A dangerous cycle of violence persists between Israelis and Palestinians amid increased political tension and a stalled peace negotiations, the UN's special co-ordinator for the Middle East Peace Process said on Wednesday.
“The violent trends that dominated the last months of 2022 continue to take a devastating human toll,” Tor Wennesland said during his monthly briefing to the UN Security Council. “The violence must stop.”
Between early December and mid-January, 14 Palestinians, including five children, were killed and 117 Palestinians, including 18 children, were injured by Israeli security forces during demonstrations, search-and-arrest operations and other incidents, Mr Wennesland said.
He added that five Israeli civilians and four members of the security forces were injured by Palestinians in attacks and other incidents.
Palestine's permanent representative at the UN, Riyad Mansour, maintained that peace is still possible, even though countless Palestinians have been killed.
“I do not say this lightly, but with a heavy heart, as every day Palestinians are killed,” Mr Mansour said.
“The year is two weeks old and already 15 Palestinians have been killed, including four children. And yet, I say it again: Peace is still possible.”
Israel's UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, accused the world body of distorting its reports and data, which he said “do not reflect the reality on the ground”.
On Monday, more than 100 nations called on Israel to reverse steps taken against the Palestinian Authority over its push for an investigation into the country at the UN.
“Regardless of each country’s position on the resolution, we reject punitive measures in response to a request for an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice, and more broadly in response to a General Assembly resolution, and call for their immediate reversal,” the countries said in a statement.
The signatories included representatives of Arab states, the members of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and 37 other countries, including Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
France issued a statement on Monday after signing, reaffirming its commitment to upholding “international law and multilateralism”.
Late last month, the 193-member General Assembly approved a resolution requesting that the International Court of Justice — the top UN court that hears disputes between states — weigh in on the conflict, including Israeli “annexation” and the “legal status of the occupation”.
The request was promoted by the state of Palestine and opposed by Israel.
Following the vote, Israel's new hardline government imposed a series of sanctions against the Palestinian Authority and denied benefits for certain Palestinian officials, among other measures.
Mr Erdan called the resolution on Wednesday “meaningless”, while Mr Mansour said the action was within his state's “democratic right.”
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed concern over the situation in the West Bank and the potential for “further instability”.
She told council members that the US continues to oppose unilateral actions that endanger stability and the viability of a two-state solution.
This includes actions that disrupt the historic status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque compound as well as settlement building.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
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FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
BULKWHIZ PROFILE
Date started: February 2017
Founders: Amira Rashad (CEO), Yusuf Saber (CTO), Mahmoud Sayedahmed (adviser), Reda Bouraoui (adviser)
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce
Size: 50 employees
Funding: approximately $6m
Investors: Beco Capital, Enabling Future and Wain in the UAE; China's MSA Capital; 500 Startups; Faith Capital and Savour Ventures in Kuwait
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Malcolm & Marie
Directed by: Sam Levinson
Starring: John David Washington and Zendaya
Three stars
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AndhaDhun
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Rating: 3.5/5
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The specs: 2019 BMW X4
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Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 354hp @ 5,500rpm
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The specs
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Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
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