Monday's news

The Spaces convened a short-form Monday Q&A focused on fast-moving developments across MENA and free-speech battles in the UK. The host opened with a regional sweep: Sudan’s war and famine remain acute amid allegations of external profiteering; in Lebanon and Syria, local resistance nodes and Israeli buffer-zone expansion foreshadow a potential escalation in January. A Gaza field update described continuing bombardment, severe aid obstruction, displacement in Khan Younis and Shuja’iyya, and the entrenchment of a new border reality. Participants reacted to news of a Ben Gvir “noose” lapel badge tied to an execution-law push. The session’s center of gravity shifted to Dr. Rahmi, a UK physician of Palestinian heritage, suspended and repeatedly arrested over speech—detailing bail conditions, social media bans, and the role of lobby groups and regulators, while calling for strategy beyond left/right divides and for stronger legal defense. Debates explored the framing of Zionism versus “Jewish supremacy,” the movement’s unity, and organizing tactics. Lebanon’s domestic tensions surfaced around Syrian refugee protests and ongoing Israeli strikes in the south. The space closed with appeals for Gaza relief, concrete legal contacts for Dr. Rahmi’s next steps, and a proposal for regular cross-border coordination meetings, alongside a brief announcement of a forthcoming global eSIM app.

Monday Q&A Space: Regional Updates, Gaza, UK Free Speech, Syria/Lebanon, and Movement Strategy

Format and Housekeeping

• Host (Layla; Mina Censored/Layla 1H) opened with a short Q&A format for Mondays and deeper analysis on Fridays. Noted holiday slowdown and proximity to Friday sessions, asked listeners to share the space. Target end time was 10:45 but extended due to audience discussion.
• Participants referenced in the session: Charmaine (Shimeen), Dr. Rahman (British-Palestinian doctor), Sean (UK/Australia), Sean (Canada), Haidary, A Smail, Cheryl, TJ Wilson, Silencers (news account), Far4Hope, Captain. Commenters mentioned: Dr. Marcus Austin, Jonathan Cook.

Regional Overview: MENA and Beyond (Host’s analysis and audience input)

• Sudan
  • Host: Conflict persists without effective international restraint; competing external support to warring factions. Warned about famine and crop failure during winter, lamented media neglect. Alleged European pharma companies are pushing drugs through international organizations, citing a past OPV2 (prototype 2 oral polio vaccine) rollout that WHO later linked to vaccine-derived polio outbreaks (as reported after media confrontation). Expressed concern new interventions may harm Sudanese.
• U.S. economy and geopolitical posture
  • Host: Claimed U.S. will maintain Treasury bill rates, flood markets with optimistic narratives through December–early January to support auctions and holiday calm, then “resume” aggressive global policies afterward. Framed this as investor-aimed information management.
• Syria, Lebanon, Israel (Northern front)
  • Host: Americans “think they have Lebanon in their pocket.” Reported nuclei of Syrian resistance are coordinating, with discussions involving neighbors including Lebanon. Emphasized local cohesion before seeking external support.
  • Claimed Israeli kidnappings of Syrians and encroachment into Syrian territories; described an intended expansion of the southern Lebanon “buffer zone” and anticipated January or later air escalation targeting second/third tier villages in southern Lebanon.
  • Host asserted targeted killing of Syrian minorities (Alawites, Shia, Druze) continues—expressed deep distress.
  • Silencers and Host later noted Israeli strikes on Jabal Safi (South Lebanon), with Israeli statements citing strikes on “Hezbollah infrastructure.”
• Syria “fall” anniversary narrative
  • Host and some participants marked an alleged “fall of Syria” date (~Dec 7–8 of the previous year) to the control of Ahmad al-Jolani (HTS/Al-Nusra lineage), describing him as a “terrorist” and detailing his record:
    • Alleged suicide bombings in Lebanon (2012–2013), prior to Hezbollah’s formal entry into Syria.
    • The 2014 Arsal incidents: attacks on Lebanese Army, kidnappings, killings.
    • Claims Hezbollah later found two explosives factories and Captagon operations in border areas under jihadist control; criticized subsequent media narratives that pinned drug operations on the resistance.
  • Host: Recalled earlier editorial work at Newsweek Middle East exposing a fabricated narrative about Venezuelan passports and Hezbollah/Iran (said source sounded “Israeli”; insisted on fact-based reporting and franchise editorial independence).
  • Saudi gift: Host cited reports Saudi Arabia sent a piece of the Kaaba’s Kiswa to Syria with Qur’anic verses on worship and security; viewed it as darkly ironic symbolism given HTS control.
• Somalia/Somaliland
  • Host: Asserted U.S. and Israeli recognition of Somaliland (when it happens) signals prior influence and division efforts in Somalia.

