News
Hebron Mayor Speaks Out as Israel Increases West Bank Presence
Palestinians claim that Israel’s actions are limiting their involvement in decisions related to planning and development in the West Bank.
A senior Palestinian official in the West Bank has expressed concerns that Israel's recent expansion of control in the region may mark the end of the road for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, citing the significant impact on the peace process.

Asma al-Sharabati, the acting mayor of Hebron, has stated that new legislation announced by Israeli cabinet ministers will effectively exclude Palestinian authorities from decision-making processes related to urban planning and development, even in areas currently under Palestinian control.
Hebron, a city in the West Bank, is a frequent site of tensions, with Israeli soldiers stationed to protect hundreds of Israeli settlers living among Palestinians in a heavily militarized area.
On Sunday, the Israeli security cabinet approved significant changes to the division of powers in the West Bank, which was established over three decades ago under the US-backed Oslo Accords, signed by both Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 1993.
The changes include the expansion of Israeli control over municipal services in Palestinian-run areas, as well as the transfer of authority to manage so-called "heritage sites" across the West Bank, citing the need to protect water, environmental, and archaeological resources.
Israel has also announced plans to assume control over the planning authority at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, a site of great significance in Judaism, located within the Ibrahimi Mosque.
According to al-Sharabati, the new measures will enable Israel to unilaterally declare any building or site as "ancient" and take control of it, effectively bypassing Palestinian authorities in urban planning and development decisions.

Al-Sharabati stated that she had not received formal notification of Israel's plans and was instead gathering information from Israeli news sources.
A short distance from Hebron's bustling market, a heavily fortified Israeli checkpoint marks the boundary between the city and a nearby area, where Palestinian shops are closed, and streets are restricted to protect Israeli settlers.
Palestinian activist Issa Amro resides in this volatile area, known as H2, which is characterized by a complex and winding route through Palestinian homes and stony pathways.

During a visit to Amro's home, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish couple was seen picnicking under the trees outside, while a local settler emerged from a nearby house and followed the group for a short distance.
Inside Amro's house, a plaque reading "Free Palestine" is displayed, while a large Israeli flag can be seen flying over the streets below.
Amro pointed out nearby Palestinian buildings that have been evacuated due to years of tension and expanding Israeli control.
However, Amro believes that the latest changes represent a significant shift, stating that Israel is now formalizing its control through legal means.
"Previously, they were expanding without a legal basis," Amro said. "Now, they will be the law. They are changing the status from Occupied Territories to a legal dispute, effectively annexing the land without granting me, as a Palestinian, any rights."
Israel plans to begin providing municipal services to Jewish settlers in Hebron and allow private Israeli citizens to purchase land across the West Bank, a move that is prohibited under both Jordanian and Palestinian law.

Palestinians who have sold property to Israelis in the past may face risks due to Israel's planned publication of classified land registry information.
The social stigma associated with selling property to Israelis is deeply ingrained, reflecting the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Jibril Moragh, a resident of Hebron, recounted an incident 18 years ago when he refused an offer from a group of Israelis to purchase his house near the Ibrahimi Mosque.
"One of them offered me 25 million shekels, but I refused," Moragh said. "The man was willing to pay any price, and even allowed me to continue living in the house, but I would not sell to the occupation."
Over 700,000 Israeli settlers reside in the occupied West Bank and annexed East Jerusalem, territories captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Middle East War, which Palestinians claim as part of their future independent state, along with the Gaza Strip.
The construction of Israeli settlements in these areas is considered illegal under international law.
The recent expansion of Israeli control over the West Bank, particularly in the aftermath of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, marks a significant shift in Israel's policies towards the region.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees settlement policies, stated that the new measures aim to "deepen our roots in all parts of the land of Israel" and effectively rule out the possibility of a Palestinian state.
Zvi Sukkot, a lawmaker in Smotrich's far-right Religious Zionism party, expressed his expectation of full Israeli sovereignty over the region, emphasizing the need to protect Israel's heritage and environmental resources, even in Palestinian-run areas.
The latest changes not only undermine the agreements signed by Israel decades ago but also erode the remaining powers of the Palestinian Authority, which was slated to take over power from Hamas under Donald Trump's peace plan.
Hebron's mayor, al-Sharabati, expressed her concerns, stating that Palestinians are not protected and that institutions are failing to safeguard their rights, while the international community focuses on the Gaza Strip and its associated humanitarian crises.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called for a firm response from the US government, arguing that Israel's decision disrupts Trump's efforts in the region and violates international law.
To date, President Trump has only reiterated his opposition to Israel's formal annexation of the West Bank, without providing further comment on the recent developments.
Several countries, including the UK, have recognized a Palestinian state, and in response to Israel's assumption of civilian powers in Palestinian-controlled territory, the UK government has been asked to clarify its stance.
Under-Secretary of State for the Middle East Hamish Falconer stated that the UK government would provide further comment in the coming days, emphasizing that the decision is widely regarded as a significant mistake.
"We strongly condemn the decision and expect to see it reversed," Falconer said, echoing the sentiments of many of Israel's allies.
The expansion of Israeli control in the West Bank has continued, even as international attention remains focused on the Gaza Strip.

