The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Is Sisi overstepping the judiciary? President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has appointed a new public prosecutor, without referring to the Supreme Judicial Council, as per constitutional amendments recently approved, which raised the anger of the country's judiciary. Egypt
Petra bus attack exposes divisions within local Jordanian community A recent attack on a tourist bus in Petra seems linked to ongoing tensions between the Bdoul and Layathna tribes, who compete with each other for revenues in Petra’s souvenir and tourism hospitality economy. Jordan
Taxing use of Egypt's beaches stirs wave of controversy Egypt announced a plan to impose a tax fee on resorts and tourist facilities on public beaches, stirring controversy. Egypt
Palestinian school to produce anti-corruption experts The Palestinian Anti-Corruption Academy plans to launch next year to train Palestinians with skills to curb corruption. Palestine
Congress pushes Trump to reopen US Consulate in Iraq’s Basra province The State Department closed the US Consulate in Iraq’s Basra province nearly a year ago. Now Congress is laying the groundwork to reopen it. Iraq
Turkish regulator aims to hasten banking sector recovery as loan market remains weak A Turkish regulator instructed banks to write off $8.1 billion in bad debt, but analysts question whether the delayed move will suffice when it comes to reviving the nation’s troubled loan market. Turkey
Israelis embrace Gantz as Bibi's opposite The level head and plain good luck that have accompanied Benny Gantz throughout his military career could now get the Blue and White leader into the premier’s seat. Israel
Will Israel’s gatekeepers block Netanyahu? Now more than ever before, Israel’s gatekeepers must protect the country from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israel
Israel’s center-left needs Arab parties more than ever If Blue and White leader Benny Gantz neglects to reward the Arab sector for its crucial role in bringing down the government of Benjamin Netanyahu, he will find himself back in the opposition. Israel
Avigdor Liberman’s political big bang Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman succeeded in creating a true political big bang and is now holding the keys for the composition of the next government. Israel
The surprising political tactics of Israel’s Arab party The Joint List decided not to immediately recommend Benny Gantz for premiership so that he does not form a unity party with the Likud and leave the Joint List out. Israel
Israel gets new chance to reach arrangement with Palestinians If Blue and White leader Benny Gantz composes the new government and invites Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Liberman to be part of it, then these two men must focus on reaching an arrangement with Hamas. Palestine
