Al Jazeera fires 24 employees with terrorist ties

 https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-909098

Al Jazeera fires 24 journalists, staff from Gaza with terrorist ties to Hamas, PIJ

A lawsuit filed in February 2025 named the employees. Some Al Jazeera staff members had ties to terrorist organizations and, in some cases, were members of those groups.

Al Jazeera has fired 24 journalists and staff members who worked for the network in the Gaza Strip, amid a lawsuit filed in the US accusing the Qatari broadcaster of providing support to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Ynet reported on Friday.

The NGO and civil rights group Shurat HaDin filed the lawsuit in February 2025, with support from the pro-Israel advocacy group StandWithUs. It names the employees and alleges that some Al Jazeera staff members had ties to terrorist organizations and, in some cases, were members of those groups.

The Jerusalem Post reported in June that the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) would conduct a comprehensive review of its database of journalists killed during the Israel-Hamas War after Hamas and PIJ published obituaries identifying individuals previously listed by CPJ as journalists as members of their organizations.

In a statement on June 25, CPJ said it had removed 20 names from its database after confirming that those individuals had worked for Hamas or PIJ.

The review followed Israeli media reports that identified several individuals previously listed as journalists by international organizations as having ties to Hamas or PIJ.

Moaz Abu Taha, a Palestinian journalist who had worked with some Palestinian and international outlets, takes a selfie with fellow journalists in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 18, 2025. (credit: BASHAR TALEB/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

CPJ outlines criteria for listing journalists in database

“CPJ has always been clear that we do not include anyone in our data sets if there is evidence that they were engaging in combat or inciting imminent violence,” CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg said in the statement.

“This is consistent with international humanitarian law, which considers journalists affiliated with non-state actors to be civilians, provided they do not directly participate in hostilities.”

According to CPJ, the organization uses at least two independent sources of information, desk-based research, and, where possible, in-person reporting before adding an individual to its database as a journalist or media worker.

CPJ said that in-person verification by researchers outside Gaza has not been possible since the beginning of the war, because Israel has not allowed international correspondents access to the territory.

CPJ pushes for access for foreign media in Gaza

The organization has petitioned the Israeli government and the Supreme Court to reverse the restrictions preventing foreign journalists from entering Gaza.

“CPJ condemns in no uncertain terms the misrepresentation of combatants as journalists or media workers, or the misuse of ‘Press’ insignia,” Ginsberg said. “Such actions endanger every single individual journalist legitimately trying to report. We are conducting a full review of the names on our lists to confirm that no one who was actively engaged in combat is listed in our data.”

https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-909098

Sweden Expels Iranian Diplomat

https://www.jns.org/news/antisemitism/sweden-expels-iranian-diplomat-for-targeting-jews

Sweden expels Iranian diplomat for targeting Jews

The ambassador of the Islamic Republic has been summoned following evidence linking his country to attempts to threaten Jewish locals, and Iranian dissidents.

Sweden has expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned the country’s ambassador for allegedly threatening Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden, the country’s justice minister said on Wednesday.

“We know that Iran, over a long period of time, has conducted activities that threaten security in and against Sweden, targeting both individuals who oppose the Iranian regime and various Jewish and Israeli interests in our country,” Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said in a statement to AFP. “This has, among other things, been done by making use of criminal networks.”

The Iranian embassy did not immediately respond to AFP‘s request for comment, the news agency reported.

The Swedish Security Service (Sapo) has previously accused Iran of recruiting criminal gang members to commit “acts of violence” against Israeli and other interests in Sweden, a claim Iran has denied.

“When it comes to what has prompted the government’s announcement today, I am not in a position to go into any details, as it concerns our intelligence work,” Sapo spokesman Jonathan Svensson told AFP.

“We can confirm that Iran continues to engage in activities that pose security threats in and against Sweden. This includes, among other things, attempts to use proxies, such as criminal networks, to carry out attacks or acts of violence,” he said.

In June 2024, two containers packed with plastic explosives were found outside the offices of Israeli military technology firm Elbit Systems in Gothenburg. In October that year, a 13-year-old boy discharged a firearm at the entrance to an Elbit Systems facility.

