Mossad chief says Netanyahu pick to replace him 'unfit' for role Israel ’s Mossad chief David Barnea warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nominee to replace him was unfit for the role, i24 News reported on Monday. In a four-page letter submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court ahead of Tuesday’s hearing on whether to approve Netanyahu’s appointment, Barnea said Roman Gofman had “a serious moral problem”. Gofman’s nomination last month sparked criticism in Israel.
Mossad chief opposes Netanyahu’s successor pick: Israeli press review Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 13:01 Meanwhile, civil aviation chief warns Ben Gurion Airport has become a ‘US military base’, while Israel’s move to Eurovision Asia is under consideration Israel's Mossad chief David Barnea speaks during the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) World Summit in the central coastal city of Herzliya, Israel, 10 September 2023 (AFP/Gil Cohen-Magen) Off Mossad chief voices 'integrity' concerns over potential successor Israel ’s Mossad chief David Barnea has warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s nominee to replace him is unfit for the role, i24 News reported on Monday. In a four-page letter submitted to the Israeli Supreme Court ahead of Tuesday’s hearing on whether to approve Netanyahu’s appointment, Barnea said Roman Gofman had “a serious moral problem”. Gofman’s nomination last month sparked criticism in Israel.
Lamine Yamal waves Palestine flag during Barcelona title celebrations Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 12:19 It comes a month after Spanish football superstar spoke out against anti-Muslim chanting during international friendly Spanish footballer Lamine Yamal waves a Palestine flag during Barcelona's parade to celebrate their title win on 11 May 2026 (Screengrab) Off Football superstar Lamine Yamal waved a Palestine flag during Barcelona’s title winning celebrations on Monday, garnering praise on social media. Tens of thousands of fans took to the streets of the Spanish city to celebrate with the team after they sealed another La Liga trophy. Barcelona confirmed the title win with a 2-0 victory over rivals Real Madrid on Sunday night.
Oil prices rise for third day in a row as Iran ceasefire talks stall Oil prices have risen for a third day in a row as hopes for a deal to get ships moving through the Strait of Hormuz cooled. US President Donald Trump said the month-old ceasefire with Iran was “on life support” after Tehran's response to a US plan to end the war made clear the sides were far apart. Brent crude futures LCOc1 were up almost four percent on Tuesday to about $108 a barrel.
Turkey supporting efforts to reopen Strait of Hormuz Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday that Turkey supported efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and that it should not be used as a "weapon" in the war on Iran. Speaking at a press conference in Doha alongside his Qatari counterpart, Fidan also said Ankara was contributing to efforts led by Pakistan to find a negotiated end to war between Iran and the United States.
Starmer faces endgame as Wes Streeting launches 'coup' to beat rivals to the top job Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 10:34 The health secretary scrambles to oust prime minister and take the reins while Andy Burnham races to become MP Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured outside the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France, 17 April 2026 (AFP) Off British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is clinging onto power in what might be his final days in the premiership as his rivals compete over who will replace him. On Tuesday morning, at a Cabinet meeting in Number 10 Downing Street, the embattled prime minister told his top team that the Labour Party "has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered". He said : "The country expects us to get on with governing.
If Starmer gets his way, Reform - not the Greens - will be his legacy Submitted by Jonathan Cook on Mon, 05/11/2026 - 23:37 The question for Polanski, as for Corbyn before him, is whether the spear of an insurgent politics can pierce the billionaires' defences Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at Downing Street in London on 5 May 2026 (Reuters) On There are two conclusions to be drawn from last week’s momentous local elections in Britain . The first, and most obvious, is that two-party politics is now finished in the country. After a century of being at the centre of British political life, Labour's time is over.
Kuwait says it has arrested four IRGC affiliates Kuwait's interior ministry said on Tuesday it had arrested four people it claimed were affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) after they attempted to enter the Gulf state by sea. According to the state news agency Kuna, the ministry said that member of Kuwait's armed forces was injured in clashes with the infiltrators.
Israel passes law to publicly try and execute Palestinians linked to 7 October attacks Submitted by Mera Aladam on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 08:02 Legislation gains support across the political spectrum, as justice minister calls it 'one of the most important moments' for the current Knesset Protesters hold placards reading 'Urgent and final appeal: Stop the execution of Prisoners Law before it's too late' outside the Red Cross offices in Ramallah, occupied West Bank, 31 March 2026 (Zain Jaafar/AFP) Off The Israeli parliament approved a bill on Monday to establish public trials and impose the death penalty on Palestinian detainees accused of taking part in the 7 October attacks. The legislation passed in the Knesset with 93 votes in favour and no opposition, drawing support from across the political spectrum. Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin described the vote as “one of the most important moments in the life of the current Knesset”.
Israeli army chief warns reserve forces could 'collapse' amid manpower crisis Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 09:53 Opposition figures have intensified criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government over its failure to draft ultra-Orthodox Jews This handout picture released by the Israeli army on 18 May 2024 shows Israeli soldiers during military operations in the Gaza Strip (Israeli army/AFP) Off Israel 's military chief has warned lawmakers that the army's reserve forces could face collapse within months unless the government urgently passes legislation to expand conscription and extend military service, Israeli media reported. In a classified meeting of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on Monday, Israeli army chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, reportedly urged legislators to move quickly on laws extending mandatory military service to 36 months, increasing recruitment and revising reserve duty regulations. "In January 2027, due to the reduction of mandatory service to 30 months, the IDF [Israeli army] will lose thousands more combat soldiers," Zamir told the committee.
