Middle East Experience

Three new parties ready to run * Yisrael Beytenu and Yesh Atid announce similar vote-sharing deal
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Yamina and New Hope sign surplus-vote sharing agreement

The company lists the option of receiving the tests on its website, which has confused several travelers.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Still no 4-hour COVID-19 test at Ben-Gurion Airport

The i24NEWS is now available to UAE households, after the country's controversial normalisation agreement with Israel..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Emiratis can now watch Israeli TV from their homes after UAE adds two news channels

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement Monday that the vessel was seized over "environmental pollution."
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: South Korea dispatches anti-piracy unit after Iran seizes oil tanker

Top stories on #TheRoundUp today Deal to end GCC dispute to be announced at summit Qatari-Saudi border ‘preparing to reopen’ COVID-19 vaccine age threshold lowered @udcqatar denies social media rumours about mosques in The Pearl..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: The Round Up 4 Jan 2021 – Doha News

Lebanon announces new curfew hours between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon announces new curfew hours between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.

The plan was agreed upon by Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz and Finance Minister Israel Katz, in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israel to present new economic plan for small businesses

Emirati intelligence reportedly arrested Iranians who were suspected of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks against Israelis, though the UAE has said this was "wholly false."
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: UAE deny reports of foiling terror attack in Dubai

Egypt will open its airspace with Qatar, Al Arabiya sources reported on Tuesday, adding that implementation will be contingent on the fulfillment of Egyptian requirements.According to Al Arabiya sources, Egypt still has a number of reservations in regards to Qatar’s ties to the Muslim Brotherhood as well as Qatari media coverage against Cairo.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.One of Egypt’s main demands is that Doha does not interfere in Egyptian affairs, the sources told Al Arabiya.Despite the reservations, the Egyptian government will not act as an obstacle in the reconciliation efforts of between the members of the GCC, the sources said.Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry flew to Saudi Arabia to take part in the 41st Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, Reuters reported citing an official source.The minister signed the AlUla Declaration, which was announced by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, calling an end to the political rift with Qatar.The decision to sign the declaration is in line with Egypt’s continued support and solidarity with the countries of the Arab Quartet, and in an effort to enhance joint Arab action in facing the grave challenges in the region, the minister said.This comes a day after Kuwait’s foreign minister had announced that Saudi Arabia would be reopening its borders with Qatar starting from Jan. 4, three years after diplomatic and trade ties were severed.Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla for the summit on Tuesday and was greeted with a hug from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.The summit is expected to see the signing of a deal between the GCC member states that would end the ongoing political rift.Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt cut diplomatic and trade links with Doha in 2017.Read more:Qatar’s Emir heads to Saudi Arabia’s AlUla for GCC SummitGCC Secretary-General says Saudi-Qatari borders reopening reflects ‘deep-rooted’ tiesSaudi Arabia’s ancient city of AlUla hosts the 41st GCC Summit
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Egypt says it will open its airspace with Qatar pending fulfillment of demands

All six delegations from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have signed the final communique and the AlUla declaration at the Maraya Hall in Saudi Arabia’s AlUla.The special summit this year marks a new shift in relations with Qatar, whose Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani arrived on a Qatar Airways plane and was greeted by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.During his opening speech at the summit, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said GCC member states “desperately need to” unify their efforts to advance the region and face the challenges that surround them, especially when it comes to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile program.The summit in AlUla comes a day after Saudi Arabia reopened its airspace and land and sea borders to Qatar, marking an end of a three-year boycott in diplomatic and trade ties between the two countries.Bahrain’s delegation is being represented by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who was the first to arrive at the Prince Abdul Majeed Bin Abdulaziz Domestic Airport in AlUla.“We thank Saudi Arabia for its efforts to promote the march and unity of the Gulf Cooperation Council,” Prince Salman bin Hamad said.The United Arab Emirates delegation is being headed by Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid while Oman’s delegation is being led by Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud al-Said.Kuwait, who has played a major role as mediator between the boycotting countries and Qatar for the past several years, sent its Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.Read more:Saudi Arabia’s ancient city of AlUla hosts the 41st GCC SummitGCC Summit: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince welcomes Qatari Emir to AlUla with a hugSaudi Arabia reopens airspace, borders to Qatar: Kuwait minister
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: GCC Summit in Saudi Arabia: Leaders sign final communique, AlUla declaration