Fisherman Yusuf Abdel Halim Qanan discovered a large object tangled in his fishing nets, which turned out to be parts of a damaged vessel. With help from other fishermen and divers, they recovered items like solar panels, wooden boards, and a ship’s wheel.

The remains come from the vessel Kasr Sadabat, part of the Sumud Flotilla mission from Turkey.

[RT]

Four Palestine Action activists found guilty of criminal damage want to recuse a judge from sentencing activists Charlotte Head, 29, Samuel Corner, 23, Leona (Ellie) Kamio, 30, and Fatema Rajwani, 21. It will be heard on Monday 8 June.

Justice Johnson is expected to add a ‘terrorist connection’ to their charges under section 69 of the Sentencing Act 2020, despite the jury only convicting them of criminal damage under ordinary criminal law on 5 May. The British media was not allowed to report that the judge had barred the defendants from speaking about their motivations for joining Palestine Action, and from providing information on the genocide in Gaza or Elbit Systems. Media were also banned from reporting that they could be sentenced as terrorists. The restrictions were lifted on 12 May.

This is the first case in British history where a judge will attempt to sentence activists as terrorists, without them being charged with terror offences. The only previous case where a defendant was sentenced as a terrorist without a terrorist conviction was the Parsons Green bomber, who was found guilty of attempted murder after planting a homemade bomb on a London tube.

The defence’s bid to remove Justice Johnson is in part due to his unprecedented attempt to have the lead defence barrister, Rajiv Menon KC, prosecuted for contempt of court – a move described as “troubling” by the Bar Council.

Justice Johnston also decided to treat the defendants’ desire to prevent Israel killing Palestinian civilians as an aggravating – rather than mitigating – feature. According to the judge, the intention to prevent the deaths of Palestinian civilians is what brings their actions within the scope of the Terrorism Act, as an attempt to “influence the Israeli government”.

[RT]

⚡️General Staff of the Kuwaiti Army

Kuwaiti air defenses are currently engaging hostile missile and drone attacks.

The General Staff of the Army notes that any explosions heard are a result of air defense systems intercepting hostile attacks.

Everyone is urged to adhere to the safety and security instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

[Ak]

Jimmy Dore on Thomas Massie

V