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Middle East Monitor •

As Pakistan labels Israel’s PM a ‘terrorist’ it must keep its own extreme elements under control

The Pakistani government has officially decided to recognise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “terrorist”, stating that Tel Aviv is an “entity committing war crimes.” Urging the international community to do the same, Islamabad cited the mass civilian casualties in Gaza, made up mainly of women and children, since October last year.
The move came after the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan Party (TLP) held protests in the country, with activists protesting in the twin cities of Is...
The new Arab •

Udi Raz: Berlin stepping up repression of pro-Palestine Jews

The German government and establishment are stepping up the repression of pro-Palestine Jews including Israelis, but it's all about anti-Arab/Muslim racism by proxy, says Udi Raz, a Jewish activist who spoke to in Berlin.

“Germany is very much engaged in an attempt to self-define itself through the exclusion of other minorities. In the 30s and 40s, it was the Jews, and now it is Muslims,” explained Raz, adding that Germany is eager to protect Jews but only to the extent that those Jews are also

What is next for the Palestinians post UNRWA?

The Israeli Knesset’s October 2024 legislation that banned the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from carrying out operations and forbade Israeli officials from coordinating with the agency came into effect on January 30 amid some international backlash and support from the United States. 
The United States representative to the UN, Dorothy Shea, who suggested UNRWA officials were “exaggerating the effects of the laws”, said Washington supports the implement...

Over 1,000 days of war in Ukraine and security challenges mount

“North Korean forces injected into the battle and now quite literally in combat demand and will get a firm response,” warned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on a visit to Brussels a few days ago as he appeared for a press briefing with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Blinken stressed efforts to ensure money, munitions, and mobilized forces in order to assist the Ukrainian forces effectively in their fight against Russia while making it possible for Kyiv to negotiate peace from a “positio...

In Germany, far right threatens Jews and Muslims alike

Many in Germany watched the regional elections in the eastern states of Saxony and Thuringia with bated breath last weekend as the far-right, anti-immigration and Eurosceptic Alternative for Germany (AfD) party made pivotal electoral gains. The AfD won the vote with a 32.8 percent margin in Thuringia — where it is designated as right-wing extremist and its regional leader considered a fascist — becoming the first far-right party to succeed in a state election in the country since the Nazis were...
Middle East Monitor •

Is Germany changing course on Israel after its Rafah offensive?

Recent remarks from German officials backing the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and showing concern about Palestinian casualties in Rafah serve as a face-saving balancing act. For Palestinians in Germany, though, this is too little, too late.

“Now is the time, more than ever, to stand up to hate and talk about our hostages,” a middle-aged visitor to Berlin’s newly inaugurated Hostages Square told me when I arrived there. Const
The new Arab •

Meet the Palestinian chef feeding ancient veganism to Europe

For 38-year-old Jerusalemite Izzeldin Bukhari, Palestinian food is always on his mind. First a tour guide now a chef, Izzeldin's passion for Palestinian culinary history prompted him to set up , a supper club-cum-cooking class in Jerusalem's Old City. Now he's taking it on tour to Europe.

"My main goal is to share Palestinian food, especially vegan and vegetarian food," Izzeldin tells "I speak a lot about food history in what I do. It's important to teach my guests how dishes are created. Falaf
Middle East Monitor •

Germany’s Muslims fear rise in Islamophobia amidst war in Gaza

When Hamas massacred 1,200 Israelis on 7 October in the biggest attack on the Jewish community since the Holocaust, Germany showed unflinching solidarity with the State of Israel, supporting its “inalienable” right to self-defence. It rightly condemned the loss of lives and capture of hostages while calling for the latter’s immediate safe return. Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate was illuminated in the colours of the Israeli flag and a rally was organised the next day in the capital, attended by several
The new Arab •

A Palestinian musician’s ode to his homeland amid war

For 27-year-old Jalal I. Akel Jr, a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem, music became a source of respite and personal exploration amid the repeated phases of violence and unrest against his community growing up.

Jalal recently released an album under his artist name Jahlayal in dedication to his Palestinian roots and spirituality with the hopes of spreading “healing” in the middle of Israel's brutal war in Gaza that has killed more than 24,000 Palestinians.

He presents music in a tranquil,
Middle East Monitor •

How the Gaza war has polarised the Global North and South

When Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the subsequent events widened the global divide in the international community towards major powers and solidified many of the developing countries’ geopolitical presence under the BRICS. With the ongoing war in Gaza, these fissures are being put to the test again.

