Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Government's opacity makes Turkey’s war on COVID-19 harder

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, March 30 | Daily Briefing [By: Kadri Gursel on Monday, Mar. 30, 2020]( Turkey 1 [Government's opacity makes Turkey’s war on COVID-19 harder]( Keen to minimize the political and economic repercussions of the coronavirus outbreak, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has pursued a policy of opacity, keeping the public from fully grasping the graveness of the threat. Israel 2 [Israel's Arab parties recalculate as Gantz joins Netanyahu]( Blue and White leader Benny Gantz' decision to join a government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has deeply disappointed the Arab public. Gulf 3 [Saudi leader of Muslim World League: Interfaith partnerships during pandemic ‘religious, moral duty']( Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa says, “We try to lead by example, and show that we are all in this together.” Egypt 4 [Egypt releases political prisoners amid coronavirus outbreak]( The Egyptian authorities released opposition figures from prison amid calls to free activists for fear of a coronavirus outbreak inside prisons. Gulf 5 [Iran enlists Pakistan for support against sanctions as pandemic spreads]( Iran’s inability to contain the spread of the coronavirus within its borders is endangering the Middle East region and beyond. Syria 6 [Syrian Kurds say no escapees after IS prison revolt]( Kurdish forces have put down a prison revolt in northeast Syria, where Islamic State detainees were apparently protesting their conditions, likely in fear of the coronavirus pandemic. 7 [Netanyahu self-isolates after adviser tests positive for coronavirus]( Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in isolation after his adviser on ultra-Orthodox issues was diagnosed with COVID-19. Egypt 8 [Egyptians feel demoralized by empty churches, mosques]( The decision to suspend collective prayers in mosques and churches was criticized by some Egyptians who feel deprived of spiritual support during hard times. Israel 9 [After Gantz, will Israeli Arabs ever return to the ballot box?]( Blue and White leader Benny Gantz forming a unity government with Benjamin Netanyahu has deflated the hopes of Arab Israelis of participating in national politics as equals, raising doubts that they will follow the urging of their representatives to take part in future elections. Lebanon 10 [Defaulted Lebanon hopes to pay off debts with cannabis]( As soon as parliament returns from its closure over the novel coronavirus outbreak, a bill legalizing cannabis for medicinal and industrial purposes is expected to pass as lawmakers address the country’s worst economic crisis in decades. Israel 11 [Why Israeli, Palestinian religious leaders ignore coronavirus threat]( Muslim and Jewish religious leaders in Israel and the West Bank are both guilty of conducting gatherings and prayers in public despite the coronavirus danger. Israel 12 [Foreign Ministry rescues Israelis stranded abroad during pandemic]( The Israeli Foreign Ministry, after being sidelined for years by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sees its vital role recognized as diplomats bring back young Israelis stranded abroad during the coronavirus crisis. Palestine 13 [Gaza students embrace e-learning to avoid coronavirus]( COVID-19 has forced schools and universities in the Palestinian territories to shut down, prompting the Gaza Ministry of Education and Higher Education to promote e-learning. Lebanon 14 [Coronavirus forces Lebanese protesters into new posture]( Anti-government protests have largely subsided in Lebanon due to government measures aimed at containing the spread of the novel coronavirus, but some activists continue to spread the message and are optimistic about the movement's future. 15 [Iran condemns US indictment against Venezuela’s Maduro]( An Iranian government spokesperson blasted the United States for its indictment of Venezuelan strongman Nicolas Maduro. STAY CONNECTED [fb_icon_footer]( [twitter_icon_footer]( [instagram_icon_footer]( [rss_icon_footer]( CONTACT US [Support & Contact]( [Advertise](mailto:advertise@al-monitor.com) NEWSLETTERS [Subscribe]( TERMS OF USE [Visitor Agreement]( [Privacy Policy]( © 2020 Al-Monitor. All Rights Reserved. If you no longer wish to receive these emails you may [unsubscribe or manage your preferences]( at any time. Al-Monitor · 1850 K St NW · Suite 1225 · Washington, DC 20006 · USA