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
Gaza officials warn fragile health care system ‘cannot survive’ coronavirus After Gaza confirmed two cases of the coronavirus, health officials fear the territory is not prepared to handle the expected spread. Palestine
Rouhani calls US offer to fight coronavirus 'great lie’ President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have both rejected a US offer to help fight the coronavirus and say the United States is instead preventing them from being able to fight back against the pandemic. Iran
Arab legislators at last to head major Knesset committees Blue and White leader Benny Gantz took a courageous and historic move by pushing for two Arab legislators to head Knesset committees. Israel
Palestinians launch initiatives to fight COVID-19 outbreak Dozens of individual and community-based initiatives were launched in the West Bank following the declaration of a state of emergency when COVID-19 infections were detected in Bethlehem. Palestine
Under nationwide curfew, Jordanians now ponder economic cost of coronavirus Jordan has taken some measures to contain the economic repercussions of the coronavirus, but some analysts believe they are not enough to avoid total collapse. Jordan
Egypt takes economic action to counter coronavirus effects The Egyptian government announced a series of widely welcomed economic measures to help protect the industrial sector against the negative repercussions of the coronavirus. Egypt
Why some Iranians are opposed to closing religious shrines to fight coronavirus The Iranian government's decision to close religious shrines in Qom, Mashhad and Greater Tehran to combat the spread of COVID-19 has caused an outcry among some who oppose the move for reasons of tradition or religion. Iraq
Coronavirus in Syria: a catastrophe in the making The Syrian government has stepped up measures to tackle the spreading novel coronavirus amid growing fears among Syrians of the pandemic’s catastrophic spread in light of their harsh living and humanitarian situation. Syria
After bragging about being virus-free, first COVID-19 cases confirmed in Gaza Palestinians in the Gaza Strip had been shrugging off a lockdown announced by PA, saying Gaza had no virus cases. Saudi Arabia
Ankara’s economic measures bring little relief against virus crisis The embattled Turkish lira has continued to nosedive and Turkey’s risk premium has climbed to new highs despite a package of government measures to stem the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Turkey
Iran’s leadership defends coronavirus handling in Nowruz addresses Iran's supreme leader canceled his public Nowruz speech and instead addressed Iranians on state TV. Iran
Is there a coronavirus peace dividend for Israelis and Palestinians? Cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian leaders to contain the coronavirus sparks hope for deeper cooperation as Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz edge closer to a unity government. Palestine
