Palestinians whose tents were destroyed by Israeli bombs in a camp west of Rafah. Israel has been warned that ‘human catastrophe’ can no longer be blamed on military mistakes. AP
Palestinians whose tents were destroyed by Israeli bombs in a camp west of Rafah. Israel has been warned that ‘human catastrophe’ can no longer be blamed on military mistakes. AP
Palestinians whose tents were destroyed by Israeli bombs in a camp west of Rafah. Israel has been warned that ‘human catastrophe’ can no longer be blamed on military mistakes. AP
Palestinians whose tents were destroyed by Israeli bombs in a camp west of Rafah. Israel has been warned that ‘human catastrophe’ can no longer be blamed on military mistakes. AP

No more 'tragic mistakes': Warning to Israel as three European states recognise Palestine


Tim Stickings
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Three European countries formally recognised the state of Palestine on Tuesday in a symbolic move meant to show a way out of the war in the Middle East.

Ireland warned Israel that it must not keep blaming civilian suffering on “tragic mistakes” as the European nation joined Spain and Norway in making good on a recognition pledge last week.

The decision, signed off at cabinet meetings on Tuesday, is Europe's most significant step to revive a two-state solution after almost eight months of war in Gaza.

As Oslo's recognition went into effect, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide hailed the move as “a special day for Norway-Palestine relations”.

After Spain's cabinet backed the move, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said it was a day that would be “etched in Spain's history”.

Despite opposition from Israel, it is hoped the move will spur momentum and encourage others to take “practical actions” towards peace, said Irish premier Simon Harris.

He said the “historic and important decision” was taking place against a backdrop of “ongoing human catastrophe” that Israel could not keep attributing to mistakes.

“This decision of Ireland is about keeping hope alive,” Mr Harris said shortly after a cabinet meeting approved the move.

“We had wanted to recognise Palestine at the end of a peace process, however we have made this move alongside Spain and Norway to keep the miracle of peace alive.”

Anger over the war intensified after an Israeli strike killed 45 people sheltering in Rafah and produced harrowing images of their camp on fire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a “tragic mishap” that will be investigated. Gaza's Health Ministry has said more than 36,000 people have been killed since the start of the war.

An Israeli strike at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah killed 45 people and intensified anger over the war. AFP
An Israeli strike at a camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah killed 45 people and intensified anger over the war. AFP

“We now have a new despicable and disgusting trend emerging where … when absolute horror seems to take place, the Prime Minister of Israel comes out and describes it as a ‘tragic mistake’,” Mr Harris said.

“April’s ‘tragic mistake’ was the bombing to death of aid workers trying to provide food to starving mouths, May’s ‘tragic mistake' … was children being blown to death while seeking protection in a displaced centre.

“What will June’s ‘tragic mistake’ be? And more importantly, what does the world now intend to stop it happening?"

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the recognition is “not only a matter of historic justice” but “also an essential requirement if we are all to achieve peace”.

He said the decision was “not against anyone, least of all Israel” as he vowed not to recognise changes to pre-1967 borders without consent from both sides.

The acknowledgement covers a single Palestinian state made up of Gaza and the West Bank, led by the Palestinian National Authority and with East Jerusalem as its capital.

While Israel says the move rewards the violence of October 7, Mr Sanchez said it reflects Spain's “outright rejection of Hamas, which is against the two-state solution”.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said recognition of Palestine was not a move against Israel. AFP
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said recognition of Palestine was not a move against Israel. AFP

The Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the West Bank under Israeli military occupation, has welcomed the decision.

Israel has already recalled its ambassadors from the three countries and accused them of siding with Hamas and Iran.

Representatives for Spain, Ireland and Norway were summoned to a “reprimand conversation” to watch footage of Hamas kidnapping Israeli women.

“Sanchez … you are complicit in incitement to genocide against the Jewish people and in war crimes,” Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday.

Diplomats in Tel Aviv were summoned by Israel to watch footage of Hamas's October 7 attack after their countries recognised Palestine. AFP
Diplomats in Tel Aviv were summoned by Israel to watch footage of Hamas's October 7 attack after their countries recognised Palestine. AFP

Slovenia and Malta have signalled they will soon sign a joint declaration with Spain, Ireland and Norway.

Last week, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said that “the more countries that join us, the greater will be our leverage over both sides to achieve a truce and the release of hostages”.

