Israeli soldiers jailed for damaging crucifix in southern Lebanon Israel’s military has sentenced two soldiers to 30 days in jail and removed them from combat duty after they smashed a crucifix in southern Lebanon. “The soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values,” the military said in a statement. The measure follows widespread condemnation from Christian religious leaders after images of the incident circulated globally.
Israel must take sharply declining US public support seriously, think tank warns Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 16:09 Israel's Institute for National Security Studies warns that US support might not last forever Protesters gather in Times Square for an Al Quds Day rally in support of Palestinians and against the current bombing of Iran by both the United States and Israel on 13 March 2026 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images via AFP) Off Israel ’s rapidly declining popularity in the US is a threat to national security and must be taken seriously if the country wants to maintain sufficient support from Washington, an Israeli think tank has warned. A new report from the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has highlighted the consequences of the steep decline in Israel’s standing with the United States and said that if American public opinion does not change drastically Israel will soon find itself without enough support there. The report published on Monday by the INSS, which has affiliations to the army and Tel Aviv University, refers to polling from the Pew Research Centre released earlier in April, which found that 60 percent of US adults have an unfavourable view of Israel - up from 53 percent last year.
Iran slams US seizure of cargo vessel, demands release Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned the US seizure of the Iranian-flagged cargo ship Touska, calling for its “immediate release” along with its crew. The US Navy fired on and seized the vessel on Sunday after it attempted to pass through a US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, according to President Donald Trump. In a statement, Tehran described the move as “extremely dangerous” and “criminal”, adding that the cargo was worth millions.
UK: Newham council investigates Labour mayoral candidate's past flat purchase Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:29 A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May Buildings at the Canary Wharf financial district are seen in the background from a high street in the London borough of Newham, east London, on 2 May 2020 (AFP) Off A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May. The flat's previous owner, Forhad Hussain, is Labour's candidate to be Newham mayor. Hussain purchased the flat in 2016 with financial assistance from Newham council, in which he was at that time a senior councillor.
UK: Newham council investigates Labour mayoral candidate's past flat purchase Submitted by Imran Mulla on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:29 A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May Buildings at the Canary Wharf financial district are seen in the background from a high street in the London borough of Newham, east London, on 2 May 2020 (AFP) Off A row has broken out over a former council flat in the east London borough of Newham, ahead of crucial local elections on 7 May. The flat's previous owner, Forhad Hussain, is Labour's candidate to be Newham mayor. Hussain purchased the flat in 2016 with financial assistance from Newham council, in which he was at that time a senior councillor.
US budget earmarks record funding for drones and counter-drone systems A $1. 5 trillion US defence budget proposal includes nearly $54bn for military drones and related technology, along with $21bn for systems designed to counter them. Pentagon officials said drones and unmanned systems have become central to modern warfare, including in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
Iran says World Cup decision hinges on player safety in US Iran’s sports minister said a final decision on the national team’s participation in the World Cup will be made by the government. Ahmad Donyamali said Iran would travel to the tournament if the safety of players in the US could be guaranteed. He added that the decision will be taken by the government and the Supreme National Security Council.
Israeli forces block Palestinian student protest after barring access to school Submitted by Sari Jaradat on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:45 The latest crackdown in Umm al-Khair comes amid increasing settler violence Residents of Umm al-Khair, Hebron, occupied West Bank, protest Israeli restrictions, 19 April 2026 (MEE/Sari Jaradat) Off Israeli forces dispersed a student protest in the village of Umm al-Khair on Sunday, after barring Palestinian residents from accessing schools for over a week Khalil Hathaleen, a local education official and a parent of two students, told Middle East Eye that his children were among 55 students barred from schools for the second week. Israeli troops, armed and accompanied by security dogs, were stationed alongside their vehicles at the protests, which were mostly attended by schoolchildren. The demonstration was sparked after residents were prevented from accessing a vital road between Khirbet Umm al-Khair and the nearby village of Umm al-Khair, south of Hebron in the occupied West Bank.
Video: US veterans protest Iran war On Monday, dozens of US army veterans and family members of currently deployed soldiers stormed a US congressional office building in Washington DC in protest against the war on Iran. pic. twitter.
Pakistan urges US and Iran to extend ceasefire Pakistan has urged both the US and Iran to extend their two-week ceasefire, Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. In a meeting with the US Charge d’Affaires in Pakistan, Natalie A Baker, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed the need for engagement between the US and Iran, and said Pakistan urged both sides to consider extending the ceasefire.
Middle East Eye documentary 'Soaked in Blood' wins Webby award Submitted by Faisal Edroos on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 14:50 Investigative film revealed that Israeli forces killed a starving Palestinian who was walking along a route declared safe by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation " class="video-embed-field-lazy container-element"> The documentary, which was released days after the October ceasefire went into effect in Gaza, reconstructed the moments leading up to Khalifa's killing (Middle East Eye) Off Middle East Eye's documentary Soaked in Blood: The Killing of Ameen Sameer Khalifa has won the People's Voice Award in the documentary, video and film category at this year's Webbys. The film beat several other entries to secure the award, driven by strong public support, and will be honoured at a ceremony later this year. The documentary, which was released in October, days after a ceasefire went into effect in Gaza, reconstructed the moments leading up to Khalifa's killing and exposed how Palestinians were guided into active firing zones.