A Swedish court in April 2025 sentenced four teenagers to prison for recruiting the boy to carry out the shooting.

In May 2025, gunshots were fired outside the Israeli embassy.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said on Wednesday that the embassy employee was asked to leave over “activities that are not compatible with the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.”

The U.S. Justice Department announced in May an eight-count indictment against Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood Al-Saadi, an Iraqi-Iranian national accused of directing terrorist attacks, including plots targeting Jewish sites in New York and London.

Federal prosecutors charged Al-Saadi, 32, who was transferred to the United States earlier this year, with terrorism-related offenses linked to Kata’ib Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The department alleges that Al-Saadi helped coordinate nearly 20 attacks and attempted attacks in Europe and the United States, including seeking out operatives to attack a Manhattan synagogue.

https://www.jns.org/news/antisemitism/sweden-expels-iranian-diplomat-for-targeting-jews

IDF raids 1,200 terror sites, arrests 230 suspects in Judea and Samaria

www.israelnationalnews.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi9rwuOYV5U

IDF troops are operating to thwart terrorism in Judea and Samaria.

 

Over the past several months, soldiers conducted operational searches at more than 1,200 locations, including a facility for the production of explosive devices, and apprehended approximately 230 wanted individuals. 

In addition, soldiers located a large quantity of terror equipment and weapons, including M16 assault rifles, magazines, ammunition, pistols, and submachine guns. 

The IDF stated that its troops will continue to operate to thwart terrorism and maintain security in Judea and Samaria.

Israel & Morocco Upgrade Relations

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908835

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy/artc-israel-morocco-upgrade-ties-as-abraham-accords-mark-six-years

Israel, Morocco agree to upgrade diplomatic ties, expand flights at US-backed summit

At summit meeting between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz

Israel, Morocco and the US held a trilateral diplomatic summit in New York on Wednesday, agreeing to advance the Abraham Accords.

The meeting of Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, and US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz comes a day after the sixth anniversary of the Abraham Accords.

The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to steps including upgrading diplomatic relations between Israel and Morocco, raising the status of their respective diplomatic missions to embassies and appointing ambassadors.

The Israeli government's official Arabic-language X/Twitter account also published details of the agreements reached at the summit.

Israel, Morocco agree to deepen economic ties

Israel and Morocco also agreed to conclude agreements on investment protection and the prevention of double taxation by the end of 2026.

A Morocco's fan waves a flag ahead of the 2026 World Cup round of 32 football match between the Netherlands and Morocco at the Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe on June 29, 2026; illustrative (credit: Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP via Getty Images)

The agreements are intended to facilitate reciprocal investment and strengthen economic and business ties between the two countries.

It was also agreed to expand flights between Israel and Morocco to include flights operated by Moroccan airlines, implementing this expansion by the end of 2026.

The sides further agreed that Israel and Morocco would hold reciprocal high-level visits in the coming months.

Sa'ar addresses future of Israel-Morocco relations

The Jerusalem Post saw the full text of Sa'ar's remarks during the summit. During his speech, he thanked the leadership of the US, particularly Donald Trump, as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu, and the leaders of Morocco, the UAE, and Bahrain.

Addressing FM Bourita, Sa'ar said Morocco has a "very special place in this vision" and expressed hope that more Moroccans visit Israel and vice versa, as a way of continuing the friendship.

"The friendship between the Moroccan and Jewish peoples has deep roots and a rich history," said Foreign Minister Sa’ar said.

"The declaration we signed today outlines practical ways to upgrade ties between Israel and Morocco for the benefit of both peoples, and we will work to implement it."

Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon celebrated the announcement with a social media post on Thursday, congratulated the people involved, and said, "This week, together with ambassadors from the US, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Kazakhstan, we marked six years since the historic Abraham Accords. Today, we continue to strengthen them through actions, not just declarations."

