“Terrorgram, an extreme Right-wing terrorist group, is set to become the first
online organisation to be banned in the UK. The move would mean support for the
group would be illegal, with punishments of up to 14 years in prison or an
unlimited fine. A draft proscription order was laid in Parliament on Monday,
and will come into effect on Friday if it is agreed by MPs. James Cleverly, the
Home Secretary, said: “The Terrorgram collective spreads vile propaganda and
aims to radicalise young people to conduct heinous terrorist acts. “This is why
we are outlawing membership or support for the group – we will not tolerate the
promotion or encouragement of terrorism in the United Kingdom. “It will become
the first online terrorist network to be proscribed, alongside 80 other extreme
Right-Wing and Islamist organisations, as we continue to disrupt and outlaw
terrorist groups to protect the British people.” Terrorgram will become the
sixth extreme Right-wing terrorist group to be banned in the UK, on the list of
81 banned organisations.”











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Eye on Extremism



April 23, 2024



The Telegraph: Extreme Right-Wing Terrorist Group Terrorgram To Be Banned In UK

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“Terrorgram, an extreme Right-wing terrorist group, is set to become the first
online organisation to be banned in the UK. The move would mean support for the
group would be illegal, with punishments of up to 14 years in prison or an
unlimited fine. A draft proscription order was laid in Parliament on Monday,
and will come into effect on Friday if it is agreed by MPs. James Cleverly, the
Home Secretary, said: “The Terrorgram collective spreads vile propaganda and
aims to radicalise young people to conduct heinous terrorist acts. “This is why
we are outlawing membership or support for the group – we will not tolerate the
promotion or encouragement of terrorism in the United Kingdom. “It will become
the first online terrorist network to be proscribed, alongside 80 other extreme
Right-Wing and Islamist organisations, as we continue to disrupt and outlaw
terrorist groups to protect the British people.” Terrorgram will become the
sixth extreme Right-wing terrorist group to be banned in the UK, on the list of
81 banned organisations.”



Voice Of America: Turkey Hosted Hamas Leader Amid Growing Criticism Over
Inaction In Gaza
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“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Hamas political chief Ismail
Haniyeh and his delegation last weekend in Istanbul amid growing criticism in
Turkey of his government's stance on the Israel-Hamas war. There was no news
conference after the meeting. Erdogan’s office released a statement on the
topics discussed with Haniyeh, who lives in exile in Qatar. According to the
statement, Erdogan and the Hamas leader talked about "Israel's attacks on
Palestinian territory, especially Gaza, what needs to be done to ensure
adequate and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and a fair and
lasting peace process in the region." Erdogan also emphasized the importance of
Palestinians acting in unity, which he called "the most robust response to
Israel and the way to victory go through unity and integrity." In another
statement, Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) revealed that a
Hamas delegation, including key members of the militant group, was present in
the meeting.”



CEP Mentions



The Spectator: Suella Braverman Is Wrong To Call For Mark Rowley To Go
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“Why did Gideon Falter cross the road? Or try to? That is a question that
went viral this weekend. A video emerged of Falter, who leads the Campaign
Against Antisemitism, being threatened by police for trying to cross a
pro-Palestinian protest in central London. He was wearing a kippah and carrying
a prayer shawl bag, and had reportedly just emerged from a synagogue with some
friends and was trying to get home. Police officers had spotted him leaving the
pavement on a collision course with protestors and intervened. A tense standoff
unfolded, with an officer telling him in that his ‘openly Jewish’ appearance
was ‘antagonising’ the crowd. A calamitous initial response by the Metropolitan
Police which, in effect, said that being recognisably Jewish was ‘provocative’
compounded calls for the force’s beleaguered boss Sir Mark Rowley to resign. “



United States



Politico: The Pennsylvania House Race Testing The Fallout From The
Israel-Hamas War
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“Few Democrats would seem to be more vulnerable to the political fallout of
the Israel-Hamas war than Summer Lee. The first high-profile progressive House
member to face a contested primary this year, her Pittsburgh-based district is
home to a tight-knit Jewish community that is grappling with the effects of the
war. Last month, dozens of Jewish leaders signed an open letter to the
Pennsylvania representative blistering her for her criticism of Israel’s
government and “divisive rhetoric, which, at times, we have perceived as openly
antisemitic.” And in a district still stricken by the massacre of Jews at the
Tree of Life synagogue by an antisemitic gunman, signs for her primary opponent
Bhavini Patel, a small-town city council member, stand in many yards beside
ones that read, “We stand with Israel.” Yet for as much as the Israel-Hamas war
has inflamed intraparty divisions on the left, the April 23 primary here is
poised to test the limits of the conflict as an electoral issue.”



