Six months ago, Palestinian-Israeli politician Ayman Odeh wrote of his joy that hostages captured by Hamas would be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees, under a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
"Happy about the release of the hostages and prisoners. From here, we must free both peoples from the burden of occupation. We were all born free," his post read.
Today, he is still paying the price for what was criticised as an attempt to equate Palestinian and Israeli situations. But despite attempts to attack him politically and physically, he continued to defy his critics.
This month, the Knesset – Israel's parliament – failed to pass a motion to impeach him. He was then assaulted at an anti-war, anti-government rally in the city of Ness Ziona.
In videos seen by The National taken by Mr Odeh's team, but too offensive to publish, extreme-right protesters were seen banging on the car he was in at the time, making obscene hand gestures and even chanting "death to Arabs".
A decision was made he would go ahead and speak at the anti-war rally anyway. After he took to the stage, protesters hurled rocks at Mr Odeh, until it was too unsafe for him.
Speaking to The National, Mr Odeh described his attempted impeachment as "an important battle with a success against fascists". But he says there are attempts by the extreme far right in Israel to "alter the Palestinian-Israeli identity".
"They want us to be Arabs, without being Palestinians who believe in our nationalist cause. And Israelis, without having the same civil liberties as a Jewish citizen," he said. "That's why they were triggered by my post."
Mr Odeh believes he is not being targeted but being used as a "means to an end". During the Israeli war with Iran, he said, the main topics being discussed were Iran and efforts to impeach him.
"When they asked [a member of the Knesset] why I'm on the list of topics, he said it's because I'm considered the 'eighth war front'.
"They want to wage a war on Palestinians."
The Legal Centre for Arab Minority Rights in Israel (Adalah) worked closely with Mr Odeh.
Speaking to The National, Adalah public relations specialist Moatasem Zedan said some of the organisation's efforts included sending messages to officials urging them to hold Mr Odeh's suspected attackers accountable.
He said in many cases the legal process is not followed where it should be, despite the suspects being known. "This is unusual but not unexpected," he said. "Mr Odeh is the target of an incitement campaign against him."
But the case of the Palestinian-Israeli politician is a symptom in a wider problem. "The assault on Ayman Odeh is not a separate issue from what Palestinians in Israel experience," he said.
Violence against Palestinians in Israeli communities is being seen on a daily basis in the form of assaults on Palestinian labourers, for example, Mr Zedan said.
"We also see policy brutality, including humiliating searches - which is part of a campaign that weaponises law as a tool for vengeance," he said.
Ceasefire push
With the Knesset now in a summer break for two months, and inter-coalition disputes at bay, the time is ripe for a ceasefire to be reached in Gaza, Mr Odeh said.
Additionally, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff en route to the region while talks between Hamas and Israel take place in Doha, hopes for an imminent ceasefire are high.
But Mr Odeh does not believe that a permanent end to the war in Gaza will be seen under the current Israeli government.
He, along with many members of the opposition in Israel, believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is intentionally prolonging the war in Gaza for his own personal political gains, as he battles a court case against him that has been postponed repeatedly for security-related circumstances.
"October 7 gave the right, the best excuse to change the geostrategic realities of the Palestinian cause. But when the war is over, there will still be 7.5 million Palestinians between the river and the sea," Mr Odeh said.
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Terror attacks in Paris, November 13, 2015
- At 9.16pm, three suicide attackers killed one person outside the Atade de France during a foootball match between France and Germany
- At 9.25pm, three attackers opened fire on restaurants and cafes over 20 minutes, killing 39 people
- Shortly after 9.40pm, three other attackers launched a three-hour raid on the Bataclan, in which 1,500 people had gathered to watch a rock concert. In total, 90 people were killed
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- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
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Wellington Hurricanes:
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Conversions: Barrett (4)
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British & Irish Lions:
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Arsenal 4
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West Ham United 1
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Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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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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Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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).
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Stars: Patrick Wilson, Halle Berry
Rating: 3/5
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Stars:Deepika Padukone, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Ananya Panday, Dhairya Karwa
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