For one reporter, the evasions of the current US administration had evidently become just too much on Tuesday. Addressing the US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller, the Grayzone’s Liam Cosgrove said: “This administration has financed a genocide in Gaza for the last year, and every day you’re up there denying accountability for it. People are sick of the [expletive] in here.”
Mr Cosgrove’s words struck a chord; a clip of him speaking has already had hundreds of thousands of views on X alone.
I had my own moment of sudden ire on Sunday morning. I had to resist the urge to break my coffee mug after I read the headline, “Biden issues terse words to Netanyahu over peace deal”. Because isn’t it time we’re honest about the fact that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been gaslighting us for months and months?
They keep telling us that they’ve been putting pressure on Israel and working “tirelessly” for a ceasefire. Oh, come off it. It strains credulity that they haven’t worked out by now that all they have to do, if they really want a ceasefire, is this: cut off the supply of arms and money to Israel.
In August 1982, then US president Ronald Reagan was so appalled by Israel’s bombing of Beirut that he phoned then prime minister Menachem Begin to tell him it was a “holocaust” and had to stop. It took just 20 minutes for Mr Begin to call him back to say he had ordered an end to the bombing.
Mr Biden has had no end of opportunities to do the same. He hasn’t. And the endless equivocation and covering for Israel’s murderous campaign from his spokespeople, Mr Miller and John Kirby in particular, over the past year have been so awful that I have to switch off after a few seconds every time I watch a clip.
This is terribly damaging for all sorts of reasons. I wrote in these pages last November that the impunity Mr Biden had granted Israel to flout international law, to the point of what no one can doubt are the commission of war crimes, had blown up the so-called “rules-based international order”. It is also, tragically, leading to a huge rise in anti-Semitism around the world, with incidents rising to their highest levels for decades in the US and UK, according to reports published in the past week.
Why should innocent Jewish people far from Israel suffer because of the actions of that country’s administration? First, it’s important to say that they certainly shouldn’t, and second that it is considered anti-Semitic to hold Jewish people anywhere else responsible for whatever the state of Israel does. But many don’t see so much of a distinction, and it doesn’t help when Britain’s chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, describes Israeli troops as “our incredible heroic soldiers”.
That sounds perilously close to what the historian Deborah Lipstadt calls “the dual loyalty canard”, although having dual nationality myself – and, indeed, having an Irish friend who was called up to serve in the Israeli army during the First Gulf War – I don’t see anything inherently wrong in Jewish people feeling a close connection to Israel as well as their home country. But it does serve to weaken the idea that Israelis and diaspora Jews are two totally different groups. It may not be fair or right, but the latter are being held responsible for the crimes of the former’s government.
And those crimes, the privileging of Israeli lives over Arab lives, the outrage when Iran fires a missile barrage that kills no one and what appears to be a collective shrug by western leaders when huge numbers of Palestinians are killed in the West Bank or Gaza, has become so glaringly obvious that even The Washington Post reported there was “overwhelming anger” at the country at the recent UN General Assembly meetings. Jewish communities around the world are feeling a chill up the spine, and often far worse, as a result.
We should call out Biden and Harris, because you can’t express regret for the tens of thousands of deaths, or the blighting of at least a generation’s future, if you’re the one supplying the arms and money
There’s a further aspect to this, too.
When Malaysia’s then prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, made the claim in front of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation in 2003 that “today the Jews rule the world by proxy”, I tried to persuade an old associate of his that this was “unhelpful” to say the least. “But it’s true,” he replied. What Mr Netanyahu is doing is making it all the harder to argue against that awful anti-Semitic trope, because no one who has the power to hold him back is exercising any restraint on him at all. He could be wilfully provoking untold disaster in the Middle East and yet all we hear, from the US and UK at least, is “we stand with Israel”.
This not to say that Israel should have not retaliated after the attacks of October 7 last year. Any administration would have had to do so. Both critics and those of us overwhelmed by the catastrophic destruction wrought by Mr Netanyahu need to acknowledge how much of a life-changing, existential shock the Hamas-led attack was for the vast majority of ordinary Israelis. No, the conflict may not have begun on October 7. But this part of it did for them.
It must also be acknowledged that any long-term peace has to entail not only Palestinian statehood but also an Israel that both is, and feels, secure. Whatever one thinks about the original establishment of the state of Israel, it is a reality, and seven million Israelis are not, and should not, have to go anywhere, any more than seven million Palestinians.
Regional peace agreements should have been a way to start building that peaceful future. The blame for the fact that that happy prospect currently appears to be no more than a mirage lies not with the state of Israel, but with its disastrous prime minister – and with the American president who has enabled him.
