Middle East Experience

A video surfaced online reportedly depicting supporters of the Iran-backed Houthi militia performing the Nazi salute and shouting anti-America and anti-Semitic slogans.“Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse the Jews,” a mob of Houthi militiamen is seen chanting while doing the Nazi salute in the video allegedly shared by an American supporter of the group on Saturday.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Dozens of videos have surfaced in recent years with Houthis blatantly expressing anti-Semitic and anti-American rhetoric during ceremonies, military recruitments, and other large gatherings and events.In March, a video posted online showed an African migrant who had been recruited by the Iran-backed militia saying: “Death to America. Death to Israel,” repeating a fighter’s chant.In November 2020, the Yemeni embassy in Washington released a statement condemning the Houthis for “unabashedly” showcasing their “appalling anti-American and anti-Semitic rhetoric” during a police academy graduation ceremony in Yemen’s Sanaa.A video shared by the embassy on Twitter at the time showed uniformed men holding the Nazi salute and chanting, “Death to America. Death to Israel. Curse the Jews.”Yemen’s embassy at the time called on the international community to condemn the Houthis’ “brazen” and “hateful” behavior, adding that the group will turn the country into a police state if they are not stopped.Iran backs the Houthis in their war against the internationally recognized government and supplies the group with weapons, and has trained the militia in manufacturing weapons.Read more:Yemeni army advances in Marib, other fronts: SPAVideos surface online reportedly showing Iran-backed Houthi child soldier recruitmentSaudi air defenses intercept Houthi explosive drone targeting southern Saudi Arabia
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Houthi supporters hold Nazi salute, chant anti-America, anti-Semitic slogans in video

The United Arab Emirates supports Saudi Arabia’s decision to ban the import of fruits and vegetables from Lebanon after it was revealed that they were used to smuggle drugs into the Kingdom, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported on Sunday.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed its support for the measures taken by Saudi Arabia to protect its society from drugs and supports all the steps the Kingdom will take to combat the crime.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The ministry called for the development of technologies and the implementation of measures to curb the smuggling of drugs.The ban came after Saudi Customs foiled an attempt to smuggle over 5 million pills of Captagon stuffed inside fruits imported from Lebanon, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).The drug is used by fighters at war because of the effects it can have to fight tiredness. It is an amphetamine that has widely been made and exported illegally from Lebanon.Saudi Arabia said the ban will remain in effect until Lebanese authorities provide sufficient and reliable guarantees that they will take the necessary steps to halt systemic drug smuggling operations.Read more:Saudi Arabia announces ban on fruits, vegetables from Lebanon due to drug smugglingKuwait intends to halt import of Lebanese fruits, vegetables following Saudi banLebanon vows to do more on drug smuggling after Saudi ban on fruit, vegetable imports
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: UAE says it supports Saudi Arabia’s ban on fruit, vegetable imports from Lebanon

At least 82 people died and 110 were wounded in a Baghdad COVID-19 hospital fire overnight Sunday, the Iraqi interior ministry said in a new toll.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“The interior ministry announces the death of 82 people and injury of 110 in the Ibn al-Khatib fire accident,” it said in a statement carried by state media.
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: 82 killed in Baghdad COVID-19 hospital fire: Iraqi interior ministry

The Afrin Liberation Forces, which has escalated attacks against the Turkish-backed opposition in the Aleppo countryside, is being secretive about the sources of its support, weapons and training.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: New Kurdish group in Syria attacks Turkish-backed opposition in Afrin

Nearly one-and-a-half million people have passed through the gates of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, in the first ten days of Ramadan 2021.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.People performing the Umrah pilgrimage as well as other worshippers have been able to visit Islam’s holiest site during a pandemic as precautionary measures are being enforced, according to the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA).The capacity of the Mataf Courtyard, where worshippers walk along paths circling the Kabaa, has been expanded to allow attendees to maintain distance from one another and reduce the chance of infection.Entry into the Grand Mosque is controlled through the Earmarna app, through which pilgrims are allocated specific time slots. Visitors must be vaccinated and masks are mandatory.Official permits are necessary to perform Umrah this year. Saudi officials said earlier this month that anyone attempting to perform the pilgrimage without having obtained a permit would be liable for a $2,666 (10,000 Saudi riyal) fine.Read more: Saudi Arabia to grant Umrah permits during Ramadan for vaccinated peopleSaudi Arabia to fine pilgrims $2,666 for attempting Ramadan Umrah without permitsSaudi Arabia to increase Mecca Grand Mosque capacity for Umrah in Ramadan
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Almost 1.5 mln worshippers visit Grand Mosque in first ten days of Ramadan

The killing of Chadian President Idriss Deby causes Egyptian security concerns.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: What killing of Chadian president means for Egypt

Turkey’s government has failed to respond to inquiries about a report stating that an Iranian woman was arrested and deported after visiting the Israeli embassy in Ankara.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.A government spokesperson has acknowledged but not responded to multiple requests for comment by the Jerusalem Post.The woman was arrested by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) when leaving the embassy, according to a Fox News report citing an anonymous source.She was then deported and ended up being jailed in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison that houses political dissidents, the source told Fox.The source also told Fox News that the woman had visited Tel Aviv with her boyfriend on an Iranian passport and “most likely was involved in doing something for the Israelis.”Turkey has a history of colluding with the Iranian regime in extraditing political dissidents.Despite this, it remains a popular choice for those fleeing persecution, as it is one of the few countries that Iranians can travel to without a visa, and it shares land borders with the Islamic Republic.On April 5, Kurdish activist Afshin Sohrabzadeh was arrested after visiting a police station to obtain travel documents and sent to a deportation camp charged with threatening to undermine Turkey’s security.He had served seven years out of a 25-year jail term in Iran before escaping across the border during a hospital visit in 2016. He is likely to face the death penalty on his return to Iran.Read more: Iran opposition refugees in Turkey face execution amid Ankara-Tehran collusionUS believes Iran ‘directly involved’ in assassination of Iranian dissident in TurkeyWith history of killings, abductions Turkey is no safe haven for Iranian dissidents
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Turkish government remains silent on deportation of Iranian woman

Hossam el-Badry, Egypt's national team coach, has tested positive for Covid-19..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Egypt's national football team coach positive for coronavirus

The Mediterranean island and Lebanon have an agreement to curb the arrival of migrant boats..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon thwarts attempt to smuggle 69 Syrians to Cyprus

Prof. Ronni Gamzu will speak about corona, medical innovation and aliyah
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: How Israel emerged from COVID-19 - Live interview with Prof. Ronni Gamzu