Italy, a close Israeli ally in the EU, has adopted a harsher tone on the country in recent weeks as domestic pressure from public opinion over the war in Gaza mounts.
Defence Minister Guido Crosetto this week condemned Israel's intention to occupy Gaza city, saying the country's cabinet had "lost its reason and humanity".
Recently pressed by pro-Palestine activists to "say a word about the genocide", Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni responded that she "worked every day on the Palestine genocide", in apparent acknowledgement of a hotly contested term that is rejected by Israel and the US.
With a population estimated at 59 million, Italy is the EU's third-largest economy. Its position is closely scrutinised as any shift in the bloc's bigger countries could influence discussions over an EU vote in Brussels on imposing sanctions on Israel.
"The political class, which has been rather silent over the past two years, senses that is no longer strategic to remain silent," said Maria Luisa Fantappie, a programme head at the Institute of International Affairs in Rome. "They are feeling pressure from the bottom."
Ms Meloni is regarded as one of US President Donald Trump's strongest allies in Europe and has rarely publicly backed policy at odds with his.
Yet she also has to reckon with polls showing that support for Israel is at an all-time low. A June YouGov survey found that at six per cent, Italians scored the lowest when asked if Israel had responded proportionally to the October 7 attacks, compared to Germans, Danes, French and Spanish.
Italy has rarely taken pioneering positions in foreign policy issues in the past decades
Middle East expert,
Maria Luisa Fantappie
In a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Ms Meloni on Monday expressed her "deep concern" over Israel's plans to occupy Gaza city after 22 months of war. Israel's military operation has killed 61,599 Palestinians after about 1,200 people died in a Hamas-led attack against Israel.
Comparison to Putin
Yet the Italian cabinet is unlikely to translate its change in tone to policy as it probably wants to stay aligned with the US, analysts have told The National.
Kelly Petillo, programme manager for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations, described Mr Crosetto's statements on Monday as "the toughest so far expressed by a member of the Meloni government."
Mr Crosetto, a harsh Russian critic, told the daily La Stampa that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had adopted methods that had become "dangerously similar" to those of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine.
His comments were probably motivated by the fact that even within Israel’s defence establishment there is reportedly no support for the recently announced new plan to take over Gaza, Ms Petillo said.
Experts expressed doubt that Italy would lift its opposition to a suspension, even partially, of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which would represent the most meaningful step taken at a co-ordinated level against Israel.
Ms Meloni, who last month visited Algeria, takes pride in engaging diplomatically with Arab states. She is perpetuating an Italian tradition, adopted previously by centrist governments, of not displeasing the US and keeping business and diplomatic ties with Israel, Ms Fantappie said.
"Italy has rarely taken pioneering positions in foreign policy issues in the past decades," she added.
No Palestine state recognition
Italy also appears to be no closer to recognising Palestinian statehood, despite a push by France which has so far convinced G7 countries such as Canada and the UK, as well as Australia. Rome's position remains steadfast, although Italy was one of the 17 states that took part in a two-state solution conference in New York last month, led by Saudi Arabia and France.
"Italy is keen for recognition to have an impact but is aware that if Washington doesn’t change tack, then Israel will not either and to Italy this means recognising Palestine will not have impact," Ms Petillo said.
Recognising a Palestinian state does not equate with endorsing sanctions against Israel, Ms Fantappie highlighted. "Supporting the Global Alliance for a two-solution doesn't necessarily mean and entail a substantial revision of their own relation to Israel," she said.
France, which has led the initiative, has also shied away from imposing sanctions on Israel, and has said it would not enforce an ICC arrest warrant against Mr Netanyahu.
The latest and most controversial move to be taken by a European country was Germany's decision to partially suspend weapons exports to Israel.
Germany views Israel's security as "reason of state" because of its responsibility in the Holocaust, and its weapons exports represent about one third of Israel's military purchases.
The decision caused criticism among some politicians in Chancellor Friedrich Merz's political party. Mr Merz has defended his decision, saying his country could not supply weapons in a conflict in which hundreds or thousands could be killed.
Neither Italy nor Germany have clarified their position on the EU Commission's recent proposal to partially suspend Israel from a flagship research programme, Horizon. Although the move is widely described as symbolic, it would be the first concrete step at EU level against Israel, and is supported by countries, including France and The Netherlands.
For now, it appears that Italy and Germany are watching each other closely. "Italy is watching Germany’s posturing very carefully and might indeed shift its position if Berlin does too in a substantial way – which at this stage is still uncertain it will happen," Ms Petillo said.
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
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
HAJJAN
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RESULTS
6.30pm: Longines Conquest Classic Dh150,000 Maiden 1,200m.
Winner: Halima Hatun, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ismail Mohammed (trainer).
7.05pm: Longines Gents La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,200m.
Winner: Moosir, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm: Longines Equestrian Collection Dh150,000 Maiden 1,600m.
Winner: Mazeed, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
8.15pm: Longines Gents Master Collection Dh175,000 Handicap.
Winner: Thegreatcollection, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Longines Ladies Master Collection Dh225,000 Conditions 1,600m.
Winner: Cosmo Charlie, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
9.25pm: Longines Ladies La Grande Classique Dh155,000 Handicap 1,600m.
Winner: Secret Trade, Tadhg O’Shea, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
10pm: Longines Moon Phase Master Collection Dh170,000 Handicap 2,000m.
Winner:
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Europe wide
Some of French groups are threatening Friday to continue their journey to Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, and to meet up with drivers from other countries on Monday.
Belgian authorities joined French police in banning the threatened blockade. A similar lorry cavalcade was planned for Friday in Vienna but cancelled after authorities prohibited it.
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