EL-YA News

Category: World

  • Avignon: when French democracy runs out of rooms

    Avignon: when French democracy runs out of rooms

    OPINION — Patrick Lancier

    Under pressure from some twenty associations, collectives and unions, a venue in Avignon has backed out of hosting the annual gathering of Oser la France. The prefect of the Vaucluse calls it “a real threat to democracy”. He is right, and the malady runs deeper than he says.

    Op-ed by Patrick Lancier, investigative journalist, Managing Editor, SLICE42 GROUP

    Some events are so small that one is tempted to let them pass, and yet they tell you everything about an age. On 17 October, Oser la France (“Dare France”), the Gaullist movement founded in 2017 by Julien Aubert, a former member of the National Assembly for the Vaucluse and a vice-president of the centre-right party Les Républicains, was to hold its autumn conference at the Rouge Gorge, a performance venue in Avignon next to the Palace of the Popes that had hosted it in 2024 and 2025 without anyone raising an eyebrow. The speakers came from right and left alike: former prime minister François Fillon; Sarah Knafo, a Member of the European Parliament for Éric Zemmour’s hard-right party Reconquête; the essayist Natacha Polony; the conservatives Valérie Boyer and François-Xavier Bellamy; and even the lawyer Juan Branco, whom no one will suspect of any fondness for the right.

    A retreat in two days

    On 7 October, about twenty social, cultural, trade-union and anti-racist organisations in the department issued a statement worrying about “the normalisation of certain ideas and their gradual entry into places of cultural life”, singling out the presence of Sarah Knafo and François Fillon. An online petition demanded the cancellation. On 9 October the venue announced that it had “decided not to rent out its hall”, unilaterally terminated a contract signed back in 2025, said it wished to “preserve” its “independence”, and described the event as “liable to disturb public order”. The petitioners greeted the news with a single word: “Victory!”

    Victory over what, exactly? Over a debate that had not yet taken place, between speakers no one had yet heard. One may judge François Fillon harshly — he was definitively convicted in 2025 of misappropriating public funds — or oppose Sarah Knafo’s ideas; that is everyone’s right, and debate exists for precisely that purpose. It is nobody’s right to decide, in place of the citizens, who may be heard.

    The state denies the danger

    The next day, the prefect of the Vaucluse, Thierry Suquet, the state’s representative in the department, issued a statement of unusual clarity. The prefecture “disputes any proven risk to public order, and any inability of the police to deal with possible demonstrations”. He added: “Brandishing the spectre of violence to prevent a political meeting is unacceptable, and constitutes a real threat to democracy. The clash of ideas must be a matter for debate, not for intimidation or the censorship of divergent ideas.”

    Everything has been said, and nothing has been repaired. The prefect takes note; he does not reopen the doors. France’s law of 30 June 1881 declares in its very first article that “public meetings are free”; it never foresaw that a freedom might die not by prohibition but by withdrawal. Therein lies the cleverness of the method: no decree, no judge, no one accountable. It is enough to cast the shadow of disorder and opprobrium over a private operator, and censorship accomplishes itself under the modest name of independence. Julien Aubert summed it up: these groups “went after the one party that had nothing to do with the event: the cultural venue”.

    A freedom that depends on who you are

    What must be called censorship by intimidation is not, in our view, an accident. It is the symptom of a democratic failure: in today’s France, the freedom of assembly of democratic opposition movements, from the republican right to the sovereigntists, is being hollowed out, not by law but by practice.

    Meanwhile, only one political force seems to hold the street without ever fearing that a door will be shut in its face: the far left, with La France insoumise (LFI) in the front rank. Let us be precise: none of the sources consulted attributes any role in the Avignon affair to LFI; the prefecture and the press speak of associations, collectives and unions. But an era is not judged on a single fact. It is the political culture that LFI has made its trademark — invective raised to a programme, the opponent consigned to infamy — that supplies the climate in which such methods thrive. To claim to be fighting fascism by preventing others from speaking is what one must call a red fascism, one that has traded the black shirt for a clear conscience. Julien Aubert says no less: “I call that fascism.”

    Complacency as a system

    The most troubling thing is not the boldness of some; it is the accommodation of others. The prefect found the right words, and he deserves credit for them. But a prefect’s statement, however apt, is no substitute for policy. A democracy in which holding a meeting depends on the courage of whoever rents out the hall is no longer quite a liberal democracy: it is a conditional democracy, one that lets the street set the limits of debate, provided it shouts loudly enough and from the right side.

