US condemns France's release of political prisoner Georges Abdallah
'The United States opposes his release,' said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce in a statement shared on X. 'His release threatens the safety of US diplomats abroad and is a grave injustice to the victims and the families of those killed,' claimed Washington
Washington also said it would continue backing efforts to seek justice in the case.
Abdallah, a pro-Palestinian Lebanese fighter, was jailed in 1984 for the killing of an American and an Israeli diplomat in France. After serving nearly four decades, a French appeals court ordered his release, citing the length of his imprisonment and his age, calling continued detention 'disproportionate.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Gulf Today
2 hours ago
- Gulf Today
UAE to resume Gaza aid airdrops immediately, says Sheikh Abdullah
Gulf Today, Staff Reporter The United Arab Emirates will resume aid drops over Gaza at once, its foreign minister said on Saturday, citing the "critical" humanitarian situation in the blockaded territory, where aid groups have warned of mass starvation. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, 'The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical and unprecedented level. In a post today on his account on the social media platform "X," Sheikh Abdullah said: "We will continue delivering relief support to those most in need - by land, air, and sea," reaffirming the immediate resumption of airdrop operations for humanitarian aid. Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the UAE's commitment to alleviating suffering and supporting the Palestinian people is resolute and unwavering. The United Arab Emirates remains at the forefront of efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to the Palestinian people. We will ensure essential aid reaches those most in need, whether through land, air or sea. These remarks come as the UAE continues, through various humanitarian initiatives, to send urgent relief and medical aid to the Gaza Strip in an effort to alleviate the humanitarian crisis faced by its residents. The UAE is among the leading nations that responded quickly at the outset of the crisis by establishing both air and sea bridges to aid those affected. This includes the launch of the "Birds of Goodness" operation, during which dozens of airdrops of food and relief supplies have been conducted over the Strip.


Middle East Eye
2 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Unrwa chief says Israel spread false aid theft claims to control relief
The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) has accused Israel of fabricating claims that Hamas was stealing large amounts of aid, saying the allegations were designed to push out humanitarian groups and tighten Israeli control over food distribution in Gaza. 'No proof of aid diversion in Gaza,' Unrwa Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini wrote on social media. He said the accusations were part of a deliberate effort to damage the reputation of international relief agencies. 'Claims were only aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the humanitarian community & attempting to replace it with a diabolic and politically motivated distribution scheme,' he added. 'It's time for principled and at scale humanitarian response including through Unrwa.'


Middle East Eye
4 hours ago
- Middle East Eye
Saudi forces arrest pilgrim for raising Palestinian flag in Mecca
Saudi security forces arrested an Egyptian pilgrim at the Grand Mosque in Mecca after he raised the Palestinian flag beside the Kaaba and called for an end to Gaza's siege and starvation. The actions by the Saudi authorities has triggered widespread condemnation. Footage shared online shows the man crying out 'Wa Islamah!', a phrase used historically to express anguish when Islam or Muslims are under threat, as he pleads for urgent intervention to help Gaza's starving population. The emotional scene, captured and circulated on social media, shows the pilgrim saying 'the children of Gaza are dying. O Muslims!'. Seconds later, Saudi officers appear and detain him inside the mosque. The incident has reignited debate over Saudi Arabia's strict bans on political expression at Islam's holiest sites. Authorities prohibit all slogans and symbols, including national flags, during Hajj and Umrah, arguing such measures protect the sanctity of worship. However, critics accuse the kingdom of using these restrictions to stifle support for Palestine and suppress expressions of Muslim solidarity. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters In 2023, a British pilgrim was detained for wearing a white keffiyeh and a Palestinian-coloured prayer bead. Beyond Mecca, Saudi authorities have reportedly launched a broader crackdown on citizens who criticise Israel or voice solidarity with Gaza online. Since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman rose to power in 2017, rights groups have documented a surge in arrests linked to peaceful speech, particularly posts viewed as critical of the kingdom's foreign policy or regional alliances. As Israel's war on Gaza continues, the arrest in Mecca has deepened concerns that public support for Palestine is being criminalised in Saudi Arabia.