Eid al-Fitr Holiday Announced

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, echoing President Trump's tactics, is taking steps to undermine the judiciary, discredit national security professionals, and limit oversight to consolidate power. Netanyahu's administration fired the head of Israel's domestic security service and is pushing legislation to control judicial appointments, following Trump's election. Both leaders face criminal charges and accuse the "deep state" of conspiring against them, with Netanyahu standing trial for corruption. Full Article

Three weeks after Abdullah Ocalan urged PKK militants to disband, Turkey's Kurds celebrated Newroz New Year with peace prospects still distant, exacerbated by unrest following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. Despite efforts to broker a solution to the Kurdish conflict, Ocalan did not deliver a message at the celebrations due to the government's lack of response to a visit request. The PKK accepted Ocalan's call for disbandment but faces challenges in meeting amidst...

Ronen Bar's tenure as Israel's Shin Bet chief came to an end after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, leading to his intended resignation. However, Bar was sacked by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu due to disagreements over his positions and investigations, including on the attack and alleged payments from Qatar. Bar's dismissal was seen as a move to appease the country's right-wing coalition, led by figures like National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister...

President Trump ordered military strikes against the Houthi militia in Yemen, citing their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea as harmful to global trade. However, major shipping lines continue to avoid the area, opting to sail around Africa instead. While airstrikes have been conducted against the Houthis, a lasting solution may require a broad Middle East peace accord or a decisive defeat of the militia, which has shown resilience against larger forces and...

The Israeli government approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ouster of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, leading to Bar's refusal to attend the meeting and a likely legal challenge in the Supreme Court. The move comes amid renewed conflict with Gaza, street protests, and concerns about the erosion of democracy and the rule of law under Netanyahu's coalition. Protests against the decision turned violent, reflecting broader tensions over government overreach and accusations of corruption within the...

Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv in response to Israeli military operations in Gaza, resulting in over 504 deaths, including more than 190 children. Israel closed off Gaza's main route as troops expanded ground operations, leading to widespread condemnation and calls for a ceasefire from grieving families and international observers. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees and Iran's supreme leader condemned Israel's actions, while Israeli forces continued airstrikes resulting in a total death toll of...