From the beginning of the latest spike in the Israel-Palestine conflict, starting 7 October with Hamas’s attacks in Israel, the United States has remained firm in its support for the Jewish State
The Copenhagen Post •

Deciphering ‘gender-equal’ Denmark’s unconventional relationship with feminism

Denmark serves as a role model for the rest of the world with its social democratic welfare, narrow gender pay gap, generous parental leave and noteworthy female representation in the government and political sphere. It even has a feminist political party!

The country has made tremendous strides for women’s rights since 1915 – when it officially granted them the right to vote – and today they legally enjoy fundamental freedoms and opportunities.

Denmark is regularly ranked among the best count
The Diplomat •

Once Again, Pakistan’s Women’s March Is Targeted With a Vicious Smear Campaign

On March 8, dozens of Pakistani women in all major cities took to the streets to highlight discrimination, inequality, violence, abuse, and injustices against them and other marginalized communities in the country. Despite threats and right-wing attacks on the Aurat March last year, the demonstrators were resilient and undeterred in putting forward their demands, which emphasized prioritizing healthcare for women during the pandemic and ensuring protection against patriarchal violence among othe
PressTV •

Hundreds of pro-Palestinians protest in Berlin after Israels deadly aid shooting in Gaza

Hundreds of pro-Palestinians protest in Berlin after Israel's deadly aid shooting in Gaza

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Berlin to demand freedom for Palestine and a stop to the Israeli "genocide" in the Gaza Strip. Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

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The Diplomat •

Silent Battles: How Pakistani Women Counter Harassment in Cyberspace

“Unless these issues are addressed in the real world, they will continue to exist and increase in the online world.”

For 23-year-old Zarmeen Arif, social media has become a tool to not only voice opinions but also fight for the causes she firmly believes in. It is her escape from the usual, the mundane, and the ordinary. It gives her a sense of purpose and provides an unlimited set of opportunities to showcase creativity, from routinely sharing motivational videos on life to reviewing books and

Violence by way of silence | The Express Tribune

On October 22, Israel designated six Palestinian human rights organisations as terrorist groups alleging that these NGOs, under the cover of civil society organisations, belonged and constituted an arm of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine [PFLP] leadership, a leftist political faction with an armed group, in a statement issued by the country’s Defense Ministry. The designation two weeks later was extended to the West Bank. The move was widely criticised by human rights groups and
The Diplomat •

How Have Women Leaders Shaped South Asia’s Politics?

South Asia has elected its share of prominent women politicians. But what has that meant for gender equality and women’s rights on the ground?

With Kamala Harris assuming office as the United States’ first female vice president this month, conversations have been renewed over the role of women leaders in politics – particularly in South Asia, given Harris’ Indian heritage. South Asia has seen many female politicians and even elected them as heads of government, from Indira Gandhi – the first an

The ghosts of Terezin | The Express Tribune

For the people of Terezin, a Czech town 70 kilometers north of Prague, there is no escape from the past. A past blemished by the pain and suffering of innocents, predominantly the Jews of Europe. For them there is no detour from it. Just utmost remorse and tragedy that they are reminded of everyday. A feeling almost effortlessly and inexplicably present in the air of this town and its surroundings, felt by visitors alike. It is as though an eerie silence is the only fate of this place now, as hu

Hundreds pro-Palestinians protest in Berlin after deadly aid shooting in Gaza | Video Viory

Hundreds of protesters gathered on Thursday in Berlin to demand freedom for Palestine and a stop to the 'genocide' in Gaza Strip after IDF troops allegedly fired at civilians and killed dozens who gathered at aid deliveries earlier in the day.

Footage shows the protesters waving big Palestinian flags while chanting slogans like 'Palestine will be free', 'Stop the genocide' and 'Free Palestine'.

According to media reports, people rushed to secure food and medicine from aid trucks. The Gaza Heal
The Diplomat •

Challenging South Asia’s Toxic Patriarchy Through Podcasts

When Kainath Merchant started her podcast “Brown and Bold,” her aim was to foster a virtual space that would address the “traumatic, raw, and uncomfortable” realities of South Asian culture, which often do not receive consistent attention in the digital arena. Given how South Asian families and societies directly and indirectly intimidate women through many of their established sociocultural norms, the journey to self-acceptance and self-love for many girls is not an easy one. Where both women a
Média IKSŽ •

Red No More: Russians in Prague turn to a new flag to show solidarity with Ukraine

“Our old flag had red on it and we want to wash off that colour. This (white and blue) is our new flag and we’re saying as Russians that we do not want war in Ukraine,” said a Russian activist and member of Prague’s Russian Anti War Committee, on the condition of anonymity, at a benefit concert for Ukraine in Letná Park.