Gaza Update (Charmaine)

• Continued bombardment and civilian deaths amid stalled mediation.
• Aid constraints persistent; described enforcement in favor of Israeli positions.
• “Yellow line” being set as a permanent border, with Khan Younis reportedly falling within it; Shujaiya “flattened.”
• Severe weather impacts: rain, displacement, makeshift tents, poor sanitation; called for urgent support.
• Rebel Gaza 24 updates (end of session):
  • Clean/drinkable water project in Khan Younis serving ~20,000 completed.
  • Tent projects completed and new camp builds underway (5,000 per camp × 5). Direct listeners to rebelgaza24.com.

UK Free Speech, Policing, and Legal Strategy (Dr. Rahman’s case and broader concerns)

• Background
  • Dr. Rahman: British-Palestinian physician suspended after public speech criticizing the genocide in Palestine and referencing “Jewish supremacy,” now under repeated arrests/investigations. Bail conditions include residence restrictions and protest limitations (e.g., barred from London Palestine events).
  • Reports of police raids at her family home; mother traumatized (panic, chest pain). Police searched extensively (books, fridge, taps). Mother confronted police verbally, calling them “useful goy,” arguing they were suppressing lawful speech at behest of lobby groups.
  • Social media penalties: Multiple Instagram bans; TikTok account shadow-banned; YouTube deletions reported by the host when posting content exposing Israeli actions (claimed channels removed without standard 3 strikes).
• Lobby pressures and institutions
  • Dr. Rahman listed UK Jewish/pro-Israel lobby organizations pressing police/regulators: Community Security Trust (CST), Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA), Jewish Leadership Council (JLC), Board of Deputies of British Jews. Described coordinated media smears via Jewish Chronicle/Jewish News and mainstream papers (Times, Telegraph), targeting her and others (e.g., Dr. Rehan Ali, Dr. Ellen—surname unclear—earlier suspensions).
  • Haidary: Warned of civil service hierarchical structures and embedding of imperial logic; referenced U.S. Palantir contracts and ethical concerns; noted drone-based surveillance pilots in Sunderland.
  • Dr. Rahman: Concerned UK is becoming the most repressive in Europe for speech; highlighted police/classification tactics in the U.S. against pro-Palestine activists (acronyms alleged by speakers), urging recognition of a broader pattern.
• Tribunal dynamics and appeal plans
  • Dr. Rahman won a first tribunal hearing where she defended use of “Jewish supremacy” in a lawful context; later faced a second hearing she described as hostile (abuse of process arguments denied, reasoning withheld until end). Barrister noted the proceedings felt “wrong,” suggesting bias.
  • Strategy: pursue High Court appeal; go on the offensive against CPS/police/lobbies rather than perpetually defending. Seek criminal barrister willing to confront lobby influence and corruption.
  • Recommendations offered by participants:
    • Firms/barristers: Birnberg Peirce; Gareth Peirce (Guildford Four, Assange); Rosalind Comyn (human rights); Phoenix Law (Dara Mc…); Frank McGinnis (Gold Court Chambers); CAGE support; contacts through Sarah Wilkinson/David Miller networks. Dr. Rahman stressed need for representation aligned with her analysis (naming “Jewish supremacy,” not just “Zionism”).
• Movement considerations
  • Dr. Rahman emphasized naming the system accurately: focus on who directly benefits from Israel’s regime (automatic Jewish citizenship claims; recruitment to IOF) and on UK political funding ties (e.g., Conservative Friends of Israel) rather than abstract left-right binaries.
  • Host acknowledged earlier disagreements over “Zionists vs Jewish supremacy” language but highlighted the aim of prompting Jewish communities to disavow Zionism.
  • Proposal: regular cross-border strategy meetings (Telegram/Zoom), build cohesive infrastructure, and improve organization and patience.
  • Media idea: use humor/comedy formats (Daily Show-style) to increase reach without compromising substance; document hypocrisy rigorously.
  • Book/audio-book suggestion: Host urged Dr. Rahman to write “The Hypocratic Oath” (intentional pun), telling her story of being blocked from upholding the oath to protect life.

Israeli Politics: Ben Gvir’s “Noose” Lapel Badge (Sean, Charmaine, Host)

• Sean (UK/Australia) alerted the group to Ben Gvir and allies distributing lapel badges featuring a noose to promote a proposed law enabling executions. Charmaine had posted earlier. Speakers expressed shock, calling it “evil personified.”

Lebanese Internal Disputes and Syrian Refugees (Host’s position)

• Foreign Minister controversy
  • Silencers shared a post criticizing Lebanon’s Foreign Minister (Youssef—surname heard as “Fajee”), calling him a “Minister of Provocation” whose statements allegedly align with Israeli narratives, provoke internal discord, and damage external relations. Host agreed, accusing him of blaming resistance for Israeli aggression.
• Syrian refugees and protests
  • Host condemned Syrian refugees who blocked roads in Beirut and elsewhere celebrating Jolani’s “victory” in Syria, calling for their deportation if they celebrate HTS while claiming fear of returning. Argued this movement is not “innocent,” alleged external orchestration (Israelis/Americans/locally aligned groups) to create friction.
  • Cited official Lebanese ISF/legal statistics (not provided in-session) claiming post-2011 spikes in theft, murder, and abandoned infants correlated with refugee inflows; stressed anger at criminal acts, not “all 2.3M Syrians,” but focused criticism on those committing crimes or collaborating with Israeli intelligence.
  • Workload impact: Host reported $54B direct losses linked to the refugee crisis (prior spaces cited), demographic changes from legal provisions granting nationality to abandoned children.

Media and Propaganda Claims (Host)

• Recalled exposing a Venezuelan passports-Hezbollah/Iran narrative as fabricated during tenure at Newsweek Middle East; described editorial independence despite IBT ownership; used the opportunity to emphasize method: run stories, demand all evidence, then let readers judge false claims.
• Emphasized counter-propaganda principle: “every accusation is a confession,” projecting wrongdoing.

Movement Strategy, Unity, and Narrative

• Dr. Rahman: Critique of Western left framing of Palestine; argued Palestine is an indigenous, nationalist struggle for sovereignty and self-determination, deeply rooted in Muslim culture (with Christian minorities), not a Western left-right proxy. Warned that Western reframing into US-imperialism-only narratives misses core realities; urged focus on material support to Israeli regime and lobby influence in Western states.
• Cheryl: Offered perspective aligning Zionism with imperialism/colonial capitalism; cited Palestinian authors, anti-colonial analysis; recommended barrister contacts.
• Host: Stressed using adversaries’ own words against them (e.g., Ben-Gurion’s early writings recognizing Palestinians as natives), and consistently applying evidence-based rebuttals.
• Organizational suggestions: establish regular private strategy sessions (e.g., Telegram), create accountability mechanisms for political promises (contract-like triggers for snap elections upon failure), pool resources for legal/media support, reduce intra-movement backstabbing.

Civil Resistance and Hunger Strikes

• TJ Wilson: Highlighted Palestine Action’s hunger strike (six activists) and mainstream media silence; referenced Northern Ireland’s Bobby Sands and political prisoner struggles.
• Charmaine: Noted David Lammy’s evasive response on hunger strike when questioned.

Notable Side Topics

• Pope criticized by Host for avoiding visits to Christian holy sites in South Lebanon and, per Host, calling for resistance disarmament.
• Somalia’s division (Somaliland, Puntland) as a long-standing reality often ignored; alleged foreign recognition is a marker of externally driven division.
• Tech initiative
  • A Smail: Announced a January launch of an eSIM app offering 3G internet across ~200 countries, discounted data for Palestine.

Key Highlights and Tensions

• Ben Gvir’s “noose” badge shocked participants—seen as emblematic of punitive extremism.
• Gaza’s conditions remain dire: flattening of neighborhoods, climate stress, aid denial.
• UK free speech crackdown: repeated arrests/suspensions for lawful speech; heavy lobby influence alleged; drones and digital surveillance concerns.
• Language debate: “Zionism” vs “Jewish supremacy” reflects strategic divides over naming beneficiaries of the regime.
• Lebanese front: ongoing Israeli strikes; contentious internal politics; refugee-related instability framed by Host as externally manipulated.

Action Items and Follow-ups

• For Dr. Rahman
  • Identify and retain a criminal barrister experienced in human rights and unafraid to confront lobby influence; candidates mentioned include Birnberg Peirce (Gareth Peirce), Phoenix Law, Rosalind Comyn, Frank McGinnis (Gold Court Chambers), and networks via CAGE, David Miller, Sarah Wilkinson.
  • File appeals (High Court) and consider civil remedies (false imprisonment, misfeasance), and engage UN Special Rapporteurs (freedom of expression/arbitrary detention). Seek coordinated international legal/media support.
  • Consider book/audio-book (“The Hypocratic Oath”) and long-form documentation on medical ethics vs. state suppression.
• For Gaza
  • Support Rebel Gaza 24 projects (water, tents, camps) via rebelgaza24.com; expect more updates in upcoming spaces.
• For Movement Organization
  • Pilot regular strategy calls (Zoom/Telegram) across regions; centralize legal/media resource sharing; develop comedy/informational formats to reach broader audiences; build donor support targeting independent media and legal funds.
• Media Watch
  • Track stories like Ben Gvir’s badge, Palestine Action hunger strikes, and policing practices; compile evidence repositories and share verified sources.

Notes on Claims and Tone

• This session included highly contentious claims, sharp rhetoric, and allegations (e.g., about lobby influence, refugee crime spikes, pharmaceutical harm, geopolitical manipulation). Where possible, speakers cited personal experience, prior publications, and named organizations; however, many assertions were opinion-driven and require independent verification.
• Hate speech and derogatory language were used by some participants; this summary records viewpoints for completeness but does not endorse them. The core reporting aim is to reflect what was discussed, highlight factual anchors, and distinguish between allegation/opinion and verifiable events.

Closing

• Host thanked participants; noted multiple connection dropouts potentially linked to targeted throttling; reiterated commitment to evidence-based narrative correction and support for those facing repression. Space closed with thanks to Dr. Rahman and all speakers.