Al-Monitor Daily Briefing: House Democrats revive bid to fully restore Palestinian aid

If you have trouble reading this email, [view it in a browser](. [logo]( [fb_icon]( [twitter_icon]( EDITOR'S PICKS Wednesday, July 8 | Daily Briefing [By: Bryant Harris on Tuesday, Jul. 7, 2020]( Washington 1 [House Democrats revive bid to fully restore Palestinian aid]( The Democratic-held House is launching another bid to increase Palestinian economic aid while facilitating people-to-people programs with Israel. Israel 2 [Mysterious explosions escalate Israel, Iran tensions]( Ahead of the US presidential elections, and on the backdrop of mysterious explosions, Israel prepares for various escalation scenarios on Iran’s part. Culture 3 [Lebanon's Baalbeck Festival moves world audience with dramatic online performance]( Lebanon's beloved Baalbeck Festival has survived various challenging times, and this year was no exception. 4 [Assyrians caught in crossfire between Turkey, PKK fighting]( Wars, attacks by the Islamic State, pressure from remaining militia groups and now attacks by Turkey have emptied or destroyed many Assyrian communities in northern Iraq. 5 [Russia, China veto UN vote to extend aid to Syria’s opposition-held northwest]( Russia previously made clear its intent to veto the proposal, despite last-minute hopes the Kremlin might abstain. North Africa 6 [Amazigh languish in underserved pockets of southeast Tunisia]( Post-revolutionary Tunisia has been friendlier to its indigenous Amazigh, but the concentration of wealth and power in the north continues to marginalize the remote communities. Iraq 7 [Iraqi prime minister vows to bring expert's killers to justice]( The assassination of an Iraqi expert on militias and extremist groups has raised already heightened security concerns in Iraq. 8 [UN expert calls US killing of Soleimani 'unlawful']( The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions called the US strike an “arbitrary killing” that threatens to undermine norms of military conflict between countries. Palestine 9 [Hamas’ test rockets coincide with Israeli annexation plan]( Hamas’ military wing fired dozens of rockets and mortars toward the Gaza Strip sea, which some believe to be a message to Israel regarding its annexation plans. Egypt 10 [Egypt hackers attack Ethiopian sites as Nile dam talks falter]( Ethiopia announced it has foiled an Egyptian cyber attack as tensions deepen between the two countries over the limping negotiations on the Nile dam dispute. Gulf 11 [Dubai welcomes back tourists]( The Emirati city wants visitors to come back as the country emerges from its coronavirus closures. Israel 12 [Second wave of virus pummels Netanyahu]( Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's popularity is falling amid a spike in coronavirus cases. Lebanon 13 [How Caesar Act could hurt Lebanon's Tripoli]( With residents of Tripoli already suffering shortages under Lebanon’s mounting system-wide collapse, the US Caesar Act promises to both hinder investment in Tripoli and increase cross-border smuggling. Israel 14 [Israel’s Foreign Ministry making a comeback?]( Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi seeks to reassert the role of the ministry in Israel's diplomacy. Egypt 15 [Egypt inaugurates iconic Baron Palace amid renewed interest in Heliopolis heritage]( The exotic Baron Palace, inspired by Hindu architecture, in Cairo’s Heliopolis district was inaugurated after years of renovation works, with the aim to become a new tourist destination. 16 [Iran cuts oil production and storage is nearly full amid pandemic, US sanctions]( Reuters reported that Iran's onshore storage facilities are nearly full while production is at its lowest point since the Iran-Iraq war. Washington 17 [Intel: AIPAC rebukes Democrats again for bill to keep US aid out of annexation]( The American Israel Public Affairs Committee issued its third rebuke of Democratic lawmakers in as many weeks over their repeated attempts to keep Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from annexing significant portions of the West Bank. 18 [Germany, France, Egypt and Jordan issue statement against West Bank annexation]( The countries wrote that they oppose Israel's planned incorporation of parts of the Palestinian territory. The plans have hit roadblocks in Israel this month. 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