“We fully support the Ukrainians and we stand with them together,” he added, as a large number of people attended the concert on Sunday (April 3) which was organised by the Ukr
The Diplomat •

Madrassa Sex Abuse Case Shocks Pakistan

More and more cases have been coming to light in the past years. Who will take on the country’s powerful clerics?

For over a year, Sabir Shah, a madrassa student, was sexually abused by an influential religious cleric in Pakistan’s populous city of Lahore. In a video spread on social media and filmed by Shah himself, Mufti Azizur Rehman – a religious leader belonging to the conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) party, who confessed to his crime – could be seen involved in inappropriate

Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters face off in Germany’s Gesundbrunnen | Video Viory

Pro-Israeli and Pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets of Germany's Gesundbrunnen on Saturday, where they separately demonstrated their solidarity with both sides in the presence of police officers.

The footage features protesters rallying and holding flags of Israel and Palestine. Placards could also be seen with slogans such as 'Ceasefire' and 'All walls must fall'.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced that it had 'resumed combat' against Hamas in Gaza on Friday, claiming the g
The Express Tribune •

Juveniles in cyberspace: How to ensure protection amid surge in online abuse cases?

As a large number of school-aged children and adolescents turn to digital media for studies, communication and infotainment amid the technological boom, the global Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent situation that has prevailed in the wake of it, fears have been expressed over their safety and privacy by various digital rights groups and child protection organisations. Many have reported a surge in online child sexual abuse cases, adding to the concerns over not just the impact of digital tech

Thirsting for adventure | The Express Tribune

Pakistan is often termed a prime country for adventurers as it is home to some of the highest mountain peaks in the world and offers diverse terrain that caters to the preference of all kinds of travellers. Situated in the north, five of the 14 highest independent peaks in the world are present in Pakistan.

In 2018, the British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan as the top destination for adventure travel and the country also topped Condé Nast Traveller's list of best holiday destinations for 2
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MORE WORK

BRICS: A much needed counterweight to Western dominance?

“We value the interest of other countries in building a partnership with BRICS. We have tasked our Foreign Ministers to further develop the BRICS partner country model and a list of prospective partner countries and report by the next Summit,” said South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa during the BRICS meeting as his country hosted the three-day summit in Johannesburg last month.

Russian President Vladimir Putin notably skipped the much anticipated gathering of the BRICS leaders and attended

Seeing Berlin through its past and Jewish heritage

Berlin, the constantly evolving German capital, has been the epicenter of notable events in history and continues to be shaped by their remnants. Even though it is rapidly expanding with its population, diversity and multiculturalism, countless landmarks bear witness to incidents from the past, such as the Holocaust and the Cold War. Having been here twice before finally moving, Berlin invariably stood out to me as the place to be in Europe. Career prospects, the ease of travel, cosmopolitanism

In Prague, Shoah stones matter more than you think

It was during a night stroll in Prague’s old town when I first came across a small brass plaque, almost looking like gold, fitted into a cobblestone pavement bearing the name Marek Frauwirth “born 1911” on it. The rest of the text was in Czech, featuring a one-line description, another date and a name of place. The stone was covered in grime and rain droplets preventing visibility in the dead of the night, but the details were sufficient to give an idea that they were describing someone’s area o

Terezin, 80 years after first transfer to concentration camp

It was on November 24, 1941 when the first batch of Czechoslovak Jews was transferred from Prague to Terezin, a town about 50 kilometers North of Prague, which the Nazis declared to be a Jewish ghetto and concentration camp during the Second World War. About 150,000 Jews were brought here in total from German-occupied Czechoslovakia, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, including famous painters, writers, and literary scholars. Statistics also show that the number of children among the

Pakistan: Where there is no end to antisemitic rhetoric

In Pakistan, antisemitic discourse is not always a consequence of any escalation in the long-drawn conflict between Israel and Palestine. Where such clashes definitely garner considerable attention and certainly fume sentiments in favor of the Palestinians and lead to anti-Israel demonstrations — with antisemitic slurs and banners being a visible, appalling reality of them all; digitally in today’s world and otherwise—anti-Jewish hate and bigotry remains deeply entrenched in the country’s social

Holocaust distortion and antisemitism: Two sides of the same coin

On the 1st of April, news came out that Germany had sent a 93-year-old notorious Holocaust denier, Ursula Haverbeck, to jail for another term. Also referred to as the “Nazi Grandma” by the German media, Haverbeck refuses to acknowledge the murder of over a million Jews at the Auschwitz concentration camp. The Neo-Nazi woman had been previously sent to prison in 2017 and 2020 and has been fined for hate speech numerous times.