Iran foreign ministry condemns arrests in UAE as 'baseless' Iran's foreign ministry has condemned arrests in the UAE of what Abu Dhabi said were members of an Iran-linked group plotting terrorist acts in the country. In a statement, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the arrests were made under "baseless pretexts" and urged the UAE "to respect the rights and human dignity of individuals, refrain from retaliatory behaviour. " On Monday, UAE authorities said the group arrested was attempting to recruit Emiratis and funnelling funds to "suspicious" foreign entities.
Pakistan delivers weapons to Libya's Haftar as part of Saudi-financed deal, sources say Submitted by Sean Mathews on Mon, 04/20/2026 - 21:33 At least five cargo planes from Pakistan carrying armaments were unloaded at Benghazi airport in March, sources say Libyan soldiers train in the US-led Operation Flintlock military exercises on 14 April, 2026 (AFRICOM media release) Off Pakistan has delivered some weapons to Libya 's eastern government led by military ruler Khalifa Haftar, as part of a deal financed by Saudi Arabia , Western and Arab officials familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye. At least five cargo planes from Pakistan carrying armaments were unloaded at Benghazi airport in March, one official who witnessed the deliveries told MEE. A second official confirmed that the shipments from Pakistan had taken place, but did not say what type of arms were provided.
Israel bombs Gaza police checkpoint after gang members attacked Submitted by Mera Aladam on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 07:29 Meanwhile, Hamas says it will soon respond to proposals for the ceasefire’s second phase, despite talks proving difficult The sister and wife of Khamees Al-Qassas, killed on Tuesday in an Israeli air strike, react during his funeral at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, 21 April 2026 (Reuters/Ramadan Abed) Off Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip killed at least six Palestinians on Tuesday, including in an attack on a police checkpoint, according to local media. The checkpoint in Khan Younis was struck shortly after midnight, killing three people. Two other displaced people were killed in a separate bombing, while a woman was shot dead by Israeli gunboats off northwestern Gaza.
Eurovision 2026: Over 1000 artists call for boycott for ‘normalising’ Israel’s genocide Submitted by Dalia Anis on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 13:46 Brian Eno, Macklemore and Sigur Ros among artists accusing broadcaster of ‘hypocritical responses to Russia’s and Israel’s crimes’ Protestors hold a banner and Palestinian flags during a demonstration against Israel's candidate prior to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel on 17 May 2025 (Sebastien Bozon/AFP) Off More than 1,100 musicians and cultural workers have called for a boycott of the 70th edition of the Eurovision song competition over its inclusion of Israel , amid growing pressure to ban the country over its genocide in Gaza . Campaign groups No Music for Genocide and the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel (more commonly known as the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement) on Tuesday published an open letter to “reject Eurovision being used to whitewash and normalise Israel’s genocide, siege and brutal military occupation against Palestinians”. “How can any performer or Eurovision fan in good conscience participate at the contest’s next edition in Austria amidst US-Israeli plans for hyper-surveilled concentration camps in 'New Gaza'?
Rabbi who became mascot for Gaza genocide honoured by Israel on independence day Rabbi Avraham Zarbiv, whose name became synonymous with destroying Palestinian homes in Gaza, will light a torch at Israel ’s national independence day ceremony - one of the country’s highest civilian honours. The annual ceremony, held on 21 April, celebrates the establishment of Israel in 1948 (an event known to Palestinians as the Nakba - or catastrophe - which ethnically cleansed over 750,000 people). Miri Regev, the populist right-wing transport minister, chose the rabbi as one of those to light a torch this year.
Trump says currency swap with UAE is under consideration President Donald Trump has told CNBC that the US was considering helping the UAE financially, stating that a currency swap with the Emirates was under consideration.
Israeli settlers kill two Palestinians, including student, in Ramallah school attack Submitted by MEE staff on Tue, 04/21/2026 - 13:42 Health ministry says four others wounded as settlers opened fire at Palestinians Mother of a Palestinian killed by an Israeli settler in the village of al-Mughayyir, northeast of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, mourn at a hospital in Ramallah on 21 April 2026 (Marco Longari/AFP) Off Israeli settlers shot dead two Palestinians , including a teenage student, during an attack on a school in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday. The victims were identified as Aws Hamdi al-Nassan and Jihad Marzouq Abu Naiem. They were respectively aged 14 and 32, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Why speculation about China arming Iran is way off base Submitted by Nelson Wong on Fri, 04/17/2026 - 16:24 Western accusers see a gun in every handshake, but in reality, Beijing would have nothing to gain by fuelling this war Portraits of Chinese President Xi Jinping are seen in Beijing on 4 March 2026 (Pedro Pardo/AFP) On In recent weeks, a familiar chorus has emerged from certain western media and intelligence circles: the claim that China is either supplying or preparing to supply weapons to Iran to aid its confrontation against the US and Israel . The narrative is as dramatic as it is detached from reality. It fits a comfortable template: Beijing as the shadowy enabler, Tehran as the willing proxy, and the Middle East as the chessboard of great power rivalries.
Trump says he does not want to extend ceasefire with Iran President Donald Trump told CNBC in an interview on Tuesday that he did not want to extend a ceasefire with Iran. He added that the US was in a strong negotiating position and would end up with what he called a great deal. "I don't want to do that.
