RAMALLAH // In recent years, eulogies over the death of the two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict have become almost as numerous, and predictable, as Israel's construction of new Jewish homes in East Jerusalem or the West Bank.
Like the mythical phoenix, however, the two-state solution keeps rising from the ashes, borne aloft by the hopes of those who see it as the only way two stubborn peoples can reconcile their claims to the same piece of land.
This month, however, the US secretary of state, John Kerry, challenged the notion that the two-state solution would always be an option if only political inertia and cowardice, or geopolitical fantasies, were overcome.
On April 17, Mr Kerry told members of the US congress that the two-state solution had "a year to year-and-a-half to two years, or it's over".
Seldom in the 75-year-old history of "two states for two peoples" has so senior and powerful an official held a mirror up to this proposal for ending the Palestinian-Israeli struggle and suggested its champions were fantasists if they believed, like a mantra, it would remain an option forever.
In Israel, Mr Kerry's remarks were seen as a warning over Israeli settlements, though he did not explicitly mention them, the analysts say.
In the West Bank city of Ramallah, they were interpreted a sign of flagging US confidence in the political acumen of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
"This is a very significant development that, to me, signals the era of soft denial in Washington is over," said Daniel Seidemann, the founder of Terrestrial Jerusalem, an Israeli organisation that deals with issues in the city related to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. He has repeatedly warned that the two-state solution was being undermined by Israeli settlement construction in Jerusalem, which Palestinians have claimed as the capital of a future state.
"The line used to be one of let's kick this can down the road," said Mr Seidemann. "And now there's this statement that there may be no more can and no more road to kick one down."
Mr Kerry has visited the region several times in recent weeks, meeting Israeli and Palestinian officials in an effort to coax them back to talks, using the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002 as a starting point.
The last round of talks, sponsored by the US president, Barack Obama, collapsed in late 2010 because Israel refused to stop building settlements.
While the two-state solution has been officially endorsed by the Palestinians, Israel and the United States, it remains only an idea.
Impeding its realisation are the harsh realities of a still-simmering conflict. Israel continues to expand settlements on land claimed for a Palestinian state.
The Palestinians are divided between the rival leaderships of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and the PA in the West bank, which is controlled by the Fatah faction.
European officials have warned for years of a window closing on the two-state solution, but US officials had refrained from such pronouncements.
The change of tone in Washington appeared to be a recognition of what is required to get any movement on the peace process from the Israeli government, said Yigal Kipnis, a history professor at the University of Haifa.
"This time limit is a tool of pressure being used by the Americans," he said. "(The Israeli prime minister Benjamin) Netanyahu won't move forward on the situation without US pressure."
Mr Obama does not support the Palestinian demand that Israel stop constructing settlements before talks resume. This has not inspired Palestinian confidence in Mr Kerry's attempt to broker fresh talks.
"The so-called peace process is a lot more process than peace," said Mazin Qumsiyeh, a political commentator and political activist who teaches biology at Bethlehem University.
Lacking credible alternatives to negotiations with Israel, Palestinian leaders in Ramallah are running short on credibility, he said, adding: "PA officials are in a quandary - they don't know what to do."
Waning US confidence in a two-state solution could have harsh financial consequences for the PA, which relies heavily on foreign aid. Washington alone gives it more than US$500 million (Dh1.8billion) in annual donations.
If the US lost faith in creating a Palestinian state, pressure would mount in Washington, as well as Europe and Arab countries, to stop aiding the PA, said Sami Ajrami, a journalist for the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, who lives in the Gaza strip.
"When PA officials heard Kerry's comments, I'm sure there was a thought that their jobs were no longer as secure," he said. "The PA was supposed to be the vehicle to Palestinian statehood, but if there's no possibility for a state, then what's the purpose of this vehicle?"
Some believe Mr Kerry's declaration could strengthen European Union calls to place more pressure on Israel over its settlements.
It also runs the risk of reinforcing a general Palestinian belief that the two-state project has failed, said Abdul Sattar Kassem, a professor of political science at Nablus' An Najah University.
That would further erode the PA's credibility and risk a new bout of fighting, he said.
"It's a turning point," Mr Kassem added.
hnaylor@thenational.ae
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
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The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
If you go
The flights
Return flights from Dubai to Santiago, via Sao Paolo cost from Dh5,295 with Emirates.
The trip
A five-day trip (not including two days of flight travel) was split between Santiago and in Puerto Varas, with more time spent in the later where excursions were organised by TurisTour.
When to go
The summer months, from December to February are best though there is beauty in each season
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Global Fungi Facts
• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
• Only about 160,000 have been officially described leaving around 90% undiscovered
• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
• Forest fungi help tackle climate change, absorbing up to 36% of global fossil fuel emissions annually and storing around 5 billion tonnes of carbon in the planet's topsoil
Race card
4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m
5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m
5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m
6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m
6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m
7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m
The National selections:
4pm Zabardast
4.35pm Ibn Malik
5.10pm Space Blues
5.45pm Kimbear
6.20pm Barney Roy
6.55pm Matterhorn
7.30pm Defoe
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
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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.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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
The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
The five pillars of Islam
Keane on …
Liverpool’s Uefa Champions League bid: “They’re great. With the attacking force they have, for me, they’re certainly one of the favourites. You look at the teams left in it - they’re capable of scoring against anybody at any given time. Defensively they’ve been good, so I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t go on and win it.”
Mohamed Salah’s debut campaign at Anfield: “Unbelievable. He’s been phenomenal. You can name the front three, but for him on a personal level, he’s been unreal. He’s been great to watch and hopefully he can continue now until the end of the season - which I’m sure he will, because he’s been in fine form. He’s been incredible this season.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instant impact at former club LA Galaxy: “Brilliant. It’s been a great start for him and for the club. They were crying out for another big name there. They were lacking that, for the prestige of LA Galaxy. And now they have one of the finest stars. I hope they can go win something this year.”
