Other top Middle East news
- Background: Nuclear talks between Iran and world powers have recently been stalled over a number of key sticking points, one of which is Iran’s demand that its IRGC be removed from the FTO list. Bennett’s statement said that Biden “will not allow the IRGC to be removed from the list.”
- Why it matters: This visit to Israel will be the first for Biden as US president. He previously visited in 2010 and 2016 while serving as vice president. Tensions remain high in Jerusalem after repeated clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians on Al Aqsa compound over the last week and a half.
- Background: Earlier this month, Yemen’s warring sides agreed to a UN-brokered, nationwide truce for the first time in years, bringing hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthi movement to a crucial halt. Days later, a political shakeup saw Yemen’s president cede power to a presidential council in a move backed by Saudi Arabia.
- Why it matters: Last month, a possible prisoner swap under the supervision of the UN, which could free hundreds of detainees, was discussed by warring parties. The swap would involve 1,400 Houthi prisoners in return for 823 coalition prisoners that include 16 Saudi nationals and a brother of the former Yemeni president. No final agreement has yet been reached.
- Background: Tensions have been high in Jerusalem after Israeli police entered the Al Aqsa compound last week to counter what they described as riots by Palestinians. Jordan, which is the custodian of al-Aqsa mosque, previously called on Israel to “respect the historical legal status quo” and warned of an escalation. The UAE’s foreign ministry last week also summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest the treatment of Palestinians in Jerusalem by Israeli forces.
- Why it matters: Egypt, which shares a border with the Palestinian Gaza Strip, is concerned about recent unrest escalating to include Gaza as well. Last year, it brokered a truce between Israel and Gaza-based Hamas as they fought an 11-day war. The Arab League held an emergency meeting last week in the Jordanian capital Amman, where it called on Israel to end Jewish prayers inside the al-Aqsa compound and warned that violence might trigger wider conflict.