Eye on Extremism: July 7, 2026
Top Stories
Afghanistan International: Pakistan & Taliban Border Troops Clash For Second Consecutive Day
Pakistani security sources said on Monday that border forces from Pakistan and the Taliban clashed for a second consecutive day in Khyber district. The fighting reportedly involved both light and heavy weapons.
Jews faced government harassment in 69 countries and faced harassment by private individuals, groups, or organizations in 92 countries in 2023, according to research by Pew Research Center. The study explores the levels of social hostilities involving religion in different countries in 2023.
CEP Mentions
Deutschlandfunk Kultur Radio: Cheap and risk-free – disposable agents in Germany
Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks on the use of disposable agents by Russia and Iran in Europe.
Deutschlandfunk Kultur Radio: Espionage and sabotage in focus
Hans-Jakob Schindler speaks on Russia’s hybrid warfare against Germany.
Analysis
Project Muse: Why the IRGC Is the War's Biggest Winner
This essay argues that the true winner of Iran’s recent war is neither moderation nor democratic change, but the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Some observers, including U.S. president Donald Trump, have read the upheaval in Tehran as producing a more reasonable, less radical regime. In fact, the author contends, it marks the culmination of a decades-long transformation.
United States
Rep. Becca Balint helped Sen. Bernie Sanders craft and lead efforts to cut US arms sales to Israel, wrote an op-ed calling Israel’s war in Gaza a “genocide” and has stood proudly with fellow progressives for two decades. But Balint was wincing last week as she stood on the steps of the Capitol, recounting the warning she gave her congressional staff.
Times of Israel: US liberals ‘license’ antisemitism when framed as Israel criticism – psych study
US liberals judged individuals who expressed unqualified prejudice more harshly than conservatives did, but liked prejudiced individuals more when they justified antisemitism with statements about Israel, according to a recent peer-reviewed psychology study.
Algemeiner: New York City Jews Most Targeted Minority Group in 2026, NYPD Report Says
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed on Thursday that Jews were targeted by more hate crimes than any other racial, ethnic, or religious group during the first six months of 2026, deepening concerns among Jewish leaders that antisemitism has intensified during the opening months of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration.
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D.) joined the Holocaust-denying Shiite cleric Fadhel Al-Sahlani on stage last month to celebrate the grand opening of the Islamic Institute of America's new mosque. During the event, El-Sayed also offered "hearty congratulations" to the mosque's imam, Hassan al-Qazwini, an Iraqi-born cleric who has used his perch to praise Hezbollah leaders and spread antisemitic conspiracy theories.
New York Times: Abandoned by Allies, Platner Faces Pressure to End Senate Campaign
A month after he captured the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine with a fiery populist message, Graham Platner was facing mounting pressure to leave the race after a woman accused him of rape.
Fox News: Extremist streamer declares NYC an Islamic republic with popular terror chant
A streamer who broadcasts to more than 1 million followers on a popular online platform set off a viral firestorm after invoking Mayor Zohran Mamdani's name as he declared Islam would take over New York City. "Allahu Akbar!" the extremist internet personality Sneako yelled amidst a group of Egypt soccer fans while drums were banged and horns were blown. Egyptian flags waved among the crowd as they chanted along.
An aide to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani reportedly lashed out at ABC executives after "The View" co-host Sara Haines called a Mamdani-backed socialist congressional candidate an antisemite.
Washington State Standard: WA human rights commissioner resigns amid antisemitism claims
A member of Washington’s Human Rights Commission has resigned after coming under fire for allegations of antisemitism over comments he made in a commission meeting. Spokane pastor Luc Jasmin made the remarks during a March 2025 discussion of a resolution the commission was considering to condemn antisemitism. He said that Jewish people are “always crying” and questioned if the commission was “under duress” to approve the resolution.
Reuters: Columbia students sue Kasowitz law firm over $6.4 million legal fee in antisemitism case
A group of Jewish Columbia University students has sued prominent litigator Marc Kasowitz and his law firm for allegedly securing an improper $6.4 million legal fee in a settlement that resolved the students' antisemitism claims against the New York City school.
King5: Kent man plans guilty plea in federal Islamic State support case
A Kent man charged in a federal ISIS support case has signed court papers saying he wants to plead guilty and have the case handled in Washington, according to newly filed federal court documents. Saed Ali Mirreh was charged in U.S. District Court with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Czech Republic
DPA: Court rules Czech Republic can extradite Neo-Nazi Liebich to Germany
A Czech court has given the go-ahead for the extradition of convicted far-right extremist Marla Svenja Liebich to Germany. The Higher Regional Court in Prague rejected the 55-year-old's appeals against extradition, a court spokeswoman said on Tuesday.
France
Marine Le Pen has been cleared to stand in the French presidency in the 2027 election, despite an appeals court upholding a 2025 embezzlement conviction against her. But she can only do so wearing an electronic tag — something she previously said was "not possible."
