CEP Mentions
Deutsche Wells: Why Germany Banned Hamas And Pro-Palestinian Group Samidoun
“..."These types of bans are one of the most important instruments a democracy has at its disposal to stop money from flowing to terrorist organizations," Hans-Jakob Schindler of the transatlantic think tank Counter Extremism Project (CEP) told DW. But, "it is always difficult because associations and non-profit organizations in Germany enjoy a certain degree of protection when it comes to their activities, and there are even limits to the investigations of important authorities such as the BfV when it comes to finances." Under German law, the line is crossed when people openly call for, or advocate, violence and Hamas supporters are usually careful about what they say in public, so as not to alert the authorities. Hamas does not recognize the state of Israel and, according to its own statements, aims to destroy it. Several associations close to the movement were banned several years ago. "Hamas sees Western countries such as Germany as a refuge in which the organization can concentrate on collecting donations, recruiting new supporters, and spreading its propaganda," reads a 2022 report by the BfV.” According to intelligence agencies, the Samidoun organization belongs to the radical Palestinian organization PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine). The PFLP also propagates armed struggle against Israel, but unlike Hamas, it is not religiously affiliated.”
The National News: Fears Over Threat To Free Speech As Europe Restricts Pro-Palestine Protests
“... Former diplomat Hans-Jakob Schindler, of the Counter Extremism Project, said Germany's measures show that to be treated as a potential threat groups no longer have to openly call for violence. “Of course, support for Hamas, or attempts to support Hamas, will not necessarily stop in Germany but every time you have one of these bans it makes it more difficult, it makes it harder, it makes it riskier for individuals,” he said. Courts prevented the government imposing blanket bans, so it instead circumnavigated existing legislation to prohibit rallies on a case-by-case basis under the guise that they pose a potential risk to public order. Incitement to hatred and the burning of Israeli flags “are not examples of people embracing their freedoms. These are crimes”, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. Germany's government is also seeking legal changes to punish people who criticise Israel and is reviewing the law on incitement to give it the power to strip people of citizenship if they support Hamas. Officials in Berlin gave schools the power to ban Palestinian keffiyeh headscarves and imagery of the map of Israel in the colours of Palestine. France stepped back from a blanket ban on marches but relinquished power to local authorities to assess whether it would cause a potential risk to public order.”
The Times: Hamas Confirms Killing Of Top Commander In Gaza
“…According to the Washington-based Counter Extremism project, in addition to being a key figure in the October 7 attacks , Ghandour has been behind a number of terror attacks against Israelis and survived at least two assassination attempts dating back to 2002 and 2012.”
The Street Journal: Why Hamas And Samidoun Were Banned In Germany
“…“These type of bans are one of the most important instruments a democracy has at its disposal to stop money from flowing to terrorist organizations,” Hans-Jakob Schindler of the transatlantic think tank Counter Extremism Project (CEP) told DW. But, "it is always difficult because associations and non-profit organizations in Germany enjoy a certain degree of protection when it comes to their activities, and there are even limits to the investigations of important authorities such as the BfV when it comes to finances."
Sky News: Israel-Hamas War: Have Hostages Gone Missing In Gaza?
“…Hans-Jakob Schindler, senior director at the transatlantic thinktank the Counter Extremism Project, says the situation is "terribly unclear". "It's important to note that Islamic Jihad and Hamas don't have a co-operative relationship - they're actually competitors," he tells Sky News. "So it's not entirely clear if Hamas can get Islamic Jihad to release any of the hostages it may be holding. "And it seems it wasn't just them and Hamas involved in the 7 October attack.”
Iran
The Washington Examiner: US Troops In Iraq And Syria Experience Lull In Attacks By Iranian Proxies
“Iranian proxies have not attacked U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria in recent days following dozens of attacks over the past few weeks, according to the Department of Defense. Those U.S. troops, which are in the region to ensure the lasting defeat of the Islamic State, have come under attack 66 times, with 32 coming in Iraq and 34 in Syria since Oct. 17 by Iranian proxy groups in the area. There haven't been any attacks since Nov. 23, though, Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, confirmed to reporters on Monday. More than 60 U.S. troops have been injured in the attacks, while about half of them were diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries, though they have all since returned to duty. U.S. troops have responded with defensive strikes against various facilities used by the proxies launching the attacks. Last week, the United States carried out strikes in Iraq after proxy forces launched a close-range ballistic missile at the al Asad Air Base, injuring eight people, U.S. Central Command said at the time. Immediately after the attack, a U.S. AC-130 gunship fired at a vehicle Pentagon officials said was carrying militia members, and several were killed. The gunship fired on the vehicle because they determined they were responsible for launching the close-range ballistic missiles.”