A post related to this news shared on a Pakistani Facebook group (most

A rendezvous with a Ukrainian refugee in Prague

“I can’t even bury my mother, there are no remains left” were the words of 50-year-old Aliya Hryhorichenko, a Ukrainian refugee woman in Prague, who witnessed a calamity hit home in the Ukraine-Russia war when she received the news of her mother-in-law’s tragic demise in a bomb attack. In March, Aliyah’s mother-in-law — whom she describes as her beloved mum —was driving from Poltava to Sumy, running errands and carrying humanitarian aid, when her vehicle got hit by a Russian bomb. She shared her

Muslim women’s double whammy: Systemic repression and toxic Islamophobia

Jin, Jiyan, Azaadi (women, life, freedom) is, safe to say, the chant of the moment echoing in Iran’s fierce protests as they enter their fifth week in the wake of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini’s death post her arrest by the morality police over an alleged breach of dress code —failing to properly wear a hijab — imposed in the Islamic country for women. The latest tally indicates at least 233 people have been killed in various crackdowns, according to a US-based human rights group, as President Ebrahim

Ukraine war to Finland’s accession to NATO: A divided world in the making

“Today is a historic day. In a few hours, we will welcome Finland as the 31st member of our alliance. This will make Finland safer and NATO stronger…removing Moscow’s miscalculation about NATO’s readiness.”

The aforementioned words were from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the 4th of April, the day the US-backed military alliance commemorated its 74th anniversary, and officially welcomed Finland as its 31st member. The NATO chief further said that

Russia-Ukraine war: The Wagner march on Moscow

When Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin declared mutiny against the Russian military as his troops marched towards Moscow this weekend, the world watched with bated breath at what seemed like the biggest internal threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rule to date. The Russian leader in a televised address on Saturday declared the coup attempt as “a stab in the back” and vowed a tough response to the mutiny.

A former ally of the long-serving president, Prigozin had been at od

What explains the terror resurgence in Pakistan?

Pakistan is seeing a surge in terrorist attacks. On Friday, at least 50 people were killed and dozens more injured when an explosion ripped through a religious procession in Balochistan province’s Mastung district. The incident took place on the occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi, a religious event and a national holiday in the country that marks Prophet Muhammad’s birthday.

The second suspected suicide bombing on Friday took place in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that killed at lea

Gaza war to deter Pakistan-Israel rapprochement

Since the formation of the State of Israel in 1948, Pakistan has maintained a pro-Palestine stance, refusing to establish diplomatic relations with the Jewish nation until a sovereign Palestinian state is created on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Jerusalem as its capital. Amidst the recent escalation in violence between Hamas and Israel, resulting in over 9,000 Palestinians killed — the number mounts as the war in Gaza continues— and 1,400 Israelis massacred and 240 taken as hostages, Islama

TRANSLATED WORK

AssoConnect •

« La musique comme message de solidarité

La musique réunit les gens et constitue un formidable instrument d’apaisement ; les gens peuvent s'y reconnaître et ressentir des émotions indescriptibles, selon Jalal, qui s'inspire d'artistes et de poètes tels que Mahmoud Darwish, Rumi, le Trio Joubran ou Jowan Safadi.

De nombreux mots utilisés dans la poésie et la musique de Jalal symbolisent la nature, la terre, la vie en Palestine et les menaces qui pèsent sur les Palestiniens. Le nom de la chanson "River of Joy" de l'album récemment sorti
Agence Media Palestine •

«La musique comme message de solidarité»

La musique réunit les gens et constitue un formidable instrument d’apaisement ; les gens peuvent s’y reconnaître et ressentir des émotions indescriptibles, selon Jalal, qui s’inspire d’artistes et de poètes tels que Mahmoud Darwish, Rumi, le Trio Joubran ou Jowan Safadi.

De nombreux mots utilisés dans la poésie et la musique de Jalal symbolisent la nature, la terre, la vie en Palestine et les menaces qui pèsent sur les Palestiniens. Le nom de la chanson « River of Joy » de l’album récemment sor
Kapitalis •

Les Allemands musulmans craignent la montée de l’islamophobie

Lorsque le Hamas a massacré 1 200 Israéliens le 7 octobre lors de la plus grande attaque contre la communauté juive depuis l’Holocauste, l’Allemagne a fait preuve d’une solidarité sans faille avec l’État d’Israël, soutenant son droit «inaliénable» à l’autodéfense. Il a condamné à juste titre les pertes de vies humaines et la capture d’otages tout en appelant au retour immédiat et sain et sauf de ces derniers. La porte de Brandebourg de Berlin a été illuminée aux couleurs du drapeau israélien et