We should call out Mr Biden and Ms Harris, because you can’t honestly express regret for any of the tens of thousands of deaths, the children maimed, the desolate moonscapes created, or the blighting of at least a generation’s future, if you’re the one supplying the arms and money.
So cut the “malarkey”, to use one of Mr Biden’s favourite words, Mr President. Let’s hear no more of your “ceaseless” efforts. Because the world knows you could have stopped all this. And you didn’t.
Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima
Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder
Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm
Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km
more from Janine di Giovanni
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
FIXTURES
December 28
Stan Wawrinka v Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Milos Raonic v Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 29 - semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Stan Wawrinka / Pablo Carreno Busta, 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Milos Raonic / Dominic Thiem, no earlier then 7pm
December 30
3rd/4th place play-off, 5pm
Final, 7pm
Sheikh Zayed's poem
When it is unveiled at Abu Dhabi Art, the Standing Tall exhibition will appear as an interplay of poetry and art. The 100 scarves are 100 fragments surrounding five, figurative, female sculptures, and both sculptures and scarves are hand-embroidered by a group of refugee women artisans, who used the Palestinian cross-stitch embroidery art of tatreez. Fragments of Sheikh Zayed’s poem Your Love is Ruling My Heart, written in Arabic as a love poem to his nation, are embroidered onto both the sculptures and the scarves. Here is the English translation.
Your love is ruling over my heart
Your love is ruling over my heart, even a mountain can’t bear all of it
Woe for my heart of such a love, if it befell it and made it its home
You came on me like a gleaming sun, you are the cure for my soul of its sickness
Be lenient on me, oh tender one, and have mercy on who because of you is in ruins
You are like the Ajeed Al-reem [leader of the gazelle herd] for my country, the source of all of its knowledge
You waddle even when you stand still, with feet white like the blooming of the dates of the palm
Oh, who wishes to deprive me of sleep, the night has ended and I still have not seen you
You are the cure for my sickness and my support, you dried my throat up let me go and damp it
Help me, oh children of mine, for in his love my life will pass me by.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- 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
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'The Ice Road'
Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne
2/5
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Juliot Vinolia’s checklist for adopting alternate-day fasting
- Don’t do it more than once in three days
- Don’t go under 700 calories on fasting days
- Ensure there is sufficient water intake, as the body can go in dehydration mode
- Ensure there is enough roughage (fibre) in the food on fasting days as well
- Do not binge on processed or fatty foods on non-fasting days
- Complement fasting with plant-based foods, fruits, vegetables, seafood. Cut out processed meats and processed carbohydrates
- Manage your sleep
- People with existing gastric or mental health issues should avoid fasting
- Do not fast for prolonged periods without supervision by a qualified expert
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Rawat Al Reef, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Abdallah Al Hammadi (trainer)
5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Noof KB, Richard Mullen, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qaiss Aboud
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7pm: UAE Arabian Derby – Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Dergham Athbah, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Daggash
7.30pm: Emirates Championship – Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle
8pm: Abu Dhabi Championship – Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Irish Freedom, Antonio Fresu, Satish Seemar
Results
2.15pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Arrab, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer).
2.45pm: Maiden (PA) Dh40,000 1,700m; Winner: AF Mahaleel, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel.
3.15pm: Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum handicap (TB) Dh200,000 2,000m; Winner: Dolmen, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
3.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 1,200m; Winner: Amang Alawda, Sandro Paiva, Bakhit Al Ketbi.
4.15pm: The Crown Prince of Sharjah Cup Prestige (PA) Dh200,000 1,200m; Winner: AF Alwajel, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
4.45pm: Handicap (PA) Dh40,000 2,000m; Winner: Al Jazi, Jesus Rosales, Eric Lemartinel.
RESULTS
6.30pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) US$100,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner Final Song, Christophe Soumillon (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (Turf) 1,000m
Winner Almanaara, Dane O’Neill, Doug Watson.
7.40pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner Grand Argentier, Brett Doyle, Doug Watson.
8.15pm Meydan Challenge Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Major Partnership, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Dubai Stakes Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm Dubai Racing Club Classic Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner Universal Order, Richard Mullen, David Simcock.
MATCH INFO
First Test at Barbados
West Indies won by 381 runs
Second Test at Antigua
West Indies won by 10 wickets
Third Test at St Lucia
February 9-13
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
Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)
Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)
Fifa%20World%20Cup%20Qatar%202022%20
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The specs
Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors
Power: 480kW
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)
On sale: Now
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
