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Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2440, Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Epal European Palestinian Media Center Bulletin, Issue No. 2440, Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026

1. One killed and another injured in an Israeli strike in Nuseirat, central Gaza

Israeli occupation forces continue violating the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip through bombardments, gunfire, and the ongoing blockade, resulting in the death of one Palestinian and injuries to others.
One civilian was killed and another injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

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2. Human rights organizations: the new law to execute Gaza prisoners entrenches genocide

Prisoner rights organizations stated that the Israeli Knesset’s approval of a special law concerning detainees from October 7 constitutes a new and dangerous step in the system of colonial legislation that entrenches the ongoing crime of genocide against the Palestinian people.
The law provides for the establishment of a special court for Gaza detainees whom Israeli authorities claim participated in the events of October 7, including the possibility of imposing the death penalty.

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3. “Al-Baydar” documents 690 settler violations against Bedouin communities in the West Bank

Amid escalating settler violence and the expansion of so-called pastoral and agricultural settlements in the occupied West Bank, the Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights documented 690 violations against Bedouin communities and Palestinian villages during the month of April, carried out by Israeli forces and settlers.
The organization stated that what Palestinian communities are facing can no longer be considered isolated attacks, but rather reflects a systematic policy aimed at reshaping the demographic and geographic reality in the West Bank by pressuring residents to leave their lands while settlement outposts continue to expand.

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4. 22 ministers and Knesset members call for storming Al-Aqsa on the anniversary of Jerusalem’s occupation

On the anniversary of the occupation of Jerusalem, 22 Israeli ministers and Knesset members signed a petition calling on Israeli police to allow settlers to enter Al-Aqsa Mosque next Friday, coinciding with the anniversary of the occupation and the commemoration of the Nakba.
The petition included 9 ministers and 13 Knesset members, most of them from the Likud party and the “Religious Zionism” party, and was directed to the Jerusalem police leadership demanding that the incursions be facilitated on May 15, 2026, under the slogan: “Demonstrating Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem.”

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5. Special courts to execute prisoners: legitimizing and covering racist and retaliatory policies

Legal expert Salah Abdel Ati warned of the dangers of Israeli efforts to establish special courts and issue death sentences against Palestinian prisoners, stressing that such policies constitute a war crime and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions.
Abdel Ati explained that the Geneva Conventions establish a clear legal framework for the protection of prisoners of war and detainees in armed conflicts, including prohibitions on killing, torture, and cruel or degrading treatment, as well as guarantees for fair trials that meet minimum standards of justice and judicial independence.

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6. Amid public anger… Ben Gvir storms Sakhnin

Far-right Israeli “National Security Minister” Itamar Ben Gvir entered the city of Sakhnin amid rising crime and violence inside the occupied territories, sparking anger and criticism among residents who demanded that he leave.
During his visit, Ben Gvir toured a clothing store that had recently been targeted in multiple shooting incidents, while Israeli police imposed heavy security measures around the area.

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7. Israeli Knesset approves establishment of an “Israeli” antiquities authority in the West Bank

The Israeli Knesset approved in its first reading a controversial bill calling for the creation of an “Israeli Antiquities Authority” to control archaeological sites in the occupied West Bank.
Human rights groups described the move as a “political tool” aimed at legitimizing and advancing plans for the de facto annexation of the West Bank.
The proposal, introduced by Likud member Amit Halevi, was approved by 23 members and calls for the establishment of the so-called “Judea and Samaria Antiquities Authority,” which would report directly to the Israeli Heritage Minister and be granted broad powers, including land confiscation, excavation management, and law enforcement in Areas B and C.

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*Europe*

8. Israeli incitement campaign targets Yamal over Palestinian flag

Israeli incitement against Barcelona player Lamine Yamal (18) continues after footage showed him raising the Palestinian flag during celebrations of the Spanish league title, sparking widespread anger in Israeli circles.
Israeli sports and news websites published headlines attacking the player’s actions, alongside a wave of hostile social media comments, some of which wished him serious injuries and hoped he would miss the 2026 World Cup.

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9. Brazilian activist “Avila” recounts Israeli abuses against Palestinian prisoners

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila returned to São Paulo after being deported by Israeli authorities following several days of detention due to his participation in the “Second Global Steadfastness Flotilla,” aimed at breaking the blockade imposed on Gaza.
Avila told journalists upon arriving at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport that he was subjected to “torture and abuse” during his ten-day detention and that he also witnessed abuses against Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli prisons.

