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Mural of Bibas Family Vandalized in Milan During Event Honoring Oct. 7 Victims
A look at the mural “October 7, The Hostages” before (left) and after (right) it was vandalized. Photo: Provided
A mural depicting members of the Bibas family who were murdered in Hamas captivity was vandalized on Thursday in the Italian city of Milan during a commemoration event at the local synagogue for victims of the Palestinian terrorist group’s attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, The Algemeiner has learned.
Vandals defaced the image of Shiri Bibas, 32, in the artwork done by Italian contemporary pop artist and activist AleXsandro Palombo that was displayed in front of the Consulate of Qatar in Milan. Bibas’s face was covered with a poster that read “NO WAR” and showed a target placed on the forehand of what appeared to be a young boy.
The mural — titled “October 7, The Hostages” — was unveiled earlier this month on Oct. 7, to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the barbaric Hamas-led terrorist attack in southern Israel. Palestinian terrorists from Gaza murdered 1,200 people and kidnapped 251 hostages during their surprise cross-border invasion and rampage through Israeli communities.
The artwork depicts Shiri Bibas holding her two children Kfir and Ariel, who were 4 and nine months old, respectively, when taken hostage. The children are draped in an Israeli flag and all three of them are featured in front of a black background, which is a stark contrast to Kfir and Ariel’s bright orange hair. Shiri and her two sons were kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz and killed during captivity in the Gaza Strip.
“The kidnapping of a mother and her two young children, the waiting, the appeals, and the tragic outcome generated a strong collective identification, turning their story into a symbol of civilian vulnerability,” said a spokesperson for the artist in a released statement. “The artwork serves as a testimony: it documents a historical event, denounces violence, and calls for public reflection.”
Several works by Palombo tied to Israel, antisemitism, or other Jewish-related topics have been vandalized in the past, including a mural dedicated to Nova Festival survivor Vlada Patapov, which was damaged mere hours after its unveiling on Oct. 7, 2024, and a mural depicting three Holocaust survivors. Those works are now on display in Rome’s ancient Jewish ghetto in front of the Shoah Museum, which has acquired them for its permanent collection.
A mural about antisemitism and the Holocaust was repeatedly defaced in Milan and then completed painted over before being acquired by the Shoah Museum.
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Nigeria Seeks French Help to Combat Insecurity, Macron Says
French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Sept. 15, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/Pool
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has sought more help from France to fight widespread violence in the north of the country, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday, weeks after the United States threatened to intervene to protect Nigeria’s Christians.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has witnessed an upsurge in attacks in volatile northern areas in the past month, including mass kidnappings from schools and a church.
US President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of possible military action in Nigeria, accusing it of mistreating Christians. The government says the allegations misrepresent a complex security situation in which armed groups target both faith groups.
Macron said he had a phone call with Tinubu on Sunday, where he conveyed France’s support to Nigeria as it grapples with several security challenges, “particularly the terrorist threat in the North.”
“At his request, we will strengthen our partnership with the authorities and our support for the affected populations. We call on all our partners to step up their engagement,” Macron said in a post on X.
Macron did not say what help would be offered by France, which has withdrawn its troops from West and Central Africa and plans to focus on training, intelligence sharing and responding to requests from countries for assistance.
Nigeria is grappling with a long-running Islamist insurgency in the northeast, armed kidnapping gangs in the northwest and deadly clashes between largely Muslim cattle herders and mostly Christian farmers in the central parts of the country, stretching its security forces.
Washington said last month that it was considering actions such as sanctions and Pentagon engagement on counterterrorism as part of a plan to compel Nigeria to better protect its Christian communities.
The Nigerian government has said it welcomes help to fight insecurity as long as its sovereignty is respected. France has previously supported efforts to curtail the actions of armed groups, the US has shared intelligence and sold arms, including fighter jets, and Britain has trained Nigerian troops.
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Netanyahu Says He Will Not Quit Politics if He Receives a Pardon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in the state memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Iron Swords War on Mount Herzl, Jerusalem on Oct. 16, 2025. Photo: Alex Kolomoisky/POOL/Pool via REUTERS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he would not retire from politics if he receives a pardon from the country’s president in his years-long corruption trial.
Asked by a reporter if planned on retiring from political life if he receives a pardon, Netanyahu replied: “no”.
Netanyahu last month asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon, with lawyers for the prime minister arguing that frequent court appearances were hindering Netanyahu’s ability to govern and that a pardon would be good for the country.
Pardons in Israel have typically been granted only after legal proceedings have concluded and the accused has been convicted. There is no precedent for issuing a pardon mid-trial.
Netanyahu has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in response to the charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust, and his lawyers have said that the prime minister still believes the legal proceedings, if concluded, would result in a complete acquittal.
US President Donald Trump wrote to Herzog, before Netanyahu made his request, urging the Israeli president to consider granting the prime minister a pardon.
Some Israeli opposition politicians have argued that any pardon should be conditional on Netanyahu retiring from politics and admitting guilt. Others have said the prime minister must first call national elections, which are due by October 2026.
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Report: Washington Hosts Trilateral Talks Between Israel and Qatar After Doha Strike
A Qatari flag is seen at a park near the Doha Corniche, in Doha, Qatar, Feb. 17, 2018. Photo: Reuters / Ibraheem al Omari.
i24 News – The United States, Israel, and Qatar convened a high-level trilateral meeting in New York on Sunday aimed at restoring strained relations following a controversial Israeli strike in Doha, Axios reports.
The meeting marks the highest-level engagement between the three nations since Qatar helped mediate the ceasefire that ended the war in Gaza. The talks coincide with the Trump administration’s plans to announce a new phase of the Gaza peace initiative.
The meeting is being chaired by White House envoy Steve Witkoff, with Israel represented by Mossad chief David Barnea and a senior Qatari official also participating, according to sources cited by Axios.
Tensions between the countries escalated after Israeli jets struck Hamas leaders in Doha on September 9. While the top Hamas figures survived, a Qatari security guard was killed, prompting Qatar to temporarily step back from its mediating role. The incident drew widespread Arab criticism of Israel and pressure on the United States to intervene. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later apologized to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at President Trump’s urging, allowing Qatar to resume its mediation role, though mistrust has persisted.
The New York talks are part of a US-proposed trilateral framework designed to improve coordination, resolve disputes, and strengthen joint security efforts. Sources indicate that Netanyahu is expected to raise concerns over Qatar’s alleged support for the Muslim Brotherhood, critical coverage of Israel by Al Jazeera, and Qatari influence on American university campuses.
Despite these issues, the core focus of the discussions is expected to be the implementation of the Gaza peace agreement, including the disarmament of Hamas — a key element of the second phase of the plan.