28 March 2025

On Tuesday, thousands of Palestinians in Gaza took to the streets, calling for the end of Hamas. The demonstrations were called by a group calling itself “State of Palestine – Families and Clans of the Southern Governorates, Gaza Strip”. The Palestinians who are demonstrating have had enough of Hamas. They are calling for an end to the war with Israel and expressing mounting frustration over worsening living conditions. By demonstrating, they risk a violent response by Hamas, which has tortured and killed its opponents over recent months. Hamas has issued a statement accusing the protesters of being responsible for the collapse of negotiations with Israel. In the statement, Hamas vows to treat the protesters as collaborators with Israel – this is an open threat to kill protesters, just as Hamas has consistently used violence to suppress opposition. 

There is much political unrest in Turkiye. Turkiye’s mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem Imamoglu, was about to become his party’s presidential candidate to rival President Erdogan, but was arrested in recent days on corruption charges. Protestors have taken to the streets, as Imamoglu’s arrest was likely politically motivated. Erdogan (who also was previously mayor of Instanbul) has been Turkiye's prime minister and then president since 2003. He has become increasingly authoritarian, imposing his version of Islamic extremism. This includes calling for a new caliphate, and threatening to destroy Israel. This is very dangerous, as Turkiye is expanding its influence in Syria, where it is replacing Russia as the dominant power. 

'We are starving and dying, enough is enough': Gazans demand Hamas withdrawal

A Palestinian group urged a mass “march of anger” to protest against what it described as years of oppression and misrule by Hamas.

Israel’s judicial selection law feted as overdue correction

Leftwing critics of the legislation said it compromises judges' independence, whereas a prominent rightwing activist said it was too mild.

Knesset votes to reform Judicial Selection Committee

The law replaces two spots on the committee with attorneys appointed by coalition and opposition, respectively, instead of members of the Israel Bar Association.

Turkey’s expansionism in Syria creates new challenges for Israel

Turkey has replaced Russia as the dominant power in Syria. 

Iran Apparently Planning to Outwit or Outwait Trump, Not Relinquish Its Nuclear Programme

Iran's refusal to accept US President Donald Trump's demand that it completely dismantle its controversial nuclear programme, which Western intelligence officials are convinced is ultimately designed to build nuclear weapons, raises the very real risk of the US launching direct military action to destroy the programme.