Amid holy war on Iran, will the West examine the roots of Christian and Jewish rage? In 1990, Bernard Lewis famously wrote about "the roots of Muslim rage". The essay, along with other influential works produced in the 1980s and 90s, helped usher in an era of commentary about extremism and political violence in the Muslim-majority world.
Iranians fleeing to neighbouring countries: UN The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says deteriorating conditions in Iranian cities are “driving increasingly complex mobility patterns”. It says the destruction of homes and facilities that provide basic services are pushing many Iranians to northern provinces, where they think they could be safer. The UN agency said people have been displaced to more than 20 provinces and shelters are under strain throughout Iran.
Three Iranian women footballers reverse asylum and return home Three members of Iran’s women’s football team who had sought asylum in Australia have decided to withdraw their request and return to Iran, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said. The players had initially asked for protection after refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match played during the war between Iran and the United States and Israel. Burke confirmed the change in a statement on Sunday, saying “Three members of the Iranian women's football team made the decision last night to rejoin the rest of the team and return to Iran.
Bahrain arrests six over posts about Iranian attacks Authorities in Bahrain say they have arrested six people accused of spreading misinformation about Iranian attacks on the country. According to the Bahrain Interior Ministry, the individuals allegedly shared videos online and circulated what officials described as false information related to the strikes. "Six people were arrested and referred to the public prosecution for posting videos about the effects of the Iranian aggression, praising its hostile actions and spreading false news," the ministry said.
I managed to escape Gaza, but now carry the shame of being safe Submitted by Sara Awad on Sun, 03/08/2026 - 10:23 After two years of war, air strikes and starvation in Gaza, a scholarship allowed me to study in Italy, but my survival came at the cost of leaving my family and people behind A woman holding a child sits on a bus as Palestinians evacuate Gaza through the Rafah crossing in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 3 February 2026 (Bashar Taleb/AFP) Off One year ago, my days in Gaza were defined by fear and the constant question of how to stay alive. Today, I sleep and wake in Italy in a state of peace, after months of falling asleep under bombs and waking to the sound of air strikes. I am safe here in my own body while my family remains in Gaza, facing one of the most uncertain futures in the world.
UAE arrests 10 for posting conflict videos on social media The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has arrested 10 people of different nationalities for posting real and “fake” videos on social media showing the country under attack, according to the state news agency WAM. Authorities said the videos included clips of air defence systems being deployed and alleged projectile strikes. The public prosecutor said publishing such material, “whether real or fabricated”, creates confusion and harms public security while giving “hostile media” content to undermine confidence in the government.
30 masked settlers invade Palestinian property in Humsa Thirty masked Israeli settlers are reported to have invaded a Palestinian property belonging to a family of 12 in Humsa, in the northern Jordan Valley early this morning. Prior to invading the property the settlers were said to have stormed a tent belonging to US and Portuguese international activists and one other Palestinian man who were then dragged out by their hair to another tent while the settlers threatened to kill them. Three men and all the children from the family were dragged to the same tent where one man was beaten with rocks and at least one sexual assault occurred.
EU and UK denounce settler violence in West Bank The European Union and United Kingdom have issued statements calling for an end to Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank this week. “We are appalled by the killing of five Palestinians in incidents of settler violence over the past week,” the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said in a statement posted on X. It added that “Israeli security forces have described such violence as ‘unacceptable’” and called on them to follow with “swift, thorough investigations and accountability for those responsible”.
British Muslims are more loyal to UK, poll reveals New polling has revealed that British Muslims are more pro-democracy than the public at large and overwhelmingly feel they belong to the UK . The findings cast doubt on widespread claims by politicians from across different parties that many British Muslims are unintegrated and oppose British values. The "nationally representative survey of Muslims" was commissioned by the transatlantic Concordia Forum think tank in October 2025 and conducted by Opinium .
EU and UK denounce Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in West Bank Submitted by Shraddha Joshi on Fri, 03/13/2026 - 12:03 At least six Palestinians in the West Bank have been murdered by Israeli settlers since the start of the war on Iran A Palestinian flag is placed at the site where Israeli settlers attacked and killed three Palestinians in Abu Falah on 8 March (Zain Jaafar/AFP) Off The European Union and United Kingdom have issued statements calling for an end to Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank this week. “We are appalled by the killing of five Palestinians in incidents of settler violence over the past week,” the British Consulate General in Jerusalem said in a statement posted on X. It added that “Israeli security forces have described such violence as ‘unacceptable’” and called on them to follow with “swift, thorough investigations and accountability for those responsible”.
Israel accused of attempting to 'erase' Palestinian Muslim identity Submitted by Simon Hooper on Fri, 03/13/2026 - 10:50 Report says destruction of mosques in Gaza and restrictions on worship at Al-Aqsa form part of systematic campaign to 'obliterate Palestinian life' Palestinians pray outside the Damascus Gate during the last Friday prayers of Ramadan in occupied East Jerusalem on 13 March 2026 (John Wessels/AFP) Off Israel is waging a systematic campaign of violence, destruction and persecution that threatens to erase the religious and cultural identities of Palestinian Muslims, according to a report to be published on Friday. The report, by the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based legal advocacy campaign group, found that Palestinian Muslims throughout the occupied territories and Israel had faced escalating anti-Muslim discrimination since October 2023, following the Hamas-led attacks in southern Israel and the launch of Israel’s assault on Gaza . It said Muslims had been subjected to increased persecution during the current holy month of Ramadan, citing an attack in February by settlers on a mosque in Nablus, punitive measures restricting access to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, and the detention by Israeli security forces of more than 100 Palestinians during the first week of the month.
