European, Arab diplomats try to revive Mideast peace efforts
Leading European and Arab world diplomats announced potential “small steps” Thursday toward reviving Mideast peace efforts after upcoming Israeli and Palestinian elections.
Egypt
Sudan’s PM in Cairo to discuss Ethiopia’s Nile dam dispute
Sudan’s prime minister held talks with the Egyptian president in Cairo on Thursday as both nations seek to build a united front in the ongoing dispute over the controversial dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile.
Erdogan confidant calls for ‘re-normalized’ ties with Israel
A close associated of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Admiral Cihat Yayci, said in an interview Wednesday to the Turkish Jewish newspaper Şalom that “it is in the interests of both Turkey and Israel to re-normalize relations.”
Egypt’s laws are increasingly repressive for Christians
Egyptian laws brought in since the 2011 revolution have resulted in significant restrictions on religious and other freedoms for Christians in the country, International Christian Concern reported Saturday.
Germany, France call for 2-states at 67-line, prior to Biden presidency
The United States has an important role to play in relaunching an Israeli-Palestinian peace process that would create a two-state resolution to the conflict at the pre-1967 lines, the Munich Group said in advance of US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20.
Egypt, Germany, France, Jordan discuss Israeli-Palestinian talks ahead of Biden inauguration
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Germany, France, and Jordan met in Cairo Monday to discuss reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks as US President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, the Times of Israel reports.
Israeli company helps provide clean water to Palestinians in Gaza Strip
A Jewish-Israeli businessman is helping Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to access clean water, the Times of Israel reports. Through his Israel-based company Watergen, Mikhail Mirilashvili has provided atmospheric water generators to Gaza in an effort to relieve the chronic drinking-water crisis there.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan resume Nile dam talks
The three African nations at the center of a spat over the controversial building of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam resumed talks on Sunday, officials said.
Trump Demands Different Coronavirus Package
Washington was in turmoil late Tuesday after U.S. President Donald J. Trump threatened not to sign a coronavirus stimulus package saying struggling Americans deserve much better.
Israeli submarine reportedly crosses Suez Canal in ‘message’ to Iran
An Israeli submarine openly crossed the Suez Canal last week, in a show of force against Iran, the Kan public broadcaster reported Monday night.
PA, Jordan and Egypt call for resumption of peace talks
The Palestinian Authority, Egypt and Jordan on Saturday stressed the need to urge Israel to return to negotiations in order to reach a final settlement on the basis of a two-state solution to ensure the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines, with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Record 274 Journalists Jailed Globally
The number of journalists jailed for their work hit a record high in 2020, with 274 imprisoned globally. The annual survey by press freedom organization Committee to Protect Journalists lists China, Turkey and Egypt as the worst jailers. Unrest in Belarus and Ethiopia led to a surge in arrests, and protests in the U.S. resulted in unprecedented numbers of arrests.
Palestinians ready to resume negotiations with Israel
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that the Palestinians are prepared to resume talks with Israel and that fresh negotiations should be based on resolutions passed by the United Nations on the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Jerusalem Post reports. Abbas made the announcement during a visit to Ramallah by Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha González.
President Macron says France will do business with Egypt while disagreeing with President el-Sissi’s crackdown on critics
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that France will continue to make economic and defense deals with Egypt, despite Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s heaviest crackdown on dissent in the Arab country’s modern history, the Washington Times reports. While he gave this assurance during the Egyptian leader’s two-day state visit to France, Macron emphasized that he and el-Sissi have “disagreements” on human rights issues.
Hungary Soccer Club And Government Support Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s leading soccer club Ferencváros (FTC) and the conservative government have agreed to support persecuted Christians worldwide.
Egypt: 100 arrested in riot over Facebook comments “insulting” to Islam
A hundred people were arrested for assault and rioting Wednesday evening after a large group of Islamists attacked Coptic Christian houses and a church in the village of Deir El-Bersha in the Minya governorate, Agenzia Fides reports. The rioting was triggered by Facebook comments made by a young Coptic man that were considered insulting to Islam and the prophet Muhammed.
Egypt Christian Faces Prison Over Facebook comments
A young Christian faces a lengthy prison term in Egypt for blasphemy after he was released on bail, Christians say.
Christian teacher in Egypt charged with insulting Islam after posting comments on Facebook
A Christian teacher in Egypt reportedly faces charges of defaming Islam because of comments he made in response to a Facebook post earlier this month, Morning Star News reports. Youssef Hany from the city of Ismailia is understood to have been arrested on November 11 and charged under Article 98(f) of Egypt’s penal code, which prohibits insulting Islam, Christianity, or Judaism – religions described by the law as “heavenly.”
Islamic state claims responsibility for blast between Egypt and Israel
A blast hit the Al Arish-Al Qantara natural gas pipeline in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Thursday, witnesses and local authorities said.
2,500 year old coffins, Mummies and golden statues discovered in Cairo
Egyptian officials have announced the striking discovery of almost 100 ancient coffins, some with mummies inside them, and around 40 golden statues in Cairo’s Pharaonic necropolis, Sky News reports. The findings are being temporarily exhibited by the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara.