Middle East Experience

France's president said Friday that Paris will soon host an aid conference to help rebuild Lebanon after the Israel-Hezbollah war last year, as he visited Beirut in a show of support for Lebanon's new leaders.After a vacancy of more than two years, Joseph Aoun was elected president on January 9 and named Nawaf Salam as prime minister-designate."In the middle of winter, spring has sprung," Macron said at a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart."You are this hope," he said, referring to Aoun and Salam.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Macron announces aid conference to rebuild Lebanon

An Israeli drone strike in Quneitra, Syria, killed three people, sparking tensions. Amid post-Assad reconstruction struggles, calls grow for peace, security, and improved living.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Israeli strikes raise anxiety on Syrian side of Golan border

Chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court Karim Khan met Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday, state media reported, as last month's ouster of Bashar al-Assad sparks hopes for justice.Sharaa and Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met "a delegation from the International Criminal Court, headed" by Khan, state news agency SANA reported, also publishing images of the meeting.A statement from Khan's office said he "travelled to Damascus at the invitation of the Syrian Transitional Government".
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan meets Syria's new leader

In a sprawling tent city in central Gaza, Palestinians displaced by war to other parts of the territory are all waiting for one thing: a ceasefire so they can go home.Most of Gaza's 2.4 million people have been displaced at least once by the Israel-Hamas war to other parts of the territory.With a long-awaited truce deal due to take effect on Sunday, they may finally be able to return to their neighbourhoods.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Displaced Gazans awaiting truce so they can go home

The list of names on the ministry's website shows that a vast majority of those arrested were after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Justice Ministry releases names of Palestinian prisoners to be released in deal

Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus to discuss bilateral relations, efforts to lift sanctions and Israel’s military actions in Syria.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: Qatar pledges electricity, support for Syria as PM meets Sharaa in Damascus

The case pitted free speech rights against national security concerns in the age of social media.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: US Supreme Court upholds law banning TikTok

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday condemned what he called "the poison of antisemitism rising around the world" after a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the former German Nazi concentration camp.His visit came as many international delegations are expected to attend the January 27 ceremony commemorating 80 years since the Soviet Red Army liberated the death camp built in occupied Poland.King Charles III will be among those attending the ceremony, Buckingham Palace said Monday, in his first visit to the former camp.
Source: Al Monitor
Full Article: UK PM condemns 'poison of antisemitism' on Auschwitz visit

Avera Mengistu, a young Israeli of Ethiopian descent, mistakenly crossed into Gaza in 2014. Now 11 years after his abduction, his status has raised alarms for members of his community.
Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: Who is Avera Mengistu, the Hamas hostage set to be released after 11 years in captivity?

New details on the regeneration of First Station area and its public transportation

Source: Jerusalem Post
Full Article: What does the future look like for Jerusalem's First Station?