Author: MEE staff
MEE Staff is a team from Middle East Eye (MEE), a UK-based digital news media founded in 2014. MEE covers mainly the Middle East news and North Africa, as well as international stories making headlines.
A recent study by Ipsos Mori has shown a significant decrease in satisfaction ratings among ethnic minority voters in the UK for both Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer between October and December 2023, compared to the first eight months of Sunak’s premiership. The study indicates a particularly sharp decline in satisfaction for Starmer, potentially attributed to the “Gaza effect.” The analysis reveals that 67 percent of ethnic minorities were dissatisfied with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the latter half of 2023, with his net satisfaction score dropping to -48. Starmer’s net satisfaction score among ethnic…
The Arab League is gearing up to push for a UN peacekeeping force in Palestinian territories until a two-state solution is reached with Israel. The summit in Bahrain is expected to stress the importance of a political timeline leading to a Palestinian state with recognition by the UN Security Council. This call comes amid discussions about post-war governance in Gaza, as Israeli forces continue to target the strip. Reports suggest that the US is encouraging Arab states to join a multinational force in Gaza to prevent the permanent presence of Israeli troops there. However, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have…
The Israeli army is escalating its assault on southern Gaza, sending an additional brigade to Rafah, a city once home to over 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. Over 600,000 Palestinians have already fled the area amidst intensified military operations by Israel, prompting widespread condemnation and concern for civilians. The International Court of Justice is set to hear South Africa’s request for provisional measures in a genocide case against Israel amid the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in over 35,000 Palestinian fatalities, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israeli soldiers killed in friendly fire Tragically, five Israeli soldiers lost their lives in a…
Israel has intensified its military operations in Rafah, southern Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation and concern for Palestinian civilians. Over 600,000 Palestinians have fled the area, and the International Court of Justice is holding hearings on South Africa’s request for provisional measures in its genocide case against Israel. Additionally, Israeli soldiers were tragically killed in a friendly-fire incident in northern Gaza. As the conflict escalates, Israel launched air raids on north-eastern Lebanon and three Palestinians were shot and killed in a raid on Tulkarem in the West Bank. Stay informed with MEE’s newsletters Sign up to get the latest alerts,…
The ongoing war in Gaza has led to the destruction of all universities in the besieged enclave, with human rights groups accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians. The loss of these educational institutions, which enrolled thousands of students, has had devastating consequences, with 95 professors, including 68 with advanced degrees, killed in the conflict. Israeli airstrikes have flattened universities like the Islamic University of Gaza, Al-Israa University, Al-Quds Open University, Al-Azhar University, Palestine Technical College, and University College of Applied Sciences. The destruction of these universities not only impacts current students but also jeopardizes the future of education in…
The Biden administration has made it clear that it will veto a Republican-backed bill aiming to expedite all approved arms shipments to Israel, despite concerns over its assault on Rafah. The White House argues that the bill undermines the President’s foreign policy execution and infringes on his constitutional authority. This response comes after the delay of a shipment of bombs to Israel, a decision praised by progressive lawmakers like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren but criticized by Republicans and pro-Israel groups. The Republican bill threatens to cut off funding to key departments if arms shipments are not upheld. While Democrats…
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant is calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to provide a clear plan for post-war governance in the Gaza Strip, refusing to support indefinite Israeli military rule over the area. Gallant’s proposed plan for a new Palestinian government not affiliated with Hamas has not received a response from Israeli cabinet forums, raising concerns about military and civilian governance in Gaza. Netanyahu, however, believes discussions about the future are premature until Hamas is defeated. Meanwhile, reports suggest Bahrain could join an Arab multinational force to administer security in Gaza post-war. The Biden administration has approached Bahrain,…
The recent UK local elections saw the Labour Party losing a significant portion of its vote share in areas with a high Muslim population, a decrease likely influenced by the party’s stance on Israel’s war in Gaza. According to a report from Number Cruncher Politics, Labour lost 33 percentage points in predominantly Muslim areas on May 2nd. This decline in support was primarily due to the party’s delayed call for a ceasefire in Gaza. In regions where the Muslim population exceeded 70 percent, Labour saw a decrease of 39 percentage points in their vote share. Independent candidates, campaigning specifically on…
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has reportedly ordered the blocking of Al Jazeera from broadcasting in the occupied West Bank, instructing army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to implement the ban. Despite uncertainty about the specifics of the order, such as whether it will include areas with Israeli settlers or Palestinian regions, the Israeli military is working on its enforcement. Although not officially confirmed by Gallant’s office or the military spokesperson, the move marks the latest in a series of actions against the Qatari broadcaster. This follows an earlier vote in May to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel,…
Recent survey results indicate that over two-thirds of British citizens are calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, with 69% of respondents expressing a desire for an end to Israel’s military campaign. This marks a significant increase in support for peace compared to previous months, with only 13% in favor of continuing the conflict. The survey also showed that Britons are more likely to sympathize with the Palestinian side, with 29% leaning towards Palestinians and 16% towards Israelis. Additionally, a majority of 56% support a ban on arms sales to Israel, highlighting a disconnect between public opinion and government policies. Ban…