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10. Eurovision begins amid boycott by five countries protesting Israel’s participation

The first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place in Vienna amid a boycott by five countries protesting Israel’s participation in Europe’s biggest music competition.
Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, and Iceland are boycotting this year’s edition, while calls have been made for pro-Palestinian demonstrations throughout Eurovision week amid heightened security measures and the deployment of police forces from across Austria with support from German units.

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11. #Video… Yamal raises the Palestinian flag during Barcelona title celebrations in Spain

#Watch… Barcelona star Lamine Yamal raises the Palestinian flag during the celebratory parade marking Barcelona’s Spanish league title through the streets of the Catalan city.

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12. Towson University investigates student who opposed the presence of an Israeli on campus over participation in the war

Towson University in Maryland has opened an official investigation into one of its students after he confronted an Israeli army reservist during a promotional event on campus.
The university administration threatened the student with sanctions that could include expulsion after videos circulated showing him calling the speaker a “terrorist” and damaging property in protest against hosting the soldier as part of the tour titled “From the Battlefield to the Campus.”
The university condemned the protest as “violence and vandalism.”

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14. Spain, Ireland, and Slovenia boycott Eurovision broadcast in protest against Israel’s participation

The three countries joined the Netherlands and Iceland in withdrawing from the competition, reducing the number of participating countries to 35, the lowest since 2004.
Slovenian broadcaster RTV replaced the contest with a program titled “Voices of Palestine,” while Ireland’s RTE aired comedy and documentary programs instead, and Spain’s RTVE scheduled a special music program.

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*International*

15. 2,200 students and teachers support University of Michigan academic targeted by administration after Israeli pressure

Professor Derek Peterson praised students protesting the war on Gaza during a graduation speech, describing their movement as a continuation of historic student struggles against injustice.
The university later issued an official apology and distanced itself from his remarks, claiming they “promote division.”
Supporters signing letters backing Peterson argued that his praise for students reflects the values of humanity and freedom of expression upheld by the university.

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16. Microsoft removes head of its Israel branch and places it under international oversight over ties with occupation authorities

Microsoft’s global management decided to temporarily place operations of its Israeli branch under the supervision of the company’s French branch in a move aimed at addressing an administrative vacuum and monitoring security-related sales contracts.
The decision followed a visit by a U.S. oversight delegation investigating a lack of transparency in the use of Microsoft systems by Israeli security agencies, a matter that could expose the company to legal and regulatory action in Europe.

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17. Protest against auction selling West Bank properties in New York

#Watch… Clashes erupted between pro-Palestinian supporters and Zionist groups outside a synagogue in New York during protests against a promotional event selling properties in settlements in the occupied West Bank.

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18. “New York Times”: Israel uses sexual violence and rape as a weapon against Palestinian prisoners

In an unprecedented investigation, The New York Times opened a sensitive file long surrounded by secrecy: the rape of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Under the headline “The Silence Facing the Rape of Palestinians,” columnist Nicholas Kristof presented findings from a field investigation documenting sexual abuses committed against Palestinian men, women, and children in the West Bank and Gaza by soldiers, settlers, Shin Bet interrogators, and prison guards.
The report emphasized the moral necessity of condemning rape regardless of political views, noting that Israeli and international leaders strongly condemned allegations of sexual assaults against Israeli women on October 7 while remaining silent regarding widespread sexual violence committed against Palestinians by Israeli security agencies.

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19. Turkish singer Sertab Erener boycotts Eurovision over Israel’s participation

Turkish artist Sertab Erener declined an official invitation to appear as a guest of honor at the Eurovision final scheduled for May 16 in Vienna, stating that her decision represents a principled stance against the policies of the European Broadcasting Union amid the ongoing war.
Her position coincides with the anniversary of the Nakba and a growing wave of artistic and media boycotts involving broadcasters in Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland.

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20. UNICEF: one Palestinian child killed every week in the West Bank since the start of 2025

UNICEF warned of a dangerous escalation in the targeting of Palestinian children in the occupied West Bank, stating that since the beginning of 2025, one Palestinian child has been killed on average every week amid ongoing Israeli military operations and rising settler violence.
UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said during a press conference in Geneva that at least 70 Palestinian children have been killed in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, since January.

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21. Extremist Israeli minister attacks Barcelona star after he raised Palestinian flag

Young Spanish star Lamine Yamal became the center of widespread political and media controversy in Israel after appearing with the Palestinian flag during Barcelona’s celebrations of winning the Spanish football league title.
Videos shared on social media showed the 18-year-old player waving the Palestinian flag from atop the open-top bus that toured the streets of Barcelona during the celebrations, drawing enthusiastic reactions from fans.
While the scene was widely praised by Arab and international audiences, it sparked a wave of outrage in Israel.

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