"We will continue to strengthen the partnerships and expand the circle of peace in the region," he added.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-908835

Israel, Morocco upgrade ties as Abraham Accords mark six years

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Israel thanked the US for enabling the trilateral summit and its "steadfast pursuit of peace and security"

US Court Records Capture Gazan Terrorist Laughing During Oct. 7 Massacre

jewishpress.com/us-court-records-capture-gazan-terrorist-laughing-during-oct-7-massacre/

A community memorial ceremony in Kfar Aza on the two-year anniversary of the events of the Oct. 7 massacre, October 16, 2025. Photo by Tsafrir Abayov/FLASH90.

(Sept. 16, 2026 / JNS) A Gaza terrorist who U.S. prosecutors allege joined the Hamas assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, can be heard in intercepted telephone calls laughing and discussing weapons and ammunition as the attack was underway, according to newly filed federal court exhibits.
One of the transcripts, filed on Tuesday by prosecutors in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, records an 8:55 a.m. call involving Mahmud Amin Ya’qub al-Muhtadi, who entered the United States in September 2024 and was arrested in Louisiana in 2025 on immigration-fraud charges.

The Hamas-led invasion of southern Israel began at 6:30 a.m.

“How is the situation?” an interlocutor identified in the transcript as Abu Haytham asks al-Muhtadi.

“Ok, what type of things do you have?” al-Muhtadi replies.

Abu Haytham responds that he had rifles but “no ammunitions.”

“Ok, are you ready?” al-Muhtadi asks.

“Yes, ready!” Abu Haytham answers.

“Ok, bring the rifles, and whatever you have,” al-Muhtadi instructs.

“Ok, bring ammunitions,” Abu Haytham says, with the transcript indicating laughter.

“What?” al-Muhtadi replies.

“Man! That is not what I meant,” says Abu Haytham. “You are not normal.”

In a separate intercepted call from 9:33 a.m. filed by prosecutors, Al-Muhtadi laughed as he stated, “Ah, no, I went inside,” and told an unidentified caller to join him “at Malaka’s, inside.”

During the exchange, Al-Muhtadi repeatedly told those around him, “Be careful, don’t mention Al-Qassam! No one mentions Al-Qassam, boys,” and ordered, “Turn your phones off, boys.”

When the caller asked if he had “extra—ammunition and things,” Al-Muhtadi responded, “Yes, yes man. Yes. Yes.”

After the caller said, “So, I will come to you empty. I have nothing,” Al-Muhtadi instructed: “Just come, but if you can, secure a motorcycle to use it, in order to come inside?”

Prosecutors submitted the transcripts as an exhibit to a motion in limine seeking to compel the defense to provide transcripts of material it intends to use at trial. Prosecutors say the calls support their allegation that al-Muhtadi directly participated in the Hamas-led assault.

Court exhibits also include a Sept. 18, 2024, online exchange after al-Muhtadi arrived in the United States. An associate advised him not to contact “the resistance guys,” warning that he was “under surveillance for everything” and urging him not to publish anything.

“Um Amin, there is democracy here,” al-Muhtadi replied. “If you post Al-Sinwar’s picture, no one will tell you anything,” in an apparent reference to Yahya Sinwar, who was the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the primary mastermind behind the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel, before he was killed by Israeli forces in October 2024.

A Sign from Spain

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fan-fake-f1-sign-sneaks-154500033.html

Fan’s Fake F1 Sign Sneaks Brutal Anti-Government Message onto Live Broadcast

When a major sporting event rolls into a highly politicized city, the live television cameras are bound to catch something the producers didn't intend to broadcast. But during the inaugural 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, one fan pulled off a deceptive, viral masterpiece that managed to bypass the F1 broadcasting censors entirely.

The viral moment, which exploded across X (formerly Twitter) just hours before the race, featured a seemingly innocent fan expressing his dedication to Red Bull Racing's Liam Lawson. However, as the cameras zoomed in, the wholesome message vanished, instantly replaced by a brutal insult directed at Spain's Prime Minister.

As we saw during the live broadcast, the fan weaponized the predictability of the Formula 1 camera operators.