    Resistance, he says

    Julien Aubert has not bowed. He says he has found another venue, which he has not named, has renamed the event the “Universities of Resistance”, has launched a petition to “defend democracy and freedom of expression against intimidation”, and has invited the groups opposing him to debate him on Thursday 22 October. The answer to speech one dislikes is not enforced silence; it is more speech. Let them come, then. The Republic has never feared a debate; it has only to fear those who prevent one.

    Quotations are translated from the French.

    Sources

  • At the Western Wall, Congo’s President Prays for Jerusalem: Israel’s African Gamble

    At the Western Wall, Congo’s President Prays for Jerusalem: Israel’s African Gamble

    TL;DR — On 1 September 2026, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, paid an official visit to Israel: welcomed by President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu, praying at the Western Wall and touring its tunnels, while his foreign minister met Gideon Sa’ar. Kinshasa, which pledged as early as 2023 to open an embassy in Jerusalem, reaffirmed that commitment.

    Some images sum up a policy. On 1 September 2026, in Jerusalem, Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, laid his hand on the stones of the Western Wall, wearing a kippah, and placed a prayer note between them before touring the Kotel tunnels. Received the same day by President Isaac Herzog and then by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while his foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, met Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the Congolese leader did not come as a mere visitor. He came to reaffirm a choice.

    A rare commitment: an embassy in Jerusalem

    The DRC belongs to the very small circle of countries that have pledged to place their embassy in Jerusalem. Tshisekedi announced it back in 2023; the move has since been delayed, with Israel due to open a mission in Kinshasa in return. This visit puts it back on track. In a world where recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital remains a weighty diplomatic act taken by only a handful of states, the Congolese commitment stands out — and would make the DRC the first sub-Saharan African country to take that step.

    The stakes for Congo

    For Kinshasa, drawing closer to Israel is far from symbolic. The DRC has for years faced a war in its east, where the M23 rebellion destabilises the Kivu provinces; a peace process with neighbouring Rwanda is under way and was raised during the visit. Congo is seeking partners in security, intelligence, cyber-defence and agriculture — fields in which Israeli expertise is recognised. Add the religious dimension: the DRC is an overwhelmingly Christian country, where support for Israel and attachment to Jerusalem run deep. Praying at the Kotel speaks to Tshisekedi’s electorate as much as to his partners.

    The stakes for Africa

    The Congolese move is part of a wider re-engagement. Long complicated, Israel’s relations with Africa are warming — and Jerusalem is cultivating it actively: cooperation in agriculture, water, solar energy, health and security. The DRC, a giant of 100 million people and a heavyweight of the African Union, matters. Its gesture may set an example on a continent where several capitals still hesitate between old solidarities and new interests. For Africa, the equation is clear: engaging Israel means access to breakthrough technologies in water, agrifood and digital — just when the continent needs them most.

    The stakes for Israel

    For Israel, finally, the visit is a diplomatic breath of fresh air. Under intense international pressure since October 2023 and facing attempts at isolation, the Jewish state needs open friends. An African head of state praying openly at the Western Wall and confirming his embassy in Jerusalem is a living rebuttal to the narrative of isolation. There is also a first-order strategic interest: the DRC holds the world’s largest cobalt reserves and major coltan and copper deposits — the critical minerals of the energy transition and the defence industry. Behind the prayer lies a geopolitical and economic card Jerusalem has every reason to play.

    A hand on the stone, a political signature

    By placing his hand on the Wall, Félix Tshisekedi did more than perform an act of faith. Before the world, he signed an alliance in the making — between an African giant rich in resources and youth, and an Israel seeking to break the circle of its isolation. The image must now become action: the promised embassy, security agreements, economic partnerships. But in Jerusalem, on that 1 September, the direction was unmistakable.

    FAQ

    Who is Félix Tshisekedi?

    The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on an official visit to Israel on 1 September 2026.

    What did he do in Jerusalem?

    He prayed at the Western Wall, placed a note between its stones and toured the tunnels, and was received by President Herzog and Prime Minister Netanyahu.

    Has the DRC moved its embassy to Jerusalem?

    It pledged to do so in 2023 and reaffirmed it; the actual move remains delayed, with Israel due to open an embassy in Kinshasa in return.

    Why does this visit matter?

    It seals a strategic rapprochement: security and technology for Congo, African openness and critical minerals for Israel, at a moment of heavy diplomatic pressure on Jerusalem.

