Weekly Briefing: Released detainees say Israel is torturing a Gaza doctor to death in prison

A military order signed in May authorizes what may be Israel’s first permanent base inside Area A, the part of the West Bank under Palestinian Authority control. Asmaa al-Masalmeh reports on the seizure of the Rahal family’s home near Jenin to build it, and on the families already being displaced as a result. In the UK, a Woolwich Crown Court judge sentenced four Palestine Action activists under terrorism legislation for a 2024 direct action at an Elbit Systems factory, the first time British counter-terrorism law has been used this way against protesters. Aidan Frere-Smith reports on the verdict and what it signals for the criminalization of solidarity activism going forward. Hillel International’s antisemitism trainings and Campus Climate Initiative present themselves as combating discrimination. Maura Finkelstein argues they function instead as a coordinated mechanism for punishing Palestine solidarity, citing the recent suspension of a tenured Chicago art therapy professor over a classroom assignment as the latest case. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya directed Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza before his detention. Tareq S. Hajjaj reports on testimony from former detainees who say they watched him being beaten, attacked by dogs, and denied medical care in solitary confinement. They say he may not survive it. 🇵🇸 Gaza and the West Bank Israel’s “ceasefire” has not stopped the killing in Gaza, and its annexation project in the West Bank is expanding to Palestinian-controlled Area A. READ MORE → A Gaza father recounts how Israeli soldiers killed his three-year-old son in his arms and mocked him — Tareq S. Hajjaj READ MORE → In Gaza, even enjoying the World Cup has been marred by the genocide — Tareq S. Hajjaj READ MORE → ‘If we don’t save Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, he will die in prison’: released detainees say they saw Gaza doctor tortured in Israeli custody — Tareq S. Hajjaj READ MORE → In rare move, Israel seizes homes inside Palestinian Authority-controlled part of the West Bank, raising alarms over annexation — Asmaa al-Masalmeh 🚨 Repression and resistance Palestine solidarity is under attack in courtrooms, corporate boardrooms, and on college campuses in this week’s coverage. READ MORE → Reclaiming my Baba: the legacy of a Palestinian father who inspired The Sameer Project — Miramar Abusaleem READ MORE → In landmark case, UK judge sentences pro-Palestine activists as terrorists — Aidan Frere-Smith READ MORE → How Hillel International uses antisemitism training and ‘campus climate’ concerns to attack Palestine solidarity — Maura Finkelstein READ MORE → Inside the case against the ‘Michigan 8’: Palestine activism recast as antisemitic terror — Yarden Katz and Stephen M. Ward READ MORE → Power & Pushback: New report details Meta’s crackdown on Palestinian digital content — Michael Arria READ MORE → Maersk, munitions, and corporate accountability in the age of genocide — Palestinian Youth Movement 🇮🇷 Iran and the region Washington and Tehran reached a framework that excludes nearly every American war aim, and Netanyahu is taking the blame at home for letting it happen, while he bombs Lebanon in an attempt to undermine peace talks. READ MORE → What does Trump’s defeat mean for the Middle East? — Michael Arria READ MORE → Netanyahu faces revolt at home as Israel defies U.S.-Iran ceasefire terms — Jonathan Ofir READ MORE → The U.S. and Iran have struck a deal to open the Strait of Hormuz, but Israel may prevent an end to the war — Mitchell Plitnick 🇺🇸 United States Despite massive and ongoing shifts in U.S. public opinion, Israel and the Israel lobby retain political power in American politics. READ MORE → The Shift: Israel, and the Israel lobby, are major factors going into the New York primaries — Michael Arria READ MORE → My generation still can’t discuss Palestine, but thankfully we no longer control the debate — Philip Weiss READ MORE → How mainstream media bias contributed to Israel’s genocide in Gaza — James North