Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
A tense Israel-France football match on Thursday became an outlet for French Jews to assert their support of Israel amid heavy security and calls for a boycott over Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Crowds carrying Israeli flags chanted "long live Israel" and waved yellow balloons to signal their support for the scores of Israeli hostages that are still believed to be held alive in Gaza.
France supporters could be heard saying: "I don't know if you noticed, but there's a match going on" – before cheering loudly for their team in an attempt to drown out overtly political slogans from the Israeli side.
Shortly after the start of the match, the pro-Israel crowd appeared to be caught up in a fist fight in the top section of the stand, which lasted several minutes before it was brought under control. It is unclear what started the skirmish.
Israel supporters said they were French Jews who did not hold Israeli nationality and wanted to celebrate their Jewish identity without fear against a backdrop of a surge in anti-Semitic attacks in the past year.
"Jews find it hard to own up to the fact that they're Jewish and take a clear stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict," said Kevin Elbaze, 33, a pharmacist. "It feels good to be together."
"Many Jews were too afraid to come due to what happened in Amsterdam last week," Mr Elbaze told The National. "I think that those who came anyway have a very strong sense of identity."
French authorities posted nearly three times more security than usual – 4,000 policemen and gendarmes – to ensure that there would be no repeat of the violence of last week in Amsterdam, in connection with a Europa League match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
France has the largest Jewish and Muslim population in Europe, and the October 7 Hamas-led attacks against Israel, as well as Israel's ensuing wars in Gaza and Lebanon, have become a political topic.
There was a large presence of anti-riot police inside the stadium, who closed off much access to the area where most Israel supporters were seated. At half-time, the supporters sang songs in support of Israel as well as France's national anthem.
"We finally have the opportunity in France to be able to show that we support Israel," said doctor Dan Bensa, 30, as he walked draped in an Israeli flag towards his seat. "Tonight we are here to show that we are not here for violence, we are not here for hatred, we just want to support our people and the only Hebrew state in the world, Israel."
On the pro-France benches, it was a message that was broadly understood but that did not gather much enthusiasm. "It's a pity. This was supposed to be about sports that it's been spoiled by politics," said Jeremy Malet, 30, a jurist. "We're not here to judge what [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu does."
Some pro-Israel supporters said that chants about hostages were directed at President Emmanuel Macron, who had come to watch the match alongside cabinet members and his predecessors, Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande. Two of the remaining hostages hold French nationality.
Mr Malet said he had bought tickets to the match because they were cheap and he was surprised at how empty the stadium was. Only 17,000 out of 80,000 people attended the game. His seats cost €29 ($30) and were close to the front rows that had been closed to the public with metal grids fitted with spikes.
"I think a lot of people were too afraid to come," he said.
Speaking shortly before the end of the match, Mr Malet struggled to find something positive to say but hoped for a good score for France. The 0-0 was probably an additional disappointment.
The match also drew criticism from some left-wing politicians and activists who had called for a boycott over the Israeli military's conduct in Gaza and Lebanon.
At a pro-Palestine protest a few kilometres away from the Stade de France, dozens of protesters gathered to express their opposition to the match before the event.
"There's a problem with the fact that a country like Israel, which is committing a genocide that we can all see on our smartphones, is coming to play a match in France," said Raafet Gad Elhak, a Frenchman who said his father was Palestinian.
He was referring the International Court of Justice's finding in January that it was "plausible" that Israel was committing a genocide in Gaza – a finding that is often heard among pro-Palestinian circles but is rejected by Israel.
More than 43,700 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza since the Hamas-led October 7 attacks against Israel in which 1,200 lost their lives. In Lebanon, where Israel extended its bombing campaign in September, almost 3,500 people have died.
In the crowd, there were parallels made between Israel and Russia, which was ostracised from the Olympic Games this summer in France because of its invasion of Ukraine. There was also criticism against Mr Macron and France's political leadership for supporting Israel despite recent diplomatic tension between the two countries.
"Macron's line isn't clear. Nothing has actually changed in France-Israel relations. We continue selling them weapons," said Lou, 27, a protester carrying a Palestinian flag.
Around the Stade de France, locals appeared less involved in politics. “This has become a really political game, but the football calendar was set a long time ago,” said Romain Bell, 26.
Ensuring that the game went ahead was welcomed by Nicolas Cornec, a tax inspector who works near the Stade de France.
“I think it is important that despite the tensions, international events concerning Israel are maintained,” Mr Cornec said. "Because life goes on."
AUSTRALIA SQUAD
Aaron Finch, Matt Renshaw, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
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Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
LUKA CHUPPI
Director: Laxman Utekar
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Cinema
Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Aparshakti Khurana
Rating: 3/5
How to wear a kandura
Dos
- Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion
- Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
- Wear a white kandura, white ghutra / shemagh (headwear) and black shoes for work
- Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester
Don’ts
- Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal
- Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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AWARDS
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Company%20profile%20
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%209
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041mm%20%E2%80%93%20352%20x%20430%3B%2045mm%20%E2%80%93%20396%20x%20484%3B%20always-on%20Retina%20LTPO%20OLED%2C%202000%20nits%20max%3B%20Ion-X%20glass%20(aluminium%20cases)%2C%20sapphire%20crystal%20(stainless%20steel%20cases)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20S9%2064-bit%2C%20W3%20wireless%2C%202nd-gen%20Ultra%20Wideband%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2064GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20watchOS%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20metrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Blood%20oxygen%20sensor%2C%20electrical%20heart%20sensor%20and%20ECG%2C%203rd-gen%20optical%20heart%20sensor%2C%20high%20and%20low%20heart%20rate%20notifications%2C%20irregular%20rhythm%20notifications%2C%20sleep%20stages%2C%20temperature%20sensing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEmergency%20services%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Emergency%20SOS%2C%20international%20emergency%20calling%2C%20crash%20detection%2C%20fall%20detection%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GPS%2FGPS%20%2B%20cellular%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20LTE%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Apple%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP6X%2C%20water%20resistant%20up%20to%2050m%2C%20dust%20resistant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20308mAh%20Li-ion%2C%20up%20to%2018h%20regular%2F36h%20low%20power%3B%20wireless%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20eSIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFinishes%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Aluminium%20%E2%80%93%20midnight%2C%20pink%2C%20Product%20Red%2C%20silver%2C%20starlight%3B%20stainless%20steel%20%E2%80%93%20gold%2C%20graphite%2C%20silver%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Watch%20Series%209%2C%20woven%20magnetic-to-USB-C%20charging%20cable%2C%20band%2Floop%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Starts%20at%20Dh1%2C599%20(41mm)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C719%20(45mm)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERemedy%20Entertainment%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Microsoft%20Game%20Studios%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%204%20%26amp%3B%205%2C%20Xbox%3A%20360%20%26amp%3B%20One%20%26amp%3B%20Series%20X%2FS%20and%20Nintendo%20Switch%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
