From left, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, her Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the meeting in Luxembourg. AFP
From left, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, her Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the meeting in Luxembourg. AFP
From left, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, her Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the meeting in Luxembourg. AFP
From left, Slovenia’s Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon, her Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa at the meeting in Luxembourg. AFP

Europe urged 'the sooner, the better' in move to recognise Palestinian statehood


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

Several European Union countries have expressed interest in recognising Palestinian statehood ahead of a key international peace conference in June, Palestine's Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa has said.

Speaking in Luxembourg alongside the EU's foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, and Dubravka Suica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Mr Mustafa struck an optimistic tone despite scepticism that major EU powers such Germany, Italy and the Netherlands will align with France's call for co-ordinated recognition.

If you think it's important, then you do it
European diplomat

"I think we have heard some encouraging comments from some key members of the EU about their interest and willingness to consider seriously recognition in the near future, and I think the sooner, the better," Mr Mustafa said, answering a question from The National.

"Some of them are waiting for the June conference, the International Peace Conference, that will be held in New York on June 17 to make that announcement. But we do encourage countries to do that as soon as possible."

The Luxembourg talks marked the first high-level EU-Palestinian political dialogue, with Mr Mustafa meeting the bloc's 27 foreign ministers and holding bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Spain, the Netherlands, Malta, Luxembourg, Belgium and Malta.

EU officials described the meeting as part of Brussels' efforts to equally engage both Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA), despite the latter lacking a formal association agreement with the bloc.

A former World Bank official, Mr Mustafa appears to have given a favourable impression to European diplomats. He was accompanied by Palestinian Foreign Minister, Varsen Aghabekian Shahinand, and Minister of Planning and International Co-operation, Wael Zakout.

"It's a real pleasure to have this first-ever high-level political dialogue and I hope that there are many, many more such meetings to come," Ms Kallas said. "Let me again express our solidarity with the Palestinian people at the appalling loss of life and destruction in Gaza."

Macron's plans for Palestine

While the EU supports a two-state solution and has condemned Israel's actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, the bloc is historically divided on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with limited influence on peace efforts. The EU remains, however, the biggest financial donor to the PA.

Yet French President Emmanuel Macron has recently emerged as a vocal advocate for Palestinian statehood. After a recent trip to Egypt near the Gaza border, Mr Macron said he would recognise Palestinian statehood at the conference in June. Speaking to the PA leader Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, Mr Macron said he wanted the authority to assume responsibility for Gaza from Hamas in a "day after" scenario once the war has ended. "This should allow progress towards a two-state political solution, with a view to the peace conference in June, in the service of peace and security for all," he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron and the Palestinian Authority's Minister for Heritage and Tourism Hani al-Hayek visit the Treasures Rescued from Gaza exhibition at the Arab World Institute in Paris. EPA
French President Emmanuel Macron and the Palestinian Authority's Minister for Heritage and Tourism Hani al-Hayek visit the Treasures Rescued from Gaza exhibition at the Arab World Institute in Paris. EPA

The Macron push is viewed as a significant shift in a country often seen as a mediator between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel EU countries. As a member of the Group of Seven and the UN Security Council, the French stance carries weight.

Mr Macron also aims to encourage western countries to follow suit while pushing for Arab states to establish relations with Israel. While Mr Macron has not clarified which Arab states he is alluding to, French diplomats and analysts have suggested Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has made it clear that establishing ties with Israel depends on a clear path to Palestinian statehood.

In a phone call with Mr Macron, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday expressed his strong opposition to the French President's plans, saying "this would constitute a huge reward for terrorism", his office reported.

In Europe, Mr Macron's initiative has left many European diplomats puzzled. "It’s not obvious why Macron is doing it at this point in time and what is the impulse," one diplomat told The National.

Linking too many conditions to Palestinian recognition is unnecessary and complicated, a ministerial source from a pro-Palestinian EU country said. "If you think it's important, then you do it," they said. "[Even] if Saudi Arabia doesn’t follow, I would still encourage Macron to do it."

Despite Mr Macron's push, major EU players remain hesitant. The incoming German coalition government will be dominated by conservatives who will be reluctant to change decades of Middle East policy rooted in historical responsibility towards Israel.

The Netherlands last week summoned Israel's ambassador over the killing of aid workers in the Gaza Strip and has tightened arms exports controls, but domestic politics – dominated by anti-Islam populist politician Geert Wilders – make recognition unlikely.

