Former U.S. diplomats and European leaders call for easing sanctions against Iran
Washington Post

“Two dozen former diplomats and national security leaders from the United States and Europe called on the Trump administration Monday (April 13) to ease sanctions against Iran as part of the battle against the coronavirus pandemic. Even as the statement came out, an Iranian government spokesman said Iran would never ask the United States for help during the outbreak and demanded that sanctions be lifted instead.” 

Image: Iranian women, members of paramilitary organization Basij, make face masks and other protective items at a mosque in Tehran on April 5. (Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images)

Coronavirus crisis expected to ravage battered Middle East economies, IMF says  
Haaretz

“The Middle East, already wracked by high numbers of unemployed youth, unrest, conflict and large numbers of refugees, will sink into a recession this year sparked by the double shock of the coronavirus outbreak and low oil prices, the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday (April 15). The impact of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, threatens to leave in its wake significant economic turmoil across the region, the international lender says. If governments mishandle the outbreak, the IMF warns this will sow the seeds for even more social unrest and instability.”

Image: A normally busy market in Cairo, Egypt on March 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

U.S. announces $5m Coronavirus grant to Palestinians after a two-year freeze of aid
Haaretz

“The United States announced on Thursday it would provide a five-million-dollar grant to the Palestinians ‘to meet immediate, life-saving needs in combating COVID-19,’ breaking away from a freeze of aid funds that has lasted for over two years. American Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said in a tweet he was ‘very pleased’ by the decision to provide funds for Palestinian hospitals and households. The United States ‘is committed to assisting the Palestinian people and others worldwide in this crisis,’ he said.” 

Image: Palestinian police officers check the identity card of a vehicle's occupant during a home-confinement order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, in Hebron, the West Bank, April 7, 2020. (Mussa Qawasma/Reuters)

Israeli PM and rival look to finalize emergency unity deal
AP News

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival met Tuesday (April 14) in an effort to finalize an agreement on an emergency government that would tackle the coronavirus threat and prevent another costly and divisive election. The meeting between Netanyahu and former military chief Benny Gantz followed an overnight session in which the two asked for, and received, a deadline extension from President Reuven Rivlin to try to complete the talks.” 

Image: In this March. 1, 2020 file photo, people walk next to election campaign billboards showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, and Benny Gantz, left, in Bnei Brak, Israel. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File)

Opposition to Palestinian state harms sovereignty, settler leader says
J-Post

“Right-wing opponents of a Palestinian state are harming Israel’s chances of applying sovereignty to the settlements in Judea and Samaria, Efrat Council head Oded Revivi told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday (April 14). Revivi spoke out as three major settler leaders were in the midst of a public campaign to sway Derech Eretz parliamentarians Zvi Hauser and Yoav Hendel to help Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu form a right-wing government."

Image: YESHA Council’s chief foreign envoy Oded Revivi. (Yesha Council)

Palestinian woman creates Easter workshops amid coronavirus lockdown
J-Post

“Bethlehem, the cradle of Christ, will celebrate Easter this year under curfew. The Palestinian Authority declared a state of emergency in the Palestinian territories on March 5, after the first cases of coronavirus were identified in the city. Social distancing is the order of the day. Gatherings are forbidden and people must stay home unless on urgent errands. To help fill the gap, innovative virtual activities are being posted online, targeting children and families.”

Image: Salam Al Bandak works with children during an outdoor workshop. (Salam Al Bandak)