Netanyahu attacks bill authorizing social media censorship Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is aggressively campaigning against a bill proposed by the Bennett coalition to enable judges to block violent posts on social media. By Mazal Mualem In Tel Aviv, reporting on politics
European court orders Turkey to pay damages to journalist jailed over coup The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Turkey should pay $18,000 to political commentator and former lawmaker Nazli Ilicak for violating her rights. By Al-Monitor Staff
Qatar, Israel reach agreement on diamond trade Qatar is not part to the Abraham Accords for normalizing ties with Israel, but this did not prevent it from reaching a bilateral agreement with Israel on the trade of diamonds. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel
Bennett commits to partnership with Emirates on UAE visit On his historic visit to Abu Dhabi, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reassured his hosts that his government is committed to the alliance with the Emirates and that it will lobby on their behalf in Washington. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Would-be Syrian refugees flown back from Belarus despite visas Belarus has given Syrians two options: cross the border into Poland or be deported. By Sultan al-Kanj
China's support for Ethiopian government complicates ties with Egypt Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Ethiopia to show his nation’s support for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has put China’s relationship with Egypt to the test. By Khalid Hassan
Will Lebanon’s economic crunch stir demographic change? The emigration of Lebanese, especially Christians, raises concerns in Lebanon in terms of the demographic change that it may lead to, in light of the economic crisis that the Lebanese have been experiencing for nearly two years. By Hanan Hamdan
Egypt inaugurates dams in Uganda Seven dams and 27 underground wells were inaugurated by Egypt in Uganda alongside a large number of projects that serve to improve the quality of drinking water and provide water for agriculture. By Rasha Mahmoud
Gulf states back Egypt in Nile river dam dispute with Ethiopia The Gulf Cooperation Council also launched a political consultation mechanism with Egypt, according to Egyptian media. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkish foreign minister announces plan for closer ties with Armenia Turkey and Armenia have announced they will both appoint special envoys to discuss normalizing their historically hostile ties. By Al-Monitor Staff
Washington Post says Israeli air raids targeted Syrian chemical sites The newspaper reports that June 8 airstrikes in Damascus and Homs targeted military sites linked to Syria's former chemical weapons program. By Al-Monitor Staff
Pentagon: Four Islamic State fighters killed in nighttime Syria raid Conflicting accounts of the raid emerged amid renewed scrutiny of the Pentagon's oversight of civilian casualties in Syria. By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
On the Middle East with Amberin Zaman French President Macron pitches stability, business in Gulf, says Gilles Kepel Andrew Parasiliti
Three killed at Hamas funeral in Lebanon The funeral was held for a victim who died in an explosion last week at a Hamas building in a Palestinian refugee camp. By Al-Monitor Staff
Islamic State attacks government, Russian forces in Syrian desert Russia also carried out airstrikes in the eastern Deir ez-Zor province, where the Islamic State has been particularly active recently. By Al-Monitor Staff
Turkey cracks down on independent journalists once again Hours after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called social media a threat to democracy, Antalya police raided local YouTubers and journalists. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture