West Bank olive harvest begins amid settler attacks on Palestinians, groves Between 80,000 and 100,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank rely on the olive harvest for primary or secondary sources of income, according to the United Nations. Palestine
Feature Syria Golan detentions fuel fury at Israeli forces, doubts in new government Israeli forces have detained hundreds of Syrians and continue to conduct strikes and incursions in Quneitra, fueling resentment among residents who say Damascus has failed to protect them. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Israel rejects Ukraine's claim that Russian shadow fleet vessel docked in Haifa Ukraine alleges the vessel unloaded wheat taken from occupied territories in Haifa, while Israel says ship had not entered the port. Israel
Analysis India's Modi arrives in Israel as fears grow of US-Iran conflict The Indian prime minister’s visit highlights growing cooperation on defense, AI, drones and regional trade, while signaling closer diplomatic coordination. By Rina Bassist In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs
In Jordan, female engineers lead way in sustainable agriculture A Norwegian NGO has launched a joint training program to train female engineering graduates in the field of sustainable agriculture, with the aim of both encouraging Jordanian women to join the workforce and fight desertification. Jordan
Egypt acts to rescue its farmland from urban sprawl The government is confronting the loss of farmland by demolishing homes and buildings constructed without permits. Egypt
Israelis campaign against army building roads in nature reserves Israelis living in the north of Israel are currently campaigning against the Israel Defense Forces’ intention to pave roads near the border fence that will pass through nature reserves. Israel
Iranian supermarket opens in Venezuelan capital Iran and Venezuela maintain strong economic ties despite US sanctions on both countries. United States
Nile dispute no closer to being resolved, despite African Union mediation Agreement between Ethiopia, Egypt offers prospect of more talks but no clear pathway to resolution. Egypt
Mosul sowing seeds post-Islamic State The Mosul local government in cooperation with civil society is undertaking a project to plant a million trees in Mosul. Iraq
Closing borders due to COVID-19 revives Iraqi agriculture Iraq's agriculture sector has been revived in the past few months, after the government closed its borders and banned the import of agricultural produce as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak. Iraq
Palestinian woman leads fight against coronavirus, while others fall victim to domestic violence Women are taking the lead in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak in the Palestinian territories, while at the same the virus has brought more violence and suffering to some women. Palestine
Lebanon becomes first Arab country to legalize cannabis farming Despite pushback from Hezbollah, the Lebanese parliament passed legislation Tuesday legalizing cannabis cultivation for medicinal and industrial purposes. Lebanon
Race for wheat heats up between Damascus, opposition The Syrian government in Damascus is competing with the opposition government in the northwest to buy wheat, facing increased demand and high prices. Syria
How Saudi Arabian farmers are trying to preserve traditional coffee production Climate change, water shortages and newcomers are challenging the traditional coffee culture in Saudi Arabia, which has the 10th largest per capita consumption in the world. Saudi Arabia
Turkish offensive in northeast Syria uproots farmers, families Farmers in northeast Syria are concerned about making ends meet — or even having a place to live — after the Turkish offensive led to the looting of their lands and destruction of their crops. Syria