Reuters: Reactions to French court ruling on Marine Le Pen
A Paris appeals court on Tuesday upheld Marine Le Pen's conviction for misusing EU funds while shortening her ban on running for elected office, potentiallyallowing the National Rally (RN) leader to contest the French presidency in 2027. The court ruled Le Pen would serve a three-year jail term, two years of which were suspended, and ordered her to wear an electronic ankle tag for one year.
Germany
Iran International: Alleged IRGC plot sought woman to burn kosher shop, German court hears
A German court heard that an alleged IRGC-linked operative sought a Palestinian or Somali woman in financial need to burn a Jewish kosher shop for about €4,000, as police detailed a wider plot against Jewish figures in Germany.
Deutsche Welle: Fashion against fascism: When trademarks deter neo-Nazis
In recent years, far-right merchandise has become an important source of income for some right-wing extremist groups and individuals in Germany. Online stores sell clothing, accessories and other products that use symbols members of the far-right scene recognize. Because many openly Nazi symbols are illegal in Germany, sellers have increasingly relied on coded language to get around the law. Hitlerhas become HTLR, while Hakenkreuz (swastika) is abbreviated to HKNKRZ.
Monaco
Reuters: Suspect in Monaco bombing found dead in Ukraine, two arrested
The body of a woman suspected of carrying out a bomb attack in Monaco last week that targeted a sanctioned Ukrainian-born businessman has been found in Ukraine, and two men have been arrested in connection with her murder, authorities said on Tuesday.
United Kingdom
BBC: Man found with bomb-making guides on phone is jailed
A man who admitted possessing bomb-making guides linked to an Islamic State-aligned organisation has been jailed for two and a half years. Abdullah Bin Yasir, of Elmwood Crescent in Luton, was stopped at Gatwick Airport in June 2025 after returning from Pakistan, when police found extremist material on his iPhone.
JTA: London police investigating ‘antisemitic verbal abuse’ of Jewish attendees at London Pride
London’s Metropolitan Police launched an investigation Monday into antisemitic abuse at a Pride parade after videos and pictures circulated on social media showed Jewish participants enduring taunts at Saturday’s event.
The Telegraph: Prince Harry attends premiere with Southbank boss embroiled in anti-Semitism row
The Duke of Sussex spent his first night in Britain attending a film premiere with Misan Harriman, the chairman of the Southbank Centre, who is embroiled in an anti-Semitism row. Pictures showed the Duke with Mr Harriman, who was wearing an Anti-Apartheid Club T-shirt, at the Picturehouse Central cinema in London’s Piccadilly Circus, before they watched a film about the Southbank chief.
Jewish News: Woman convicted after antisemitic attack on children outside Jewish school
A woman has been convicted after directing antisemitic abuse at children outside a Jewish secondary school in north London before assaulting a father who challenged her behaviour. Syeda Khatun, 39, was found guilty at Stratford Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 3 July, over the attack, which happened outside a school in Stamford Hill on 10 May.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan International: Taliban Defence Minister Visits Ismaili Areas To Boost Recruitment
Amid rising internal Taliban tensions and increased activity by opposition groups in north-eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban defence minister visited Ismaili-populated areas of Badakhshan. Local elders reportedly rejected his appeal for young Ismailis to join the Taliban’s military.
Gaza Strip/West Bank
Jerusalem Post: Hamas dissolution of Gaza government is a trick to keep weapons, expert warns
Hamas's announcement on the dissolution of its government was a ruse meant to maintain its weaponry, Col. (Res.) Dr. Moshe Elad, a Palestinian affairs expert from the Western Galilee Academic College, said on the 103FM radio show "Five in the Evening" on Monday.
American and Israeli officials expressed skepticism on Monday that Hamas would follow through with its pledge to dissolve its governing body that has ruled Gaza for over two decades.
Iran
Iran International: Iran's new IRGC Navy chief emerges without formal decree: who is Ali Azmaei?
Iranian state media on Saturday published a message from Rear Admiral Ali Azmaei that identified him as commander of the IRGC Navy, marking the first public indication that he has replaced Alireza Tangsiri, who was killed during the war in March.
Israel
Photos of three women murdered on October 7, 2023, were vandalized at a junction in Yokne’am, the municipality announced on Monday. The pictures of Shani Gabay, Adi Landman, and Rotem Levi had been placed at a hitchhiking spot, alongside photos of several other victims of the massacre. None of the other photos were damaged.
Fox News: Israel fortifies border with Jordan as Iran seeks new terror path
After Hamas’ terrorist invasion of Israel’s southern border on Oct. 7, 2023, the Jewish state created the 96th army division to thwart new security threats along its border with Jordan. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) granted Fox News Digital exclusive access to military bases that are on the frontlines in the fight against Iran’s regime, terrorism, narcotics and weapons smuggling, as well as illegal entry of Palestinians seeking work in Israel.
Lebanon
IDF Northern Command officials believe there is no set deadline by which the military will evacuate several points north and south of the Yellow Line in southern Lebanon. When it eventually happens, however, the Lebanese Armed Forces is expected to be the military that will search the area, destroy Hezbollah infrastructure and strip it of terrorists, Walla learned on Tuesday.
AFP: German minister says Lebanon must remove 'Hezbollah danger' from south
Germany's foreign minister on Tuesday urged Lebanese authorities to confront Hezbollah and reassert state control over the country's south, where the militant group has been engaged in hostilities with Israeli forces.
Naharnet: Aoun's heart open 'but Hezbollah refusing to cooperate', report says
The Lebanese army is fully committed to the Lebanese state’s decisions and the implementation of the framework agreement and does not deviate from Lebanon's political authority, MTV quoted President Joseph Aoun as telling his visitors.
Syria
Reuters: Bomb attack rocks Damascus during Macron visit
Two bombs exploded on Tuesday near a hotel in Damascus where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night, wounding 18 people and overshadowing the first visit to Syria by a European Union head of state since Bashar al-Assad was toppled. Macron, whose motorcade left the hotel shortly before the blasts, pressed ahead with his visit, meeting President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.
A pair of explosions rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus near the downtown Four Seasons hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during a state visit, Syrian state media reported Tuesday.
Yemen
Iran’s regime is feeling empowered. The funeral events of the late supreme leader Ali Khamenei are continuing in the region, where his body is expected to go from Qom to Iraq this week. Meanwhile, it appears that Iran is also making moves with the Houthis, who have been terrorizing the region for years.
Arab Weekly: Houthis threaten Saudi shipping through Bab al-Mandab in major escalation
Yemen’s Houthi movement has threatened to impose restrictions on Saudi vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandab Strait unless Saudi Arabia and the United Nations ease restrictions affecting Houthi-controlled Yemen, signalling an expansion of the group’s pressure campaign into one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.
Yemen Online: Yemen: Houthis Abduct 20 Students in Saada Over Slogan
Local sources reported that Houthi militias in Yemen abducted around 20 students from Al-Thawra School in Saada province, after they wrote the phrase “With you, Fadgham” an incident that sparked widespread outrage and was seen as part of the group’s ongoing clampdown in areas under its control.
Pakistan
Afghanistan International: TTP Takes Responsibility For Balochistan Police Post Attack
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a police post in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. The group claimed more than 20 security personnel were killed or wounded in the assault.
Mali
AfricaNews: Jihadists and Tuareg allies fight for control of strategic camp in northern Mali
Jihadists and their separatist Tuareg allies fought on Monday to control a key camp in northern Mali where Russian paramilitaries and forces from the country's military junta have been holed up.
RFI: Rebels seize key town of Anéfis as they tighten grip on northern Mali
Tuareg separatists and al-Qaeda affiliates appear to have secured control of a key town in northern Mali following a coordinated offensive by the rebels over the weekend. The Malian army and Russian mercenaries have been holed up in the key camp of Anéfis after the rebels launched their offensive on Saturday.
Morocco
Arab Weekly: Morocco thwarts ISIS-inspired attacks on sensitive sites
Morocco’s counterterrorism agency said on Monday it had foiled attack plots targeting sensitive sites and public security by a cell loyal to Islamic State’s affiliate in the Sahel. Ten suspects were arrested in coordinated operations in the cities of Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, Hajeb, Tetouan, Fqih Ben Salah and Safi, the agency, known as the Central Bureau for Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), said in a statement.
South Africa
As the world races for critical minerals, illegal gold mining in some parts of Southern Africa is emerging as more than an economic and environmental problem, but a national and regional security threat that extremist and criminal networks can exploit. Zambia is a classic example where recent reports of armed, undocumented, and violent miners have raised concerns about illicit mining as a national security threat.
Tunisia
ANHA: 2 Tunisian families linked to ISIS mercenaries leave Roj Camp
The administration of Roj Camp, which accommodates families of ISIS mercenaries, repatriated two families to Tunisia this morning in coordination with the Tunisian government. The repatriation process included four women and children, following the completion of the necessary legal and administrative procedures in cooperation between the camp administration and the relevant Tunisian authorities.
Australia
J-Wire: Former commissioner questions decision not to name antisemitic abusers
Former Federal Court judge Ronald Sackville has questioned whether the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion risks leaving a major gap in its work if it avoids identifying perpetrators of antisemitic abuse. Sackville, who chaired the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability in 2019, said recent hearings on social media had exposed disturbing online vilification of Jewish Australians, but senior counsel assisting the Commission had made clear the evidence would not identify individual perpetrators.
Technology
YouTube has doubled down on its finding that a video in which creators suggested a victim of the Bondi Beach terror attack had lied about his injuries did not violate its hate speech policies, with the content remaining online.
Cybernews: TikTok admits AI caught antisemitic post that human moderators reinstated
TikTok has told Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion that its AI moderation system flagged an antisemitic comment as hate speech, but human moderators later rescinded the decision.
7 News: TikTok's rapid response to Bondi massacre antisemitism
TikTok deployed internal risk teams within 90 minutes of the Bondi massacre to prevent the spread of antisemitism on its platform. The social media company removed more than a quarter of a million videos for violating guidelines. The Royal Commission into Antisemitism heard evidence about TikTok's proactive response to mitigate anti-Jewish content following the terror attack.
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