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Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza

Arab NEWS 

Israel’s yearlong crackdown against Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza is prompting many to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society, while some still find ways to dissent — carefully. Ahmed Khalefa’s life turned upside down after he was charged with inciting terrorism for chanting in solidarity with Gaza at an anti-war protest in October 2023. The lawyer and city counselor from central Israel says he spent three difficult months in jail followed by six months detained in an apartment. It’s unclear when he’ll get a final verdict on his guilt or innocence. Until then, he’s forbidden from leaving his home from dusk to dawn.

'Agent of influence': Expert accuses social media of algorithmic bias against Palestinian content

Anadul Agency 

Social media platforms are facing renewed criticism for their handling of pro-Palestinian content, according to a Turkish expert. Ali Buyukaslan, Dean of the School of Communication of Istanbul Medipol University, has called out what he described as blatant censorship influenced by political pressures. "It should not be forgotten that X, which initially offered a relatively free environment for sharing during the early days of the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation (by Hamas) on Oct. 7 (last year), eventually succumbed to Zionist pressure," Buyukaslan told Anadolu. "This occurred after Elon Musk was taken to Tel Aviv, where he was symbolically presented with a staged baby and cradle scenario, leading the platform to ban even the phrase 'From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free'," he added. 

‘AI-powered Weapons Depersonalise the Violence, Making It Easier for the Military to Approve More Destruction’

CRU Indonesia 

The Israeli military is using AI-assisted targeting systems to identify and strike targets in Gaza. These systems analyse huge amounts of data collected through drones, satellites, surveillance cameras, social media and phone hacks to identify potential targets, locate them and decide where and when people should be killed. AI-generated ‘kill lists’ raise serious concerns. Flawed or biased data has already led to devastating mistakes, with journalists and humanitarian workers killed in strikes. There have also been allegations that the military has expanded its definition of who or what constitutes a valid target, allowing attacks on people or places that may not meet the standards set by international law.

Israeli soldiers' posts on social media constitute proof of war crimes: Palestinian journalist

Anadolu Agency

The posts shared by Israeli soldiers on social media constitute proof that they are committing war crimes, according to a Palestinian journalist. Younis Tirawi told Anadolu that the posts constitute important evidence of war crimes and that documenting these crimes has a great meaning. Emphasizing the importance of documenting the images of crimes shared by Israeli soldiers on their social media accounts, Tirawi said that no one can deny what has been happening in Gaza as it has all happened in front of the world’s eyes. 

Hollywood faces backlash over censorship of Palestinian support in Gladiator 2

Anadolu Agency

The highly anticipated film Gladiator 2 has sparked controversy after scenes featuring Palestinian-Egyptian actress May Calamawy were reportedly cut due to her vocal support for Palestine. Calamawy, who was cast in a significant role, saw her screen time reduced to brief and only silent appearances after publicly criticizing Israel's 2023 Gaza attacks. The decision has reignited concerns over Hollywood's political climate and its alignment with pro-Israel interests. Originally, Calamawy’s role was marketed as central to the storyline, with her character playing a key part in the narrative alongside Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius. However, after she voiced her opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza and expressed support for Palestinians, her scenes were nearly entirely excised from the film. The drastic reduction in her role, contrary to initial announcements, has been widely seen as a response to her political stance. This incident is part of a broader pattern of censorship and backlash against individuals in entertainment who express solidarity with Palestine.