    By Patrick Lancier

  • Captain Ella, Lieutenant Colonel: The Arab Israeli Woman Who Speaks to the Arab World for the IDF

    Captain Ella, Lieutenant Colonel: The Arab Israeli Woman Who Speaks to the Arab World for the IDF

    TL;DR — Born in Qalansawe, an Arab Muslim town in Israel’s Triangle region, Ella Waweya became the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson on 15 February 2026, succeeding Avichay Adraee. A lieutenant colonel, she is the highest-ranking Muslim in the IDF and the first woman to lead the army’s Arabic communications. Known as “Captain Ella,” she has more than half a million TikTok followers and 200,000 on X.

    Some life stories capture an entire society. Ella Waweya’s is one of them. On 15 February 2026, a quiet handover ceremony in Tel Aviv changed the face of Israeli military communications: Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language voice for nearly two decades, passed the role to a 36-year-old woman from an Arab town in central Israel. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, Ella Waweya becomes the highest-ranking Muslim in the Israeli army and the first woman to head its Arabic communications.

    Who is Ella Waweya?

    She was born on 16 October 1989 in Qalansawe, an Arab Muslim town in Israel’s Triangle region. She grew up at a time when, for many of her neighbours, the Israeli uniform still stood for the adversary. A teenager during the Second Intifada, she watched the conflict through Al Jazeera’s screen. Then came the day, at sixteen, when she was handed her Israeli ID card. One thought stayed with her: she is a citizen of this country. The rest of her life would be a patient answer to that fact.

    She was a serious student. She earned a BA with honours in communications from Netanya Academic College, followed by an MA — also with honours — in government and political marketing from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (Reichman University). She worked in the media, including radio, and founded the “Shared Life” project dedicated to Arab–Jewish coexistence. After national service at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba in 2011, she made a decision that would upend her life.

    A volunteer enlistment, kept secret

    In 2013, Ella Waweya volunteered for the IDF — service that Israeli law does not require of the country’s Arab citizens. She became the first female soldier from her region. By her own account she went so far as to collect the keys to the family’s mailboxes, to be sure the army’s letter would reach no eyes but her own. She hid her uniform for nearly a year and a half. In 2015, President Reuven Rivlin awarded her a distinction for excellence as a soldier.

    “Captain Ella”: a voice for the Arab world

    For seven years, under the name “Captain Ella,” she built a singular presence: an Israeli officer, a Muslim, an Arabic speaker, addressing the Arab world directly in its own language. Today she has more than half a million followers on TikTok and around 200,000 on X. Her work has earned commendations from Israel’s president, defence minister and chief of staff.

    She describes a job that is as much interpreter as spokesperson: tailoring each message to its audience. Before an Israeli or open audience, the tone is direct and pedagogical; before a hostile one, it takes firmness, visual proof, presence in the field. She likes to compare her mission to Plato’s allegory of the cave: the prisoners mistake the shadows on the wall for reality. Her role, she says, is not to paint prettier shadows but to testify to what lies outside — even when the outside is hard to look at.

    A symbol beyond a single career

    Her appointment is bigger than one woman’s path. In Qalansawe, some twenty young people have since followed the road she opened toward the army’s communications units. For them, the IDF is no longer only a hostile rumour: it is also the face of a woman from their own village, in uniform, speaking their language. In succeeding Avichay Adraee, Ella Waweya did not change her name when she changed her rank. The insignia changed. The composure did not.

    In a region that too often adds up identities as if they were contradictions, her path says the opposite: one can be Arab, Muslim, Israeli and an officer, without giving up anything. She embodies a rare and unapologetic pride — that of an Arab woman proud to be Israeli, who sees in her citizenship neither betrayal nor surrender, but full belonging. That may be the strongest message she carries, far beyond her official duties.

    FAQ

    Who is Captain Ella?

    Ella Waweya, an Israeli army officer born in 1989 in Qalansawe, known as “Captain Ella.” Since 15 February 2026 she has been the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson.

    What is her rank?

    Lieutenant colonel. She is the highest-ranking Muslim in the Israeli army.

    Whom did she replace?

    Colonel Avichay Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson for nearly two decades, who stepped down in early 2026.

    Why is her path exceptional?

    Israel’s Arab citizens are not subject to conscription. She volunteered in 2013, becoming the first female soldier from her region.

    By Patrick Lancier

  • Arsenal 3-0 Coventry: champions open Premier League title defence in control

    Arsenal 3-0 Coventry: champions open Premier League title defence in control

    TL;DR

    • Arsenal beat newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates on Friday 21 August 2026, in the opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League season.
    • Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard scored as the champions began their title defence.
    • New signing Christos Tzolis impressed on his Premier League return and was widely rated the game’s stand-out attacking threat.
    • Frank Lampard‘s Coventry, back in the top flight, were competitive in patches but never seriously threatened.
    • Mikel Arteta played down concerns over Bruno Guimaraes, who missed the opener.

