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
Knesset member describes Israel's gender wars In an interview, Knesset member Yifat Kariv assures Al-Monitor that she will not give up on advancing women, particularly the ultra-Orthodox, in the Israeli political arena. Israel
Erdogan's interest rate agenda Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's pressure on the Central Bank governor to lower the interest rate is a mix of populism and ideology. Turkey
Gaza travel agencies offer false hope of emigration Several travel agencies in the Gaza Strip are taking part in illegal emigration, often taking thousands of dollars from would-be Palestinian emigrants who risk their lives to reach Europe. Palestine
Iran's supreme leader says US has given up on military attack Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that the United States will not take military action against Iran and expressed hope for the eventual success of the Arab Spring. Originals
Did elections spark 'dancing revolution' in Egypt? Some saw the dancing at polling stations across Egypt as a way to express feelings once demonstrations were banned. Egypt
Turkey warned on credit ratings Lowering of interest rates by the Turkish Central Bank despite high inflation prompts “lowering” warnings from ratings agencies. Turkey
Yemen forces take lead in battle with al-Qaeda Yemeni forces have taken charge in the latest offensive against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, winning the support of the public. Yemen
Displaced young Syrians find home in Gaziantep cafe A hip cafe in Gaziantep, near the Syrian border, has become a refuge for young, educated Syrian refugees. Syria
Liberman outlines vision for 'regional arrangement' with Arab states Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman offers a plan for open contacts with "moderate" Arab states to deal with the threat from Iran and in pursuit of an agreement with the Palestinians. Saudi Arabia
Gul’s next move depends on Erdogan With Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan likely to run for president, current President Abdullah Gul is weighing his options. Turkey
Palestinians find respite from siege at Gaza’s ancient port Once an ancient trading hub, Gaza’s port now serves as a popular recreational location for local Palestinians wishing to forget the woes of living under siege. Palestine
Temple Mount faithful lay claim to lost ark Shavuot is an occasion to consider the many theories regarding the lost Ark of the Covenant that have inspired believers, politicians and Hollywood, and fed the hopes of those yearning for the Third Temple. Israel