Syria



Associated Press: The Latest | Failed Rocket Strike Launched On US-Led
Coalition Forces Base In Syria
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“A failed rocket strike was launched at a base housing U.S.-led coalition
forces at Rumalyn, Syria, marking the first time since Feb. 4 that
Iranian-backed militias have attacked a U.S. facility in Iraq or Syria, a U.S.
defense official said. No personnel were injured in the attack. Iraqi
authorities said early Monday that they were searching for “outlaw elements”
who launched an estimated five missiles across the border from Iraq into Syria
late Sunday night targeting the base. No group has claimed responsibility for
the attack. Also on Monday, a U.S. official said American forces had shot down
two drones near al-Asad Air Base in Iraq. The circumstances are under
investigation. Israel’s defense minister on Monday visited members of an
infantry battalion that could soon be blocked from receiving American aid
because of human rights violations. Yoav Gallant on Monday told members of
Netzah Yehuda battalion stationed on the Gaza border that they have the full
backing of the Israeli state and its military.”



Turkey



Reuters: Turkey's Erdogan Says Iraq Sees Need To Eliminate Kurdish PKK
Militia, Media Reports Say
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“Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted by media as saying on Tuesday
that he believed Iraq saw the need to eliminate the Kurdish PKK militia and
that it had the will to do so. Speaking to reporters on his flight back from a
visit to Iraq, Erdogan said Turkey's battle with terrorism would continue in
line with international law. The PKK, which has waged a decades-old insurgency
against the Turkish state, is designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the
United States and the European Union. "Eliminating this threat is also to the
benefit of Iraq. I believe they see this reality and they will now put forth a
will for this issue to be removed," Erdogan was quoted as saying by broadcaster
Haberturk and other media outlets.”



Afghanistan



Modern Diplomacy: Afghanistan’s Role In Global Terrorism
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“Afghanistan’s role in global terrorism is a complex and multifaceted issue
that spans several decades. This analysis explores into the historical context,
the evolution of terrorist groups within the country, the impact of foreign
intervention, and the implications for global security. By understanding these
elements, one can gain insights into the challenges and potential strategies
for mitigating Afghanistan’s involvement in global terrorism. Afghanistan’s
strategic geopolitical location and its tumultuous history have made it a focal
point for various conflicts. Since the late 20th century, Afghanistan has been
embroiled in wars and insurgencies that have devastated the country and left it
vulnerable to the rise of terrorist organizations. The Soviet invasion in 1979
marked the beginning of a prolonged conflict, leading to the emergence of
mujahideen fighters. These groups, initially supported by the United States and
Pakistan to counter Soviet influence, laid the groundwork for the rise of more
radical elements, including Al-Qaeda in the late 1980s.”



Pakistan



Associated Press: Security Forces Kill 11 Militants In Northwest Region
Bordering Afghanistan, Pakistani Military Says
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“Pakistani security forces killed eleven militants in two raids Monday
targeting their hideouts in the volatile northwest region bordering
Afghanistan, the military aid in a statement. Ten militants were killed in the
first raid in Dera Ismail Khan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This
came a day after gunmen shot and killed two Pakistani customs officials there.
Another militant was killed in the second raid in a former stronghold of the
Pakistani Taliban in the North Waziristan district in the northwest. Such
operations often target the Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan or TTP. The TTP are a separate group but a close ally of the Afghan
Taliban, which seized power in Afghanistan in 2021 and the Taliban takeover in
neighboring Afghanistan has emboldened the Pakistani Taliban.”



Lebanon



Ynetnews: Hezbollah Elite Commander Killed In Strike On Southern Lebanon,
Reports Say <[link removed]>



“Mohammad Khalil Atiyeh, a Hezbollah operative killed Monday night in an
attack on southern Lebanon's Arzoun, was a senior member of the terrorist
group's elite Radwan force, according to Lebanese media reports on Tuesday. The
IDF reported on Monday that it struck two military buildings in southern
Lebanon's Arzoun and Odaisseh in which Hezbollah terrorists operated. Since the
beginning of the war, Hezbollah has reported the death of 286 of its Shia
operatives, though Israel estimates the actual number to be much higher.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah-affiliated network Al Mayadeen reported overnight on
multiple strikes in towns across southern Lebanon, including a series of
attacks in the town of Yaroun and other assaults in the areas between Al
Ayshiyeh, Al Mahmoudiyeh and Al Jibour. The IDF later said that Israeli Air
Force jets attacked overnight a Hezbollah military site in southern Lebanon's
Yaroun and four additional terrorist sites in the area.”



Qatar



Reuters: Iraq, Turkey, Qatar, UAE Sign Preliminary Deal To Cooperate On
Development Road Project
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“Iraq's prime minister and Turkey's president on Monday witnessed the signing
of preliminary agreement between Iraq, Turkey, Qatar and UAE to cooperate on
the Development Road project, a statement from the prime minister's office
said. Iraq launched the $17 billion project last year to link a major
commodities port on its southern coast by rail and road to the border with
Turkey.”