Brics foreign ministers to meet in New Delhi this week The annual meeting of Brics foreign ministers will be held in New Delhi on May 14-15, India's foreign ministry said on Tuesday. The grouping, which originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded over the years with the inclusion of Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. India is the chair for 2026.
EU agrees to sanctions on Israeli settlers after Hungary’s new government lifts veto Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 09:21 Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar broke the deadlock after his right-wing predecessor Viktor Orban had stalled the long-awaited measures Israeli settlers stand next to Israeli soldiers during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, 9 May 2026 (Reuters/Mussa Qawasma) Off EU foreign ministers have agreed to impose sanctions on Israeli settlers over rising violence against Palestinians after Hungary’s new government removed a veto imposed by the country’s former right-wing prime minister. Viktor Orban, a close Israeli ally, had stalled EU plans to expand sanctions amid a surge in settler attacks across the occupied West Bank since October 2023. He was voted out of power in April, with his successor Peter Magyar moving to break the months-long deadlock.
Starmer criticised by Holocaust survivors for smearing Palestine marches More than 40 British survivors and descendants of survivors of the Holocaust have written an open letter to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticising him for linking recent attacks on Jewish people and property to pro-Palestine marches. The letter has also been sent to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Mark Rowley, commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police. The letter "deplores the instrumentalisation of Jewish safety in order to further repress freedom of speech, protest and assembly," the group told Middle East Eye in a statement.
Trump 'very disappointed' in Kurds who just 'take, take, take' Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 05/12/2026 - 09:22 Kurdish leaders have denied receiving weaponry from the US to fight the Iranian government US President Donald Trump speaks during a Rose Garden Club dinner in honour of Police Week at the White House in Washington on 11 May (AFP/Kent Nishimura) Off US President Donald Trump said he was "very disappointed" with the Kurds who he criticised for failing to provide military support to the Iranian opposition. Speaking in the White House on Monday, Trump appeared to reference claims that the US had provided weaponry to Kurdish opposition groups during the US-Israeli assault on Iran that began in late February. Iranian Kurdish leaders have denied the claims they were handed weaponry by the US to provide to opponents of the Islamic Republic.
Christian Zionism: What it is and how it affects the US and Israel Submitted by Daniel Tester on Fri, 05/08/2026 - 18:18 Supported by Pete Hegseth and Mike Huckabee among others, the Evangelical Christian belief is regarded as offensive by many Jews Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to the Christians United For Israel (CUFI) summit in Jerusalem, hosted by US televangelical pastor John Hagee in March 2010 (AFP) Off The US has supported Israel throughout the war on Iran and the genocide in Gaza . Much of that backing is rooted in Washington's long-standing regional and strategic interests. But within the administration of President Donald Trump and beyond, prominent Christian Zionists have sometimes framed conflicts in the Middle East in biblical terms, invoking scripture to justify support for Israel.
Israel sent Iron Dome battery and air defence personnel to UAE Israel sent an Iron Dome battery and personnel to operate the air defence system to the United Arab Emirates, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on Tuesday. “Israel just sent Iron dome batteries and personnel to help them operate them. How come?
Israel issues new evacuation orders for four south Lebanon towns The Israeli military issued new evacuation orders for residents of the southern Lebanese towns and villages of Arzoun, Tayr Debba, Al-Bazouriyah and Al-Hawsh, warning civilians to leave before planned military operations. The orders came as Israel continued attacks in southern Lebanon despite an existing ceasefire arrangement. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces destroyed a solar-powered water pumping station in the town of Deir Mimas overlooking the Litani River after explosives planted earlier detonated, causing extensive damage to a facility supplying drinking water.
Trade disputes, Taiwan and Iran war: Can US and China reach a consensus? Submitted by Nelson Wong on Fri, 05/08/2026 - 15:31 When Trump and his team meet their Chinese counterparts this time, the contrasts will be impossible to ignore US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for talks in Busan, South Korea, on 30 October 2025 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP) On As US President Donald Trump prepares to touch down in China for his first visit to the country since the start of his second term, the world is once again watching the uneasy dance between the world’s two largest economies. On the surface, the agenda reads like a standard superpower summit: trade, technology, geopolitics and regional security.
Report says UAE carried out secret strikes on Iran, hit refinery on Lavan Island The Wall Street Journal reported that the United Arab Emirates secretly carried out a series of attacks against Iran during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. The newspaper said one of the attacks targeted a refinery on Lavan Island in early April, causing a large fire and shutting the facility down around the time President Donald Trump was preparing to announce a ceasefire. According to the report, Iran later responded by launching ballistic missiles and drones at the UAE and Kuwait, while one source said Washington quietly welcomed Abu Dhabi’s involvement.
Morning update Good morning Middle East Eye readers, The fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran appears increasingly uncertain after Donald Trump described it as being “on life support” and rejected Tehran’s latest proposal as “totally unacceptable”. Iran says Washington is making unreasonable demands and warns it is prepared to respond to any new aggression. At the same time, Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue, oil prices are climbing again and global concerns over the Strait of Hormuz are intensifying.
