More Than 80 Filmmakers, Including Tilda Swinton, Accuse Berlin International Film Festival of Silencing Gaza Voices

Smotrich calls for Palestinian 'migration'

Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called on the next Israeli government to "encourage" Palestinian migration from the occupied West Bank as part of his "Colonisation 2030" platform.

Speaking to settlement leaders, he also urged scrapping the Oslo Accords and advancing Israeli sovereignty over the territory. The remarks come amid expanded settlement approvals and new land registration measures widely viewed as steps toward annexation.

Filmmakers accuse Berlinale of silencing Gaza voices

More than 80 filmmakers, including Tilda Swinton, have signed an open letter criticising the Berlin International Film Festival for allegedly censoring pro-Palestinian speech.

The backlash follows comments by jury head Wim Wenders suggesting cinema should "stay out of politics." Signatories say festival leadership has reprimanded filmmakers who speak out on Gaza.

Iran marks 40 days since protest killings

Families across Iran marked 40 days since deadly January protests, holding mourning ceremonies in cities including Tehran and Mashhad.

Teachers' unions reported widespread school strikes in protest at the killing of students, despite warnings from authorities and heightened security around schools and universities.

Trump convenes Gaza 'Board of Peace'

US President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his "Board of Peace" for Gaza in Washington, with more than $5bn pledged for reconstruction.

The initiative has drawn criticism as Israeli strikes have continued since the ceasefire, with Palestinian officials reporting hundreds killed. Critics have also questioned the board's mandate and lack of Palestinian representation.