A picture taken on December 4, 2017 shows a general view of the skyline of the old city of Jerusalem, with the Dome of the Rock (L) in the Aqsa Compund. Ahmad Gharabli / AFP
A picture taken on December 4, 2017 shows a general view of the skyline of the old city of Jerusalem, with the Dome of the Rock (L) in the Aqsa Compund. Ahmad Gharabli / AFP

Saudi Arabia says US announcement on Jerusalem to hurt peace process



Saudi Arabia said that any US announcement on the status of Jerusalem before a settlement is reached in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict would hurt the peace process and heighten tensions in the region.

"Any US announcement on the status of Jerusalem prior to a final settlement would have a detrimental impact on the peace process and would heighten tensions in the region," Saudi Arabia’s ambassador Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a statement.

"The kingdom's policy has been and remains in support of the Palestinian people, and this has been communicated to the US administration."

The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) called for a summit of Muslim countries if the US is to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"If the United States takes the step of recognising Jerusalem as the so-called capital of Israel, we unanimously recommend holding a meeting at the level of council of foreign ministers followed by an Islamic summit as soon as possible," the 57-member body said in a statement on Monday.

The OIC also said that the move to relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the disputed city of Jerusalem would be viewed as a “blatant attack on the Arab and Islamic nations”.

The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Most countries, including the US, do not formally recognise it as the capital of Israel. All foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv.

Some US and foreign officials have also voiced their opposition to the possibility of US president Donald Trump recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

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Read more

Arab League: Moving Israel's US embassy to Jerusalem will boost 'fanaticism'

The row over Jerusalem gives American Jews a touch choice

Trump delays decision on US embassy in Israel

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The White House said it would not take any action on Monday on whether to move the US embassy to Jerusalem, something that Mr Trump had promised to do in his presidential campaign.

According to a number of US officials, Mr Trump is expected to sign the legal waiver that would delay plans to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for another six months — something that every US president has done since 1995,  reported Reuters.

"Senior [officials] in [State Department's Near Eastern Affairs bureau] and a number of ambassadors from the region expressed their deep concern about doing this," one official told Reuters on condition of anonymity, adding that the concerns focused on "security”.

Meanwhile, during a phone call with Mr Trump, French president Emmanuel Macron "expressed his concern over the possibility that the United States would unilaterally recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel”.

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Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.

Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.

The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Europe’s rearming plan
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  • Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
  • Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
  • Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
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Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

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Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'

Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.

Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.

"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.

"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.

"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."