Iraq
Reuters: Iraq Sees Risk Of Regional Conflict If Gaza War Resumes
“Iraq sees a risk of regional conflict if the current truce in Gaza is not turned into a permanent ceasefire, the Iraqi prime minister's foreign affairs adviser said, as mediators sought an extension of the temporary four-day Israel-Hamas truce. Israel's devastating bombardment of Gaza in response to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on Israel has drawn in Iran-aligned armed groups in the region including Lebanese Hezbollah and several Iraqi factions, who have mounted near-daily attacks on Israeli and U.S. forces. But there have been no reports of attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq or Syria since Israel and Hamas began a four-day truce last week that was set to expire on Monday, compared to over 70 in the weeks prior. Some of the main Iraqi armed factions behind the recent attacks, including Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Kataeb Hezbollah, have announced they will abide by the Gaza ceasefire but indicated they would resume attacks if it ends. They have also said in statements that they still seek the eventual ouster of U.S. forces in Iraq. There are around 2,500 U.S. troops on a mission the U.S. says is to advise and assist Iraqi forces battling remnants of Islamic State. "The entire region is on the verge of a devastating conflict that may include everyone, and the extent of its expansion or how to control and stop it is not known," said Farhad Alaadin, foreign affairs adviser to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.”
Lebanon
Reuters: Lebanese Media Reports Israeli Shell Hit South Lebanon
“Lebanese media reported that an Israeli shell struck the outskirts of a town in south Lebanon on Tuesday, hours after a temporary truce between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israel was extended for two days. A spokesperson for the Israeli army said it was "currently not aware of such an incident". Lebanon's state-owned National News Agency and the Lebanese broadcaster al-Jadeed reported an Israeli shell had struck the outskirts of the town of Aita al-Shaab on Tuesday morning. Both outlets cited their correspondents as the source. Weeks of cross-border shelling between Israel and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah came to a halt on Friday when the Palestinian group Hamas - a Hezbollah ally - and Israel agreed the temporary truce in their conflict which erupted on Oct. 7. A spokesperson for the U.N. peacekeeping force in Lebanon UNIFIL said it was looking into the reports.”
Middle East
NBC: Truce Extended By Two Days, Qatar Says
“Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend a temporary truce for an additional two days on the pause’s fourth and last day, Hamas and Qatari mediators announced. Hamas will free 20 more women and children during the pause in fighting, the Pentagon’s top spokesman told reporters today. Today, Hamas released 11 hostages. In exchange, Israel released 33 Palestinian prisoners. An extension could mean more hostages are released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a halt in fighting. Israel has said it would extend the cease-fire by a day for every 10 additional hostages who are released. Israel also said it reached an agreement with tech billionaire Elon Musk to bring his SpaceX company’s Starlink communications to the Gaza Strip, Reuters reported. Musk has proposed using Starlink to support communication links in the blackout-hit Gaza enclave with “internationally recognized aid organizations.” As 11 hostages were freed by Hamas militants tonight and 33 were released by Israel earlier, more of these exchanges were expected under a two-day cease-fire extension scheduled through Thursday morning. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Hamas has committed to releasing 20 women and children through the end of the extension.”
Associated Press: US Tells Israel Any Ground Campaign In Southern Gaza Must Limit Further Civilian Displacement
“The Biden administration has told Israel that it must work to avoid “significant further displacement” of Palestinian civilians in southern Gaza if it renews its ground campaign aimed at eradicating the Hamas militant group, senior U.S. officials said. The administration, seeking to avoid more large-scale civilian casualties or mass displacement like that seen before the current temporary pause in the fighting, underscored to the Israelis that they must operate with far greater precision in southern Gaza than they did in the north, the officials said, briefing reporters on condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House. Amid mounting international and domestic pressure about the rising Palestinian death toll, the White House has begun to put greater pressure on Israel that the manner of the coming campaign must be “carefully thought through,” according to one of the officials. The Israelis have been receptive when administration officials have raised these concerns, the official said. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear that Israeli Defense Forces will eventually restart military operations after the conclusion of the current, temporary cease-fire that has allowed for an exchange of hostages taken by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The two sides agreed Monday to extend the truce for an additional two days and to continue swapping hostages for prisoners.”
