Flotilla sets sail from Italy to challenge Gaza blockade Boats from the “Global Sumud Flotilla 2026 Spring Mission” departed from Sicily. The convoy, made up of 65 vessels, set sail into the Mediterranean aiming to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. Palestinian flags were raised on many of the boats as they left the port.
Video: Iranian-American activist speaks about diaspora split over US-Israeli war Ariana Jasmine is one of the biggest Iranian-American political content creators, whose videos on Iran's history, the US-Israeli war on the country, and US politics have been widely shared online. In this conversation on Real Talk, she speaks with Middle East Eye's Mohamed Hashem to discuss the Iranian diaspora's split over western intervention, the Pahlavi monarchist movement and its "cult-like" following, and why she believes opposing the US-Israeli war on Iran made her a target within her own community. She also reflects on the personal cost of speaking out, the threats, the harassment, and why she refuses to stay silent in spite of it all.
Activists break into Leicester factory owned by Israeli firm Elbit Systems Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 04/24/2026 - 15:52 'People Against Genocide' members abseil through roof of UAV Tactical Systems, owned by the UK subsidiary of Israel's largest defence company Activists drilled holes into UAV Tactical Systems factory and subsequently abseiled into the building on 24 April 2026 in Leicester, England (The Aftershock/X) Off Activists in the British city of Leicester have abseiled through the roof of a factory owned by Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. The campaigners are part of a group named “People Against Genocide”. On Friday morning, they occupied the roof of a factory belonging to UAV Tactical Systems, which is owned by Elbit Systems UK, the British subsidiary of Israel's largest weapons manufacturer.
Iranian monarchist leader Reza Pahlavi hit with paint in Berlin Iranian monarchist leader Reza Pahlavi was hit with red paint during a visit to Berlin. The exiled son of the former ruler of Iran was leaving a press conference in the German capital when a demonstrator threw the bucket of paint at him: Footage shows Reza Pahlavi, son of the late Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, being hit by a bucket of orange paint outside his press conference in Berlin. pic.
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.
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'?
Thousands rally against Israeli government in Tel Aviv Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, AFP news agency reported. Raphaelle Pneina said she had been attending weekly rallies because Netanyahu was “destroying our society from inside” and damaging Israel’s relations with Europe and the US. “People here are asking for this government and the next government to investigate what happened on October 7th and after because…all of us; we deserve answers,” she said.
India protests after ships attacked in Strait of Hormuz India has raised alarm after two of its oil tankers came under fire while attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, escalating tensions in the vital shipping route. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the vessels, both flying the Indian flag, were targeted during the incident on Saturday. New Delhi summoned Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Fathali, for urgent talks with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Tehran sees large turnout at pro-government women’s rally Thousands of women and young girls attended the “Sacrificed Girls” rally in Tehran on Friday, according to state media reports. Iranian women rode in vehicles in Tehran as they took part in the rally to pay tribute to women killed in the US-Israeli strikes in the war on Iran. Participants gathered in central parts of the city in a pro-government demonstration that included expressions of support for the country’s leadership.
Protesters worldwide mark Palestinian Prisoners' Day, call for repeal of execution law Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 04/17/2026 - 11:44 Annual event highlighting plight of incarcerated Palestinians marked across the world, days after new Israeli law permitting execution of Palestinian detainees Palestinians take part in a protest a day before Palestinian Prisoners' Day, in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank, on 16 April 2026 (Yosri Aljamal/Reuters) Off Campaigners around the world marked the annual Palestinian Prisoners' Day on Friday, calling for the release of more than 9,000 detainees and the repeal of a new Israeli law permitting executions of Palestinian prisoners. The annual day was first held by the Palestinian National Council on 17 April 1974, exactly three years after Mahmoud Bakr Hejazi was the first to be released in a prisoner exchange between Israel and Palestine. Since then it has been marked each year to highlight the plight of incarcerated Palestinians.
Iran's internet shutdown continues into its 48th day Iran's internet blockout has entered its 48th day, according to internet monitor NetBlocks. The monitor says the outage is the longest continuous internet stoppage in history and has had an economic impact of around $1. 8bn.