In Italy, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hopes to capitalise politically on her proximity with US President Donald Trump, also Israel's strongest ally.

There are reports that Mr Macron may be able to convince the non-EU UK – also a G7 country and Security Council member – to join him in recognising Palestinian statehood in June. But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has yet to express public support.

"This really depends on Macron's powers of persuasion," a second European diplomat said. "But who knows what might happen in European public opinions by June?"

Italy's decisive role

The prospect of unilateral recognition remains controversial. Israel has all but cut diplomatic ties with Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and non-EU Norway after they recognised Palestine last year. While 11 EU countries have recognises Palestine, many – such as Hungary and the Czech Republic – did so under Soviet-era governments and have since shifted to a pro-Israeli position. In total, 149 countries in the world recognise Palestine.

Italy could prove decisive. Analysts say that if enough EU countries join Mr Macron, Ms Meloni's government may face pressure to reconsider. Italy is a typical example of European "strategic ambiguity" – a reference to support for a two-state solution while refusing to recognise Palestinian statehood – said Maria Luisa Fantappie, the Head of Africa and Middle East Programme at Istituto Affari Internazionali, a think tank in Rome.

The tense relationship between Mr Macron and Ms Meloni – seen as rival power brokers in Europe – adds a personal edge. "There is definitely a strong womanship v strong manship issue at stake," Ms Fantappie told The National.

"But if Mr Macron's proposal is supported by many other EU member states, it will be very difficult for the Meloni government and her coalition partners to say that they will not support it – precisely because Italy has long traditional of support for Palestine."

Kelly Petillo, programme manager for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said it was an unlikely move, highlighting Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani's comment in February that "Palestine does not exist".

"While at the grass-roots level, people are expressing solidarity with the Palestinians, overall people are reluctant to question Israel’s military actions and the balance is tipped towards supporting Israel," Ms Petillo said. "People tend to be less familiar with the domestic politics in the country or Israel’s actions to oppress the Palestinians even before the Gaza war."

Europe's delicate balancing act on Palestine has been acknowledged at the highest level. Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Kallas said divisions were slowing down further sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank who harass or kill Palestinians. Pro-Israel EU countries want this to be accompanied by equivalent sanctions against Hamas, which is listed as a terror organisation. The EU has issued several rounds of sanctions against Hamas since the October 7 attacks on Israel in 2023.

"We have proposed sanctions. But so far, we don't have 27 member states on board. Some member states are saying that, yes, it should be on equal footing to put members of Hamas under sanctions," she said, answering a question from The National. "To be very clear, we have put many and there are not many left."

With time ticking towards the June 17 conference, momentum for recognising Palestine may hinge on Mr Macron's ability to turn declarations into a co-ordinated European policy announcement.

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Brief scores:

Day 2

England: 277 & 19-0

West Indies: 154

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

The specs: 2018 Renault Megane

Price, base / as tested Dh52,900 / Dh59,200

Engine 1.6L in-line four-cylinder

Transmission Continuously variable transmission

Power 115hp @ 5,500rpm

Torque 156Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 6.6L / 100km

War and the virus
THE DETAILS

Kaala

Dir: Pa. Ranjith

Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar  

Rating: 1.5/5 

ABU DHABI CARD

5pm: UAE Martyrs Cup (TB) Conditions; Dh90,000; 2,200m
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap; Dh70,000; 1,400m​​​​​​​
6pm: UAE Matyrs Trophy (PA) Maiden; Dh80,000; 1,600m​​​​​​​
6.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Apprentice Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh100,000; 1,600m​​​​​​​
7pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak (IFAHR) Ladies World Championship (PA) Prestige; Dh125,000; 1,600m​​​​​​​
8pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown (PA) Group 1; Dh5,000,000; 1,600m

At a glance

Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.

