sunday, Pope Francis, 88, called for a ceasefire in #Gaza from the balcony of St Peter's Basilica as an aide read out a benediction in which the pope condemned the "deplorable humanitarian situation" caused by #Israel’s war on Gaza, which many on social media praised."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/trending/pope-francis-remembered-dear-friend-people-gaza

#ChristianSolidarityWithPalestine
#PermanentCeasfireNow
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine

Israel has ‘no choice’ but to continue fighting in Gaza, says Netanyahu

PM vows not to end war before destroying Hamas, as Israeli strikes kill more than 90 people in 48 hours

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews via #TheGuardian
Sat 19 Apr 2025 17.14 EDT

"#BenjaminNetanyahu said again Saturday that #srael had “no choice” but to continue fighting in #Gaza and will not end the war before destroying #Hamas and freeing the hostages."

"#Netanyahu is under growing pressure at home, not only from families of hostages and their supporters but also from reservist and retired #Israeli soldiers who question the continuation of the war."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/19/israel-has-no-choice-but-to-continue-fighting-in-gaza-says-netanyahu?CMP=share_btn_url

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

#HussamAbuSafiya's 'inhumane conditions' in #Israeli detention worsening #Gaza hospital director's lawyer says

#Palestinian prisoners are forced to take part in acts that would be 'morally denounced worldwide'

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Mera Aladam
Published date: 18 April 2025 15:22 BST

""As rights advocates and lawyers, we are ashamed to even talk about the levels of torture happening," she said, citing stomping on faces, humiliation and forced consumption of sewage water as some of the lighter treatment Palestinians face.

"Their honour is stepped on every day, every minute. Their mistreatment is incredibly horrible.""

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hussam-abu-safiya-inhumane-conditions-israeli-detention

#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics #Israel
#news #press @palestine @israel

Gaza mourns beloved photojournalist #FatimaHassouna killed by #Israel

The photographer was looking forward to her wedding when she was killed alongside five siblings in an attack on her family home in #Gaza City

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Ahmed Dremly in Gaza City, occupied Palestine and Mera Aladam
Published date: 18 April 2025 11:35 BST

[article contains much detail about #Hassouna's life, tragically cut short by #Israeli strike]

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-photojournalist-fatima-hassouna-killed-israeli-strike-mourns

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

"Come for one, face us all."

from #TheWire
[online publication of #JewishVoiceForPeace #JVP in #USA]

"Desperate to crush popular and growing opposition to #Israel’s genocide, the #Trump regime is shredding our First Amendment rights.

But we’re not backing down. Shortly after Mohsen was arrested, over a thousand Jews and allies gathered for an emergency Passover seder outside ICE headquarters in NYC to demand his and other student activists’ release.

Our message is clear: “Come for one, face us all.”"

https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2025/04/16/come-for-one-face-us-all/

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#repression
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press
@palestine @israel

#Palestinian Photojournalist & Protagonist Of Cannes-Selected Doc Killed In #Israeli Gaza Strike

#FatimaHoussana and 9 of her family members murdered 24 hours after film accepted in #Cannes festival

from #Deadline [USA]
By Melanie Goodfellow
Senior International Film Correspondent
April 17, 2025 5:11am

[heartbreaking story. Still hard to believe how murderous and cruel Israel is.]

https://deadline.com/2025/04/gaza-photojournalist-cannes-doc-killed-israeli-strike-1236370699/

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics #Photojournalism
#Documentary
#news #press @palestine @israel

#Israeli airstrike hits hospital entrance in #Gaza, killing medic and wounding 9 other people

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews
By WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY
Updated 9:27 PM EDT, April 15, 2025

"The strike hit the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area, where hundreds of thousands have sought shelter in sprawling tent camps. The wounded were all patients and medics, and two of the patients were in critical condition after the strike, said Saber Mohammed, a hospital spokesman. "

https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-ceasefire-hostages-04-15-2025-24a021daf95ee5e90007cc7205506b7f?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

Photos point to Israeli tank fire in deadly strike on U.N. guest house

Experts say images obtained by The Washington Post show blast patterns and shell fragments that are consistent with two #Israeli tank shells. The #IDF has denied responsibility for the strike, which killed a European aid worker.

from #WashingtonPost [gift article]
[Bias alert - #WaPo usually favors Israel]

