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
Bethlehem hopes for Christmas miracle as new variant stops visitors Bethlehem is readying for the holiday season and will go ahead with the lighting of the Christmas tree and a holiday market despite the new COVID-19 variant and fears of a new lockdown. Palestine
Omicron variant sickens Israeli coalition With two cases of the Omicron variant detected in Israel, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett is confronted with an array of political problems. Israel
Lebanon announces curfew for unvaccinated amid Omicron concerns For three weeks beginning Dec. 17, those without at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose or a recent negative PCR test will be subject to a curfew from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lebanon
Israeli lawmakers object to tracking virus via phones Politicians from both the coalition and the opposition, together with human rights activists, are unhappy with the Bennett government deciding to enable the Shin Bet to track the phones of people infected with the omicron variant. Israel
Saudi Arabia confirms first case of Omicron variant The detection of Omicron in Saudi Arabia comes days after the kingdom suspended flights to 14 African countries. Saudi Arabia
Iraq approves booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines Other nations in the region have already approved similar measures, due to concerns about waning immunity, although the World Health Organization says that first rounds of shots should be a priority. News Brief
Spanish leader promises COVID-19 vaccines to Egypt Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also expressed a desire to increase trade with Egypt ahead of his visit to Cairo. News Brief
Unprecedented COVID spread plagues health sector in Syria's Daraa The number of COVID cases has increased steadily in most of the cities and towns of Daraa during the past few weeks amid a deteriorating health sector. Syria
MidEast states issue new travel restrictions as Omicron variant spreads Israel has announced a two-week ban on foreign nationals entering the country and Morocco has banned all incoming flights. Israel
Syria explores vaccine cooperation with Cuba Cuba has worked with Syria’s ally Iran on developing vaccines against COVID-19. News Brief
Pakistan to remove Iran from virus-related travel restrictions list COVID-19 cases have been falling for weeks in Iran, where military leaders have signaled a desire to improve relations with Pakistan. News Brief
Iran's foreign minister contracts COVID-19 Iran’s foreign minister is the latest high-profile case, though daily reported coronavirus infections are dropping and the country has made progress with its vaccination campaign. News Brief