    Opening nights rarely settle anything. This one came close. Arsenal, defending the title for the first time in more than two decades, took Coventry City apart 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium and left the rest of the Premier League with an uncomfortable thought: the champions look, if anything, more settled than they did in May.

    How did Arsenal win the Premier League opener?

    The pattern was set early. Arsenal controlled possession, stretched the pitch through the left flank and waited for the gaps to appear. Kai Havertz opened the scoring, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead, and Martin Odegaard added the third to close the game out well before the final whistle.

    Coventry, promoted last season, were not humiliated. They defended in a compact block for long spells and had moments on the counter. But the width and control Arsenal generated down the left proved decisive: once the champions moved the ball quickly from side to side, the visiting shape kept getting dragged out of position.

    Who stood out for the champions?

    Christos Tzolis, the new variable

    The summer arrival made an immediate impression on his Premier League return, repeatedly beating his man and giving Arsenal a directness they sometimes lacked last season. Pundits were quick to frame him as a potential x-factor in the title defence. One match is not a verdict, but it was a strong first argument.

    Havertz, Saka and Odegaard

    Havertz got the opener and, in doing so, restated his claim to lead the line. Saka looked sharp in an encouraging first outing. Odegaard, back in the role of chief creator, capped the night with the third. Declan Rice started and set the tempo in midfield.

    What did the managers say?

    Mikel Arteta called it close to a perfect start while resisting the temptation to draw conclusions from a single game. He also moved to calm speculation around Bruno Guimaraes, who did not feature, describing the issue as minor.

    Frank Lampard, for his part, was realistic about the gap in quality without treating the night as a disaster. For a promoted side, the away trip to the champions on matchweek one was always the hardest possible entry point to the season.

    What does this tell us about the 2026/27 title race?

    Three things. First, Arsenal’s structure survived the summer intact, which matters more than any single scoreline. Second, the squad now has an attacking option in Tzolis it did not have before. Third, the doubts have not vanished: Gary Neville used the broadcast to argue that Arsenal still lack a genuinely world-class centre-forward, a question the club did not resolve in the transfer window.

    A 3-0 win over a promoted side does not answer that. It does, however, buy Arteta the calmest possible start to a season in which the champions will be judged on whether they can do it twice.

    FAQ

    What was the score in Arsenal vs Coventry City?

    Arsenal won 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Friday 21 August 2026, in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 Premier League season.

    Who scored for Arsenal?

    Kai Havertz opened the scoring, Bukayo Saka added the second and Martin Odegaard scored the third.

    Why was Coventry City playing Arsenal in the Premier League?

    Coventry City were promoted to the Premier League and are managed by Frank Lampard. This was their opening fixture of the season in the top flight.

    Did Bruno Guimaraes play for Arsenal?

    No. He missed the opener, and Mikel Arteta played down the significance of the injury after the match.

    Who was Arsenal’s best player on the night?

    Ratings were broadly favourable across the side, with new signing Christos Tzolis singled out for an electric debut and Martin Odegaard among the highest-rated performers.

    By Patrick Lancier

  • US Economy Unexpectedly Loses 23,000 Jobs in July, Signaling a Cooling Labor Market

    US Economy Unexpectedly Loses 23,000 Jobs in July, Signaling a Cooling Labor Market

    By Patrick Lancier

    TL;DR — The latest US jobs report showed the economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July 2026, instead of adding positions as economists had forecast. The surprise decline points to a labor market shifting into reverse and adds pressure on policymakers weighing the path of interest rates.

    The US labor market delivered a jolt in July, with the economy shedding an estimated 23,000 jobs rather than posting the modest gains analysts had expected. The reversal, highlighted across major financial outlets, marks one of the clearest signs yet that hiring momentum has stalled after a long stretch of expansion.

    What did the July jobs report actually show?

    Instead of the net job creation that has characterized much of the recovery, payrolls contracted. A negative headline number is significant because it suggests employers are not merely slowing hiring but, on balance, cutting more roles than they are adding. Economists tend to treat an outright decline as a stronger warning signal than a simple slowdown in growth.

    Why the surprise matters

    Markets and forecasters had broadly anticipated continued, if softer, job gains. When the data comes in below expectations — and especially when it turns negative — it forces a reassessment of how resilient the economy really is heading into the second half of the year.

    What is driving the slowdown?

