Gendarmerie operation sparks controversy in Petra, Jordan Petra’s tribal entrepreneurs react to a security operation carried out inside Jordan’s most-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site with criticism and concern for their livelihoods. Jordan
Despite war, thousands of Israeli Hasidim make pilgrimage to Ukraine Much like the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine won’t stop thousands of Hasidim from reaching the city of Uman and the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov just before the Jewish New Year. Israel
Middle East airlines to suffer losses again in 2022 The International Air Transport Association said that airlines in the region will fare somewhat better financially due to the return of long-haul flights. Gulf
Israel expects post-COVID tourism rebound this summer Israeli experts do not expect tourism to reach this summer the record level of 2019, but they certainly notice a trend of increase on both outbound and incoming tourism. Israel
Kuwait urges citizens to return from Europe due to omicron Several Middle Eastern states have instituted travel restrictions for Europe and Africa due to rising cases of the COVID-19 variant. News Brief
Iran bans travelers from four European countries Governments around the Middle East are instituting restrictions aimed at mitigating the spread of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Iran
Israel to offer fourth COVID-19 booster dose Israel was one of the first countries in the world to begin offering booster doses to vaccinated individuals. News Brief
Fears grow that omicron variant may soon engulf Iran A rapid outbreak of omicron, the most recent coronavirus variant, has health officials in Iran calling for severe restrictions once again. Iran
Israel bans travel to US as omicron variant spreads Israeli citizens are barred from traveling to the United States and more than 50 other countries without explicit permission. News Brief
Ultra-Orthodox anti-vaxxers threaten leading Israeli rabbi When the Grand Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky called on his followers to vaccinate children, vaccine opponents within the ultra-Orthodox community turned against him. Israel
Israel to donate 1 million vaccine doses to African countries via COVAX Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced the country will donate to Africa states, through the global vaccine distribution partnership COVAX, 1 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines. Israel
Kuwait detects first case of omicron variant Kuwait's announcement follows the detection of cases in Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Kuwait
Bennett begins to echo Netanyahu on Iran Despite his declared intentions, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett seems to be using tension with the Biden administration on Iran to his advantage. Israel
Israel’s Bennett talks up trilateral security alliance with Greece, Cyprus In a joint press conference with counterparts from Greece and Cyprus, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett pledged to continue and reinforce the trilateral cooperation between the three allies. Israel
Egypt to text people to receive booster shot Iraq and Israel have also begun administering booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. News Brief
Israeli left opposes Omicron phone tracking After being criticized by human rights groups, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz has stopped the Shin Bet's tracking of Omicron-infected Israelis. Israel
