Eye on Extremism
April 23, 2024
The Telegraph: Extreme Right-Wing Terrorist Group Terrorgram To Be Banned In UK
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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
“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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