Raghida Dergham is the founder and executive chairwoman of the Beirut Institute, and a columnist for The National
December 03, 2023
The main drawback of transitional arrangements for a situation as complex and tragic as Gaza is that they are subject to terrifying and amoral calculations, which could undermine any hope for peace. A permanent ceasefire remains unlikely at this time: Israel has informed mediators, including the US, that it needs until mid-December to complete its objective of eliminating or destroying Hamas’s leadership in the Gaza Strip.
Analysts say Israel is less interested in reviving the truce achieved through American, Egyptian and Qatari efforts, while Hamas preferred to prolong it to continue negotiations for the release of prisoners and hostages. Of course, Hamas also sees truces as an opportunity to regroup and regain the initiative, while Israel claims to be on the verge of achieving its goals – releasing all hostages before ending Hamas's control of the Gaza Strip. This is why Israel opted to resume hostilities.
US President Joe Biden has found himself forced to tacitly approve the continuation of Israel's offensive, especially since its justification was a Hamas rocket launch in alleged violation of the ceasefire. But his administration expressed hope that Israel would take extra measures to limit civilian casualties with a more cautious approach if it expanded its attack in south Gaza.
Developments in the West Bank are also a source of concern for the Biden administration, which is working with the concerned parties, away from the spotlight, to reach a plan for political stability in Gaza. This necessarily would require the co-operation of the Palestinian Authority (PA), based in the West Bank. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a third visit to Israel and the West Bank this week, seeking to reduce tension, including urging Israel to take immediate steps to hold extremist settlers accountable for violence in the occupied territory.
The challenge facing Mr Biden is the potential for Congress to turn the public against the White House if the administration appears less sympathetic to Israel, still a favoured ally that remains largely shielded from scrutiny. This poses a complex dilemma, especially in a heated election year.
But the Gaza war has also shifted the spotlight on to Mr Biden's leadership, denying former president Donald Trump some of the spotlight. Some argue Mr Biden's handling of the conflict could earn him a healthy dose of electoral points, particularly if he succeeds in preventing its escalation into a regional or international crisis. However, there is another perspective, which holds that Mr Trump gains by avoiding entanglement in the Gaza issue, as any political point scoring from the Gaza war is likely to be short-lived. Mr Biden may thus struggle to replicate the significant successes achieved by previous presidents, such as the Camp David Accords.
Congress could turn the public against the White House if the administration appears less sympathetic to Israel
The Biden administration is banking on a qualitative leap that secures a historic achievement for the president. The administration, therefore, is not satisfied with temporary arrangements and is actively working towards a permanent settlement. They are engaging with influential countries in the Middle East to ensure the success of a lasting solution.
Critical partners include Arab and Islamic countries, represented by the ministerial committee formed at the recent Riyadh Summit; and Arab nations that have normalised relations with Israel, like the UAE. Additionally, those with influence over Hamas, such as Qatar, Egypt, Turkey and Iran are involved, alongside Israel and the PA.
The ministerial committee, led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, has been approaching the permanent member states of the UN Security Council, and addressed the Security Council in New York with credibility. Qatar's Foreign Minister and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, participated in a Security Council session, reflecting Qatar's pivotal role in the Hamas-Israel ceasefire negotiations.
The committee members convened an official meeting this month with the President of the Security Council, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, in New York. This meeting was attended by the Prime Minister of Qatar and committee members, along with foreign ministers from Jordan, Egypt, Palestine, Turkey and Indonesia. The Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, was also present, along with the Foreign Minister of Malaysia Zambry Abdul Kadir and the UAE's Minister of State Khalifa Almarar representing the Arab group in the Security Council.
Some may say committees, meetings, and speeches alone will not suffice, as long as Arab and Islamic nations withhold using leverage and sanctions against Israel for its ongoing violation of international laws and rules of war, particularly regarding the protection of civilians, and as long as the forced displacement from Gaza is being actively implemented.
Perhaps these measures will become necessary if Israel continues to resist American and international pressures. For now, however, the ministerial committee is only using political and economic influence — both Arab and Islamic — to persuade Israel to accept a ceasefire and then the two-state solution in return for co-existence and possibly normalisation. The goal of the ministerial committee, appointed by the Riyadh Summit, is to ensure the maximum national rights for Palestinians and to find a permanent and just settlement, rather than beating the drums of war.
All of this leaves the Biden administration in a delicate position amid divided public opinion within the US and Israel. Indeed, Israeli public opinion is leaning towards revenge rather than co-existence and settlement. In addition, intra-Palestinian divisions hinder a historic breakthrough towards a comprehensive settlement.
The new element that could benefit aspirations for a comprehensive and permanent settlement is the Arab and Islamic engagement through the ministerial committee and its challenging – but not impossible or futile – mission. Also noteworthy is Iran’s participation in the Arab-Islamic Riyadh Summit without objection to the final statement affirming the two-state solution – the state of Palestine and the state of Israel.
October 7 was a history-altering event, and subsequent events presented Israel to the world in a manner it had not been known before. Global public condemnation extended to Hamas and Israel alike, due to their violations of the rules of war, the holding of children as hostages and detainees and their disregard for civilians.
We are still in a precarious transitional phase, but the opportunity to reach a historic settlement has not been lost. The road ahead is, however, still fraught with difficulties and obstacles.
Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Red flags
Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
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 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.
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 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, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
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.
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.
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 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.
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).
