Alex MacDonald

6 days ago | middleeasteye.net | Alex MacDonald

States known for their human rights abuses are appearing on a new European list used to turn down asylum requests Leaders from the European Commission, Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, the European Council, France, Kenya, Tunisia and the WHO are pictured from left to right at an EU-African Union summit in Brussels in February 2022 (Olivier Hoslet/POOL/AFP) 18 April 2025 14:07 BST ago Jihad Khaled is not expecting to return to her homeland of Egypt any time soon.

1 week ago | middleeasteye.net | Lubna Masarwa |Alex MacDonald

Israel has allowed 180 Jewish worshippers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque, the largest number ever permitted by the authorities. On Wednesday, dozens of worshippers were seen entering the site, referred to as Temple Mount in Judaism, flanked by Israeli security services. The move marks a departure from Israel's previous policy of allowing no more than 30 Jewish Israelis at a time into the site, which was conquered by Israel in the 1967 war and is recognised as occupied territory internationally.

1 week ago | middleeasteye.net | Alex MacDonald

The Iraqi government has declared Halabja, a region notorious for one of the worst chemical weapon attacks in history, a new governorate. Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid offered his “warmest congratulations” to the people of Halabja over the move, which was passed in the Iraqi parliament on Monday.

1 week ago | middleeasteye.net | Alex MacDonald |Mera Aladam

Israel has struck the last functioning hospital in Gaza, further worsening an already critical lack of medical facilities in the enclave. Although the attack caused no direct casualties, Gaza's civil defence rescue agency said the strike on al-Ahli al-Arabi Baptist Hospital led to "the destruction of the surgery building and the oxygen generation station for the intensive care units".

2 weeks ago | middleeasteye.net | Alex MacDonald

A Turkish public prosecutor is seeking three-year jail terms for seven journalists arrested while covering protests against the jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment against Bulent Kilic, Kurtulus Ari, Yasin Akgul, Zeynep Kuray, Gokhan Kam, Ali Onur Tosun and Hayri Tunc for violating a law prohibiting participation in unsanctioned protests.