FIFA will allow fans to wave Palestinian flag at the World Cup

Women For Palestine (via Dublin Supporting Palestine)

FIFA has officially confirmed that the Palestinian flag will fly inside World Cup stadiums.

The decision reflects Palestine’s recognized status within the global football community, with the Palestinian Football Association holding full #FIFA membership.

As a result, the Palestinian flag will be displayed alongside those of other participating and recognized nations, a visible assertion of Palestinian presence on the world’s biggest sporting stage.

A Surprising but Welcome Ruling by Israel's Supreme Court

Via Middle East Monitor and Petition for Peace

Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled that a government policy introduced in October 2023 preventing the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from visiting Palestinian prisoners and detainees or relaying information about them was unlawful.

The court struck down the policy after the state failed for more than two years to provide any legal basis justifying its continuation.

The ruling was issued unanimously by a panel including Justice Daphne Barak-Erez, who wrote the main judgment.

The court concluded that the government had failed to present any legal foundation for the policy, despite being given “countless opportunities” throughout the proceedings to clarify its position and establish a legal justification.

Barak-Erez said the case had been marked by exceptional circumstances, noting that the state had submitted dozens of requests for postponements and extensions over more than two years, whether for its initial response, detailed filings or supplementary submissions, which led to a significant prolongation of the proceedings.

She added that the court had shown “a great deal of patience” but ultimately found itself facing the absence of any organised and detailed legal position from the state to justify maintaining the ban.