| May 4th, 2022
Israeli Judicial Law
On Tuesday, March 14, Israel’s Knesset voted 61-52 to pass the first reading of the controversial judicial bill, which would limit the Supreme Court’s judicial review and authorize lawmakers to prevent laws from undergoing judicial review.
On Wednesday, March 15, Israeli President Isaac Herzog presented “The People’s Plan,” a compromise solution to the government’s judicial overhaul efforts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected this plan, arguing that the “proposes were not agreed on by the coalition, and central elements of the proposal he made... don’t bring the necessary balance between the branches of government.”
As Israelis protested the rejection of the compromise plan, Netanyahu postponed the deadline for the reform ratification, which has now been tabled for April 30.
Russian Bases in Syria
On Wednesday, March 15, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad arrived in Moscow to discuss bilateral relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Assad asserted his support for Russia’s efforts against Ukraine, and Putin expressed Russian support for the regime’s sovereignty in Syria.
The following day, Assad welcomed “any Russian proposals to set up new military bases and boost troop numbers in [Syria], suggesting Russia's military presence there should become permanent.”
Turkey-Egypt Visit
On Saturday, March 18, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu traveled to Cairo to meet with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry among other delegates. According to Egypt’s foreign ministry, “the visit launches a deep-level dialogue on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of concern to both countries with the aim of reaching a mutual understanding.”
This engagement reflects the first Turkish-Egyptian diplomatic visit since 2012, as the countries severed ties following Egypt’s 2013 coup.
Israel-Palestine Talks
On Sunday, March 19, Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, Jordan and the United States participated in an emergency security summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This meeting aimed to prevent Israel and Palestine’s domestic security environment from further escalation and workdc to stabilize the Palestinian Authority through economic aid.
Following the talks, Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed to “prevention of further violence” and committed “to advancing security, stability and peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
Kuwait Nullifies 2022 Election
On Sunday, March 19, Kuwait's constitutional court nullified the country’s 2022 legislative elections and ruled to reinstate the previous parliament. Last year, Kuwait’s Crown Prince dissolved parliament; however, Sunday’s announcement identified this “dissolution of parliament as void” and “annulled the early elections held in September.”
This development marks a setback for the opposition who won parliamentary majority in September’s nullified elections.
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March 14-20
MENA Weekly