A total of 140 countries recognise Palestine but most western powers such as the US, UK and Germany have not done so.

In Britain, politicians on both sides of the imminent general election have said they support statehood in principle but only when the time is right.

Last month, the US vetoed a UN resolution on statehood, while Germany has long been a key backer of Israel due to remorse over the Holocaust.

But there is growing concern at an EU level with how Israel is conducting its offensive in Gaza, which is the subject of genocide and war crimes allegations.

The devastation of the war in Gaza has prompted investigations into alleged war crimes and genocide. Bloomberg
The devastation of the war in Gaza has prompted investigations into alleged war crimes and genocide. Bloomberg

After an EU meeting on Monday, Ireland's Foreign Minister Micheal Martin said there was “significant discussion on sanctions” on Israel for the first time.

The meeting ended with EU diplomats agreeing to call Israel to an association council to discuss the situation in Gaza.

“We have an association agreement that is effectively a trade benefit agreement between Europe and Israel,” Mr Harris said.

“I am very confident that the overwhelming majority of people in this country would like to see that agreement reviewed from a human rights point of view.”

The EU's foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell meanwhile sided with the International Court of Justice by saying Israel must comply with its ruling to halt its offensive in Rafah.

Norway is not in the EU but pursues a similar foreign policy and handed diplomatic papers to the Palestinian government at the weekend.

Spain and Norway have a historic role in the peace process after negotiations in Madrid in 1991 paved the way for the Oslo Accords two years later.

Ireland has long championed the Palestinian cause, seeing a similarity to its own push for independence from Britain.

Tuesday's decision makes Spain and Ireland the second and third countries, after Sweden in 2014, to recognise Palestine while a member of the EU.

Some others such as Poland and Hungary recognised Palestine while under communist rule in the 1980s.

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

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

THE SPECS

Engine: 4.4-litre V8

Transmission: Automatic

Power: 530bhp 

Torque: 750Nm 

Price: Dh535,000

On sale: Now

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

PLAY-OFF%20DRAW
%3Cp%3EBarcelona%20%20v%20Manchester%20United%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EJuventus%20v%20Nantes%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESporting%20Lisbon%20v%20Midtjylland%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EShakhtar%20Donetsk%20v%20Rennes%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAjax%20v%20Union%20Berlin%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EBayer%20Leverkusen%20v%20Monaco%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESevilla%20v%20PSV%20Eindhoven%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESalzburg%20v%20Roma%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UFC%20FIGHT%20NIGHT%3A%20SAUDI%20ARABIA%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20card%3Cbr%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERobert%20Whittaker%20defeated%20Ikram%20Aliskerov%20via%20knockout%20(Round%201)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EHeavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EAlexander%20Volkov%20def%20Sergei%20Pavlovich%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EKelvin%20Gastelum%20def%20Daniel%20Rodriguez%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMiddleweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EShara%20Magomedov%20def%20Antonio%20Trocoli%20via%20knockout%20(Round%203)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20heavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EVolkan%20Oezdemir%20def%20Johnny%20Walker%20via%20knockout%20(Round%201)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPreliminary%20Card%0D%3Cbr%3ELightweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ENasrat%20Haqparast%20def%20Jared%20Gordon%20via%20split%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFeatherweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EFelipe%20Lima%20def%20Muhammad%20Naimov%20via%20submission%20(Round%203)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EWelterweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERinat%20Fakhretdinov%20defeats%20Nicolas%20Dalby%20via%20split%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMuin%20Gafurov%20def%20Kang%20Kyung-ho%20via%20unanimous%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELight%20heavyweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EMagomed%20Gadzhiyasulov%20def%20Brendson%20Ribeiro%20via%20majority%20decision%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBantamweight%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChang%20Ho%20Lee%20def%20Xiao%20Long%20via%20split%20decision%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
End of free parking

- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18

- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued

- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket

- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200. 

- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200

- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300

MATCH INFO

Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)

Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')

Tips for job-seekers
  • Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
  • Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.

David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East

The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
 
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
 
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
 
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
 
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

Essentials

The flights

Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes. 
 

The stay

A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.

Calls

Directed by: Fede Alvarez

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

4/5

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

 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: May 28, 2024, 5:27 PM`