The Takeaway: Would Hamas complicate US plans for reset with Palestinians? Also: the back story on the spat between Israel and Jordan; Gulf post-COVID economic trends; Turkey’s Kurds; Egypt and Somalia; and more! Originals
Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Palestinians receive first batch of vaccines through COVAX More than 60,000 doses of the AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines arrived in Ramallah on Wednesday. Palestine
Is Egypt ready for a secular party? Attempts to establish a secular party are springing up in Egypt, but can the country accept what this party preaches? Egypt
Cyprus settlement could open trade routes for Turkey Should the peace talks in Cyprus result in the island’s reunification, the Turkish economy could benefit from Nicosia's close ties in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Why are Turkey's televangelists talking about oral sex? Turkish imams and televangelists are becoming increasingly outspoken in their commentary and debates on permitted sexual practices. Turkey
Hamas puts on new face with English website launch Hamas has launched a new website in English in the hope of bolstering its communication with the West. Palestine
Dismissed PLO leader denies Dahlan coup plot In an interview with Al-Monitor, former PLO secretary-general Yasser Abed Rabbo accused President Mahmoud Abbas of one-man rule over Palestinian institutions. Palestine
Israel defense minister refuses to consider IDF pension cuts Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon attacked a report calling for the cutting of IDF salaries and pensions despite public support for a more transparent IDF budget. Israel
Israelis lack compassion for Gazans' suffering The recent cancellations of screenings of a documentary on Gaza makes it seem that Israelis are incapable of acknowledging the trauma of war when those suffering are Palestinians. Palestine
Kerry, GOP face off over Iran deal The secretary of state said lawmakers in search of a better deal are pursuing a "fantasy." Congress
Fabius visit stirs bad blood in Iran France’s foreign minister is finding out that a deal with Iran is not enough of a Band-Aid to repair the damage a previous scandal has done to his reputation in the country. Iran
Camp for handicapped youth seeks to overcome differences Residents of the Rosh Tzurim settlement have been supporting and operating a summer camp for special needs children for many years now, welcoming Israelis and Palestinians. Palestine
Veteran US diplomat: After Iran deal, focus on Syria US diplomat James Dobbins shared his thoughts on what is next for the US and Iran, and what the recent agreement means for further collaboration in the region. Iraq
Ankara turns blind eye to economic downturn Turkey’s economy is on a worrisome course as tourism and export revenues fall. Turkey
