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
Gazan medical masks make a statement Gazan artists use masks, sand sculptures and performance art to create awareness on social isolation and protection during the coronavirus pandemic. Palestine
Coronavirus resurging in Iran hotspots amid partial reopening At least three Iranian provinces are experiencing a resurgence of the coronavirus after the government partially relaxed lockdown measures. Iran
Cloud of doubt surrounds coronavirus figures reported by Iraqi government There is great skepticism in Iraqi society and in the media about the government’s statistics of how many people have been infected by and died from the coronavirus. Iraq
Extended lockdown brings more burdens for Syrian Kurds Residents in the Kurdish-controlled areas in Syria are criticizing the autonomous administration’s lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, in the absence of alternative sources of income. Syria
Is coronavirus good for health of Turkish-US relations? The coronavirus could offer Recep Tayyip Erdogan an opportunity to defer a fresh crisis with Washington over the Russian S-400 air defense systems, which he had pledged to activate in April but whose cost has now grown on multiple fronts. Turkey
The show must go on: Egypt's Ramadan soap operas defy COVID-19 Egyptian production teams are racing against time to complete the TV shows they hope will bring some Ramadan cheer to Egyptian and Arab audiences during the crisis. Egypt
Egyptian village cordoned off amid coronavirus outbreak The Egyptian government imposed a lockdown on a village in Giza governorate after discovering several cases of the coronavirus, but it is helping the residents to get through this. Egypt
Egyptian MP proposes compulsory citizen donations to fight COVID-19 An Egyptian parliamentarian is planning to submit a bill obliging citizens to make donations to a government fund in order to help in the fight against the coronavirus, with some saying mandatory donations are illegal and a form of taxation. Egypt
Banks can't save Gulf economies Because of the way they are set up, GCC banks will have a hard time providing the funds that could help jump-start regional economies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll. Legacy: Gulf
Netanyahu’s moment of truth Israel may be headed for its fourth set of elections in a little more than a year. Israel
Gaza resumes coronavirus testing, but equipment remains in short supply COVID-19 testing has resumed in the Gaza Strip with kits from the World Health Organization, but testing supplies will soon run out again in the impoverished enclave. Palestine
Israel and Turkey, first signs of warming up? The recent publication over Turkey selling to Israel medical equipment to fight the coronavirus could signal a small, yet significant warming up of relations. Palestine
