Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: As trial nears, Netanyahu’s associates go after attorney general

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Tuesday, May 12 | Daily Briefing [By: Ben Caspit on Tuesday, May. 12, 2020]( Israel 1 [As trial nears, Netanyahu’s associates go after attorney general]( Loyalists of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ramped up their attacks on the legal system and mudslinging against Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit. 2 [Intel: Biden adviser says Iran deal supporters, detractors both wrong on sanctions' effectiveness]( A longtime foreign policy adviser to former Vice President Joe Biden argued on Monday that President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal has proven both the accord’s supporters and detractors wrong “about a critical thing.” Israel 3 [Will EU sanction Israel over annexation plans?]( European Union foreign ministers might consider threatening Israel with sanctions, in an effort to thwart Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank. 4 [Coronavirus, war prompts northeast Syrian schools to go online]( The Kurdish-led government in northeast Syria is putting classes online and may continue to use the internet for education beyond the coronavirus. Israel 5 [Pompeo to warn Israel over Chinese involvement in water plant]( Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is expected to warn Israel on his Wednesday visit against letting a Chinese firm build and operate the biggest seawater desalination plant in the world. 6 [Lebanon returns to lockdown for four days]( Lebanon had eased its anti-coronavirus restrictions, but an uptick in cases has prompted a reversal. 7 [Poll: Most Israeli Jews support annexing parts of West Bank]( The poll for April from the Israel Democracy Institute found differing opinions between the left and right and Jewish and Arab Israelis. Iraq 8 [Iraqi Security forces target armed groups that attacked protesters]( Iraq's new government is taking a series of decisions to rein in Iran-backed militias. Egypt 9 [Egypt withdraws from FIFA online friendlies]( Two Egyptian soccer players have withdrawn from the FIFA eNations StayAndPlay Friendlies, over Israel’s participation. 10 [Israeli soldier killed by rock in West Bank raid]( An Israeli soldier was killed during a pre-dawn raid near Jenin when a large rock was dropped on his head, the first IDF death during military operations this year. 11 [Intel: Trump congratulates Iraq’s new Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi]( President Donald Trump has congratulated Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi on his confirmation by Iraq’s Council of Representatives. 12 [UN calls on Israel to release Palestinian children from jails amid coronavirus]( Three UN officials urge Israeli authorities to free detained Palestinian children to protect them from COVID-19. 13 [Intel: WHO suspends Yemen staff activity over 'credible threats' in Houthi-held territory]( The World Health Organization has suspended its staff activity in certain areas throughout Houthi-controlled territory. Iran 14 [Iran says prisoner swap can happen without talks]( Iranian officials have reiterated calls for a prisoner swap with the US. 15 [Jordan reopens stock market after two months, value falls]( Jordan's stock market resumed trading after a two-month shutdown amid the coronavirus crisis, but stocks continued to fall. 16 [Part of Iran's oil-rich southwest goes under lockdown again]( Abadan, a city in Iran's Khuzestan province, has been ordered to shut down after people did not practice social distancing and coronavirus cases increased, according to Iranian media. Iran 17 [Iran says prisoner swap can happen without talks]( Iranian officials have reiterated calls for a prisoner swap with the US. 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