However, Trump's plan for Gaza relies on the support of Arab countries, many of which are demanding progress towards a Palestinian state, highlighting the interconnectedness of the region's conflicts.
Developments in Hebron and the West Bank may still have a significant impact on Trump's vision for Gaza and the broader Middle East peace process.
Additional reporting was provided by Yousef Shomali and Rebecca Hartmann.
News
Hull City Match Marred by Discriminatory Chants, Multiple Arrests Made
Authorities have taken individuals into custody in connection with reported instances of discriminatory chanting that occurred during the FA Cup fourth round contest between Hull City and Chelsea.
The crowd at Hull City's match against Chelsea was cautioned about engaging in discriminatory chanting, which occurred during the team's loss.
Following multiple arrests at the FA Cup fourth-round match between Hull City and Chelsea, a fan group denounced homophobic chanting, labeling it a "blemish on the sport".
A warning was issued over the public address system during the first half of the game at Hull City's MKM Stadium, notifying spectators that discriminatory chanting would not be tolerated and that CCTV footage was being reviewed.
In the second half, it was confirmed that action had been taken against those responsible, resulting in arrests.
The exact number of arrests was not disclosed by the club, and Humberside police have been contacted by BBC Sport for further information.
A message displayed on the stadium's screens read: "Discriminatory chanting has been reported from the crowd. This behavior is unacceptable and must stop immediately."
This incident occurred a day after Hull City released a statement on Thursday emphasizing that chanting of a homophobic, racist, or discriminatory nature would not be accepted and would result in severe consequences.
The club stated that fans found engaging in such behavior would face immediate removal from the stadium, potential banning orders, and possible prosecution.
Chelsea Pride, the official LGBTQ+ supporter group of Chelsea, issued a statement condemning the homophobic chanting directed at their supporters, describing it as "completely unacceptable".
The group acknowledged Hull City's efforts to address the issue, including making stadium announcements, monitoring CCTV, and making arrests, emphasizing that taking action and holding individuals accountable is crucial.
Chelsea Pride expressed concern that such chanting still occurs in 2026, considering it a "blemish on the sport".
Chelsea, a Premier League team, secured a 4-0 victory over their Championship opponents, advancing to the fifth round.
Chelsea's manager, Liam Rosenior, stated that he was unaware of the chanting during the game, focusing on the match instead, but emphasized that discriminatory language is unacceptable and should be addressed.
Rosenior mentioned that the fourth official had informed him about an issue, but he was too focused on the game to be aware of the details.
Hull City's manager, Sergej Jakirovic, condemned the behavior, stating that it has no place in the stadium or in public, and supported the arrests made.
Jakirovic emphasized that the stadium is not an appropriate setting for such behavior, which is why those responsible were arrested.
For the latest updates on your favorite team, visit BBC Sport.
Tune in to the latest episode of the Football Daily podcast for in-depth analysis and discussion.
Stay up-to-date with the latest football news by receiving alerts directly on your phone.
News
Shaidorov Claims Gold as Malinin Stumbles Twice in Free Skate Upset
A major upset occurred at the 2026 Winter Olympics as 21-year-old Mikhail Shaidorov from Kazakhstan secured the gold medal in men’s figure skating, while top contender Ilia Malinin of the USA finished eighth, having stumbled twice during his free skate program.
In a stunning upset at the 2026 Winter Olympics, 21-year-old Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov claimed the top spot in men's figure skating, while American Ilia Malinin, a strong contender, finished eighth after a disappointing performance that included two falls during his free skate.
For further information on this unexpected turn of events, a detailed article is available, highlighting Shaidorov's surprise victory and Malinin's uncharacteristic struggles.
Access to additional content is restricted to users based in the United Kingdom.
News
Manchester City dominate to raise the bar in the WSL
Manchester City delivered a dominant performance, defeating Leicester 6-0 and establishing a high benchmark in the WSL, with the bottom-placed team unable to contain their opponents.
Manchester City is on track to secure its first Women's Super League title since 2016, with a strong performance this season.