Somalia
Reuters: Somali Pirates Likely Behind Attempted Tanker Seizure -US military
“An attempted hijacking of a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Aden on Sunday appears to have been carried out by armed Somali pirates and not Yemeni Houthis, despite the firing of missiles from Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen afterwards, the Pentagon said on Monday. "We're continuing to assess, but initial indications are that these five individuals are Somali," said Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder. "Clearly a piracy related incident," Ryder added. A U.S. Navy warship responded to a distress call on Sunday from the chemical tanker Central Park. The attackers were taken aboard the U.S. warship Mason, the U.S. military said, and the Central Park and its crew were safe. There have been a series of attacks in Middle Eastern waters since a war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas broke out on Oct. 7. Central Park, a tanker managed by Zodiac Maritime Ltd, a London-headquartered international ship management company owned by Israel's Ofer family. The Liberian-flagged vessel was built in 2015 and is owned by Clumvez Shipping Inc, LSEG data showed. Ryder told reporters that U.S. Navy personnel fired warning shots when the attackers were trying to escape, but there were no injuries.”
Mali
Fox News: German Priest Freed By Al-Qaeda-Linked Captors In Mali
“A German priest who was abducted by al-Qaida-linked rebels in Mali's capital in November 2022 has been released by his captors, a former colleague told The Associated Press on Monday. Church members in the capital of Bamako learned of the release of Rev. Hans-Joachim Lohre late on Sunday, according to Dia Monique Pare, a former colleague who had confirmed his kidnapping. There were few details about his release. "Yesterday, while we were at Mass, a member of priest Hans-Joachim Lohre’s family told us that they had good news about the priest," Pare said. The German Foreign Office on Monday confirmed Lohre’s release and said he had arrived in Germany, German news agency dpa reported. It was not immediately known if a ransom was paid. Lohre was abducted by al-Qaida-linked rebels in Bamako. It was the first time that militants had seized a foreigner in the African country's capital since their insurgency began more than a decade ago. Other foreign religious figures have been abducted in more remote parts of the country. Lohre, who has been in Mali for more than 30 years, teaches at the Institute of Islamic-Christian Training. The military government of the West African nation has been struggling to end armed rebellion in parts of the country. Compounding the violence are increasing attacks by Islamic extremists linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”
United Kingdom
BBC: Derry Man Kieran McCool In Court On Terrorism Charges
“Kieran McCool, 55, from Ballymagowan Gardens in Creggan, appeared at Belfast Crown Court via videolink on Monday. Mr McCool is charged with the preparation of terrorist acts between January 2016 and January 2022. The charge includes having explosives, conducting research and accessing a document or record likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. When the charge was put to Mr McCool, he replied "not guilty". He faces seven separate offences of having articles for use in terrorism between December 2016 and May 2021. They include black gloves and mobile phones. Mr McCool entered "not guilty" pleas to all seven charges. Judge Patricia Smyth said she would review the case next month and set a date for the non-jury trial for 8 April next year.”
Technology
Wired: Telegram’s Bans On Extremist Channels Aren't Really Bans
“In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, people concerned about online extremism turned their attention to the encrypted messaging app Telegram, where a Hamas-aligned group posted graphic images of the group’s attacks to a channel that now has 1.9 million followers. That content was then shared widely across social media. Following public pressure on Apple and Google several weeks into the Israel-Hamas war, Telegram “restricted” two of the major channels used by Hamas. But it did not, as it may appear to some users, ban them. A WIRED investigation reveals that rather than ban or delete Hamas channels or those run by right-wing extremist groups, Telegram is hiding them from the users of the two major app stores, but they are still there. Some of the content from restricted channels is being shared broadly in unrestricted ones—despite Telegram’s mechanisms for stopping the sharing of such content. The findings show that while Telegram makes some of its most violative communities difficult to find, the people in restricted channels are still able to spread their messages, experts say, and the channels continue to function as spaces of radicalization.”
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