Arabic press review: Tunisian MP labelled traitor after calling for military coup

Jordanian MPs reject return of Israeli ambassador

The head of the Palestinian Committee in the Jordanian House of Representatives, Yahya al-Saud, has said that 25 MPs have signed a petition against the return of the Israeli ambassador to their country, according to the London-based newspaper Al-Quds al-Arabi.

"The petition was presented to the General Secretariat of the Council on Tuesday," said Saud, stressing that those who signed it also support a permanent end to diplomatic relations with Israel.

There are 130 MPs in the Jordanian House of Representatives, directly elected by the people. The council is also one of the two chambers forming the parliament in Jordan and represents the legislative authority in the country.

Tunisian MP calls for military coup

A Tunisian MP has called on the national army to carry out a military coup, similar to what happened in Egypt, stating that the army should hold authority over the country.

His comments have sparked a wave of anger among Tunisians, with some calling for the MP, Ali Bennour, to be tried for "treason and calling for a coup against the civil state," according to online newspaper Arabi21.

Bennour called on the army to carry out a military coup and take over governing the country, over what he called the failure of politicians and political parties in running the affairs of the country.

In a radio statement, Bennour said he hopes the Tunisian army will read out “Statement No. 1" and take over ruling the country, and stressed that he bears full responsibility for what he says and is fully aware of the seriousness of his words.

Health insurance crisis hits UNRWA

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jordan is on the brink of a new crisis after more than 7,000 members of its staff refused the terms of the new health insurance contract, which they say is "unfair and arbitrary," according to the Jordanian newspaper al-Ghad.

Employees announced, through their unions, their intention to carry out a series of escalatory measures in protest against the new health insurance conditions, unless their departments "retract" the offer. They asked that health insurance contracts include fair conditions in terms of benefits and costs, the newspaper said.  

The UNRWA administration decided to change the health insurance contracts following the US decision issued earlier this year to halve aid to UNRWA.

Fraudsters targeting UAE banks

Banks in the United Arab Emirates have issued warnings about fraudulent attempts to steal their customers’ personal data and ultimately money from their bank accounts.

Victims are selected through social media, or via phone calls, according to the Dubai-based newspaper Al-Bayan newspaper.

Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB) addressed its customers, saying that: "Fraudsters communicate with customers via phone calls, emails or WhatsApp to inform the customer that they won a cash prize from the bank or other institutions, and then they ask him to provide confidential banking data so they can transfer the prize money".

The statement added that once the customers share their personal or banking data, the fraudsters deposit or transfer money from the customer’s bank account to other accounts.

​* Arabic press review is a digest of reports that are not independently verified as accurate by Middle East Eye