From its lowest point, the Palestinian cause can rise to its greatest heights. Consider the immediate response to US president Donald Trump's unilateral recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Three "days of rage" were announced, the Palestinian Authority gravely expressed disappointment and Hamas called for another intifada. There were some clashes between Palestinians and Israeli troops, but largely, the Palestinians have appeared to be preparing for the long war rather than waging small, briefly satisfying skirmishes.
They have, thus far, been helped in this moderate course by the wider Arab and Muslim world. This has been the case even in Tunis, where the Palestinian issue has a lot of supporters (the PLO was based there for nearly a decade from 1982 in the dark years when it was considered a terrorist organisation). On Friday, 24 hours after Mr Trump’s announcement from Washington, I watched as extraordinary security measures were employed around the US embassy in the Tunisian capital, while protesters had their noisy say some considerable distance away.
Thus far – and those two words are worth repeating over and over – everyone's worst fears have not come true. The world has not yet descended into the "ring of fire" that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan predicted as the outcome of Mr Trump's high-handed decision to willfully ignore international law, multiple United Nations resolutions and the principle of natural justice.
Of course it's early days yet, but thus far, Palestinian leaders (other than Hamas) have adopted a sober tone that mixes honest regret with measured horror at the massive blow so cruelly struck at them by Mr Trump. Thus far, that "Arab street" – so beloved of western commentators and policy wonks – has not lived up to its billing. Thus far, Arabs have not responded to Mr Trump's outrageous provocation as an unthinking people who will burn down the neighbourhood without stopping to think that their own house is in it.
To date, the US administration has not managed to provoke Arab and Muslim violence in a way that would justify more extreme domestic security measures. In other words, Mr Trump cannot use the fallout from his Jerusalem announcement as a political tool to further demonise and marginalise Arabs and Muslims.
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Some say the relatively muted response to Mr Trump’s cataclysmic announcement is because the Palestinian issue has slipped in importance, especially in the Arab world. There’s a lot of talk about various Arab leaders having other things on their minds and other deals to cut. It’s true the region has many more and very different things – caution and conflicts – to worry about than in the 1980s and 1990s, when the Palestinian issue was at the top of the agenda.
There is regional caution after the Arab Spring uprisings, with governments keen not to encourage discontent. And there is conflict in parts of the region.
The wider Muslim world too is increasingly seen as a house divided and consequently, unable to provide coherence and unity on the Palestinian issue.
So, this much is true. Arabs and Muslims can no longer be defined by the Palestinian problem. There are other preoccupations, not least managing change in a networked world.
This is all to the good. The Palestinians' plight should not be just an Arab or a Muslim issue. It should be a world issue. One that mobilises people and governments all over the world in the fight against injustice. Mr Trump's Jerusalem decision must be opposed around the world because it makes a mockery of international order in the 21st century by legitimising the annexation of a territory seized in war. Ukraine would object. So might other countries right the way round the world if National Geographic is correct that "there are more than 150 disputes under way that involve territory, mostly in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region, but also in Europe and the Americas".
It wasn't that long ago, just in 1980, that the UN passed Resolution 478 deeming Israel's claim to Jerusalem as its "complete and united" capital to be in violation of international law and urging member states to withdraw diplomatic missions from the city.
Now, Mr Trump has internationalised the Palestinian issue in an unexpected way. He has united the UN Security Council against the United States and will hopefully trigger a whole new international movement that actively campaigns for justice for the Palestinians and thereby, for the rule of law.
Right now, there is but one right course for Palestinians. Hundreds of Mohandas Gandhis, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther Kings must emerge, rising up to lead non-violent resistance to a system that seeks to crush them. They must stand and sit on principle, demanding justice from the oppressor. Palestinians must take control of their struggle, setting its non-violent terms.
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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UNpaid bills:
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN budget in 2019
USA – $1.055 billion
Brazil – $143 million
Argentina – $52 million
Mexico – $36 million
Iran – $27 million
Israel – $18 million
Venezuela – $17 million
Korea – $10 million
Countries with largest unpaid bill for UN peacekeeping operations in 2019
USA – $2.38 billion
Brazil – $287 million
Spain – $110 million
France – $103 million
Ukraine – $100 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Five expert hiking tips
Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
Take your litter home with you
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2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: Eghel De Pine, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Sheaar, Szczepan Mazur, Saeed Al Shamsi
6pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (PA) Group 3 Dh500,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Torch, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan National Day Cup (TB) Listed Dh380,000 1,600m | Winner: Forjatt, Chris Hayes, Nicholas Bachalard
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup for Private Owners Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,400m | Winner: Hawafez, Connor Beasley, Ridha ben Attia
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Qader, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roaulle