According to Manchester City manager Andree Jeglertz, motivation is not an issue for his players, who are well aware of their position in the league and their accomplishments.
Jeglertz expressed his admiration for his team's display, stating that he was impressed and proud of their efforts.
These comments followed a convincing 6-0 victory over Leicester City, which allowed Manchester City to reclaim its 11-point lead at the top of the Women's Super League.
This season, Manchester City has won 14 out of 16 matches, including all nine home league games, with the only dropped points coming from defeats at Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium against the reigning WSL and European champions.
After a surprise loss to Arsenal the previous Sunday, Manchester City bounced back with an outstanding performance against Leicester, demonstrating their ability to respond to setbacks.
Although the teams chasing Manchester City have at least one game in hand, the gap between them remains significant, with Manchester United trailing by 11 points, Chelsea by 12, and Arsenal by 13.
As the season progresses, it appears unlikely that any of the chasing teams will be able to catch up with Manchester City and prevent them from claiming their second WSL title.
Despite scoring six goals against Leicester, Manchester City may feel that they could have scored even more, given their dominant performance.
The team's statistics were impressive, with 31 shots on goal, 15 on target, an xG of 4.61, and 232 passes in the final third, all of which are the highest totals for a WSL team this season.
The win over Leicester increased Manchester City's goal difference to +34, nearly twice as good as Manchester United's +18, and brought their total goals for the season to 47, averaging 2.94 per game.
Lauren Hemp had a notable performance against Leicester, delivering 14 crosses and taking four shots.
Manchester City's commitment to excellence is exemplified by Lauren Hemp's attitude, as she provided two assists and created 11 chances for her teammates, earning her the player of the match award.
When asked about her satisfaction with the game, Hemp replied, "I'm happy to have contributed, but I think I need to work on my shooting – I didn't score a goal." However, she expressed overall happiness with the team's performance.
"We're really pleased with the result," Hemp said. "The whole team is confident, and everyone is contributing, including the substitutes."
Having missed out on a Champions League spot last season, Manchester City has played 22 games in all competitions this season, whereas their rivals have played more, with Chelsea having played 25, Arsenal 27, and Manchester United 28 by the end of the weekend.
The extra rest appears to have benefited the squad, particularly star striker Khadija Shaw, who has scored 15 league goals this season, surpassing her total of 12 from the previous campaign.
Despite the upcoming Asia Cup and the potential departure of key players like Yui Hasegawa, Manchester City seems well-equipped to succeed, with record signing Sam Coffey making an impressive debut start in midfield.
Former Manchester City captain Steph Houghton, commenting on Sky Sports, noted the team's determination to succeed this season.
Houghton observed that being at the top of the league with a significant points difference can bring added pressure, and players may feel this pressure in the days following a loss, such as the one to Arsenal.
However, Houghton felt that Manchester City's response to the setback was perfect.
With six games remaining, Manchester City needs 12 points to secure the title, and if results go in their favor, they could potentially win it at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 29.
This achievement might be enough to satisfy Jeglertz and his ambitious group of players.
The Women's Football Weekly podcast, hosted by Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie, returns for another season, with new episodes available every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, along with interviews and additional content from the Women's Super League.
For the latest news and updates on the Women's Super League, visit the dedicated page.
-
News21 hours agoAustralian Politics Faces Questions Over Gender Equality Amid Sussan Ley’s Appointment
-
News18 hours agoFarage Says Reform to Replace Traditional Tory Party
-
News18 hours agoWrexham Pair Seek Win Against Former Team Ipswich
-
News23 hours agoLiberal Party Removes Australia’s First Female Leader
-
News21 hours agoUK Braces for Cold Snap with Snow and Ice Alerts Expected
-
News18 hours agoHusband’s alleged £600k theft for sex and antiques blamed on drug side effects
-
News3 days agoSunbed ads spreading harmful misinformation to young people
-
Business24 hours agoBBC Reporter Exposed to Cyber Attack Due to Vulnerabilities in AI Coding Tool
