Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's U-turn on participating in the international peace summit in Egypt has sparked intense speculation about what was behind his change of heart.
The Egyptian presidency made a surprise announcement that US President Donald Trump had called Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi while meeting Mr Netanyahu in Jerusalem.
The statement said it was agreed that Mr Netanyahu would attend the summit in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh to "enshrine" the ceasefire and hostage release agreement signed by Hamas and Israel last week, the first phase of Mr Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan.
A short time later, the presidency issued a second statement, saying Mr Netanyahu would not attend the summit because of Simchat Torah, a major Jewish holiday.
But this reason for Mr Netanyahu's U-turn was less than convincing to some, who speculated that the Israeli leader wanted to distance himself from an international gathering that could bind his government to a declaration pledging full implementation of Mr Trump's plan, whose later stages provide for Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and a formal end to the two-year war.
Others suspected Mr Netanyahu's participation in the summit may have been a spur-of-the-moment idea by Mr Trump.
"It would have been a shock had he gone to Sharm El Sheikh," said Michael Hanna, director of the US programme at the International Crisis Group. "I don't think Egypt was keen on him going. It sounds very much like a Trump idea that he acted on without thinking it through.
"His decision not to go must have come as a relief to everyone. His presence would have made everything very, very awkward."
Another theory making the rounds is that many other leaders attending the summit expressed dismay to their host over the prospect of Mr Netanyahu's presence, with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatening to turn his plane back if the Israeli leader was to attend.
In reality – the theories and speculation notwithstanding – Mr Netanyahu's participation in the summit would have been problematic, particularly for Egypt and Mr El Sisi.
The Israeli Prime Minister was indicted last year by the International Criminal Court for suspected war crimes in Gaza. Moreover, he is viewed by much of the world as directly responsible for genocide in Gaza and deliberately starving many of Gaza's 2.3 million residents.
Extremist members of Mr Netanyahu's government, the most right-wing in Israel's history, publicly advocate the annexation of Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as well as the forced eviction of Palestinian residents.
Mr Netanyahu's participation would have also constituted the first public contact between him and Mr El Sisi, who has recently stepped up his criticism of Israel, accusing it of genocide and weaponising food.
Sources said Mr El Sisi has refused to take calls from Mr Netanyahu since the Gaza war began, as relations soured over the conflict raging just across Egypt's eastern border.
Egypt and Israel are bound by a US-sponsored peace treaty signed in 1979 and co-operated closely on security and counter-terrorism issues before the Gaza war. The treaty ended an enmity that began in the 1940s, with the two neighbours fighting four fully fledged wars.
Egypt's state media has demonised Mr Netanyahu since the start of the Gaza war. Anti-Israeli sentiment is widespread in Egypt, a country of 107 million whose successive governments have unfailingly championed the Palestinian cause.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
ARGYLLE
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The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Racecard
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
