Middle East Experience

More than 1,000 new cases in the last day.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Health officials to reconsider mall pilot after severe overcrowding

The killing of Fakhrizadeh is major news globally. As such it is a huge embarrassment for Iran.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Fakhrizadeh assassination a huge embarrassment for Iran

Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz was also quick to condemn the antisemitic attack.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Catholic cardinal condemns antisemitic attack on rabbi in Vienna

Caravan participants will later join protests outside of the Prime Minister's Residence.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Protest caravan with huge submarine, F-35 props makes way to Jerusalem

Isrotel will stay closed until Monday.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: 10 staffers at Dead Sea hotel infected with coronavirus

Saudi Arabia hosted the G20 Riyadh Leaders’ Summit this weekend, bringing together world leaders from the most powerful countries and the European Union.The summit was a culmination of Saudi Arabia’s presidency of the G20, which focused on three key areas: empowering people, safeguarding the planet, and shaping new frontiers for the future.The summit, which took place virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic, addressed the key challenges facing the world today, including COVID-19 and climate change.Here is a summary of the key events.Final communiqueSaudi Arabia and other world leaders reinforced their commitment to supporting health care workers and developing safe and effective COVID-19 solutions, pushing the sustainability needle forward, and creating a more equal world at the G20 Riyadh summit.“We, the G20 Leaders, meeting for the second time under the Saudi Presidency, stand united in our conviction that coordinated global action, solidarity, and multilateral cooperation are more necessary today than ever to overcome the current challenges and realize opportunities of the 21st century for all by empowering people, safeguarding the planet, and shaping new frontiers,” read a statement from the final communique of the G20 leaders.“We are committed to leading the world in shaping a strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive post-COVID-19 era,” it continued.Coronavirus commitmentsAs coronavirus continues to threaten lives and livelihoods in myriad sectors, G20 sought to ensure support across sectors, including trade and investment, transportation and travel, sustainable development, access to opportunities, gender inclusivity, and education.At the summit, the countries pledged more than $21 billion to the fight against coronavirus.G20 efforts have temporarily extended social protection measures to 645 million people according to estimates from the International Labour Organization.The countries also pledged to pay for a fair distribution of coronavirus vaccines to ensure poorer nations were not left out and to extend debt relief for those countries.The G20 leaders said in their final declaration they will “spare no effort” to ensure the fair distribution of vaccines against the coronavirus worldwide, and support poor countries whose economies have been hit by the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.SustainabilityThe Kingdom also highlighted its Circular Carbon Economy for clean energy, noting their “big plans“ for renewable energy, including wind and solar which will generate 50 percent of the country’s electricity by 2030.A statement from the European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen said the G20 summit could be a new beginning for global cooperation.She noted that the US would be welcome to return to the Paris Climate Agreement following President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. President Donald Trump announced in 2017 his intention to pull out from the agreement.Trump, however, has defended his decision, calling it “unfair and one-sided.”“2020 has been a very difficult year. But the G20 rose to the challenge and it provided leadership. In fact, the G20 has proven a strong pillar and a key partner for the European Union, helping us to keep international cooperation running,” she said.In one G20 session, presenters gave examples of how to create a more sustainable world. One of which would be a closed-loop shipping system where boxes and packaging are reused; another would be switching from wooden shipping pallets to plastic pallets that can be recycled and can be used up to 40 times more than their wooden counterparts.EducationOn education, the final communique read “We stress the importance of continuity of education in times of crisis through the implementation of measures to ensure safe in-person learning, effective quality distance and blended teaching and learning, as appropriate. Inclusive, equitable and quality education for all, especially for girls, remains key to unlocking a brighter future and fighting inequalities.”Read more:At a glance: G20 Engagement Groups and their rolesWhat is the G20, and what is different at this year’s Riyadh summit?This year's G20 Riyadh summit in picturesLegacyIn his closing remarks, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abzulaziz said “We have achieved a lot this year. We have upheld our commitment to continue to work together to rise to the challenge I of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to safeguard lives and livelihoods and protect the most vulnerable groups. We have adopted important policies that will achieve recovery all the way to an economy that is resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and balanced.”Speaking from the virtual summit that gathered world leaders from the most powerful countries and the European Union, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said “The G20, since its foundation, has been an essential link among our countries. It has demonstrated the vitality of its role, over the years, to deal with economic, financial, social, and environmental issues.”
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: G20 Riyadh Summit wraps up, leaders commit to fighting COVID-19, sustainable future

Emirates airlines will provide free multi-risk travel insurance to all passengers on top of existing COVID-19 cover, the airline announced on Monday.All flights purchased from December 1 will be eligible for the new insurance. It will also extend to any flights code sharing with Emirates whose ticket numbers begin with 176.For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.The Dubai-based airline said the insurance would be provided by AIG Travel and was an “industry-first.”“We’re very pleased to be able to now provide this new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover, which is another industry first, to all our customers,” said Emirates Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum in a statement.“By launching this new multi-risk travel insurance and COVID-19 cover, we aim to give our customers even more confidence in making their travel plans this winter and moving into 2021,” he added.Read more: Coronavirus: UK removes UAE, Bahrain from COVID-19 travel quarantine listCoverage breakdownAccording to Emirates, here are some of the highlights of the coverage:Emirates customers will be covered when they fly to any destination, in any class of travel. Highlights of the coverage include:“Out-of-Country Emergency Medical Expenses & Emergency Medical Evacuation up to US$500,000, valid for COVID-19 (contracted during the trip) and other medical emergencies while traveling abroad.Trip Cancellation up to US$7,500 for non-refundable costs if the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) is unable to travel because they are diagnosed with COVID-19 before the scheduled trip departure date, or for other named reasons - similar to other comprehensive travel cover products.Trip Cancellation or Curtailment up to US$7,500 if the school year is extended due to COVID-19 beyond the departure date, and the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) is a full-time teacher, full-time employee, or a student at a primary or secondary school.Trip Curtailment up to US$7,500 for non-refundable trip costs and additional costs to return to their country of residence if the traveler or a relative (as defined in the policy) falls critically ill, for instance, contracts COVID-19 while traveling abroad.Travel Abandonment up to US$7,500 if the traveler fails a COVID-19-related test or medical screening at the airport and is required to abandon the trip.US$150 per day per person, for up to 14 consecutive days if, while outside of their country of residence, the traveler tests positive for COVID-19, and if they are unexpectedly placed into a mandatory quarantine outside their country of residence by a governmental body.”UAE tourismThe UAE resumed tourist visas in September, which it had suspended in March in efforts to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.The emirate of Dubai had already been allowing tourists to visit since July 7. Arrivals from certain countries are required to take a PCR coronavirus test on arrival, while other countries are required to take a test both before and after flying.Read more: Coronavirus: Dubai updates winter tourism travel rules; UK, Germany test on arrivalThe rules are stricter in neighboring Abu Dhabi, which requires three PCR tests for anyone staying beyond eight days.Emirates was one of the first airlines to offer free COVID-19 insurance to passengers.The coronavirus pandemic and resulting slowdown in international travel has hit airlines globally, including Emirates. The airline has asked some pilots to take a year of unpaid leave as it seeks to cut costs until travel reaches its pre-pandemic levels.Read more:UAE to announce return schedule for Boeing 737 MAXCoronavirus: Emirates airline asks some pilots to take 12 months unpaid leaveUK COVID-19 vaccine expected before Christmas, life ‘back to normal’ after Easter
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE’s Emirates airlines launches free multi-risk travel insurance

For some Israeli Arabs the normalization agreement with the United Arab Emirates opens a range of possibilities for both business and tourism.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Israeli Arabs enjoy fruits of normalization with the Emirates

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan denied Israeli media reports Monday that a meeting occurred between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.Israel’s Army Radio and Kan Radio both reported that the Israeli Prime Minister and the head of Israel’s spy agency, the Mossad, Yosef Meir Cohen, secretly flew to NEOM from Tel Aviv to meet Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Reuters earlier reported.“I received and bid farewell to Secretary of State Pompeo in the airport in NEOM and attended his meeting with the Crown Prince. There were no Israelis present,” Saudi Arabian foreign minister Prince Faisal told Al Arabiya English.Prince Faisal had previously denied rumors that a meeting between the two leaders took place in February.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Read more:Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince discusses latest Middle East developments with US' PompeoUS and Saudi Arabia advance decades of cooperation: State Department fact sheetIsrael's Netanyahu urges no return to Iran nuclear deal
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi FM denies Netanyahu NEOM visit: ‘There were no Israelis present’

The Biden era in Washington is looming as a tough test for Ankara, whose moves will largely determine how the scarred US-Turkish relationship develops.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: US-Turkey ties under Biden: confrontation or conciliation?