    A cooling labor market typically reflects a mix of factors: businesses becoming more cautious about costs, the delayed effects of tighter financial conditions, and uncertainty about consumer demand. While a single monthly reading can be noisy and subject to revision, a negative print reinforces the narrative that the jobs engine is losing power.

    What does it mean for interest rates?

    Weaker employment data often strengthens the case for looser monetary policy, as a softening labor market can ease inflation pressures. Investors will now scrutinize upcoming releases and central bank commentary for signals on whether rate cuts could come sooner to support growth. As always, policymakers will want to see whether one month becomes a trend before acting.

    What should readers watch next?

    Key items to monitor include revisions to the July figure, the unemployment rate, wage growth, and jobless claims in the coming weeks. Together, these indicators will clarify whether July was an outlier or the start of a more pronounced downturn in hiring.

    FAQ

    How many jobs did the US economy lose in July 2026?

    Reports indicate the economy unexpectedly lost about 23,000 jobs in July, instead of adding positions as forecast.

    Why is a negative jobs number important?

    An outright decline suggests employers are cutting more roles than they add, which is generally viewed as a stronger warning sign than a mere slowdown in hiring.

    Could this affect interest rates?

    A weaker labor market can strengthen the case for lower interest rates, though policymakers usually wait to confirm a trend before changing course.

    Is one month of data conclusive?

    No. Monthly figures can be volatile and are often revised, so analysts look at several months and related indicators before drawing firm conclusions.

  • Apple Raises Trade-In Values for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch — What Your Device Is Worth Now

    Apple Raises Trade-In Values for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch — What Your Device Is Worth Now

    By Patrick Lancier — Published August 7, 2026

    TL;DR

    • Apple has raised U.S. trade-in values for most iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models, effective this week.
    • Some devices are worth nearly 30% more; the iPhone 16 Pro Max now tops out at $720 (up from $695).
    • Several newer Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and OnePlus phones were added to the eligible list.
    • The move lands a few weeks before Apple’s traditional September iPhone launch window.

    Your old iPhone is suddenly worth more. Apple quietly updated its official trade-in program this week, lifting the maximum values it pays for most of its own devices — and widening the door for Android switchers.

    What are the new iPhone trade-in values?

    The biggest gains are concentrated in recent flagship models. The iPhone 16 Pro Max now commands up to $720, up from $695, while the iPhone 16 Pro jumps from $560 to $630 — one of the largest single increases in the update. Older models rise too: the iPhone 15 Pro Max moves from $490 to $530, the iPhone 14 Pro Max from $375 to $405, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max from $320 to $340.

    What about iPad, Mac and Apple Watch?

    Apple applied the same treatment across its lineup: most iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models received higher maximums, with some devices gaining close to 30% compared with the previous schedule, according to reporting by 9to5Mac, MacRumors and AppleInsider. As always, Apple notes that final values depend on the condition, year and configuration of the device, and that not all devices are eligible for credit.

    Why is Apple raising values now?

    Apple did not explain the change, but the calendar speaks for itself: the company traditionally unveils its new iPhone generation in September. More generous trade-in offers lower the effective price of an upgrade and help lock customers into Apple’s ecosystem — a strategy the company has leaned on as device prices have crept upward. Adding recent Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and OnePlus models to the eligible list serves the same goal, making it cheaper for Android users to switch.

    Should you trade in with Apple or elsewhere?

    Apple’s program remains the most convenient route — values are applied instantly toward a new purchase or refunded to a gift card. But convenience has a price: independent buyback services and carrier promotions often beat Apple’s figures, sometimes by a wide margin. If you are planning to upgrade this fall, it is worth getting two or three quotes before handing over your device.

    FAQ

    How much more is Apple paying for trade-ins now?

    Most iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models saw higher maximum values, with some devices jumping by close to 30%. For example, the iPhone 16 Pro went from $560 to $630, an increase of $70.

    What is the iPhone 16 Pro Max trade-in value in 2026?

    Apple now offers up to $720 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, up from $695. Actual value depends on the device’s condition, storage configuration and year.

    Can I trade in an Android phone at Apple?

    Yes. Apple expanded its trade-in list with several newer Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and OnePlus models, which can be traded toward the purchase of a new Apple device.

    Is Apple’s trade-in program the best deal?

    Not always. Apple’s program is the most convenient option, but third-party buyback services and carrier promotions frequently pay more for the same device, so it is worth comparing offers before trading in.

    Why did Apple raise trade-in values now?

    Apple has not given a reason, but the timing — a few weeks ahead of its traditional September launch window — suggests the company wants to encourage upgrades to its upcoming devices.

    By Patrick Lancier


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