Middle East

The Brazil-Palestine Institute (IBRASPAL) expresses its vehement repudiation of the conviction of political leader José Maria de Almeida (Zé Maria), president of the PSTU, by the 4th Federal Criminal Court, which sentenced him to two years in prison under the accusation of “racism.”This is a serious and alarming decision that criminalizes a legitimate political position: […]

Introduction José Maria de Almeida, Zé Maria, national president of the Unified Socialist Workers’ Party (PSTU), was sentenced to two years house arrest by the Federal Court in a case brought by the Israeli Confederation of Brazil together with the Israeli Federation of the State of São Paulo (case no. 5004694-46.2024.4.03.6181), under accusation of racism […]

Thiago and Saif were abducted last week in international waters by Israeli forces, more than a thousand kilometers from Gaza, while sailing on a humanitarian mission in support of the Palestinian people. Of the 180 activists abducted, most were released after 48 hours, but Thiago and Saif remain in detention, subjected to interrogation and physical and psychological torture. In yet another affront to international law, the Israeli court decided on Monday, 4 May to extend the detention of humanitarian activists Thiago Ávila, from Brazil, and Saif AbuKeshek, members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, for six more days. The decision was made by the Ashkelon Magistrates’ Court, which granted the Israeli government’s request to keep them in custody until next Sunday (10 May) at 9 a.m., without presenting any formal charges against either of them.

The elections were called by the Palestinian National Authority with the aim of regaining some legitimacy, as its policy of collaboration with the Israeli occupation is highly unpopular, having proven contrary to the interests of the majority of Palestinians. The sole beneficiary of this collaboration is the Palestinian bourgeoisie linked to the occupation’s businesses. 88% of the candidates ran as independents for electoral reasons, although many were members of Palestinian parties, primarily Fatah. In Deir al-Balah, in Gaza, four lists ran. All were announced as independent, but in reality the “Rise of Deir al-Balah” list, close to Fatah, won six of the 15 council seats, and “Deir al-Balah Unites Us,” closer to Hamas, won two seats. Of the independent lists, “Future of Deir al-Balah” won 5 seats and “Peace and Reconstruction” won 3.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is issuing an urgent international alert of a state-sponsored kidnapping and torture mission currently unfolding in international waters. This alert follows first-hand testimony from released participants confirming that Saif Abukeshek, one of two civilians forcibly taken by israeli forces, was subjected to torture while in detention aboard an israeli military vessel while still in Greek waters. 

The Global Sumud flotilla, which was transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza, was attacked by Israeli armed forces in a Greek search-and-rescue zone, 35 miles from Crete (Greece) and 1,200 km from Gaza. Netanyahu’s genocidal government used drones, communications jamming technology, and armed speedboats in international waters to seize the flotilla’s members. According to reports, 22 […]

On Tuesday, the 28th, the 4th Federal Criminal Court sentenced PSTU President Zé María to two years in prison for the crime of “racism.” What is most surprising is that the decision stems from a speech by Zé María in defense of the Palestinian people, denouncing the genocide and the colonialist regime imposed by the State of Israel on occupied Palestine. In the face of a decision with no legal basis, the PSTU will appeal to the Federal Court of São Paulo (TRF3). Beyond that, the party will not back down one inch from its condemnation of the State of Israel and the successive crimes against humanity it has been perpetrating under the gaze of the world.

Straight from the middle of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Mandi Coelho interviews Andriy Movchan, a Ukrainian left organizer, also sailing in the Flotilla, who organizes with the european network for solidarity with Ukraine, and who is a political dissident facing persecution by the right-wing.

In the imperialist war initiated by the U.S. and Israel, the environmental consequences have been particularly vile for Iranian people. Although, at the moment of writing, a temporary and fragile ceasefire has been arranged, these consequences will last for decades and affect the whole region. Indeed, in the near future we can expect more environmentally destructive and ultimately pointless wars to be waged by U.S. imperialism, powered by AI and justified by genocidal rhetoric.

On 12 April, a new flotilla will set sail from Barcelona. Hundreds of activists are determined to break the blockade that Israel has imposed on Gaza, preventing any kind of humanitarian aid from entering. This is happening amid the inaction and complicity of European governments. This new flotilla aims to build on the mission of […]

Pakistan’s role as an international mediator is not a sign of structural change, but a reconfiguration within the same system. The state uses its geographic position to enhance its relevance among competing global powers while managing internal instability. This external role is transformed into an ideological narrative domestically. State media and official discourse present Pakistan as an emerging global actor and an indispensable force for peace. At a time when the population faces inflation, unemployment, and severe economic pressure alongside repression, this narrative functions as a substitute form of hope—that international recognition is improving and future conditions will become better.

Six weeks into Trump’s Big Iranian Misadventure, fuel and food prices are soaring because of massive supply chain disruptions caused by the U.S.-Israeli assault on Iran. In the context of the U.S.-Israeli war and Iranian retaliatory attacks, the price of oil rose worldwide. The Strait of Hormuz is effectively shut down with no end in sight. Approximately 20.3 million barrels of petroleum and crude oil, 25% of the world’s maritime oil shipments, passes through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Currently, about 95% of all traffic through that vital waterway is stopped.

After 40 days of aggression against Iran, with over 15,000 bombings, widespread destruction, and 2,000 Iranian deaths, virtually none of the imperialists' main objectives were achieved. The imperialist-Zionist dream of a new Middle East under Israeli hegemony is slipping away. Iran emerges stronger and keeps its sights set on Israel’s main ally in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates, as well as other signatories of the shameful Abraham Accords, which normalized relations with Israel at the cost of Palestinian lives.

During March, Starmer declared that military action against Iran is “not our war”, but then allowed three B-52 nuclear-capable American bombers to use Diego Garcia’s UK base in the Indian Ocean for ‘defensive’ strikes against Iran. As we write, the UK government is working with the USA on a ‘viable’ plan to open the Strait of Hormuz, and HMS Dragon, a Type 45 destroyer, is en route, with several minesweepers available.

Trump's invasion of Iran is not going well. The defeat of the invasion would mean a step forward for workers everywhere, and the first step towards liberation from tyranny in Iran as well. From all around the world, we must join the struggle and fight to stop the US-Israel war machine

Far from being a personal whim of Trump's or a trap set by the Mossad, the US-Israel war on Iran is the logical conclusion of decades of imperialist policy, with bipartisan and European approval backing it up.