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. By Nicolas Reeves
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. By Israel Hershkovitz
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. By Al-Monitor Staff
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. By Doron Peskin
World Bank praises Palestinian easing of COVID rules, criticizes Israeli control By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Emirates temporarily halts bookings to New Zealand The Dubai-based carrier's decision follows a stoppage it placed on flights from Pakistan as countries struggle to resume flights during the pandemic. By Al-Monitor Staff
Palestinian workers stay in Israel for three weeks in a row Some 46,000 Palestinians are now lodged on construction sites in Israel; they must stay where they work for three weeks before going back home. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Britain extends lifeline to Turkish tourism by lifting quarantine rule Turkey hopes visitors from the United Kingdom will help offset the deep losses its coronavirus-hit tourism industry is expected to suffer this summer season and is pushing the European Union to reconsider its "safe list" that excluded the Mediterranean destination. By Ayla Jean Yackley
Iran sets record daily deaths from coronavirus Iran marked its highest daily mortality rate in the coronavirus pandemic as hospitals are increasingly overstretched amid an exponential influx of new cases. By Al-Monitor Staff
Dubai welcomes back tourists The Emirati city wants visitors to come back as the country emerges from its coronavirus closures. By Al-Monitor Staff
Israeli airline reaches bailout deal with government Israel’s flag carrier El Al and the government reached a bailout plan, which would mean huge layoffs and sizing down flights. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Abu Dhabi to host 'Fight Island' MMA event The United Arab Emirates will hold the isolated UFC event on Yas Island with health precautions in place, as the combat sport continues to grow in the Middle East. By Al-Monitor Staff
Qatar coronavirus cases top 100,000 as restrictions ease The Gulf state announced 546 new cases and five more deaths from the virus on Monday. By Al-Monitor Staff
No more Big Fat Wedding: Turks struggle to be wed in times of the coronavirus From bejeweled masks to dummy brides, Turks struggle to combine tradition with new social distancing rules. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir, reporting on culture
Has Israel lost control over coronavirus pandemic? Faced with a continued spike in coronavirus cases, Israel’s government is set to reimpose crowding restrictions. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
Did Egypt move too fast to receive tourists in light of COVID-19? Egypt received tourists from Ukraine as the country resumed tourism and airports opened up amid strict precautionary and preventive measures. By Alaa Omran
Israel, Egypt energy ties so far unaffected by coronavirus crisis, annexation plan Despite the coronavirus crisis and the annexation plan, agreements to export Israeli natural gas to Egypt remain intact. By Danny Zaken In Ma'ale HaHamisha, reporting on Israel