BBC News reports that Hassan Habib Merhi and Hussein Oneissi, two members of Hezbollah, have been convicted by the UK Special Tribunal for Lebanon. They were found guilty in absentia for being accomplices in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

BBC News reports that Saudi Arabia has seen a rare display of dissent as the country moved to demolish districts in the city of Jeddah for a multi-billion development. Residents of the demolished areas complained that they did not receive warning or compensation. This has turned into a rare protest across social media channels over the demolitions which are being viewed as an injustice. A video report from BBC News shows the demolished areas of the neighbourhoods in Jeddah.

BBC News and The Guardian report that the Islamic State (IS) has named its new leader after confirming the death of its previous leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi. In early February al-Qurayshi blew himself up, killing his family, during a US special forces raid in north-western Syria. In an audio message, IS spokesman, Abu Omar al-Muhajer confirmed al-Qurayshi death and said that a successor had been chosen, but did not name him.

The Associated Press reports that former US Vice President Mike Pence met with far-right Israelis during a visit to the Israeli settlement of Hebron in the West Bank. He met Itamar Ben Gvir, a far-right member of Israel’s parliament, and Baruch Marzel, who was barred from running in elections in 2019. Both have links to banned Jewish terror groups.

The Financial Times reports on Israel’s ‘unlikely’ role as a mediator throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The paper notes that Israeli Prime Minister “Naftali Bennett keen to preserve Middle East interests and help Ukraine’s Jewish community.”

The Economist examines how the invasion of Ukraine will spread hunger in the Middle East. The paper notes “Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which has sent commodity prices surging, will cause widespread hardship. Pricey wheat will blow up budgets in the Middle East, perhaps forcing subsidy cuts that leave citizens hungry.”

The Economist reports on why certain countries in the Middle East have shown sympathy to Russia during the Ukraine invasion, while trying to avoid picking between Russia and the West.

Reuters analyses the UAE’s position towards the US, and the importance of its oil, writing that “By single-handedly knocking 13 per cent off rocketing oil prices on one day this week, the United Arab Emirates demonstrated the power Gulf producers wield in the market and sent a wake-up call to Washington to pay closer attention to its longtime allies.”

The Associated Press examines Iran’s mixed signals as the a deadline over the revival of the JCPOA nuclear talks nears. It notes “The Iranian president defended the negotiations while the country’s top diplomat and a security official blamed America for the deadlock.”

All the Israeli media cover President Isaac Herzog’s visit to Turkey. Maariv covers Herzog’s comments relating to his visit as “important” and “meaningful” Herzog described Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as being “open to honest dialogue on a diverse range of issues. We spoke in depth about important and operationally significant issues.” The paper notes that while “Jerusalem is pleased that the visit happened but is well aware of the fact that real change to Israel-Turkey relations will only be tested in the future and on a number of different benchmarks. It is too early to make declarations about this subject.”

The Israeli media also continues to be dominated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kan Radio News reports that the cabinet decided to allow refugees being held at Ben Gurion Airport to be transferred to a hotel, until a decision about their admittance to Israel was made. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said yesterday that the operation to bring Jewish Ukrainians to Israel embodied the purpose of the state. He said “First and foremost, we must open our doors and our hearts and welcome our brothers and sisters who are fleeing a terrible war.”

Sima Kadmon comments in Yediot Ahronot about what Israel’s conduct during the Ukraine crisis means for country, especially compared to the previous prime minister. She writes “ever since the new government was formed, the prime minister and foreign minister have been conducting a balanced and restrained policy without the bells and whistles; not only has the country continued to exist, but its global ties have even been upgraded.” She also writes about Herzog’s visit to Turkey: “The importance of this reconciliation meeting lies in the very fact that it took place. Where this goes from here, only Allah knows. Some people think that Erdogan has made a U-turn and will tone down his criticism of Israel, while others say that he will do so until the next clash in Gaza, an Intifada in the territories, or any other security incident we have with the Palestinians… Israel can also benefit from this renaissance. Maybe it can go back to the times when defence exports to Turkey were booming, maybe it can get Erdogan to temper his hospitality towards Hamas officials and scale back Hamas’s presence in Turkey. Nevertheless, it’s not worth counting on a real strategic improvement with Turkey.”

Haaretz reports that the US Senate approved a $1.5 trillion spending package that includes which including $1 billion in funding for the Iron Dome. The paper adds that “The bill also covers the $3.3 billion in security assistance and $500 million in missile-defence partnerships, previously agreed upon as part of the 2015 memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Israel.”

Kan Radio News reports on a teacher shortage, noting that the number of teachers that quit the education system this school year doubled from the previous year –150 to 300. Most quit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Education Ministry is concerned about this development and the implications it will have for the coming school year. The General Director fears there will not be enough teachers.

Maariv reports on how the Knesset’s passage of the Citizenship Law is a win for the right wing. Moments before the Knesset adjourned it approved the second and third readings of the bill. The government, relying on support  from the opposition,  passed  the vote 45-15. The paper explains that “The Citizenship Law is meant to limit the number of family unification cases between Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinian spouses from the territories. It was a temporary measure that must be re-authorised each year.” Both the United Arab List and Meretz voted against the bill. UAL chairman Mansour Abbas said “There is no question that it would have been worth bringing down the government over this issue.” He added, that his party’s vote “rested on a detailed set of considerations for the benefit of Arab citizens.”

Kan Radio News reports on efforts by the Finance Ministry to reduce the rising cost of flour as part of a wider attempt to avert price hikes on food. One consideration is reducing or repealing the tax on imported wheat, which currently stands at 50 per cent. Buying local Israeli wheat costs even more. The ministry is expected to run into serious opposition from the agricultural lobby should the tariff be changed.