Middle East

Trail app takes Palestinian cyclists astray, say they were attacked by Israeli settlers

Editorial Bureau July 22, 2020

WEST BANK (ISRAEL) – According to a group of Palestinian cyclists, Israelis in the occupied West Bank attacked them after a popular trail app misled them on a remote path dominated by Jewish settlements. Supposed to be on an 80-km ride, using the cycling, hiking, and mountain biking app

Middle East

Israel gives a thumbs up to the pipeline deal to sell gas to Europe

Ren Leen July 19, 2020

JERUSALEM (ISRAEL) – The Israeli government on Sunday gave approval for an agreement with European countries so as to construct a subsea pipeline. It would supply Europe with natural gas from the eastern Mediterranean. The Eastmed pipeline, which has been in its planning stage for several years, is likely to transport gas from offshore Israel […]

Middle East

Israel decides to shut down bars, clubs, gyms after infections from coronavirus rise, reports Israel Radio

Ren Leen July 6, 2020

JERUSALEM (ISRAEL) – Israel’s government enforced a series of restrictions again on Monday to counter a rise in coronavirus infections. Israel Radio said, it would lead to the immediate closure of bars, night clubs, gyms and event halls, At a special cabinet session that decided on the measures that are to be taken, Prime Minister […]

Middle East

Israel, Palestinian authorities tighten curbs as coronavirus reemerges

Ren Leen June 24, 2020

JERUSALEM (ISRAEL) – Israeli and Palestinian authorities have re-introduced some coronavirus restrictions after the number of new cases jumped in what officials fear could be a “second wave” of infections. A partial lockdown was implemented on Wednesday in a town in central Israel and several neighbourhoods in Tiberias where infection rates were

Middle East

Israel, Palestinians tighten restrictions as coronavirus reemerges

Ren Leen June 24, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – Israeli and Palestinian authorities have brought back some coronavirus restrictions after the number of new cases jumped in what officials fear could herald a “second wave” of infections. A partial lockdown went into effect on Wednesday in a town in central Israel and several neighborhoods in the city of Tiberias where […]

Middle East

Netanyahu mulls two-phase West Bank annexation, says Israeli newspaper

Ren Leen June 17, 2020

JERUSALEM (ISRAEL) – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a limited initial annexation in the occupied West Bank in a bid to quell international opposition to his pledge of wide territorial moves, an Israeli newspaper said on Wednesday. Netanyahu has said a US peace plan, which contemplates Israel retaining its settlements in the West Bank, […]

Middle East

Israeli minister: No consensus yet with U.S. on West Bank annexations

Jim Stein June 11, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to bridge gaps with the United States and his main coalition partner over his pledged annexation of parts of the West Bank, a cabinet minister said on Thursday. The remarks by Tzipi Hotovely, the minister of settlement affairs, pointed to difficulties Netanyahu could face […]

Middle East

Netanyahu’s annexation plan sparks widespread protests in Israel

Jim Stein June 7, 2020

TEL AVIV, Israel (Middle East) – Several thousand Israelis demonstrated on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to extend sovereignty over parts of the occupied West Bank, de-facto annexation of land that the Palestinians seek for a state. Protesting in face masks and keeping their distance from each other under coronavirus restrictions,

Europe

Greece to welcome Germans, Cypriots, Israelis in first wave of visitors

Ren Leen May 27, 2020

ATHENS (Europe) – Greece will allow travellers from around two dozen countries including Germany, Cyprus and Israel to visit from mid-June without having to be quarantined, government officials said, part of a gradual easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions. Tourism accounts for about 20% of the Greek economy and the government sees the sector as a […]

Middle East

Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu on trial for corruption

Jim Stein May 24, 2020

JERUSALEM (Middle East) – The corruption trial of Benjamin Netanyahu opens on Sunday in a Jerusalem court, where he will become the first serving Israeli prime minister to face criminal prosecution, in a case he calls a political witch-hunt. Netanyahu is required to appear for the session in Jerusalem District Court, a week after he […]