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
Ultra-Orthodox welcome soldiers’ help in battle against coronavirus When the ultra-Orthodox residents of Bnei Brak realized that the army was there to help them against the coronavirus, their negative attitudes changed almost overnight. Israel
In Israel, Arabs feel sidelined in struggle against coronavirus The Arab community has been disappointed with Israeli government communications about the coronavirus. Israel
Netanyahu puts settlers before Israel, again Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blew up coalition talks following right-wing attacks against him for letting Blue and White control the committee that appoints Supreme Court justices. Israel
Syrian camps brace for potential COVID-19 outbreak Doctors are deeply concerned about the devastation likely to occur if the coronavirus spreads into northwest Syria, particularly the camps for the displaced. Syria
Millions of Egyptians out in the streets despite coronavirus lockdown Many irregular workers in Egypt are turning a blind eye to the curfew and measures imposed by authorities and heading to work, as they are concerned about making ends meet. Egypt
How is Lebanon dealing with refugee camps amid coronavirus outbreak? Since the coronavirus reached Lebanon, there have been growing concerns about the spread of the epidemic inside the country’s overcrowded Palestinian and Syrian refugee camps. Lebanon
Intel: Netanyahu, Gantz strike West Bank annexation deal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his rival, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz, struck a deal today to annex parts of the West Bank as part of their bid to form a unity government. Palestine
Intel: Iran accuses US of blocking IMF loan request to fight coronavirus The secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council publicly accused the United States on Sunday of blocking Iran’s request for a $5 million emergency loan request from the International Monetary Fund to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic that has ravaged the country. United States
Lebanon calls on international donors to provide coronavirus relief funds Lebanon's president said he welcomed any financial assistance from "the friends of Lebanon.” Lebanon
Several rockets land near site of US oil company Halliburton in Iraq Three rockets have landed near a residential and office complex operated by Halliburton in the southern province of Basra. No casualties have been reported. Iraq
Egypt, Jordan pay for luxury quarantine to rein in coronavirus Hotels and resorts in Egypt have welcomed people who have to be quarantined or who want to self-isolate; in Jordan, the government paid for Jordanians to be quarantined in Dead Sea resorts to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Egypt
Tel Aviv, the city that never stops, now paralyzed Although Tel Aviv is known as "the city that never stops," its entire entertainment and tourism scene — plays, other performances, bars, restaurants and hotels, the seashore — have come to a halt as a result of the coronavirus. Israel