 

Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year

 

Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month

 

Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30 

 

Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse

 

Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth

 

Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances

The team

Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory 
Videographer: Jear Valasquez 
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory 
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat 
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova 
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi 

 
Washmen Profile

Date Started: May 2015

Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: Laundry

Employees: 170

Funding: about $8m

Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures

Fifa Club World Cup:

When: December 6-16
Where: Games to take place at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi and Hazza bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain
Defending champions: Real Madrid

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

UAE tour of the Netherlands

UAE squad: Rohan Mustafa (captain), Shaiman Anwar, Ghulam Shabber, Mohammed Qasim, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Chirag Suri, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Mohammed Naveed, Amjad Javed, Zahoor Khan, Qadeer Ahmed
Fixtures and results:
Monday, UAE won by three wickets
Wednesday, 2nd 50-over match
Thursday, 3rd 50-over match

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
  • Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
  • Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
  • Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Try out the test yourself

Q1 Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 per cent per year. After five years, how much do you think you would have in the account if you left the money to grow?
a) More than $102
b) Exactly $102
c) Less than $102
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q2 Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 per cent per year and inflation was 2 per cent per year. After one year, how much would you be able to buy with the money in this account?
a) More than today
b) Exactly the same as today
c) Less than today
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

Q4 Do you think that the following statement is true or false? “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund.”
a) True
b) False
d) Do not know
e) Refuse to answer

The “Big Three” financial literacy questions were created by Professors Annamaria Lusardi of the George Washington School of Business and Olivia Mitchell, of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

Answers: Q1 More than $102 (compound interest). Q2 Less than today (inflation). Q3 False (diversification).

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. 

2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

THE SPECS

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 275hp at 6,600rpm

Torque: 353Nm from 1,450-4,700rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Top speed: 250kph

Fuel consumption: 6.8L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: Dh146,999

Armies of Sand

By Kenneth Pollack (Oxford University Press)
 

Best Foreign Language Film nominees

Capernaum (Lebanon)

Cold War (Poland)

Never Look Away (Germany)

Roma (Mexico)

Shoplifters (Japan)

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm

Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto

Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km

Price: From Dh796,600

On sale: now

Signs%20of%20%20%20%20%20%20%20heat%20stroke
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
COPA DEL REY

Semi-final, first leg

Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')

Second leg, February 27

The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

The biog

Fatima Al Darmaki is an Emirati widow with three children

She has received 46 certificates of appreciation and excellence throughout her career

She won the 'ideal mother' category at the Minister of Interior Awards for Excellence

Her favourite food is Harees, a slow-cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled wheat berries mixed with chicken

Illegal%20shipments%20intercepted%20in%20Gulf%20region
%3Cp%3EThe%20Royal%20Navy%20raid%20is%20the%20latest%20in%20a%20series%20of%20successful%20interceptions%20of%20drugs%20and%20arms%20in%20the%20Gulf%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMay%2011%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUS%20coastguard%20recovers%20%2480%20million%20heroin%20haul%20from%20fishing%20vessel%20in%20Gulf%20of%20Oman%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMay%208%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20US%20coastguard%20vessel%20USCGC%20Glen%20Harris%20seizes%20heroin%20and%20meth%20worth%20more%20than%20%2430%20million%20from%20a%20fishing%20boat%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMarch%202%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Anti-tank%20guided%20missiles%20and%20missile%20components%20seized%20by%20HMS%20Lancaster%20from%20a%20small%20boat%20travelling%20from%20Iran%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOctober%209%2C%202022%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERoyal%20Navy%20frigate%20HMS%20Montrose%20recovers%20drugs%20worth%20%2417.8%20million%20from%20a%20dhow%20in%20Arabian%20Sea%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESeptember%2027%2C%202022%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20US%20Naval%20Forces%20Central%20Command%20reports%20a%20find%20of%202.4%20tonnes%20of%20heroin%20on%20board%20fishing%20boat%20in%20Gulf%20of%20Oman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHigh%20fever%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIntense%20pain%20behind%20your%20eyes%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESevere%20headache%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ENausea%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVomiting%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ESwollen%20glands%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERash%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIf%20symptoms%20occur%2C%20they%20usually%20last%20for%20two-seven%20days%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2)
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'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'

Director: Jason Reitman

Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace

Rating: 2/5

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)

On sale: Now

First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus 

How has net migration to UK changed?

The figure was broadly flat immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic, standing at 216,000 in the year to June 2018 and 224,000 in the year to June 2019.

It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.

The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.

The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.

RESULTS

Mumbai Indians 181-4 (20 ovs)
Kolkata Knight Riders 168-6 (20ovs)

Mumbai won by 13 runs

Rajasthan Royals 152-9 (20 ovs)
Kings XI Punjab 155-4 (18.4 ovs)

Kings XI Punjab won by 6 wickets

Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills

TV (UAE time);

OSN Sports: from 10am

Updated: April 15, 2025, 2:26 PM`