December 22, 2020

Daily News Brief

December 22, 2020

Top of the Agenda

Israel Appears Set to Hold Snap Elections in 2021

Israel could be forced to hold its fourth elections (Reuters) in two years after the country’s leaders failed to resolve a dispute over the budget.

Since establishing a unity government in May after three inconclusive elections, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who leads the Likud party, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, who heads the Blue and White alliance, have been unable to agree (Haaretz) on the 2020 budget. Lawmakers in the Knesset rejected a proposal overnight to postpone the deadline to reach a deal. If the two sides cannot pass a budget by tonight, the government will dissolve (WaPo) and elections will be automatically set for March 23. The budget dispute comes as Israel has normalized relations with several Arab nations through U.S.-brokered deals; the first direct flight from Israel to Morocco took off today (Times of Israel).

Analysis

“On the one hand [Israelis] are rooting for new elections because it will put an end to a dysfunctional government dominated by two parties—Likud and Blue and White—plagued by a complete lack of trust and respect one for each other, and which, during the coronavirus crisis, have shown a sad inability to work together,” Herb Keinon writes for the Jerusalem Post.

“The fourth Knesset election in under four years. So what else is new? But there could be no greater mistake. This time it’s a whole new ball game. With new opening conditions and a new lineup,” Yossi Verter writes for Haaretz.

CFR’s Martin S. Indyk explains the challenges that faced Israel’s unity government for Foreign Affairs.

The Council in 2020: Year in Review

A global pandemic, elections, civil unrest, and much more. Take a look back at how CFR brought together renowned experts and leaders to unpack a challenging year for the United States and the world. 

Watch Now

United States

Congress Approves $900 Billion Relief Package

Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted in favor (NYT) of a long-sought coronavirus relief package that President Donald J. Trump could sign as early as today. The package provides much-needed support to Americans and businesses, as a number of pandemic relief provisions are set to expire at the end of the year. It includes $600 direct payments to millions of people, funding for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, the revival of unemployment benefits, and assistance for businesses.

Pacific Rim

Taiwan’s Coronavirus-Free Streak Ends

Taiwan reported its first locally transmitted COVID-19 case since April, related to a cargo pilot who flew routes abroad, ending a 253-day streak (WaPo) with no domestic transmission of the virus.

Philippines: A police officer shot and killed (Rappler) a woman and her son on Sunday in the northern province of Tarlac, sparking outrage throughout the country. A video of the shooting, the latest of several recent killings by police, has renewed calls for police reform.

This CFR Backgrounder compares policing in countries around the world.

South and Central Asia

Over One Million People Killed by Air Pollution in India

In 2019, air pollution killed 1.67 million people (Hindustan Times) in India, accounting for nearly 18 percent of total deaths that year in a country that is home to some of the world’s worst air pollution, according to a new study published in the Lancet. The fatalities led to a 1.4 percent shrinkage of India’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Pakistan: Activist Karima Baloch was found dead (BBC) in Toronto, where she lived in exile since 2015. Hailing from Pakistan’s restive Balochistan region, Baloch was a vocal critic of the government and the military.

Middle East and North Africa

Lebanon Passes Landmark Sexual Harassment Bill

Parliament passed a law criminalizing sexual harassment (Al Jazeera), under which perpetrators could face up to four years in prison. It also broadened the scope of a law on domestic violence. But some activists said lawmakers did not go far enough; marital rape remains legal in Lebanon.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Countries Ban Travel From South Africa Over COVID-19 Strain

At least five countries have banned flights from South Africa (AFP, Reuters) after a new strain of the coronavirus was discovered there last week. The strain could be responsible for a recent surge in cases throughout the country, scientists said.

Ethiopia/Sudan: Officials have begun talks (AFP) to demarcate the countries’ shared border one week after Ethiopian forces reportedly ambushed Sudanese troops in the region, leaving four people dead.

Europe

EU Approves COVID-19 Vaccine

The European Commission approved (Politico) Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for use throughout the European Union, and vaccinations could begin on December 27. The announcement comes nearly three weeks after the United Kingdom approved the vaccine, prompting some officials to criticize the delay.

This CFR Backgrounder explains how the world is distributing COVID-19 vaccines.

UK: Two men were found guilty of manslaughter (BBC) over the deaths of thirty-nine Vietnamese migrants who suffocated in a sealed shipping container in October 2019. Two other people were convicted of involvement in a wider people-smuggling conspiracy.

Americas

Nicaragua Could Prevent Opposition From Running in 2021 Elections

Congress, dominated by President Daniel Ortega’s ruling party, passed a law that gives the president unilateral power to declare citizens “terrorists” or “traitors to the homeland” and prevent them from running (AP) in November 2021 presidential elections.  Ortega is expected to run again, despite already exceeding term limits.

Mexico: A new report by the Committee to Protect Journalists called Mexico (Guardian) the deadliest country for journalists in 2020. Nine journalists were killed in the country this year, accounting for nearly a third of all members of the media killed worldwide.

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