ICYMI

Three Years of Russian War on Ukraine

24 February marked the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While the Ukrainian community commemorates their lost ones and remains resilient, Russia launched its largest drone attack against Ukraine since the full-scale war began in 2022, attempting to declare “victory” on the symbolic anniversary. 

In recent weeks, Donald Trump has entered into negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. His plan to reduce US international aid has raised concerns in Ukraine about decreased financial support for defence. Trump also demanded $500 billion in minerals as a repayment for previous U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has rejected this demand. In response to Trump accusing him of being a dictator and holding power undemocratically, Zelenskyy stated that elections would be held as soon as the war ended. He also conceded to stepping down as president if it would help achieve a peace agreement with Russia.

Israel expands its offensive in the West Bank

While the ceasefire in Gaza holds, the Israeli military has been carrying out extended assaults across several locations in the West Bank, arresting, injuring, and killing at least 27 people since 19 January. The raids, ongoing for over a month, have caused significant destruction to Palestinian infrastructure.

On Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Katz referred to the raids in three refugee camps in the northern West Bank as an “evacuation” and ordered the Israeli military to maintain a presence to “prevent the return of residents”. Since the raids began on 19 January, at least 27 people were killed and over 40.000 residents of refugee camps like Jenin have been displaced due to Israel’s siege. 

Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, the chancellor candidate of Germany’s conservative party, the CDU, invited Benjamin Netanyahu to visit Germany. The invitation contradicts the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruling that calls for the arrest of the Israeli Prime minister on war crime allegations. As a member of the ICC, Germany is obligated to comply with the arrest warrant issued in November 2024 and detain Netanyahu upon his arrival in the country.

On the same day, Israel halted the release of Palestinian prisoners, while Hamas freed six captives from Gaza. A total of 620 prisoners were supposed to be released as part of an exchange deal between Hamas and Israel. However, Netanyahu stated that Israel would wait “until the release of the next hostages has been assured”. In response, Hamas suspended negotiations in Gaza, demanding that Israel fulfill its part of the agreement. As the ceasefire deal remains at risk, Netanyahu warned that Israel is prepared to resume fighting in the Gaza Strip “at any moment”.  

CDU and AfD emerge as the strongest parties in German elections

In German elections held last Sunday, the conservative CDU emerged as the strongest party, securing 29% of the vote. They were followed by the far-right AfD, which garnered 19,5%, dominating the polls in the eastern regions of the country. The former Ampel-coalition partner FDP failed to reach the parliamentary threshold of 5% and lost all its seats, while the leftist party Die Linke made gains, reaching 8,5% of the vote and earning 64 seats in parliament.

Results indicate that the CDU’s candidate for chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is likely to assume leadership of the country. However, the CDU will need a coalition partner to achieve a parliamentary majority. Potential coalition options include forming an alliance with the SPD, or a three-party coalition with the SPD and Die Grüne (Green Party). Merz has already ruled out a collaboration with the far-right AfD, despite AfD leader Alice Weidel expressing willingness to negotiate a coalition.

Migration was a key issue in this election campaign, with most parties advocating for stricter migration policies and increased deportations. The election results and the party platforms reflect a broader shift toward the right-wing political spectrum in Germany.

Meanwhile, the opposition party Die Linke made significant gains returning to parliament. In regional elections, the party achieved a major victory in Berlin and will play a key role in local governance, particularly in districts like Neukölln, where Ferhat Koçak is set to take office.

Trial against extradited leftist Maja T. has started

The trial against extradited leftist activist Maja T. has begun in the Hungarian capital, Budapest. In June 2024, the non-binary anti-fascist activist was handed over by the German authorities to Hungary, where Maja T. has been awaiting trial on allegations of attacking and injuring several people in February 2023 during a gathering of Neo-Nazis in Budapest. The German court, Bundesverfassungsgericht, later ruled the extradition of Maja T., a German citizen, illegal citing the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. However, the ruling came too late, as Maja T. had already been transferred to Hungary, where the 24-year-old is reportedly being held under inhumane conditions, including isolation and humiliation. 

On Friday, Maja T. appeared in court under heavy restraints, with hands and ankles bound. The activist faces a possible prison sentence of up to 24 years and was offered a plea deal of 14 years in exchange for a confession. Maja T. rejected the offer and criticised Hungary’s right-wing Fidesz government under Viktor Orbán, accusing it of discrimination against people based on gender and persecuting anti-fascist activists. Many leftist and anti-fascist groups in Germany expressed solidarity with the Maja T.. The outcome of the trial remains to be seen.

RSF plans to establish a rival government in Sudan

The paramilitary rebel group Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan is moving to establish a rival government, claiming to promote “peace and unity”. The RSF has been accused of committing crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing during the ongoing war, which has lasted for over 20 months. 

Over the weekend, allied political and armed groups signed a document declaring the formation of this new government. While the RSF pushes its political agenda, the opposing Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have advanced toward Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, and pushed RSF fighters back from central Sudan. The RSF’s proposed governance would primarily focus on the southern regions and Darfur, potentially deepening divisions between the two regions of Sudan. The rebel group has long advocated for a move toward secularism, which this initiative may further.

The army-aligned current government has stated that it will not recognize any attempt to establish a parallel political authority. The war between the RSF and the SAF has displaced more than 3 million Sudanese people to neighbouring countries and claimed over 20,000 lives.

Ongoing student-led protests in Serbia 

In Serbia, student protests have entered their fourth month. Following the collapse of a roof that killed 15 people in Novi Sad, protestors took to the streets to commemorate the lives lost by staging 15-minute roadblocks. In November, attendees of several such protests were assaulted, but these violent incidents were met with silence from the Serbian government. Students across the country occupied facilities at six major public universities, halting academic activity in these institutions. Similar student-led protests against the government have taken place over the past four months with tens of thousands rallying and occupying traffic junctions in Belgrade and other cities. 

According to polls, 80% of the Serbian population supports the demands of the student protests, which include government accountability and transparency as well as education reforms. The protests have turned into a movement, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević and challenged the political status quo in Serbia advocating for change and against corruption.

 رمضان مبارك (Ramadan Mubarak)

The evening of this upcoming Friday, 28 February, marks the beginning of Ramadan, a sacred month of fasting, prayer, and reflection in Islam. We wish everyone observing Ramadan a رمضان مبارك (Ramadan Mubarak)!

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