French President Emmanuel Macron's hopes for a landmark global summit promoting recognition of Palestinian statehood are being tested by the intensifying Israeli offensive in Gaza.
The French leader has seized the diplomatic potential of an upcoming conference in New York, co-hosted with Saudi Arabia, to both broaden recognition of Palestine and strengthen backing for the Arab League’s Gaza reconstruction plan.
French diplomats initially hoped for progress on Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, establishing ties with Israel, but now they temper expectations, speaking only of efforts to secure “signals” from the most obvious candidate among Arab states. France had also hoped G7 nations such as Canada or the UK would announce a co-ordinated position on recognising Palestine, but none have publicly committed to doing so.
I remain confident despite the tragic situation
Ofer Bronchtein,
adviser to President Emmanuel Macron
The summit preparations coincide with a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza after Israel imposed a total blockade. On Monday, Israel launched a new military offensive to hold territory in the embattled enclave.
Since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, that killed about 1,200 Israelis, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has killed more than 52,500 people in Gaza. In parallel, prospects for a Palestinian state appear increasingly bleak as Israeli ministers openly discuss the potential annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.
Those close to French diplomatic efforts warn the challenge Mr Macron has taken on is increasingly an uphill battle.
“It's a good thing that France is investing political capital in the crisis,” said Laure Foucher, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research in Paris. “But Macron is so focused on achieving a diplomatic coup that he is basing his initiative on several wrong assessments, ignoring the reality on the ground.”
Ofer Bronchtein, a Franco-Israeli activist with Palestinian citizenship who advises the president, remains optimistic that the “June initiative” can work if there is a ceasefire, a move towards the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid and the release of Israeli hostages.
France's partners need a rallying point, according to Mr Bronchtein. “Macron talked about a collective effort by European countries that haven’t yet recognised Palestine, by non-Europeans, by Americans, and by Arab and Muslim states. That’s the collective effort.”
The conference's mandate derives from a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in September that endorsed an advisory opinion published by the International Court of Justice in July on the illegality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories. It is designed to pull together divergent parts of the UN even as questions over its potential impact grow.
“It would be meaningless to hold a conference that is just about statements and has no impact on the Gaza war and violence in the West Bank,” said Yoav Shemer-Kunz, a professor of political science at Strasbourg University in France and Syracuse University in the US.
Michel Duclos, a former French ambassador to the UN, wrote in a recent op-ed published by the think tank Institut Montaigne that: “The challenge for France lies not only in the Israeli-Palestinian affair but also in its capacity to serve as a bridge between the West and the South.”
There is an awareness in Paris that the real power broker is the US, which, under former president Joe Biden, had reportedly been negotiating a defence pact with Saudi Arabia in return for normalisation with Israel. During his visit to Riyadh next week, US President Donald Trump is expected to discuss a weapons package worth more than $100 billion. It remains unclear whether it will be linked to establishing diplomatic ties with the Israeli government.
Tragic situation
Despite the bleak context, some close to Mr Macron remain hopeful. “I remain confident despite the tragic situation,” said Mr Bronchtein.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council that is deeply involved in the Middle East, France sees an opportunity to shape the longer-term peace process that emerges from the conflict.
Mr Bronchtein, who has been advising Mr Macron since 2020 and says his role, though unpaid, has provided a direct channel to the president, has floated several ideas. One is a proposal to relocate some Gazans for three to five years to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula during a postwar reconstruction phase.
Mr Bronchtein's blueprint rests on an idea repeatedly rejected by Egypt, but he believes a change of heart could be secured in exchange for debt relief for Cairo. Another part of his ideas rests on Gaza reconstruction financed with funds derived from taxes on oil and gas transactions.
“I haven’t asked them [oil and gas producers] for their opinion. It’s my idea,” said Mr Bronchtein, who also suggested taxing weapons sales in the Middle East. Asked how Mr Macron responded, Mr Bronchtein replied: “He said he would study it.”
Fantasy thinking
A self-described “atypical” figure, Mr Bronchtein said Mr Macron’s diplomatic entourage dislike him because he has no diplomatic training. Critics say his ideas are detached from reality.
“It’s pure fantasy to talk about temporary displacement,” Ms Foucher said. “If Gazans are forced to leave, it will never be up to them to decide whether they can return or not. Palestinians will never have the freedom to decide who enters Gaza or the West Bank as long as they don't have a state.” Contacted by The National, both the Elysee Palace and the Foreign Ministry declined to comment on Mr Bronchtein’s proposals.
Contentious plans
The issue of even short-term displacement is deeply contentious. For many Palestinians, it evokes historical trauma and raises fears of permanent expulsion – particularly amid past threats from Mr Trump and far-right Israeli officials to forcibly relocate Gaza’s population of more than two million. Israel has a long history of blocking the return of Palestinians displaced by war.
Cairo has consistently rejected reports that it would accept large numbers of displaced Gazans. In April, Egypt’s State Information Service dismissed media claims it was considering hosting up to 500,000 people in northern Sinai, reiterating its “absolute and final rejection of any attempt to displace Palestinians”. The Arab League’s Gaza reconstruction plan, adopted in Cairo in March, made no mention of displacement.
Israel's role
Mr Bronchtein's suggestions that Israel would not be required to formally recognise a Palestinian state, but under the French plan acknowledge the situation, could be a way forward. “It’s not a stupid idea,” he said. With Mr Netanyahu reliant on a hardline coalition staunchly opposed to a Palestinian state, Mr Bronchtein sees Israel's position as dependent on legislative elections next year.
Mr Macron taking on more radical ideas cannot be ruled out. The President often makes foreign policy decisions unilaterally, sometimes blindsiding his own government. His April 9 announcement that France would recognise a Palestinian state in June surprised many at the Foreign Ministry, The National understands.
Tensions within French diplomatic circles have simmered since November 2023, when a leaked memo from Middle East ambassadors revealed discontent over Mr Macron’s perceived pro-Israel bias. Whether his upcoming peace initiative will reset France’s approach – or further complicate it – remains to be seen.
RESULT
Valencia 3
Kevin Gameiro 21', 51'
Ferran Torres 67'
Atlanta 4
Josip Llicic 3' (P), 43' (P), 71', 82'
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre V6
Power: 295hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 355Nm at 5,200rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km
Price: Dh179,999-plus
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UAE and Russia in numbers
UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years
Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018
More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE
Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE
The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Elvis
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The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
The Pope's itinerary
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Results
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Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
The specs: 2018 Volkswagen Teramont
Price, base / as tested Dh137,000 / Dh189,950
Engine 3.6-litre V6
Gearbox Eight-speed automatic
Power 280hp @ 6,200rpm
Torque 360Nm @ 2,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 11.7L / 100km
SHAITTAN
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'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
Investors: Oman Technology Fund from 2017 to 2019, exited through an agreement with a new investor to secure new funding that it under negotiation right now.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The Africa Institute 101
Housed on the same site as the original Africa Hall, which first hosted an Arab-African Symposium in 1976, the newly renovated building will be home to a think tank and postgraduate studies hub (it will offer master’s and PhD programmes). The centre will focus on both the historical and contemporary links between Africa and the Gulf, and will serve as a meeting place for conferences, symposia, lectures, film screenings, plays, musical performances and more. In fact, today it is hosting a symposium – 5-plus-1: Rethinking Abstraction that will look at the six decades of Frank Bowling’s career, as well as those of his contemporaries that invested social, cultural and personal meaning into abstraction.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
