Middle East Experience

Saudi Arabia rejects and condemns Israel's move decision to invite contractor bids to build 1,257 new settlements near East Jerusalem, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday."The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms the Kingdom's condemnation and rejection of the move, which contravenes international resolutions, undermines efforts towards the two-state solutions and affects efforts to achieve peace in the region," the ministry said in a tweet.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Israel moved ahead on Sunday with a settler housing plan in a sensitive area near East Jerusalem, a step critics said aimed to shore up the project before US President-elect Joe Biden takes office.On its website, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) invited contractor bids for building 1,257 homes in Givat Hamatos, under a plan revived in February by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after it had been effectively frozen by international opposition.Bidding ends on Jan. 18, the ILA said, two days before Biden is to be sworn in to replace President Donald Trump, whose administration has been supportive of Israeli settlement on occupied land Palestinians seek for a state.Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said in a statement that settlements were illegal under international law and the tender was part of Israeli efforts "to kill the internationally-backed two-state solution".Opponents of the project say it would sever parts of East Jerusalem from the nearby Palestinian town of Bethlehem in the West Bank, an issue European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell raised, saying he was "deeply worried" by the tender."This is a key location between Jerusalem and Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Any settlement construction will cause serious damage to the prospects for a viable and contiguous Palestinian State," Borrell said in a statement.The ILA gave no date for the start of construction.Peace Now, an Israeli anti-settlement group, accused Netanyahu's government of "taking advantage of the final weeks of the Trump administration in order to set facts on the ground" at Givat Hamatos.Israel cites historical, political and biblical links to the West Bank and over 440,000 Israeli settlers live there, among three million Palestinians.- With ReutersRead more:Israel to construct new housing units in sensitive east Jerusalem neighborhoodJerusalem renews settlement moves that angered Biden during his visit in 2010Incoming US President Biden may differ with Israel’s Netanyahu on Iran, settlements
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudi Arabia rejects, condemns Israel's settlement moves near East Jerusalem

President Trump is applying more sanctions on Iran that would be hard to reverse. Tehran, facing elections in June, has its own demands..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Biden Wants to Rejoin Iran Nuclear Deal, but It Won’t Be Easy

Palestinian officials announced Monday the resumption of ties with Israel after a monthslong pause following the Middle East peace plan unveiled by Washington earlier this year.“In light of the calls made by President #Abbas regarding Israel’s commitment to the bilateral signed agreements,& based on the official written and oral letters we received, confirming Israel’s commitment to them,” Civil Affairs Minister Hussein Al Sheikh said on Twitter.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.“Accordingly, the relationship with #Israel will return to how it was,” he added.In February, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that his country would cut all ties with the United States and Israel, including those relating to security, after rejecting a Middle East peace plan presented by US President Donald Trump.Israel and the Palestinian Authority’s security forces have long cooperated in policing areas of the occupied West Bank that are under Palestinian control. The PA also has intelligence cooperation agreements with the CIA, which continued even after the Palestinians began boycotting the Trump administration’s peace efforts in 2017.Read more: Saudi Arabia rejects, condemns Israel's settlement moves near East Jerusalem- with Reuters
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Palestine to resume relationship with Israel after monthslong pause: Official

Gantz sets new deadline for leaving government
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Shas minister quits over fight with Blue and White

Emirati company Filmgate Productions has launched a competition called “The Acting Challenge” on the TikTok application aimed at discovering new talent across the Arab world..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Arab TV series launches acting talent show online

Cleaning and sterilisation should be held round the hour for all public facilities..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Coronavirus: No gatherings allowed for UAE National Day, Christmas, New Year, say authorities

“The first thing I would say to the incoming administration is sit with your allies in the region,” Israel's ambassador said.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Dermer: Rejoining the nuclear agreement with Iran is ‘a mistake’

Earlier this week, the leader of the Algerian-backed Polisario Front, Brahim Ghali, announced that his movement will no longer abide by the three-decade UN-supervised ceasefire in Western Sahara.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Moroccans outraged by Palestinians’ ‘support’ for rebel group

“It will be good news for the entire world.”
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: India-Israel 30-second coronavirus test in ‘very last stage’

Lebanon confirmed 1,507 new coronavirus cases and 12 deaths Tuesday, as the nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the virus pushed on for the fourth day..
Source: Albawaba
Full Article: Lebanon pushes through day four of lockdown as 1,507 new virus cases registered