It’s easier to think there are no words for what we’ve seen since the war in Gaza passed the one-year mark. That it’s impossible to express how it feels to see hungry, desperate mothers and young children blasted into oblivion as they wait for food and water.
Or to see the vehicle of four engineers, who had received Israeli authorisation for their work, bombed as they drove to Khan Younis to make repairs. Or the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese displaced, on top of the one million plus already forced out of their homes in Gaza. Or the Gazan teenager and activist burnt to death live on video last week.
“There are no words, simply no words, to describe what we saw,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said in response to that incident.
But that’s a cop-out. There are words, and we must endeavour to find and use them, to move people to see and feel and act. For me, that starts with my perspective as an American. Several years ago, I spent time in Israel and enjoyed the place, from Jaffa to Jerusalem. I have several close Jewish friends, and I firmly support Israel’s right to defend itself.
How could my country not only do nothing while thousands of civilians are killed, but supply most of the weapons doing the killing?
At the same time, I was driven into journalism by 9/11 — seeking to learn more about frustrations in the Muslim world, particularly in relation to my homeland, the US — and have lived for years in mainly Muslim regions, Kashmir to Istanbul, Doha to Beirut and beyond. My sympathies with and links to the Muslim world are considerable.
As a result, I’ve long sought to maintain a balance, personally and professionally. I’ve written for major news outlets, for instance, about the inspiring re-emergence of a Jewish community (in Ukraine) and about a secretive and potentially problematic Islamic college in the US.
A year ago, as this conflict began, I found myself taking a position that some would describe as neutral, and others might call wishy-washy. For me, it was the only reasonable path.
I supported Israel’s right to use force to defend itself but disagreed with its overwhelming methodology. I denounced its foe, Hamas, and its horrifying October 7 assault, while supporting greater Palestinian rights and freedoms and an end to civilian death and displacement in Gaza and the West Bank.
Gritting my teeth amid the drumbeat of tragedies, I embraced patience through the war’s initial months, believing that Israel should be able to use force to eradicate a potentially existential threat. Might Israel be engaging in genocidal acts? And where are all these displaced Gazans supposed to go? Those questions lurked in the background, but I just hoped for a swift end to the violence.
But in recent weeks, I’ve felt my stance shift. Israel’s assault has not only continued even after its killing of Hamas’s leader Yahya Sinwar, but “escalated out of control”, according to Amos Hochstein, US President Joe Biden’s adviser on the conflict.
Even as many express hope the conflict will soon begin to wind down, Israeli attacks have intensified in Lebanon and expanded into Iran. Its approach in Gaza seems to point towards a starvation objective, even as it plans to clear most residents from northern Gaza after the war and resettle parts of the Strip.
Yet my shift is not about Israel. For one thing, it is a mistake to view the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as fulfilling the wishes of all Israelis, tens of thousands of whom have been regularly taking to the streets in protest.
But even setting that aside, this is a people who have stared down annihilation – having survived, within living memory, the near-total erasure of their people. I cannot pretend to know how that might shape my view of the world, my foes and neighbours. But I can see how that might prod Israel to do all it can to eradicate an enemy that has vowed to destroy it.
Such full-throttle, emotionally driven policies, however, must be tempered and shaped by informed, even stern guidance from a close and powerful ally. Yet this is nearly the opposite of what the US, Israel’s primary military and economic benefactor, has done. Apart from a few mealy-mouthed statements and meaningless red lines, Washington has essentially stood idly by as Israel has embraced slaughter as a military strategy.
How could my country, and particularly this administration, which purports to defend freedom and human rights around the world, not only do nothing while thousands of civilians are killed, but supply most of the weapons doing the killing?
As an American who has for decades sought to connect with Muslims, it’s not just heartbreaking – it’s thoroughly unacceptable, perhaps even unforgivable. Many of my Muslim friends, some of whom are prominent political analysts, have concluded that the US views Muslims and Arabs as inferior, as undeserving of the full extent of human laws, rights and security.
The West, some of them have decided, is racist. And I can’t blame them. Yet we’ve not only failed Palestinians and the Lebanese; we’ve also betrayed our ally, Israel. After more than a year of these horrors, it could not be clearer that the global response to Israel’s aggressions of the past year is no flash in the pan.
The atrocities of the past weeks and months will not soon be forgotten. Whether or not this is another Nakba is not for me to say. But it has left an indelible mark on Palestinians and their supporters – one that will shape politics and policy approaches for years, even decades.
It’s hard to imagine any path forward that puts the Levant in a better place a few years from now. What seems much more likely is a less stable, more violent and tense region for a long time to come, with the ripples reaching much further.
It’s all well and good, in this increasingly multipolar era, for the US to seek to reduce its global presence and stop playing global policeman. But with Ukraine and much of the Middle East in flames, now cannot be the time to step back entirely – what’s the point of amassing such great might only to watch the world burn? Sooner or later, it will reach American shores.
Vast carnage and mayhem. An endless cycle of tit-for-tat violence. Years of death, destruction and displacement. These are some of the words we might use today to warn against the losing of our humanity and keep the region from tumbling into the abyss.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic
Power: 169bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh54,500
On sale: now
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
If you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Chicago from Dh5,215 return including taxes.
The hotels
Recommended hotels include the Intercontinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, located in an iconic skyscraper complete with a 1929 Olympic-size swimming pool from US$299 (Dh1,100) per night including taxes, and the Omni Chicago Hotel, an excellent value downtown address with elegant art deco furnishings and an excellent in-house restaurant. Rooms from US$239 (Dh877) per night including taxes.
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadeera%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERabih%20El%20Chaar%20and%20Reem%20Khattar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECleanTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHope%20Ventures%2C%20Rasameel%20Investments%20and%20support%20from%20accelerator%20programmes%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Honeymoonish
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
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 the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