Anti-Muslim bias in British media is off the charts. Will anyone step in? Submitted by Faisal Hanif on Wed, 03/11/2026 - 23:04 In a study examining more than 40,000 articles, a stunning 70 percent framed Islam or its practitioners in a negative light GB News ranked among the worst across every bias indicator, according to a new study from the Centre for Media Monitoring (Screenshot/GB News) Off Let us dispense with the polite fiction that British journalism treats Muslims fairly.
Red Cross Society of China to provide $200,000 to Iran for humanitarian assistance China’s foreign ministry said it will continue to provide assistance needed “in the spirit of humanity” to support the Iranian people in overcoming difficulties. The ministry added that the Red Cross Society of China will provide $200,000 to the Iranian Red Crescent.
Exclusive: Sole Muslim woman on Trump religious committee resigning in protest Submitted by Yasmine El-Sabawi on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 19:31 Sameerah Munshi's decision follows White House's firing of Carrie Prejean-Boller, who insisted Catholicism and Zionism are not compatible Sameerah Munshi speaks at the Baccalaureate Ceremony at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on 31 May 2023 (supplied) Off The only Muslim woman on US President Donald Trump's religious freedom committee is resigning, Middle East Eye can reveal. Sameerah Munshi served on the Advisory Board of Lay Leaders on the Religious Liberties Commission , and is leaving the role "in protest" of the White House's decision to remove anti-Zionist Catholic commissioner Carrie Prejean-Boller from the panel, her resignation letter, seen by MEE on Thursday, said. Prejean-Boller revealed on X on Thursday that the president, who appoints all the commissioners, has now fired her for what she believes is her stand against genocide committed by Israel in Gaza, and her pushback against those who call her antisemitic for her anti-Zionist views.
A British tourist facing two years in prison in Dubai for allegedly filming missiles hitting the city View this post on Instagram A post shared by Middle East Eye (@middleeasteye)
Democrats introduce ‘Justice for Hind Rajab Act’ as film about her death gains Oscar buzz Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 15:51 If passed, it would compel the Trump administration to reveal everything it knows about Israel's killing of the child in Gaza A guest holds a portrait of Hind Rajab during the red carpet arrivals for the film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' presented in competition at the 82nd International Venice Film Festival, at Venice Lido, Italy, on 3 September 2025 (Tiziana Fabi/AFP) Off US Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill demanding that the State Department explain exactly what it did to investigate the circumstances of the killing of Palestinian child Hind Rajab, and whether any Americans were involved, The Hollywood Reporter revealed on Thursday. The "Justice for Hind Rajab Act" will have to go through committees and floor debates in both chambers of Congress before it comes to a vote. It undoubtedly faces an uphill battle in a Republican-dominated legislature.
Iceland and Netherlands intervene in ICJ South Africa v Israel genocide case Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:57 The move adds to an expanding list of governments weighing in on the high-profile Gaza case before the UN’s highest court President of the International Court of Justice Yuji Iwasawa chairs a hearing in The Hague on 22 October 2025 (AFP) Off Iceland and the Netherlands filed declarations to intervene in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday, bringing the number of countries seeking to participate in the proceedings to 18. Both states filed declarations under Article 63 of the court’s statute, which allows countries that are parties to a treaty at issue in a case to intervene in order to present their interpretation of that treaty. The case, brought by South Africa in December 2023, accuses Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention through its military campaign in Gaza since October 2023.
Israeli military drops charges against soldiers accused of raping Palestinian Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 16:18 The five soldiers were indicted for 'severe abuse' after allegedly gang-raping a Palestinian detainee held at Sde Teiman in July 2024 Soldiers lock a gate at Sde Teiman detention facility, after Israeli military police arrived as part of an investigation into the suspected abuse of a Palestinian detainee on 29 July (Reuters) Off The Israeli army has said it is dropping charges against five soldiers accused of raping a Palestinian detainee. In August 2024, Israel’s Channel 12 published leaked CCTV footage purportedly showing a group of soldiers at the notorious Sde Teiman prison gang-raping a Palestinian detainee while forming a human barrier around him. The military announced the move as attention is focused on the war with Iran.
Muslim countries condemn Israel's 'unjustified' closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque Submitted by MEE staff on Thu, 03/12/2026 - 13:10 Eight foreign ministers called the ban a 'flagrant violation to international law' and 'the historical and legal status quo' of the Muslim holy site The Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in the Old City of Jerusalem is pictured on 18 June 2023 (AFP) Off Eight Muslim-majority countries have condemned Israel 's "unjustified" closure of the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, saying Israel has "no sovereignty" over the revered site and must lift the restrictions immediately. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates criticised Israel's decision to block access to the mosque compound and the surrounding Old City. The ministers said the restrictions constituted a "flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, the historical and legal status quo, and the principle of unrestricted access to places of worship".
Muslim nations criticise Israel for Al-Aqsa Mosque Ramadan closure Eight Islamic and Arab countries on Thursday condemned Israel for keeping the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem closed during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar called it "illegal and unjustified". In a joint statement, they said the continued closure of the mosque was "a flagrant violation to international law...
