RAMALLAH, WEST BANK // As Americans today go to cast their votes for their next president, thousands of Palestinian-Americans in the occupied Palestinian territories will already have had their say.
Among Palestinians generally, two attitudes toward the elections seem to prevail. On the one hand, many see the vote as potentially crucial for the world and America. On the other, few hold out much hope that, whatever the result, Palestinians will gain much.
For Palestinian-Americans, the two positions seem to go together.
"I think it's one of the most important elections in my lifetime, in terms of what is needed to fix not just the global economic situation but how people and countries deal with each other," said Kareem Shehadeh, a lawyer and the chairman of the board of the American-Palestinian Chamber of Commerce. The Palestinian issue, however, is "very low on the agenda" of any new administration, said Mr Shehadeh. "In 2009, I don't think either party will have any real effect on the situation here."
Basil Ayyish, a telecommunications professional, said from a Palestinian perspective the election was insignificant. "American foreign policy is so entrenched in the Israeli narrative and Zionist objectives that I don't think any president will change that."
Nevertheless, Mr Ayyish also called the election "vitally important".
"For Americans and the international community it's very important, because it will help set the tone for decades to come." No organised attempt has been made by either the Obama or McCain campaigns to solicit the votes of eligible voters in the West Bank.
According to figures from the US Embassy, nearly 80,000 US citizens live in the West Bank and Gaza, though that includes Jewish settlers. The number of Palestinian-Americans is estimated at around 40,000.
The community is a fairly significant one because of its affluence. Palestinians sought their fortunes in America both before and after 1948. In the 1990s, many returned to help build what they thought would become a Palestinian state. Between Ramallah and Nablus lies Dear Dibwan, a village of large villas built almost exclusively with American money brought back by those who returned. Today, with the political situation in disarray, the village lies almost empty for much of the year.
Those who remain have kept a keen eye on the presidential elections, however, and most appear to hope for a Barack Obama victory, regardless of the impact on Palestinians.
"We hope that the trend Obama is bringing will help change some of the ideas and concepts that have prevailed in the White House over the past eight years," said Mr Shehadeh.
John McCain is viewed with suspicion because he is seen as representing continuity with the current administration, universally unpopular with Palestinians.
"I think a McCain administration will most likely carry on some of the policies that the current administration is advocating, whether domestically or internationally," said Hani Murad, who works in a United Nations agency.
"An Obama administration I think? I hope? will change course and have a more rational understanding of the American interest and global issues in general."
Nevertheless, Mr Obama does not escape criticism, and not only for his attempts at wooing the pro-Israel vote. Mr Ayyish recalled a McCain rally at which the Republican contender defended Mr Obama from a heckler calling him "an Arab" by countering that the Democratic candidate was "a decent family man".
"Rather than saying 'so what', this just lent credence to the Arab-baiting of this campaign. Part of the attack on Obama is that he is somehow less than an American, because of his foreign name and foreign connections." But Mr Ayyish said Mr Obama had not dealt well with the negative campaigning, especially on the issue of his personal relationship with Rashid Khalidi, the prominent Palestinian-American academic, with whom he was at university.
"Obama hasn't dispelled this issue the way I wish he would. The fact that Khalidi is Palestinian is not something he should be criticised for," Mr Ayyish said. Mr Khalidi, a professor of Middle East studies at Columbia University in New York, has served as an adviser to Palestinian diplomats.
The race issue, said Mr Murad, was not only about Mr Obama being an African-American, but also about his father's Muslim roots and the fact that he has an Arab middle name.
"Had Obama been purely African Christian, his colour would still have been an issue," Mr Murad said. The race factor, he said, was an important reason why Mr Obama was not further ahead in the opinion polls. Mr Ayyish said he was "shocked" that the race is as close as it is.
Mr Shehadeh, meanwhile, said anything but an Obama victory would be a "disaster". "If Sarah Palin can become a president, I can become a president."
okarmi@thenational.ae
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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
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
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
MORE ON TURKEY'S SYRIA OFFENCE
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Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
Joy%20Ride%20
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((Disclaimer))
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A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THE DETAILS
Director: Milan Jhaveri
Producer: Emmay Entertainment and T-Series
Cast: John Abraham, Manoj Bajpayee
Rating: 2/5
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Raha%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Kuwait%2FSaudi%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tech%20Logistics%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2414%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Soor%20Capital%2C%20eWTP%20Arabia%20Capital%2C%20Aujan%20Enterprises%2C%20Nox%20Management%2C%20Cedar%20Mundi%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20166%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
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
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
- Join parent networks
- Look beyond school fees
- Keep an open mind
Switching%20sides
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'Brazen'
Director: Monika Mitchell
Starring: Alyssa Milano, Sam Page, Colleen Wheeler
Rating: 3/5
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.
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.
EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
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AIDA%20RETURNS
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From Europe to the Middle East, economic success brings wealth - and lifestyle diseases
A rise in obesity figures and the need for more public spending is a familiar trend in the developing world as western lifestyles are adopted.
One in five deaths around the world is now caused by bad diet, with obesity the fastest growing global risk. A high body mass index is also the top cause of metabolic diseases relating to death and disability in Kuwait, Qatar and Oman – and second on the list in Bahrain.
In Britain, heart disease, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s remain among the leading causes of death, and people there are spending more time suffering from health problems.
The UK is expected to spend $421.4 billion on healthcare by 2040, up from $239.3 billion in 2014.
And development assistance for health is talking about the financial aid given to governments to support social, environmental development of developing countries.