Daniel Estrin

The elaborate funeral pyres of India, the seven-day mourning among Jews in Israel and the sacred body washing of Muslims in Iraq, are all important rituals of death now in disarray amid the pandemic.

The leaders of Hungary, Israel and the Philippines have exploited the coronavirus crisis to consolidate their hold on power and weaken institutions that could curb them.

Usually quiet Israeli government agencies and contractors are going public with their battle against COVID-19.

Ultra-Orthodox Jews make up about 12% of Israel's population — but account for many of Israel's COVID-19 cases. This week a senior rabbi finally urged his followers to obey government lockdown orders.

Gaza braces for onset of coronavirus cases. West Bank's early restrictions may have staved off a crisis. And, Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu is self-quarantined and will be named prime minister again.

After three inconclusive elections, Netanyahu and his rival Benny Gantz are reportedly close to a deal to rotate as prime minister, with Netanyahu taking the first turn.

Violence hasn't ended, but it's barely registering headlines. "The corona doesn't care about religion," says Palestinian cartoonist Safaa Odah. "Doesn't care where you live."

Israelis and Palestinians have — if only briefly — set aside some of their mutual suspicion for concern amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The family of 88-year-old Arie Even said they were saddened not to be able to be with him during his final days. They were asked to stay away in order not to catch the virus.

The move draws criticism over privacy, as concerns rise about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's attempts to stay in power.

Israel is using phone data to track people potentially exposed to the coronavirus. That touched off a backlash among Israelis worried about the direction of their democracy

Israel's challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now gets another chance to form a new government after a third close election and a year of political uncertainty.

Retired army general Benny Gantz was tapped after a majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-member Parliament told President Reuven Rivlin they supported Gantz over Netanyahu.

The military is conducting a credibility assessment of claims of civilian casualties during the U.S. operation against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The country's longest-serving prime minister claimed his "biggest win," but his coalition again appears to lack enough support to form a government.

Israelis voted for the third time in a year as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struggles to win a fourth straight term in office.

After two deadlocked results, Israelis go again to the polls Monday for an unprecedented third general election in less than a year.

Israelis are back at the polls Monday — their third election in less than a year. The last two elections ended in a stalemate which has never happened before in Israel.

Israeli voters go to the polls Monday for an unprecedented third time in a year and may face yet another deadlocked election.

After two failed tries, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hopes to win reelection on Monday. But don't be surprised if there's another inconclusive result.