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Yair Lapid, the leader of Israel’s opposition, outlined a road map towards ending the war in Gaza and restoring peace in the Middle East after more than a year of conflict that still threatens to spread across the region.
In an article in The National, Mr Lapid, who is also a former prime minister, said that the goal of Israel establishing relations with Saudi Arabia is a “single organising principle that deals with all the arenas in which Israel is involved”. It could lead to a separate Palestinian state being established, he added.
Mr Lapid’s views about how to reach a plan that “appears to be acceptable to all the relevant players” come as Israel’s far-right government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, faces accusations at home and abroad that it is deliberately avoiding a long-term strategy for the Gaza War, in a bid to keep the coalition together. More than 44,200 people have been killed in Gaza and more than 3,750 in Lebanon since October 7 last year.
Perceptions have rarely been higher among Israelis and Palestinians that a peaceful, diplomatic solution to the conflict can be found, as fears increase that Israel will use a new sympathetic American administration to seize significant amounts of Palestinian land.
Mr Lapid said the recent victory of president-elect Donald Trump was an “opportunity for Israel”. He said the new US administration “is not afraid of bold initiatives", adding that Israel can work with it “from day one on changing the face of the Middle East”. Opposition parties in Israel are continuing to lose ground in opinion polls to Mr Netanyahu, whose slow but steady increase in popularity bucks previously widespread predictions in Israel at the beginning of the war that he could not remain in office.
The trend has been spurred by several recent tactical Israeli successes, particularly during its invasion of Lebanon, which contrasts the widespread security failures during the October 7 attacks. About 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel, which also saw more than 251 people taken hostage.
Mr Lapid wrote that a “strategic victory for Israel” would be based on diplomatic initiatives that include the return of Israeli hostages, replacing Hamas in Gaza with a civilian government, removing Hezbollah from Israel’s northern border and building a regional coalition against Iran. He added that the path towards this diplomatic process would start with the release of Israeli hostages during a transitional period in Gaza, alongside a “permanent arrangement” in Lebanon. An international force would enter Gaza in the transitional period that “could include the UAE, Egypt, Morocco and a civilian arm of the Palestinian Authority”.
A regional conference would then be convened in Saudi Arabia to consolidate these elements, as well as work to “halt the progress of the Iranian nuclear programme by diplomatic or military means, and to stop Iran's attempts to achieve hegemony in the Middle East through proxy forces”.
The conference would then work towards the establishment of relations with Saudi Arabia and publish a statement “according to which all parties will work to create the conditions for a future separation between Israelis and the Palestinians, according to the two-state principle”.
Mr Lapid doubled down on accusations that the Netanyahu government is not capitalising on widespread desire for a diplomatic regional solution because it “is not ready to accept that the [Palestinian Authority] will be part of any agreement”. It has an hawkish attitude towards the Palestinian Authority, many of whose members it accuses of supporting terror and delegitimising the state of Israel in international diplomatic forums such as the UN.
“Opposition to the PA's involvement in the Saudi normalisation process stems mainly from domestic political considerations,” Mr Lapid said. “This is an enormous mistake. Israel is denying itself a strategic victory that would benefit its security and its economy and improve its international standing. There is no victory without a diplomatic element. Israel can and should initiate a new regional order.”
Company%20Profile
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company%20profile
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium, Malayisa
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia on October 10
Company%C2%A0profile
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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
Favourite book: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Favourite holiday destination: Spain
Favourite film: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favourite place to visit in the UAE: The beach or Satwa
Children: Stepdaughter Tyler 27, daughter Quito 22 and son Dali 19
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Results
2.30pm: Dubai Creek Tower – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (Dirt) 1,200m; Winner: Marmara Xm, Gary Sanchez (jockey), Abdelkhir Adam (trainer)
3pm: Al Yasmeen – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: AS Hajez, Jesus Rosales, Khalifa Al Neyadi
3.30pm: Al Ferdous – Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 1,700m; Winner: Soukainah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout
4pm: The Crown Prince Of Sharjah – Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: AF Thayer, Ray Dawson, Ernst Oertel
4.30pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Cup – Handicap (TB) Dh200,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: George Villiers, Antonio Fresu, Bhupat Seemar
5pm: Palma Spring – Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Es Abu Mousa, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
Overview
Cricket World Cup League Two: Nepal, Oman, United States tri-series, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
Fixtures
Wednesday February 5, Oman v Nepal
Thursday, February 6, Oman v United States
Saturday, February 8, United States v Nepal
Sunday, February 9, Oman v Nepal
Tuesday, February 11, Oman v United States
Wednesday, February 12, United States v Nepal
Opening weekend Premier League fixtures
Weekend of August 10-13
Arsenal v Manchester City
Bournemouth v Cardiff City
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Huddersfield Town v Chelsea
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Leicester City
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Burnley
Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Everton
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Zayed Sustainability Prize
World Cup warm-up fixtures
Friday, May 24:
- Pakistan v Afghanistan (Bristol)
- Sri Lanka v South Africa (Cardiff)
Saturday, May 25
- England v Australia (Southampton)
- India v New Zealand (The Oval, London)
Sunday, May 26
- South Africa v West Indies (Bristol)
- Pakistan v Bangladesh (Cardiff)
Monday, May 27
- Australia v Sri Lanka (Southampton)
- England v Afghanistan (The Oval, London)
Tuesday, May 28
- West Indies v New Zealand (Bristol)
- Bangladesh v India (Cardiff)
The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
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