The iron key to Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre is tinged ochre with rust. Nearly every morning before dawn for more than 800 years, it has been used by a member of the Nusseibeh family, who are Muslim, to unlock the church’s doors for the Christian clergy who preside over its services.
Exactly how or when the arrangement began has receded from public memory. But to the custodians and the clergy, how it all started does not matter as much as what their daily ritual represents, which is the respect and spirit of co-operation with which their communities regard each other in their shared city.
A reminder of that message is sorely needed now in Jerusalem, as the city – and others in Palestine and Israel – continue to see an eruption of violence between Jews and Arabs, stemming from the threat of eviction of Palestinian residents from one of its neighbourhoods, Sheikh Jarrah, this month. Jewish settlers have used a 1970 law that gives priority to Jews' property claims over those of Palestinians in a case that Israel's top court suspended after the latest violence began.
Right-wing extremism has been on the rise in Israel since the 1970s, and in 1980, the Knesset passed a bill declaring “Jerusalem, complete and united” to be Israel’s capital. With this declaration of sovereignty came another to extend Israeli legal jurisdiction over East Jerusalem, which the international community still considers to be illegally occupied land. Under international law, any evictions within occupied land are also illegal. East Jerusalem is envisioned to be the capital of any future Palestinian state.
Unrest has rocked Israeli cities this week. AP
Evictions not only undermine legal norms, but also the heritage and dignity of Jerusalem’s Palestinians. Many of them, who live mainly in East Jerusalem, have ancient roots in the city – the Nusseibehs trace theirs back to 637. Others are refugees, having been displaced from other parts of Palestine during Israel’s creation in 1948. These families, in particular, have faced constant pressure to leave since Israel’s capture of East Jerusalem in 1967.
As the speaker of Jordan’s Parliament told a meeting of the Arab League this week, what has transpired in Sheikh Jarrah is not a simple “real-estate dispute”. The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that evictions such as those in process in Sheikh Jarrah “create a coercive environment” that may lead to a “forcible transfer” of the broader Palestinian population from its land. As long as the spectre of such a tragedy remains, it will provide wind in the sails of violent militant movements in Palestine, including those of Hamas, which has launched hundreds of rockets into Israeli territory from Gaza this week. Some of them inadvertently killed Arabs.
US President Joe Biden, whose country has long billed itself the arbiter of a prospective Palestinian-Israeli peace, has not yet been able to influence events. Rather, his administration has been criticised for its apparent equivocation as the violence worsens. In a briefing on Thursday, Mr Biden took care to avoid any strong statements, opting instead of safer, universal truths. One of them was the assertion that Jerusalem, “a city of such importance to people of faith from around the world, must be a place of peace”.
But the only way for that to happen is for Israel to take strong measures to ease tensions within its population. After that, it must sue for a long-term political solution that assures the rights of the Palestinians who live in Jerusalem, and lets go of any claims of exclusive ownership over this holy city.
From Beirut and Amman to London and now Dubai, hairstylist George Massoud has seen the same mistakes made by customers all over the world. In the chair or at-home hair care, here are the resolutions he wishes his customers would make for the year ahead.
1. 'I will seek consultation from professionals'
You may know what you want, but are you sure it’s going to suit you? Haircare professionals can tell you what will work best with your skin tone, hair texture and lifestyle.
2. 'I will tell my hairdresser when I’m not happy'
Massoud says it’s better to offer constructive criticism to work on in the future. Your hairdresser will learn, and you may discover how to communicate exactly what you want more effectively the next time.
3. ‘I will treat my hair better out of the chair’
Damage control is a big part of most hairstylists’ work right now, but it can be avoided. Steer clear of over-colouring at home, try and pursue one hair brand at a time and never, ever use a straightener on still drying hair, pleads Massoud.
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), EsekaiaDranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), JaenBotes (Exiles), KristianStinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), EmosiVacanau (Harlequins), NikoVolavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), ThinusSteyn (Exiles)
Key findings of Jenkins report
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."
Afghanistan Premier League - at a glance
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Fixtures:
Tue, Oct 16, 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Kabul Zwanan; Wed, Oct 17, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards; 8pm: Kandahar Knights v Paktia Panthers; Thu, Oct 18, 4pm: Balkh Legends v Kandahar Knights; 8pm: Kabul Zwanan v Paktia Panthers; Fri, Oct 19, 8pm: First semi-final; Sat, Oct 20, 8pm: Second semi-final; Sun, Oct 21, 8pm: final
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
