RSS
Egyptian Judoka Withdraws From Abu Dhabi Competition to Avoid Facing Israeli Opponent
Egyptian judoka Karim Ibrahim pulled out of the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Championships Seniors in the United Arab Emirates last week due to his refusal to face an opponent from Israel.
Ibrahim 20, withdrew from the international competition after being drawn to compete against Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik in the individuals -100 kg category on Thursday.
The Egyptian athlete said that although he had hopes of winning “and achieving something in this tournament,” he has no regrets with his decision, which he first told his coach before announcing, Iran’s state-run Press TV reported. The judoka added that he was the youngest player in the tournament, and this was his first time competing in the World Judo Championships.
Many athletes from Muslim-majority countries have withdrawn from international competitions over the years after they were drawn to go head-to-head with an opponent from Israel, including Algeria, Iran, Syria, Tunisia, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Sudan, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
The post Egyptian Judoka Withdraws From Abu Dhabi Competition to Avoid Facing Israeli Opponent first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Daughter of Slain Terrorist Arrested for Swearing Allegiance to Hamas
JNS.org – A resident of the Shuafat neighborhood in northeastern Jerusalem was arrested after she swore loyalty to slain Hamas terrorist leader Yahya Sinwar, the Israel Police said after initial charges were filed on Sunday.
The suspect was identified as the daughter of Barakat Odeh, a terrorist who was killed by police forces while carrying out a ramming attack near the Dead Sea on Oct. 30, 2022, wounding five IDF soldiers.
According to the police, the terrorist’s daughter managed accounts on several social networks under the name “Martyr Barakat Odeh,” which celebrated and glorified Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups.
Among her alleged social media posts were pictures of Sinwar and Hamas “political” leader Ismail Haniyeh, along with the caption, ‘We swear allegiance to you, Abu Ibrahim [i.e., Sinwar],” according to the police.
The suspect was also said to have mourned Zakaria Zubeidi—the Jenin chief of Fatah’s armed terrorist wing, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, during the Second Intifada—and Ibrahim Nabulsi, who led a Nablus terrorist cell.
The suspect’s pre-trial detention was extended until Monday as prosecutors prepared to submit a formal indictment against her.
Earlier on Sunday, two Jerusalem residents were charged with providing information to Hezbollah during the Israel Defense Forces’ year-long war against the Iranian-backed terrorist organization in Lebanon.
According to the indictment, Abd al-Salam Qawasameh and Taar Asili, both in their 30s, were in touch with a woman named “Diana,” a Hezbollah operative. The two men communicated with her via WhatsApp, and despite learning of her affiliation with the terrorist group continued sharing information with her, according to the indictment.
Among other accusations, Qawasameh is being charged with sending “Diana” pictures of the coastal town of Caesarea, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence is located. Asili sent news articles about Israel and the security situation, according to the charges.
The post Daughter of Slain Terrorist Arrested for Swearing Allegiance to Hamas first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Iran ‘Has No Proxies,’ Khamenei Says as His Allies Languish
JNS.org – The official X account of Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, rejected the term “proxy” for Iranian-backed militias on Sunday.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran doesn’t have proxy forces. If we decide to take action [against the enemy], we don’t need proxy forces,” read the text on Khamenei’s English-language account.
This statement follows setbacks for Iran’s terrorist proxies in the Middle East: Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis in Yemen, and the Assad regime in Syria. The text seems to distance Tehran from these events, amid economic struggles and speculation about the Iranian regime’s vulnerabilities.
“They say that the Islamic Republic has lost its proxies in the region,” a related post by Khamenei said. But “Yemen fights due to their faith. Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad fight because their beliefs compel them to do so.”
US forces attacked the Houthis in Yemen on Saturday, while Israel targeted power stations and Hodeidah port after recent rocket and drone launches on Israel. Hezbollah suffered significant losses and agreed to withdraw south of Lebanon’s Litani River. Hamas lost control of most of Gaza, and its leaders have been killed along with many of its fighters.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel had “split [Iran’s] Axis right down the middle.”
Khamenei’s X account on Sunday appeared to counter. “The Zionists try to show they’re the victors. You wretched people! Where have you won? Have you won in Gaza? Have you destroyed Hamas? Have you freed your own prisoners? Is this victory to kill over 40,000 people without being able to achieve even one of your goals?”
Another post added, “You Zionists haven’t won; you’ve been defeated,” vowing that “the courageous, devout, young people of Syria will definitely expel you from there.”
The Iranian rial hit a record low last week, trading at 777,000 to the dollar. Internal protests over economic issues and religious coercion, including women’s dress codes, continue to challenge the regime. Donald Trump’s upcoming presidency may exacerbate tensions, especially after his campaign linked Iran to attempts to assassinate him.
The post Iran ‘Has No Proxies,’ Khamenei Says as His Allies Languish first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
RSS
Reports: 90% of 3-Stage Ceasefire, Hostage Release Deal Completed
i24 News – A ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is 90% complete, according to a report in the BBC on Sunday.
Egyptian media said that 34 Israeli hostages are set to be released in the first stage of a deal, although the terrorist organization is demanding additional compensation for male soldiers held.
A senior Israeli official said Jerusalem has received “signs of life” from the hostages, according to a report in the Times of Israel.
Outstanding issues includes lists of hostages slated to be released as well as which are living and dead, although Hamas has stated it does not know where every one of the captives taken in the terrorist onslaught of October 7, 2023, is being held.
Another issue is the question of Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip, with Hamas reportedly backing down on its demand that all IDF soldiers leave. Instead, the Israeli army will reportedly remain in the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors for the duration of the ceasefire, with a withdrawal planned for later stages, when a civilian authority takes over administration of the Palestinian enclave.
The post Reports: 90% of 3-Stage Ceasefire, Hostage Release Deal Completed first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login