Middle East



Associated Press: Israel’s Military Intelligence Chief Resigns Over Failure To
Prevent Hamas Attack On Oct. 7
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“The head of Israeli military intelligence resigned on Monday because of
Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, becoming the first senior figure to step down over his
role in the stunning failure to anticipate or quickly respond to the deadliest
assault in Israel’s history. Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva’s decision could set the
stage for more resignations among top Israeli security officials. Hamas
militants blasted through Israel’s border defenses on Oct. 7, rampaging through
communities unchallenged for hours and killing 1,200 people, most of them
civilians, while taking roughly 250 hostages into Gaza. The attack set off the
war against Hamas in Gaza, now in its seventh month. “The intelligence
directorate under my command did not live up to the task we were entrusted
with. I carry that black day with me ever since, day after day, night after
night. I will carry the horrible pain of the war with me forever,” Haliva wrote
in his resignation letter, which was provided by the military.”



Politico: Israel ‘Yet To Provide Evidence’ Of UNRWA Staff Terrorist Links,
Independent Report Says
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“Israel has yet to present evidence backing its allegations that employees of
U.N. relief agency UNRWA are affiliated with terrorist organizations, said an
independent review published Monday. After Israel claimed in January that UNRWA
staff were involved in the Oct. 7 attacks, several European countries cut
funding to the agency, which is the main provider of aid to Palestinians. Since
then, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly.
“Israel made public claims that a significant number of UNRWA employees are
members of terrorist organizations,” the report said, adding that “Israel has
yet to provide supporting evidence of this.” The report, commissioned by the
U.N. and led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, revealed that
UNRWA regularly shared lists of its employees with Israel for vetting purposes.
It also noted that since 2011, the Israeli government has not raised any
concerns about UNRWA staff based on these lists.”



Associated Press: The Latest | Tent Compound Rises In Southern Gaza As Israel
Prepares For Rafah Offensive
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“Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press appear to show a new
compound of tents being built near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip as
the Israeli military continues to signal it plans an offensive on the city of
Rafah. Khan Younis has been targeted by repeated Israeli military operations
over recent weeks. Israel has said it plans to evacuate civilians from Rafah
during an anticipated offensive on the southern city, where hundreds of
thousands of people have taken refuge during the war, now in its seventh month.
The military said it was not involved in the tent construction. On Monday, a
failed rocket strike was launched at a base housing U.S.-led coalition forces
at Rumalyn, Syria, marking the first time since Feb. 4 that Iranian-backed
militias have attacked a U.S. facility in Iraq or Syria, a U.S. defense
official said. No personnel were injured in the attack, and no group has
claimed responsibility.”



India Today: Israel Strikes Hezbollah Sites After 35 Rockets Fired From
Lebanon: 10 Points
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“A barrage of some 35 rockets was fired from Lebanon towards Israel's Safed
city, as the Jewish community sat down for the Passover Seder meal on Monday.
Later, a statement from Hezbollah confirmed the rocket attack, claiming to have
launched "dozens" of Katyusha rockets towards the country. The Israel-Hamas war
has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials,
at least two-thirds of them children and women. It has devastated Gaza's two
largest cities and left a swath of destruction. Around 80 per cent of the
territory's population have fled to other parts of the besieged coastal
enclave. Hezbollah on Monday attacked Israel with a barrage of 35 rockets,
fired from Lebanon, targetting the northern community of Ein Zeitim near Safed.
The attack came as Jewish Israelis sat down for the Passover Seder meal.”



Africa



Reuters: African Leaders Call For Rethink On Tackling Violent Extremism
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“African leaders at a security summit in Nigeria called for a revamp of
institutions fighting violent extremism on the continent and the setting up of
a standby military force and greater control over peace-keeping efforts. Groups
linked to Islamic State and al Qaeda have been carrying out routine attacks in
Africa, including the Sahel, Somalia and Mozambique, targeting civilians and
the military. Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe said while the Sahel suffered
the most attacks on civilians, coastal states like Togo were facing growing
threats. "I say this with prudence and regret, but I think the institutions
that have been in place for a number of decades are no longer able to respond
to the security situation that we face," said Gnassingbe. Last year, the number
of daily attacks by extremist groups in Africa rose to eight and 44 deaths, up
from four attacks and 18 deaths daily between 2017 and 2021, said African Union
Commission chairperson Moussa Faki.”



Germany



DW: German Culture Scene Unites Against Far-Right AfD Party
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“As the populist, anti-immigrant AfD (Alternative for Germany) party were
rising fast in the German polls in 2023, national culture collective Die Vielen
(The Many) decided to act. The alliance of some 4,500 theaters, galleries and
cultural institutions had been on hiatus since the COVID-19 pandemic. But Die
Vielen members saw the upcoming European elections, to be held from June 6-9 —
along with local and state ballots and a 2025 federal vote — as an existential
threat to the pluralist democracy that allows artistic expression to flourish.
Having initiated protests against the AfD in the run-up to the 2019 European
elections, Die Vielen's new campaign, "Shield & Shine," brings grassroots art
collectives and curators together with high art orchestras, stagehands, opera
houses and audiences to create culture events that double as open forums for
debate. The goal, as articulated at a campaign launch in April, is to "stretch
thousands of democratic protective umbrellas over all federal states" and hence
neutralize the "normalization of right-wing extremist politics in democratic
parliaments."”



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