This week, a US-Israeli delegation headed by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner departed from Tel Aviv and landed in Abu Dhabi aboard a commercial flight, the first of its kind to the Gulf. The delegation discussed co-operation in a variety of fields, including trade, agriculture and technology following the signing of the Abraham Accord on August 13. The agreement states that the UAE has decided to establish diplomatic ties with Israel in exchange for halting the annexation of Palestinian land.
The UAE is now the first country in the Gulf to establish formal relations with Israel. The ensuing agreements stemming from the accord are still being rolled out, but perhaps the most compelling are the many opportunities the accord can open. Mr Kushner laid out Washington's vision for a peaceful Middle East in an interview with The National.
Mr Kushner referred to the Abraham Accord, which he helped to broker, as a “a big turn for optimism” and repeated Mr Trump’s commitment to a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This assurance is crucial to peace efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. The UAE’s commitment to the two-state solution remains unwavering, and preserving it was among the drivers for the peace accord. In a video addressed to the Palestinian community of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, reaffirmed the Emirates’ support. For the UAE, peace-building is a “strategic necessity” in a region rife with conflict, but Sheikh Abdullah maintained that it will never “come at the expense of our support for the Palestinian cause”.
The US and the UAE have publicly stated their support for a two-state solution several times since the Abraham Accord was announced. It is now up to Israelis and Palestinians to build on these efforts for a peaceful resolution of the conflict, with the mediation of Arab and Western allies. A major part of the drive for peace lies in empowering Palestinians through investment in the economy and strengthening their institutions, according to Mr Kushner.
In a joint US-UAE-Israeli communique on August 13, the three nations stated that they will keep striving to "achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" and that the agreement will lead to "better lives for the peoples of Israel, the UAE and the region".
A major part of the drive for peace lies in empowering Palestinians
Achieving a peaceful Middle East requires, however, a broader perspective, which includes supporting reformers, creating opportunities and supporting geopolitical stability. That means curbing Iranian influence in the Arab world. Tehran’s armed proxies have wreaked havoc in Yemen, Lebanon, Iraq and beyond, destabilising entire nations and fuelling extremism. The US’s maximum pressure campaign has hindered these activities to a great extent, but punitive actions must also be complemented by diplomatic efforts. This includes building closer ties with reformers like Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi, as well as renegotiating a new, better nuclear deal with Iran. The now-defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which the US withdrew in 2018, had failed to address Tehran’s destabilising actions. Should he win a second term, Mr Trump will focus on striking “the right deal” with Iran, according to Mr Kushner.
The path to peace in the Middle East is multi-faceted and requires a holistic approach. It requires effort and compromise from all sides when it comes to resolving complex, decades-old disputes. Most importantly, peace and stability cannot be achieved without strengthening state institutions and curbing the power of extremists. But the Abraham Accord just gave the region a significant move towards peace.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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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
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The five pillars of Islam
Villains
Queens of the Stone Age
Matador
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zakat definitions
Zakat: an Arabic word meaning ‘to cleanse’ or ‘purification’.
Nisab: the minimum amount that a Muslim must have before being obliged to pay zakat. Traditionally, the nisab threshold was 87.48 grams of gold, or 612.36 grams of silver. The monetary value of the nisab therefore varies by current prices and currencies.
Zakat Al Mal: the ‘cleansing’ of wealth, as one of the five pillars of Islam; a spiritual duty for all Muslims meeting the ‘nisab’ wealth criteria in a lunar year, to pay 2.5 per cent of their wealth in alms to the deserving and needy.
Zakat Al Fitr: a donation to charity given during Ramadan, before Eid Al Fitr, in the form of food. Every adult Muslim who possesses food in excess of the needs of themselves and their family must pay two qadahs (an old measure just over 2 kilograms) of flour, wheat, barley or rice from each person in a household, as a minimum.
