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
Iran officials defend ban on US, UK COVID vaccines Iranian officials have said they will begin vaccinating their population in the spring and do not have confidence in Western vaccines. Iran
Coronavirus crisis propels Israeli mayors to front stage With the government in a perpetual state of crisis, the coronavirus pandemic propelled Israeli mayors to a position of unprecedented prominence. Israel
Israel tightens lockdown measures Israel added more restrictions on top of its lockdown as coronavirus cases continue to spread rapidly. On the other hand, Israel is successfully rolling out the vaccine. Israel
Israel, UAE top Middle East vaccination rates Other countries in the region have only just recently imported vaccines, and the status of vaccination in Iran and Syria in particular is unclear. Legacy: Gulf
Iran's supreme leader bans vaccines made in US, UK Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said he had "no confidence" in the American or British-made vaccinations. Iran
Oil prices at highest since February 2020 following Saudi output cut Oil producers are concerned that the continued COVID-19 pandemic could hurt demand. Legacy: Gulf
Lebanon returns to lockdown as virus cases spike The lockdown, which runs through Feb. 1, mandates an overnight curfew and the closure of most businesses. Lebanon
2020 was a bad year for Gaza hotel-turned quarantine centers Hotels in the Gaza Strip were unable to host New Year's Eve parties as they turned into quarantine centers due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has led them to incur great losses that bode ill for the sector. Palestine
Israel’s Netanyahu seeks another delay in corruption trial Lawyers for the prime minister say the latest coronavirus lockdown in Israel has left them unable to prepare for next week's hearing. Israel
Iran reports first case of new COVID-19 strain The infected individual reportedly returned from the United Kingdom recently. Iran
New congresswoman criticizes Israel over vaccines for Palestinians Illinois Democrat Marie Newman said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should ensure that Palestinians in the West Bank are also vaccinated. The Palestinian Authority is reportedly exploring getting vaccines from Israel. Palestine
Lebanon to enter new national lockdown Thursday An overnight curfew and other restrictions will run through Feb. 1. Lebanon
