#israel-gaza-conflict

#israel-gaza-conflict

Israel's participation has caused a whopping, unprecedented five countries to boycott the event in protest of Israel's conduct in Gaza, even as the contest's organizers struggle mightily to project an apolitical, uncontroversial image. That effort is more doomed than ever this year, because the boycotting countries include dependable Eurovision powerhouses Ireland (which has won the seven-decade-old contest a record seven times, tied only with Sweden), The Netherlands (five wins) and Spain (which has only won twice, but is historically one of the contest's "Big Five" main sponsors, alongside the U.K., France, Germany and Italy, so its absence is a very big deal).

As you know, for decades, I have been opposed to the use of public property to militarize arms shipments, federal immigration enforcement, and public safety, whether it is in Oakland or anywhere else. Thus, I share your concerns about weapons and military cargo being shipped through the Oakland International Airport.

Of the 129 journalists killed around the world in 2025, the Israeli military was responsible for 86, about two-thirds of the deaths, the CPJ found. The death toll is the highest since the New York-based press freedom group started tracking the killing of journalists in 1992.

After taking legal advice, engaging with key stakeholders and reflecting on constitutional obligations, the FAI confirmed that both the home and away fixtures will be fulfilled as planned later this year, despite many calls from across the country to boycott the fixture amidst the current war in Gaza and humanitarian crisis.

I didn't say anything special. I don't feel that. Why should I not express what I feel? Just because I'm a manager, said Guardiola. I don't agree but I respect all opinions. What I said basically is how many conflicts there are right now all around the world. I condemn all of them. If innocent people are killed, I condemn them all - not this country being more than the other one.

For a mayor who has become so closely associated with a foreign policy conflict thousands of miles away, Zohran Mamdani does relatively little to directly address it. Follow his public pronouncements, press conferences, and social media posts, and you'll find a relentless focus on the local: an executive order cutting fees for small businesses, a mayoral appointment to combat racial discrimination, a ride in a taxi to announce a new TLC commissioner.

Three detained British activists who spent weeks refusing food have ended their hunger strike, citing a report that a United Kingdom-based subsidiary of a major Israeli weapons company was denied a UK government contract. The Prisoners for Palestine group said in a statement on Wednesday that hunger-strikers Kamran Ahmed, Heba Muraisi and Lewie Chiaramello ended their strike after one of their key demands was achieved.

I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers. That is an absolute outrage. They will be called in, and they will be held to account for doing that, because you cannot have people with those kinds of attitudes teaching our children.

Aston Villa take on Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park this evening in a match that has already drawn widespread criticism before a ball has been kicked. No Maccabi fans are permitted at the fixture, following a decision by the Birmingham Safety Advisory Group (SAG) and a risk assessment carried out by West Midlands Police (WMP). The match was deemed a high-risk fixture by law enforcement and despite UK political leaders condemning the decision to prevent Maccabi supporters from attending, the match remains a home fan-only affair.

I actually talked in that post about Mamdani, I talked about Ilhan Omar, I talked about the gentleman you recognize. These are all wealthy foreigners who moved to the United States and then constantly talk about how bad it is, said Fine. If folks want to come to America, they should love it, they should share its values, and they should want to add value immediately, and far too many people who are coming do not share those values and I believe it is a threat. The barbarians are no longer at the gate, they are now inside.

The defence secretary, John Healey, announced the deployment of a small number of planning officers, including a senior commander, at an event on Monday night. He said the UK would play an anchor role. Ten days ago the foreign secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the UK had no plans to send soldiers to Gaza. The commander will work as a deputy in the American-led civil military coordination centre in Israel.

How much time does Hamas have to lay down its arms before the United States either takes dramatic action or authorizes its allies to do so?

On October 7, 2023 Hamas attacked Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages to the Gaza Strip. According to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs (updated on June 22, 2025), a total of 57 deceased hostages have been brought back to Israel so far. Israel says that the bodies of at least 27 killed hostages who were abducted on October 7 are still being held by Hamas.

Italian unions call for general strike as global protests grow and multiple governments criticise Israel. Israel has intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla while en route to Gaza, leading to swift criticism from global leaders as protesters gather in cities around the world including Istanbul, Athens, Buenos Aires, Rome, Berlin, and Madrid to condemn the raid. At least 44 countries were represented in the 500-person flotilla, including the United States, the UK, Belgium and Spain, Malaysia, Turkiye and Colombia.

No Music for Genocide's mission statement calls on artists and labels to join the cultural embargo in protest of "Israel's genocide in Gaza; ethnic cleansing of the Occupied West Bank; apartheid within Israel," repression of pro-Palestine activism, and the music industry's links to "weapons and crimes against humanity." The campaign arrives as numerous artists pull their catalogs from Spotify entirely, many citing now-Executive Chair Daniel Ek's investments in artificial intelligence (AI) military technology through his venture fund, Prima Materia.

I no longer have a visa to travel to the United States. I don't care. I don't need a visa because I'm not only a Colombian citizen but a European citizen, and I truly consider myself a free person in the world. Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the US no longer respects international law. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.

Moshe Abutbul, a 39-year-old bible teacher in Sderot, the southern Israeli city by the perimeter of Gaza, thinks life is OK, even good. Autumn is on its way which means his small home is less stifling. He enjoys his work. His four children are well; so too is his wife, an English teacher. As for Israel's growing international isolation, he is unbothered. We are a peace-loving country, but we have to defend ourselves,