Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: Is Israel's Gantz crafting his political demise or a new beginning?

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Monday, April 13 | Daily Briefing [By: Mazal Mualem on Monday, Apr. 13, 2020]( Israel 1 [Is Israel's Gantz crafting his political demise or a new beginning?]( Even if Blue and White's Benny Gantz fails in his attempt to form the next Israeli government, he could emerge from the effort looking like the adult in the room and the person who put the interest of the state above his own. Russia / Mideast 2 [Is the new OPEC+ deal a win for Russia?]( The new OPEC+ deal has some advantages for Russia but some of the potential long-term implications may be dire for Moscow. Iran 3 [Iran's coronavirus stimulus: too little, too late]( Iran's decision to withdraw 1 billion euros from the country's sovereign wealth fund will do little to boost the economy, already distressed by corruption and the impact of global sanctions. Gulf 4 [Is Oman’s model of governance about to shift?]( Oman's debts are piling up as oil prices crash, putting at risk its wide-reaching social welfare system. Turkey 5 [COVID-19 crisis threatens to double Turkey’s unemployed]( The coronavirus pandemic has raised the specter of a dramatic spike in unemployment in Turkey, but only a small section of those affected are slated to receive government support. Palestine 6 [Jerusalem's Easter message is ‘your home is your church’]( Virtual church and stay-at-home services have replaced physical presence in churches in Jerusalem due to the coronavirus, as church leaders are trying to deal with the needs of the faithful using modern technology and age-old empathy and concern for the needy. Iraq 7 [Iraqi PM-designate meets with officials in push to form ‘government that serves the public’]( Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mustafa al-Kadhimi hopes to announce his proposed Cabinet soon. Syria 8 [Intelligence sharing remains key to fight against IS]( The Islamic State is continuing to carry out guerrilla attacks; developing and maintaining a comprehensive intelligence picture of the group is seen as an important weapon to keep its militants at bay. Israel 9 [In Israel, Arabs feel sidelined in struggle against coronavirus]( The Arab community has been disappointed with Israeli government communications about the coronavirus. Syria 10 [How Syrian opposition is trying to stop coronavirus from reaching its areas]( The Syrian opposition-led government is penalizing anyone involved in smuggling operations in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Israel 11 [Israel passes ball of prisoner exchange deal back to Hamas]( On the back of the coronavirus crisis, Israel is now examining a three-phased plan proposed indirectly by Hamas for the exchange of prisoners. Culture 12 [Coronavirus changes Iraq’s traditions of physical touch]( The imposition of social distancing in Iraq to avoid the spread of the coronavirus has affected Iraqi cultural habits such as shaking hands and kissing. Israel 13 [Morocco, Algeria face off at UN over Western Sahara]( The Polisario Front is disappointed over the lack of interest from the international community in the group's four-decade-long battle for self-determination and an independent state. Israel 14 [Ultra-Orthodox welcome soldiers’ help in battle against coronavirus]( When the ultra-Orthodox residents of Bnei Brak realized that the army was there to help them against the coronavirus, their negative attitudes changed almost overnight. 15 [Coronavirus outbreak in Turkish prisons leaves three inmates dead]( The global COVID-19 pandemic has hit several Turkish prisons, infecting at least 14 inmates so far and killing three. Palestine 16 [Gaza company using 3D printing to fight coronavirus]( An engineer from the Gaza Strip is making much-needed medical equipment via 3D printing technology. 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