Middle East Experience

The forum includes Egypt, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Italy.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: New Mediterranean energy forum launched with Israel as member

The two advisors were spotted in public while they were supposed to be in quarantine.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Netanyahu aides fined for violating quarantine

Samaria Regional Council head Yossi Dagan has called on Netanyahu to immediately open up the bottleneck on settler building plans.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Settler housing starts drop 50% under COVID-19

Saudi Arabia celebrates its National Day on Wednesday this year, with concerts and other events, while adhering to COVID-19 precautionary measures, to commemorate the Kingdom’s unification under its founder, King Abdulaziz Al Saud, 90 years ago.Celebrations amid the coronavirus pandemicThis year, the country’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) organized a string of concerts that will take place from September 22-26 to celebrate the national holiday, in accordance with GEA guidelines that were put in place to ensure everyone’s safety amid the coronavirus pandemic.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.The guidelines emphasize the importance of wearing masks, social distancing, reducing the duration of social contact, in addition to other preventative measures.However, authorities in the Kingdom have reduced the number of attendees expected to attend the concerts as a precautionary measure against the spread of the coronavirus, according to Rotana Music, a record label company involved in organizing the concerts.Also happening this year, Saudi designer Omaima Kindassa is staging a fashion show in Jeddah to showcase traditional clothing from regions around the Kingdom, inspired by the traditions of the diverse tribal communities in the country.On Wednesday, more than 60 military and civilian aircrafts will participate in a live show that will air on Saudi TV 1, GEA said in a tweet, adding that it will be the largest air show in the history of Saudi Arabia’s National Day celebrations.Additionally, GEA has set up an online platform for free National Day-themed printables that includes logos, images, and illustrations that users could download and print at home to use for decorative purposes.Sense of unitySaudis feel “a sense of unity” every year on National Day, 30-year-old Sultan al-Osaimi from Riyadh told Al Arabiya English.“I feel like people are united on National Day, you can feel it in the air. Everyone feels a sense of belonging, this is especially heightened on national holidays,” al-Osaimi said.“Everybody gets excited, people dress up in green [the color of the Saudi flag].”“I am proud to be from this country. May our country always stay safe,” al-Osaimi added.Al Anoud bin Juma, a 23-year-old, echoed al-Osaimi’s remarks.“Although many people will stay home due to COVID-19, I really feel like Saudis have a genuine feeling of belonging and unity, this year more than ever.”Bin Juma, who lives in Riyadh but is a Qassim native, explained that this feeling of unity comes from the safety and security the Kingdom provides, even during a global pandemic. “I feel safe here [in Saudi] and I appreciate the efforts of the country during the coronavirus crisis.”“Saudi Arabia always puts its citizens and residents first, and I am very thankful to be from this country,” Bin Juma said, adding that she loves to celebrate its National Day.Previous National Day celebrationsIn 2005, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz made September 23 a national holiday in the Kingdom.Since then, the country celebrated its national day in various ways. Last year, Saudi Arabia’s 89th National Day featured over 70 entertainment events across the Kingdom, including light shows, fireworks, and music performances, organized by the country’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) for a five-day National Day Season.In 2018, more than 900,000 fireworks lit up the sky simultaneously from over 58 sites across the Kingdom in celebration of its 88th National Day.Read more:Saudi Arabia to host September concerts to celebrate 90th Saudi National DayRevamped guardianship laws usher in a new era for Saudi women
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Saudis feel ‘sense of unity’ for Kingdom’s 90th National Day

Ten Kuwaiti Members of Parliament submitted a “non-cooperation” motion against Kuwait’s Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, the speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, Marzouq al-Ghanim, said on Wednesday according to state news agency KUNA.“This came after the two grilling motions against the PM, by MPs Dr. Abdulkarim Al-Kandari and Al-Humaidi Al-Subaie earlier today,” KUNA added.For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.According to Kuwait Times, a daily newspaper, one lawmaker “accused the prime minister of not succeeding in curbing corruption.”The MPs also accused the Prime Minister of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic, complained of a budget deficit and accused him of violating Article 39 of Kuwait’s Constitution, which calls for freedom of communication and stipulates that censorship of communications and disclosure of their contents are not permitted.Earlier in August, it was reported that Kuwait’s government is running out of money and will struggle to pay the salaries of its civil servants in November, Finance Minister Barrak al-Sheetan said.The finance minister added that the country’s reserve fund has just 2 billion dinars ($6.54 billion) in assets left, and that government needs 1.7 billion dinars every month to function.Last week, at least five Kuwaiti Members of Parliament tested positive for coronavirus, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim confirmed, adding that not all members had yet been tested.Read more:Kuwait budget deficit could increase to $46 billion in 2020/21: DocumentKuwait passes draft law to crackdown on number of expats
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Ten Kuwaiti MPs sign non-cooperation motion against the Prime Minister

The first known direct commercial flight between Israel and Bahrain landed Wednesday in the island kingdom, just a week after it signed a deal alongside the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations.For all the latest headlines follow our Google News channel online or via the app.Flight data showed an Israir Airlines Airbus A320 landed at Bahrain International Airport after a nearly three-hour flight from Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport.There was no immediate acknowledgement of the flight from the Israeli government, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday spoke by telephone to Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.Read more:After Israel deal, Bahrain’s Jews seek to revive community with new rabbi, synagogueCoronavirus: Jordan reports its highest daily COVID-19 case countTurkey sentences female politician to prison for calling Erdogan ‘enemy of women’
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: From Israel to Bahrain: First direct commercial flight lands in Manama

The United Arab Emirates has confirmed 1,083 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, according to the country's NCEMA, marking its highest single day increase since the start of the pandemic.Read the latest updates in our dedicated coronavirus section.An additional 103,199 COVID-19 were administered as part of the health ministry's efforts to expand its testing capacity in the Gulf state.A total of 970 recoveries and one fatality were also reported on Wednesday.The UAE saw its highest daily count with 1,007 cases in a single day on September 12. Daily infections were on a downward trend since then but have increased once more despite an emphasis on compliance with measures throughout the country.The health ministry has confirmed 87,530 total positive cases, 76,995 recoveries and 406 deaths as of September 23.Read more:UAE warns against irresponsibility as 1 person infects 45, with 1 deathInfections in Gulf countries surpass 800,000, says Reuters tallyUAE approves COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use for front line workers
Source: Al Arabiya
Full Article: Coronavirus: UAE records over 1,000 COVID-19 cases, its highest single day spike

With normalization deals being signed and regional dynamics in flux, Jordan is trying to adapt to what it fears is faltering Arab support for the Palestinian issue and a two-state solution.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Jordan clings to two-state solution in wake of normalization deals

The United States last month shipped a historic archive of Baath regime documents to Iraq, but the government is keeping mum about its location and fate, given the political sensitivity of the documents.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Iraq's Baath Party archive location unknown

The recent arrest of acting Muslim Brotherhood leader Mahmoud Ezzat raises many questions, especially among younger members, about his potential successor and the fate of the organization in Egypt.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Muslim Brotherhood appoints acting guide after arrest of leader