Stephen Kapos: The Holocaust survivor who leads pro-Palestine protests Submitted by Ashfaaq Carim on Thu, 05/01/2025 - 11:00 In this episode of UNAPOLOGETIC we speak with pro-Palestine advocate Stephen Kapos, who survived the Holocaust as a child in Nazi-occupied Hungary. In this candid interview, he recalls his time in a Jewish refugee home, hiding his identity with other children to avoid Nazi detection. He reflects on memory, survival, and the different paths his family took after the war, including his journey to London.
Labour MPs vote through draconian law giving police powers to ban recurring protests Labour MPs voted on Tuesday to pass a law that would significantly restrict the right to protest, granting the UK police sweeping powers to criminalise sustained strike action. Recurring protests which might have no connection to each other could now be banned by police on the basis of “cumulative disruption” caused by past or future planned protests in the same “area”. More than 45 civil society groups, including the Trade Union Congress and Greenpeace, joined together to oppose the draconian crackdown on fundamental freedoms of protest and assembly.
Palestine Action ban: Peaceful protesters are not terrorists Submitted by Lord Strasburger on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 16:07 Britain must now decide whether it will defend this core democratic freedom, or be remembered as the generation that let it slip away Police carry away a protester as people gather to call for the lifting of a ban on Palestine Action, in London’s Trafalgar Square on 11 April 2026 (Carlos Jasso/AFP) On Our right to peaceful protest is under relentless attack. The freedom to come together and express our opinions has been gradually strangled by a succession of new laws and regulations introduced by this government and the last one. Police in Britain now have huge discretion to restrict demonstrations or even ban them altogether.
Nearly 100 arrested at New York protest over arms sales to Israel About 90 protesters were arrested in Manhattan after blocking traffic during a demonstration against the war on Iran and US arms sales to Israel, according to police and organisers. The protest, led by Jewish Voice for Peace, included prominent figures such as Chelsea Manning, Hari Nef and New York City Council Member Alexa Aviles. Demonstrators initially attempted a sit-in at the offices of Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand before being blocked by security.
Video: Participants demand action from leaders as Flotilla sets sail In an emotional press conference, international participants in the Global Sumud Flotilla said they understand the shortcomings of any civilian attempt to provide Gaza with the humanitarian support required. The activists said they sail nonetheless to counter government inaction in the face of Palestinian oppression. From Germany to Malaysia, they call on leaders in their regions to take action against colonial impunity.
Activists announce ‘Freedom Fleet 2’ to Gaza from European ports International pro-Palestinian groups said a large flotilla dubbed “Freedom Fleet 2” is preparing to sail from European ports, including Marseille and Barcelona, toward Gaza in an effort to challenge the blockade and deliver humanitarian aid. Organisers said the initiative also aims to draw global attention to the humanitarian situation in Gaza and increase pressure for a permanent end to the blockade. Your path is green, O free ones; oil and olive...
Over 500 protestors in London arrested over Palestine Action ban, says Met police London’s Metropolitan Police have said that they arrested 523 people at a protest in Trafalgar Square on Saturday calling for the UK to lift the banning of direct action group Palestine Action. This is the first mass demonstration against the ban since the High Court ruled the proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation “unlawful”. The UK interior minister Shabana Mahmood was granted approval to appeal the ruling, and police have been instructed to continue arresting those showing support for the group.
Tel Aviv: Israeli protestors rally against wars in Iran and Lebanon Around 800 Israeli demonstrators have gathered to protest against the wars in Iran and Lebanon, accusing Netanyahu of attempting to derail the ceasefire with Iran. “In Bibi, we don’t trust,” read one banner, as protestors chanted: “No to endless wars, no to a government of death”. “What happened immediately after the ceasefire in Iran, Israel launched one of its largest attacks in Lebanon, which in my opinion, was an attempt to try and sabotage the ceasefire with Iran,” one demonstrator told AFP.
