Mass protests in Israel against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reforms stretched security forces as Palestinians were subjected to right-wing extremist attacks, experts told The National.
Palestinian citizens of Israel were beaten during pro-government demonstrations in Jerusalem on Tuesday. One attack was described by Israeli police as a “savage” assault.
“The chaos created by the internal turmoil is stretching Israeli security sources and diverting attention of Israeli civilian and security leaders,” Washington Institute senior fellow Ghaith Al Omari, who has previously held positions in the Palestinian Authority, told The National.
“This creates an opening for Palestinian and Israeli extremists who could use the instability to conduct violence in the West Bank and Jerusalem.”
About 700,000 demonstrators took to the streets after Mr Netanyahu said he would sack Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for opposing the Prime Minister's plans for judicial changes. In the melee, some Palestinians were set upon.
A Palestinian taxi driver told Israeli radio station Radio Kan that he was returning home from a night shift when his car was stopped by a group of right-wing protesters. He said he could not know if what happened next was linked to those who stopped him, but he suspects the stop was planned.
"One approached and the window was open. He asked me: 'Are you an Arab? Are you an Arab?'. In panic, I called the police.
"They began to smash and hit the car. If I hadn't escaped — it's very simple, I'd be dead.
The driver, who did not wish to be named, said he managed to run off to a police station but was pursued all the way by men on bicycles and on foot.
"You always think this is faraway, that it won't happen to you ... it is very unpleasant, very scary," he said.
Since the incident he has been struggling to sleep, he said.
In some cases, members of the right wing are looking for an “excuse” to become violent, Adam Shinar, an associate professor in constitutional law at Israel's Reichman University, told The National.
“What has this Palestinian cab driver got to do with legal reforms? For some, a small group in the right wing camp, the most radical, the most extreme, they're kind of racist anyway. So for them, this is often an excuse to engage in violence and when it comes from these racist sentiments, it doesn't have to make sense.”
Tensions are usually particularly high during Ramadan especially this year as it coincides with the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Mr Netanyahu said he would delay the judicial overhaul process to next month.
But groups like the Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association (Addameer) say Israel's right wing government has worsened an already difficult situation for imprisoned Palestinians.
Measures include the introduction of the death penalty for people accused of “terrorism”.
“This bill increases the likelihood that the death penalty will be implemented and is formulated to solely apply to crimes committed by Palestinians,” a report by the group released earlier this month said.
Last month, the Knesset passed a bill which enables the government to strip Palestinians of Israeli citizenship without court approval, rendering them stateless, contrary to international law.
“Even if the government stops the judicial reforms, the attacks on prisoners will continue,” Addameer general director Sahar Francis told The National.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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THE BIO
Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979
Education: UAE University, Al Ain
Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6
Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma
Favourite book: Science and geology
Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC
Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.
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Bahrain%20GP
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
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Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar
Director: Neeraj Pandey
Rating: 2.5/5
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
LIVING IN...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Race card
1.45pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.15pm: Maiden Dh75,000 1,200m.
2.45pm: Handicap Dh95,000 1,200m.
3.15pm: Handicap Dh120,000 1,400m.
3.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,400m.
4.15pm: Handicap Dh90,000 1,800m.
4.45pm: Handicap Dh80,000 1,950m.
The National selections:
1.45pm: Galaxy Road – So Hi Speed
2.15pm: Majestic Thunder – Daltrey
2.45pm: Call To War – Taamol
3.15pm: Eqtiraan - Bochart
3.45pm: Kidd Malibu – Initial
4.15pm: Arroway – Arch Gold
4.35pm: Compliance - Muqaatil
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%3Cp%3ECompany%3A%20Zywa%3Cbr%3EStarted%3A%202021%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Nuha%20Hashem%20and%20Alok%20Kumar%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20UAE%3Cbr%3EIndustry%3A%20FinTech%3Cbr%3EFunding%20size%3A%20%243m%3Cbr%3ECompany%20valuation%3A%20%2430m%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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HOW TO WATCH
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The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
Primera Liga fixtures (all times UAE: 4 GMT)
Friday
Real Sociedad v Villarreal (10.15pm)
Real Betis v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Barcelona (8.15pm)
Levante v Deportivo La Coruna (10.15pm)
Girona v Malaga (10.15pm)
Las Palmas v Atletico Madrid (12.15am)
Sunday
Espanyol v Leganes (8.15pm)
Eibar v Athletic Bilbao (8.15pm)
Getafe v Sevilla (10.15pm)
Real Madrid v Valencia (10.15pm)
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
'Manmarziyaan' (Colour Yellow Productions, Phantom Films)
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
