Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
Culture Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year. Israel
Middle East airlines to suffer losses again in 2022 The International Air Transport Association said that airlines in the region will fare somewhat better financially due to the return of long-haul flights. Legacy: Gulf
Israel expects post-COVID tourism rebound this summer Israeli experts do not expect tourism to reach this summer the record level of 2019, but they certainly notice a trend of increase on both outbound and incoming tourism. Israel
Turkey aims to vaccinate 50 million by fall, health minister says Turkey, a country of 89 million people, has so far administered more than 10.5 million doses of the coronavirus vaccine. Turkey
Knesset advances proposal on electronic bracelet for returning Israelis The Knesset approved a first reading of a bill requiring those returning to Israel to self-isolate at home and wear an electronic bracelet that shows where they are. Israel
Palestinian Authority reimposes lockdowns amid lack of vaccines A year after the COVID-19 pandemic erupted in the Palestinian territories, the government reimposed total lockdown measures in several governorates in the West Bank amid the unprecedented rise in cases and deaths and the drained health care sector. Palestine
Would Israeli ultra-Orthodox bail on Netanyahu, Likud? Feeling betrayed by their own leadership on the handling of the coronavirus, young, modern ultra-Orthodox might shift their support to Bezalel Smotrich’s radical right-wing religious party. Israel
Israel begins vaccination drive for Palestinian workers More than 122,000 Palestinians working in Israel or its settlements are eligible to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Palestine
Syrian President Assad, wife test positive for COVID-19 The president and first lady Asma are in good health and getting treated at home. The country has yet to obtain vaccines, and the UN fears cases are much higher in Syria than reported. Syria
Egypt starts vaccinating sick, elderly The country first gave vaccine doses to medical staff and is now offering vaccines to the wider population. Egypt
Israel set to vaccinate 120,000 Palestinian workers After much controversy and debate, the Cabinet approved for the Health Ministry to start vaccinating 120,000 Palestinian workers on Sunday. Palestine
New Kuwaiti Cabinet takes office after dispute with parliament The government will be tasked with tending to the country's financial difficulties and the pandemic following a dispute between the prime minister and parliament. Originals
Rights group accuses Palestinian Authority of vaccine corruption The Ramallah-based Independent Commission for Human Rights said the Palestinian Authority is giving out vaccine doses based on personal relationships and not medical need. Palestine
Saudi Arabia to require COVID-19 vaccine for this year's hajj The Saudi government is mandating pilgrims be vaccinated but hasn't yet said whether attendance will be limited. Saudi Arabia
Iraq begins administering COVID-19 vaccines The vaccination process is underway throughout the country ahead of Pope Francis' visit. Iraq
![A health worker arranges vials of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine at the Clalit Health Services in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Beit Hanina, in the Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on March 2, 2021. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by AHMAD GHARABLI has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [March 2] instead of [March 3]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention from all your online services and delete it from yo](/sites/default/files/styles/article_header/public/almpics/2021/03/GettyImages-1231471153.jpg/GettyImages-1231471153.jpg?h=a5ae579a&itok=3-tYjDEw)