The fan stood near the front of the grandstands holding a large, highly visible poster. On the front, it read in bold, colorful letters: "I TRAVELLED 19,854 Km TO SEE LIAM LAWSON #LL30", complete with the New Zealand and Australian flags.

It was the exact type of wholesome, dedicated fan content that television directors love to feature during the pre-race buildup. Taking the bait, the F1 camera operator slowly zoomed in on the fan.

The moment the fan realized he was occupying the center of the live television feed, he swiftly flipped the cardboard sign around. The reverse side featured a completely different, highly legible message: "PERRO SÁNCHEZ HIJO PUTA" (Pedro Sánchez Son of a B—-h). The camera immediately jerked away, but the damage was already done.

The Political Context of the Madrid GP

But to understand why a fan would travel—or at least pretend to travel—nearly 20,000 kilometers just to insult the Spanish Prime Minister on global television, you have to look at the deeply fractured political landscape surrounding the new Madrid Grand Prix.

The arrival of Formula 1 to the streets of Madrid (specifically the IFEMA exhibition center area) has been heavily championed by right-leaning local politicians, most notably the President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso. However, the event has faced massive pushback from left-wing groups protesting the privatization of public spaces and the use of public funds to host an event for billionaires.

The political divide was glaringly obvious during the race weekend. While King Felipe VI attended the event to show his support, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez (who leads the left-wing PSOE party) and his cabinet ministers were notably absent.

Furthermore, the chant "Pedro Sánchez, hijo de puta" is not an isolated insult; it has become a highly popular, recurring anti-government rallying cry chanted at right-wing protests across Spain over the past few years. In fact, Spanish news outlet OKDiario reported that hundreds of fans were chanting the exact same phrase following the playing of the national anthem at the Madrid GP.

While the F1 broadcasting directors are undoubtedly furious that they were tricked into airing a localized political attack to millions of viewers worldwide, the internet has largely applauded the fan's tactical brilliance. Whether you agree with the politics or not, you have to respect the flawless execution of a perfect live-television troll.

https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/fan-fake-f1-sign-sneaks-154500033.html?guccounter=1

Poll: 72% of Israeli Jews Want Gaza Security Perimeter

jewishpress.com/poll-72-of-israeli-jews-want-gaza-security-perimeter/

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz attends a ceremony on Aug. 13, 2026, marking the return to the former community of Ganim in the West Bank, which was evacuated in 2005 as part of Israel’s Gaza disengagement plan. Photo by Hilel Ben Or/Flash90.

(Sept. 15, 2026 / JNS) In a survey conducted this month among a sample of 663 Israeli Jews, 72% of respondents said they would not agree to an Israel Defense Forces withdrawal to the pre-Oct. 7, 2023, Gaza border without a security perimeter inside the Strip.
The data, with the Jewish People Policy Institute (JPPI) published on Monday, comes from surveys conducted on Sept. 1 and 3 for the Israeli Society Index.

Among Jewish respondents, 55% indicated they might agree or do agree that Israel “occupy the entire Gaza Strip and administer it through the IDF for at least several years.” Forty percent of Jewish respondents said they would not agree “under any circumstances.” Arab Israeli respondents overwhelmingly opposed occupation under any circumstances at 69%, compared to 63% who expressed opposition to the prospect in a similar JPPI survey published last year.

The survey also demonstrated greater optimism among Jews compared to last year’s survey. Last year, only 36% of Jewish respondents agreed with the assertion that “Israel is improving, and things will get even better,” compared to 43% this month.

The survey had a sample of 206 Arab respondents. Last year, 6% of the Arab respondents expressed optimism compared to 5% this year.

A majority of Jewish respondents (56%) said the rise of antisemitism internationally should not cause Israel’s government to change its policies, representing a very small change over 2025 (57%).

Asked about the upcoming election and the main candidates’ suitability to serve as prime minister, 46% of Jewish respondents said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was best suited, followed by Gadi Eisenkot with 29% and Naftali Bennett with 14%.

Among Arabs, only 11% indicated Netanyahu was best suited, trailing Eisenkot (27%). A quarter of Arabs said “someone else” was best suited to be prime minister.