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Israel’s parliament descended into pandemonium on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisting that Israel “will remain a democracy” while banging his fist in anger at opposition politicians who accused him of lying at the expense of the country’s security.
Mr Netanyahu said during the plenum discussion that opponents were “sowing anarchy in the streets” as protests continue across the country against his latest political decisions and in favour of the return of hostages held in Gaza.
During the past month, major divisions became clearer after Mr Netanyahu tried to fire the head of the country’s internal security agency and the attorney general, advanced controversial reforms of the judiciary and broke the ceasefire deal with Hamas that had allowed the release of dozens of hostages from the enclave.
These actions, along with the recent passing of a controversial state budget, re-energised a protest movement that has dogged the Prime Minister since his far-right coalition came into office.
In his address at the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, Mr Netanyahu condemned the opposition’s “demonstrations, your roadblocks, your bonfires, your attacks on police officers”. He accused the opposition of “violence against elected officials” and of threatening to murder him and his family.
“It won’t stop us, it won’t deter us. The tyranny of the small minority will not triumph over the will of the great majority,” he said.
He also doubled down on claims that a “deep state” in Israel was trying to topple him from power. “Democracy isn’t in danger; the rule of bureaucrats is in danger. The deep state is in danger,” he said.
Mr Netanyahu also threatened Hamas, saying that the more the group “persists in its refusal to release our hostages, the more powerful the pressure against them will be”.
“And I say this to Hamas – that includes seizing territory,” he said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that Mr Netanyahu heads “the fattest, most wasteful and most reckless government in the history of the country”.
Mr Lapid also blamed the Prime Minister for the resumption of rocket fire from Gaza towards Israel, the security failures that led to the October 7 attacks and rising prices.
Benny Gantz, one of the country’s most senior opposition politicians who for months sat in a unity wartime government with Mr Netanyahu, accused him of mismanaging the conflict and of blocking a state inquiry into the Hamas-led attack of October 7, 2023.
“We demanded to advance the entry into Rafah and Khan Younis and to move north [into Lebanon] sooner so as not to lose another year,” Mr Gantz said.
“You also know why you are so afraid of a state commission of inquiry that will expose not only your failures and those of your government’s before the massacre, but also your and your government’s underperformance when the war began.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
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PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
Teams in the EHL
White Bears, Al Ain Theebs, Dubai Mighty Camels, Abu Dhabi Storms, Abu Dhabi Scorpions and Vipers
KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wes%20Ball%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Owen%20Teague%2C%20Freya%20Allen%2C%20Kevin%20Durand%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 4 (Messi 23' pen, 45 1', 48', Busquets 85')
Celta Vigo 1 (Olaza 42')
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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
Skoda Superb Specs
Engine: 2-litre TSI petrol
Power: 190hp
Torque: 320Nm
Price: From Dh147,000
Available: Now
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m; Winner: Gurm, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Al Nafece, Al Muatasm Al Balushi, Mohammed Ramadan
6pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Adrie de Vries, Ibrahim Aseel
6.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Ottoman, Adrie de Vries, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7pm: Liwa Oasis – Group 2 (PA) 300,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeemat Muscat, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ganbaru, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
Company%C2%A0profile
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The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