Today at 5:00 a.m. EDT

https://wapo.st/4jv2uCI

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine @israel

Israeli Airstrike in #Gaza City Leaves Many Dead, Health Officials There Say

The strike on a home left other bodies buried under the rubble, according to the Gazan authorities. The #Israeli military said it had been targeting a #Hamas operative.

from #NewYorkTimes #NYT
[gift article - link can be shared. Expires in 30 days.]
[Bias alert - #NYT usually favors Israel]

By Vivian Yee and Ameera Harouda
Photographs by Saher Alghorra

Vivian Yee reported from Cairo and Ameera Harouda from Doha, Qatar. Saher Alghorra photographed and reported from Gaza City.
Published April 9, 2025Updated April 10, 2025, 3:40 a.m. ET

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/09/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-city-strike-hamas.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-k4.wsRf.x0Sk6BsWHb3-&smid=url-share

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine

Death of Palestinian American Boy in West Bank Sparks Outcry

Amer Rabee, 14, was fatally shot by Israeli forces in the West Bank, according to his family. Community leaders gathered in New Jersey to demand justice.

from #NewYorkTimes #NYT
[gift article - link can be shared. Expires in 30 days.]
[Bias alert - #NYT usually favors Israel]

By Shayla Colon
April 8, 2025

"The boy, Amer Rabee, 14, was shot and killed in the town of Turmus Aya on Sunday, his family said. Two other Palestinian American teenagers who were with Amer at the time were shot and injured by the soldiers, the family said."

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/08/nyregion/nj-amer-rabee-killed-west-bank.html?unlocked_article_code=1.-k4.RyrY.FcykBTeQ238I&smid=url-share

#AllEyesOnWestBank
#EndTheOccupation #SettlersOut
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine @israel

Majority of Americans hold unfavourable view of Israel, Pew poll finds

Even among traditionally pro-Israel Republicans, there have been large shifts in negative sentiment amid Israel's war on #Gaza

From #MiddleEastEye
By #MEE staff
Published date: 9 April 2025 19:22 BST

"According to a Pew Research poll published on Tuesday, 53 percent of Americans now express an unfavourable opinion of #Israel, up from 42 percent in March 2022 - before the 7 October 2023 #Hamas-led attack on southern Israel and Israel’s decimation of the enclave."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/majority-americans-hold-unfavourable-view-israel-pew-poll-finds

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#EndTheOccupation #SettlersOut
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine @israel

Witness to media tent bombing [in Gaza]: 'We did everything to save Mansour'

MEE contributor Ahmed Aziz was next to the targeted tent. He recalls a scene of chaos and confusion as flames engulfed the journalists inside

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Ahmed Aziz in Khan Younis, occupied Palestine
Published date: 8 April 2025 13:59 BST

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/chaos-and-confusion-gaza-journalists-recall-inferno-after-israeli-strike

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine

#Gaza paramedics shot in upper body ‘with intent to kill’, #RedCrescent says

PRCS calls for international investigation after postmortem results add to evidence contradicting Israel’s account

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Peter Beaumont
Mon 7 Apr 2025 13.01 EDT

"The results of the postmortems join a growing body of evidence that sharply contradicts #Israel’s account of the incident, including video footage that shows the vehicles were travelling with headlights and flashing red lights that identified them, with personnel wearing hi-vis vests, at the time they were fired on."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/07/gaza-paramedics-shot-in-upper-body-with-intent-to-kill-red-crescent-says?CMP=share_btn_url

#PermanentCeasfireNow
#IsraelWarCrimes
#ArrestNetanyahuAndGallant
#USHandsOffICC
#StopGazaGenocide
#GazaBelongsToPalestine
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#BDS #DivestFromIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine

Under Relentless #Israeli Bombing and Lacking Everything, a Gaza #Hospital Is Triaging Genocide

Inside #AlAqsaMartyrsHospital in central #Gaza, #Palestinian doctors are losing patients they could have saved because of shortages of supplies and medicine

from #DropSiteNews
Abubaker Abed
Apr 07, 2025

"DEIR AL-BALAH, GAZA—Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah is a place of concentrated horror and suffering. There is not a moment of tranquility here. A constant stream of ambulances rush in loaded with casualties—mostly crushed and charred bodies and dismembered children. The wards echo with the screams of mothers. Sobbing toddlers wander the halls looking for family members. Funeral prayers are held every hour, barely keeping up with the rising number of dead."

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/al-aqsa-hospital-gaza-shortages-siege?r=2y9nd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

#IsraelWarCrimes
#StopGazaGenocide
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopArmingIsrael
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine