Middle East Experience

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) advocacy group said it has opened an office in the United Arab Emirates, its first in the Arab region, in a move welcomed by the Gulf state’s foreign minister to promote dialog.The UAE and Bahrain established ties with Israel last year in US-brokered deals called the Abraham Accords.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“We are thrilled to have you,” Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan told the group’s virtual annual global forum on Monday. “Your presence in the UAE is ... part of changing mindsets.”Sheikh Abdullah and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif Al-Zayani reiterated that the accords, which Sudan and Morocco have also signed, aimed to help bring lasting peace and prosperity through cooperation in fields such as technology and health.“We have to be tolerant to thrive ... in a challenging neighborhood,” the Emirati minister said.He said the global effort to “challenge extremism and radical ideas has not been appropriate”.The UAE has pressed on with plans to further ties with Israel, despite Israel-Hamas hostilities last month.Sheikh Abdullah said finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would require “strategic” thinking on both sides.Read more:UAE and Bahrain peace agreements with Israel: Implications and repercussionsGCC Jewish communities form regional alliance; plan to establish Jewish courtJews in GCC countries get 650 pounds of matzah ahead of Passover
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: ‘Thrilled to have you’: UAE welcomes American Jewish advocacy group

The deal focuses on making it easier for large tourist groups to travel to Iran and Russia.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iran and Russia sign visa waiver agreement

Named after the late Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid, the hospital will treat cancer patients..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Dh220 million raised for UAE’s first charity hospital

Parliament speaker Yariv Levin announced the Knesset will hold a vote of confidence this weekend, to be followed by the swearing-in of the new government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli lawmakers to vote on anti-Netanyahu government Sunday

Critics say US president’s realpolitik ignores Sisi regime’s ‘hostage-taking tactics’ against dissidents..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Biden accused of U-turn over Egypt’s human rights abuses

In response to the news that Mustafa al-Darwish could face imminent execution after his case was referred to the Presidency of State Security following the Supreme Court upholding his death sentence, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Lynn Maalouf said:.
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Saudi Arabia must halt imminent execution of young man

The 74-year-old was considered a descendent of the Prophet Mohammed and helped found Hezbollah and the IRGC, and lost his hand in an attempted assassination by Israel.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Iran cleric who helped found IRGC, Hezbollah in Lebanon dies of COVID-19

At some of Beirut's most popular nightclubs, where the Middle East's jet set would gather and dance into the early hours, the music has stopped and disco balls are gathering dust above abandoned dance floors and gutted buildings..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The music stops at Beirut's fabled nightclubs

"Will we be pushovers to Iran? Will we let it support and carry out terror? Destroy embassies?”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen: Will West go easy on Iran?

Lebanon recorded 173 coronavirus cases and five deaths in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said Tuesday..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon registers 173 COVID-19 cases, 5 deaths in last 24 hours