Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Israel’s “relentless bombardment” in the Gaza Strip is doing a “huge amount” of damage to the country’s reputation, Ireland’s former deputy prime minister has said.
Simon Coveney, who also served as the country’s foreign minister, said he believed stability would not come until a two-state solution was achieved as he explained how “ordinary Irish people feel a sense of injustice in terms of the Palestinian cause”.
Speaking to The National as he embarks on a new advisory role in the region, Mr Coveney described the Gaza war was an “open sore” that “keeps delivering conflict, mayhem, terrorism and extremism”.
“The international community has to help the Israeli leadership and the Palestinian leadership bring that to an end,” he said.
The veteran politician held key roles in the Irish government such as trade, defence and housing, represented Ireland on the UN Security Council, and, as deputy prime minister (Tanaiste) and foreign minister, was a major player in the UK-EU Brexit negotiations.
Over a 25-year career in front-line politics, he advanced Ireland’s global trade ambitions, while also grappling with challenges at home, such as the continuing housing crisis.
Mr Coveney stepped down from politics in 2024 and has now taken a role as senior adviser with Dubai-based advisory firm Emerging Markets Intelligence and Research (EMIR) to support senior leaders in navigating the choppy geopolitical waters.
In a wide-ranging interview to mark the appointment, Mr Coveney also spoke about US President Donald Trump’s Gulf visit and how to tackle the “mood of unrest” in democracies.
The Irish view on Gaza
Turning to Gaza, he said the October 7 attack in 2023 by Hamas was “unforgivable” and he couldn't see the group as part of a governance model for a Palestinian state, but he also said Israel’s response had ignored obligations under international law. Israel says it only targets terrorists.
“Gaza is very different to any other part of the world because people can't flee the fighting,” he said. “No one is allowed in or out.”
Ireland has been an early and vocal supporter of Palestine with many other countries now following suit and, while Mr Coveney said he didn’t want to “exaggerate Ireland's role”, he felt the country was consistent in calling out issues whether it is Russia in Ukraine, Israel in Gaza or elsewhere, stating Ireland had that ability but many countries did not.
“Because of where they are geographically located and because of relationships they have, Ireland has … some protections as part of the European Union.”
He also pointed to the long history of Irish peacekeeping troops in the region that further helps to colour how Ireland sees the conflict. “Ordinary Irish people feel a sense of injustice in terms of the Palestinian cause.”
Mr Coveney called for a ceasefire, release of all hostages and a “massive delivery programme of aid into a population literally starving”.
Longer term, he said there has to be a Palestinian state. “Many Israelis will say to me, how can you say that? That's effectively rewarding the atrocities of October 7. I don't see it that way. I have no vested interest. I don't believe, until the Palestinian issue is resolved, that we will see the kind of stability that's needed in this region.”
The Trump effect
Before retiring from Irish politics last year, Mr Coveney served as trade minister. He said the narrative about Mr Trump skipping Israel on his visit to the Gulf last week was “overplayed” as the trip was largely about getting business deals over the line.
“I still think this US administration is probably a stronger ally of Israel than we've ever seen in the past.”
The interview came before Donald Trump's recent threat to impose a “straight” 50 per cent tariff on the EU from June 1 but asked whether Mr Trump’s policies could push the EU closer to the Gulf, Mr Coveney said it has already “forced the EU to look to diversify trade” as the bloc was seeking to become more resilient. He pointed to the opening of trade talks between the EU and UAE and the first digital trade agreement being put in place in Singapore.
On Brexit and populism
On the recent agreement between the UK and EU that sought to set out post-Brexit relations, Mr Coveney said it was important not to “exaggerate what's been agreed here” but it was a “very significant and very positive”.
“This isn't rejoining in everything but name,” he said. “There is no suggestion of the UK rejoining the single market or the customs union.”
Mr Coveney said Britain had been in an “unhappy place politically” since Brexit but cautioned against reading too much into the polls that put Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party on top.
“Reform is a serious force in UK politics. [But] any talk of … Nigel Farage as prime minister I think is certainly premature.”
That said, Mr Farage’s rise is not isolated. France, Italy, Germany and others have seen a rise in what some have styled as populism. Mr Coveney said there was undoubtedly a “mood of unrest” across democracies that “can't be ignored”.
“You can call them populist or you can call it inward-looking nationalism or whatever you want to call it but there are messages that land and that feed on people's fears. Significant movement of people in a way that's not controlled and managed is one of those areas,” he said.
“We are listening but the capacity to deliver at the pace that people demand isn't always there in democratic systems that can be challenged legally. People want faster solutions than often democracies can deliver and that creates frustration and then people vote for alternatives that are promising quicker fixes.”
Looking back at his career, Mr Coveney said he had been involved in politics since his mid-20s and it was a privilege to serve but he doesn’t miss it. Now he was keen on spending more time “in this fascinating part of the world”.
As part of his new role, he will spend one week a month in the region.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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
What it means to be a conservationist
Who is Enric Sala?
Enric Sala is an expert on marine conservation and is currently the National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence. His love of the sea started with his childhood in Spain, inspired by the example of the legendary diver Jacques Cousteau. He has been a university professor of Oceanography in the US, as well as working at the Spanish National Council for Scientific Research and is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Biodiversity and the Bio-Economy. He has dedicated his life to protecting life in the oceans. Enric describes himself as a flexitarian who only eats meat occasionally.
What is biodiversity?
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, all life on earth – including in its forests and oceans – forms a “rich tapestry of interconnecting and interdependent forces”. Biodiversity on earth today is the product of four billion years of evolution and consists of many millions of distinct biological species. The term ‘biodiversity’ is relatively new, popularised since the 1980s and coinciding with an understanding of the growing threats to the natural world including habitat loss, pollution and climate change. The loss of biodiversity itself is dangerous because it contributes to clean, consistent water flows, food security, protection from floods and storms and a stable climate. The natural world can be an ally in combating global climate change but to do so it must be protected. Nations are working to achieve this, including setting targets to be reached by 2020 for the protection of the natural state of 17 per cent of the land and 10 per cent of the oceans. However, these are well short of what is needed, according to experts, with half the land needed to be in a natural state to help avert disaster.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
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HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Background: Chemical Weapons
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
