Activists gathered outside the Paris courtrooms on Thursday to support Olivia Zamora, a veteran and ardent Palestinian rights and statehood campaigner who has been charged with apology for terrorism.

Under French law, the charge targets anyone who is deemed to have made positive comments on what is considered a terrorist attack.

It's Israel and the government that should be in my place, and we know that it's another gift that the government is offering to Israel with the repression of all activists, and they try to silence us.

Olivia Zemor, Founder, Euro-Palestine NGO

Since 2023, some 350 people have been charged in France over what has been described as condoning terrorism.

The charges against Olivia Zemor relate to an article published on the internet in October 2023 that reacted to fighting near the Gaza Strip, Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, and operations in the West Bank.

They want to intimidate me. It's because, it's already 24 years I've been active for Palestine, but they hope that other people would think, 'Oh, I don't want to be in her place and have a trial and all these problems'.

Olivia Zemor

French BDS activist on trial

Court appearances are nothing new for Olivia Zemor.

I've been to court at least 12 or 15 times in my life, and of course, I'm not scared.

It's something usual. It's always the same thing. You know who wants even more repression if you criticize Israel and so on.

So it's not the end, and we're prepared to face it.

Olivia Zemor

Various organizations, unions and NGOs, have criticized what they described as an escalation in the suppression of pro-Palestinian solidarity.

They argue these prosecutions highlight a political climate and double standards in the Gaza conflict, with NGOs claiming Western governments silently tolerated Benjamin Netanyahu's mass murder of Palestinian civilians.

And while Olivia Zemor is unlikely to face more than a fine and a suspended sentence, legal experts and civil liberties advocates say such cases have intensified debate in France over freedom of expression and the limits of political speech.

Israel

Press TV’s website

The Iranian Navy's 103rd flotilla has returned to the country’s territorial waters at the southeastern port city of Konarak after sailing in international waters for 100 days.

The flotilla comprised the Navy's Makran forward base ship and Shahid Naqdi destroyer as well as the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ (IRGC) Shahid Mahdavi helicopter carrier.

It began its mission in early December with the purpose of participating in the exercise "Will for Peace" in South Africa and docked in Konarak on Friday after traveling approximately 13,000 nautical miles.

Flotilla commander Admiral Emad Nejad Moridi said nine countries took part in the drill in South Africa and that despite efforts to prevent Iran’s participation, the group maintained an “effective and strong presence” through active naval diplomacy.

He added that the main goal was to raise Iran’s flag in international waters and convey the Islamic Republic’s message of peace and friendship to the world.

Nejad Moridi added that the Iranian naval forces would spare no effort to defend the country’s maritime interests and borders “to the last breath.”

Meanwhile, speaking at a ceremony to welcome the flotilla, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said its participation in the South African exercise carried “an important message to the world.”

He added that the behavior of other countries at sea reflected the power of the 103rd flotilla.

BRICS Plus joint naval exercise “Will for Peace 2026” was held off the coast of South Africa last month.

The drill included naval forces from Iran, China, Russia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Brazil, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.

The drills involved more than 20 naval and aerial units and included live-fire exercises using semi-heavy weapons, aimed at testing operational readiness and coordination among participating forces.

South African authorities described the exercise as part of the BRICS Plus framework, intended to enhance maritime security and ensure the free flow of international trade.

Press TV’s website

Yoav Zitun, a well-known Israeli journalist and military correspondent who was known for strongly supporting Israel’s military narrative, has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child.

Zitun, who reported for Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth from inside the besieged Gaza Strip, was suspended and arrested amid allegations involving the sexual assault of a 15-year-old boy, according to Israeli reports.

Zitun has long been one of the key voices amplifying Israeli military propaganda and promoting the narrative of genocide.

The arrest comes as multiple reports indicate that Israel has increasingly employed sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence against Palestinians as part of a broader effort to undermine their right to self-determination and carried out genocidal acts through the systematic destruction of sexual and reproductive healthcare facilities.

In March last year, a report issued by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory said "Israel had employed sexual and gender-based violence against Palestinians to terrorize them and perpetuate a system of oppression that undermines their right to self-determination.”     

It documented a broad range of violations perpetrated against Palestinian girls, women, men, and boys since October 7, 2023, that constitute a major element in the ill-treatment of Palestinians and are part of the unlawful occupation and persecution of Palestinians as a group.  

The report found that sexual and gender-based violence was being perpetrated across the occupied Palestinian territories as a strategy of war for Israel to dominate and destroy the Palestinian people.

The issue of sexual misconduct in the Israeli military has also given rise to heated debates over the past few years.

The developments come amid growing scrutiny of Western leaders and business figures implicated in dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who had ties with the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and whose criminal activities included the abuse and trafficking of minors.

The ties between disgraced US financier Epstein and Israel are becoming clearer after the release of millions of documents related to the convicted sex offender by the United States Department of Justice, following a years-long campaign.

A series of documents suggested that US President Donald Trump was vulnerable to Israeli influence through financial and political leverage.

Last week, three Israeli-American brothers went on trial in the United States, accused of running a sex trafficking and rape network that allegedly targeted multiple women through parties, drugs, and coercion.

Originally from Israel, the Alexanders built careers in luxury real estate, serving high-profile clients and celebrities, including Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump, Kim Kardashian, and Kanye West.

Press TV’s website

Fasting is one of the greatest acts of worship for drawing nearer to God. Narrations from Ja'far al-Sadiq state that fasting illuminates the heart and increases spiritual closeness to God.

Fasting is a practical exercise in patience and self-restraint. It trains a person to resist temptations and endure life’s difficulties.

Experiencing hunger and thirst reminds a person of the hardships of the Hereafter. This awareness encourages spiritual preparation and accountability before God.

In our belief, the value of actions depends on intention. Fasting must be done solely for the sake of God in order to have true spiritual value.

When accompanied by repentance and sincerity, fasting purifies the soul. By avoiding sin and obeying God, a person becomes deserving of divine forgiveness.

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was revealed and is considered a month of divine mercy. In Shi’a belief, it is the best time for spiritual purification and closeness to God.

The main goal of fasting is to attain piety. As stated in the Qur'an, fasting is prescribed so that believers may become righteous and God-conscious.