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Israel Looks to Renew Law that Keeps Out Palestinian Spouses

Israel's parliament is set to vote Monday on whether to renew a temporary law first enacted in 2003 that bars Arab citizens of Israel from extending citizenship or even residency to spouses from the occupied West Bank and Gaza.

Critics, including many left-wing and Arab lawmakers, say it's a racist measure aimed at restricting the growth of Israel's Arab minority, while supporters say it's needed for security purposes and to preserve Israel's Jewish character.

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U.S. Military Denies American Troops in Syria were Attacked

A facility housing U.S. troops in eastern Syria came under attack late Sunday when rockets were fired from nearby areas, an opposition war monitor, state media and a spokesman for U.S.-backed fighters said, though the U.S. military denied there was any attack.

"There is no truth to the reports that U.S. forces in Syria were attacked by rockets today," tweeted coalition spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto.

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Egypt Opens Naval Base, Latest Example of Military Build-Up

Egypt's president has inaugurated a new naval base on the Mediterranean Sea, the latest example of the government's military build-up.

The base is meant to "secure the country's northern and western front… and the maritime shipping routes," according to a statement by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's office.

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Israeli Fire Kills Palestinian in West Bank Unrest

A Palestinian man has been killed by Israeli gunfire in the West Bank, Palestinian authorities said, in an incident Israel's army described as a "violent confrontation" between Palestinians and Jewish settlers.

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Israel Jets Strike in Gaza after Incendiary Balloon Fire

Israel attacked Gaza military targets late Saturday, the army and Palestinian sources said, after incendiary balloons from the Palestinian territory caused fires in Israel in recent days.

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Saudi Suspends UAE Flights Due to Virus Variant

Saudi Arabia has suspended flights to three countries, including the neighboring United Arab Emirates, to protect against a coronavirus variant, the interior ministry said Saturday.

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Regime Shelling Kills 8 Civilians in NW Syria

Six children were among eight civilians killed by regime artillery fire on Saturday in Syria's last major rebel stronghold of Idlib in the country's northwest, a war monitor said.

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Yemen Model in Rebel Jail Attempts Suicide

A young Yemeni model has attempted suicide in a Sanaa jail run by Huthi rebels enforcing a strict moral code, rights groups and her lawyer said.

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Israeli, UAE Airlines Announce Cooperation Deal

The UAE and Israeli flag-carriers announced a codeshare cooperation deal on Thursday, the latest sign of deepening ties between the two nations following September's normalization of diplomatic relations.

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Europe Court Refuses to Hear Case on Arafat Death

The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday dismissed a case brought by the widow and daughter of Yasser Arafat, who have claimed the iconic Palestinian leader's death was the result of poisoning.

Suha El Kodwa Arafat and Zahwa El Kodwa Arafat, who are French citizens, filed their case with the Strasbourg-based European court in 2017 after French courts dismissed their claims.

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