Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators held opposing rallies in New York's Times Square on Sunday. Adla Massoud / The National
Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators held opposing rallies in New York's Times Square on Sunday. Adla Massoud / The National
Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators held opposing rallies in New York's Times Square on Sunday. Adla Massoud / The National
Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators held opposing rallies in New York's Times Square on Sunday. Adla Massoud / The National

'This is Israel's 9/11', UN envoy tells Security Council of Hamas attack


Adla Massoud
  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Palestine

Israel’s top envoy to the UN has called the Hamas attack “Israel’s 9/11", likening the strikes against Israeli soldiers and civilians to the 2001 Al Qaeda attacks against the US that reshaped the course of the 21st century.

The comments by the ambassador, Gilad Erdan, came before an emergency session of the UN Security Council, where the Palestinian envoy pleaded for Israel to abandon its forceful response that he said was sure to lead to the deaths of civilians on both sides.

Mr Erdan showed journalists graphic pictures of Israeli civilians being taken captive by Hamas.

“This is Israel's 9/11 and Israel will do everything to bring our sons and daughters back home,” he said.

“These are war crimes; blatant, documented war crimes.

“Now is the time to obliterate Hamas's terror infrastructure, to completely erase it, so that such horrors are never committed again.”

Apart from killing nearly 3,000 people in New York, at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, the September 11 attacks also mark one of America's greatest intelligence failures.

Saturday's Hamas attacks also seem to have blindsided Israeli and US intelligence services.

Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, holds up a photograph of an Israeli woman with a Hamas fighter. EPA
Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, holds up a photograph of an Israeli woman with a Hamas fighter. EPA

Mr Erdan appealed to the international community to give Israel its full support and to condemn the actions of Hamas.

Also addressing reporters was Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, who implored the international community to pressure Israel to abandon its use of force and embrace a path to peace “where neither Palestinians nor Israelis are killed".

“This is not a time to let Israel double down on its terrible choices,” he said. “This is a time to tell Israel it needs to change course, that there is a path to peace where neither Palestinians nor Israelis are killed.”

Mr Mansour said Israel should be held to the same standards as Palestinians when it comes to violence.

“You cannot say, 'Nothing justifies killing Israelis', and then provide justifications for killing Palestinians. We are not subhumans,” he said.

Mr Mansour, questioning the absence of international protection when Israel breaches international law, challenged the unequal treatment, asking: “Aren't Palestinian lives worth saving?”

The permanent observer from Palestine to the UN, Riyad Mansour, on Sunday. EPA
The permanent observer from Palestine to the UN, Riyad Mansour, on Sunday. EPA

Saudi-Israel deal

Mr Erdan spoke about prospects of a deal that would see Israel and Saudi Arabia establish formal relations for the first time.

The agreement has been in the works for months and some analysts say Hamas's attack on Saturday was partly aimed at derailing it.

“There doesn't seem to be any compelling reason why normalisation between Israel and Saudi Arabia should be off the table,” Mr Erdan said.

“There are moderate countries in our region that seek peaceful coexistence, and Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly among them.”

He went on to accuse Iran of actively working to hinder the chances of a deal.

Before the closed-door Security Council meeting, US deputy ambassador Robert Wood called for condemnation of the Hamas attack.

“I expect to hear from the other council members very strong condemnation of these heinous acts of terrorism committed against the Israeli people and their government,” Mr Wood told reporters.

After the Security Council session on the crisis, ambassador Lana Nusseibeh of the UAE stressed the need for all council members to use international and bilateral channels to promote calm and de-escalation, with a primary focus on protecting civilians on both sides.

Ms Nusseibeh said a few council members raised the necessity of addressing the need for a political path forward.

Russia's UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the Security Council did not consider any joint statement as some member states, including Moscow, were seeking a broader agenda beyond condemning Hamas.

"My message was to stop the fighting immediately and to go to a ceasefire and to meaningful negotiations," Mr Nebenzya said.

Meanwhile, across town, demonstrators in New York's Times Square voiced their support for the Palestinians, chanting “Free Palestine".

On the other side of the street, Israelis, separated by a metal fence installed by police, displayed their opposition by waving flags and shouting, “Shame on you.”

New York's Governor Kathy Hochul criticised Manhattan's Palestinian solidarity rally as "abhorrent and morally repugnant", and ordered landmarks in the US state to be illuminated in blue and white, the colours of the Israeli flag

Mounir Attalah, a member of the Palestinian youth group who was among the demonstration's organisers, told The National that he joined the protests because the people of Gaza “refuse to die quietly and we're here to support the right of an occupied people to resist their occupation".

"What we saw yesterday was the people of Gaza breaking out of their open-air prison," Mr Attalah said.

Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators held opposing rallies in New York's Times Square on October 8. Adla Massoud / The National
Pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian demonstrators held opposing rallies in New York's Times Square on October 8. Adla Massoud / The National

THE SPECS

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

Engine: 6.0-litre V12

Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic

Power: 595bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh999,563

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."
Williams at Wimbledon

Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)

Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)

The specs

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Power: 400hp

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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

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

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Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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Checks continue

A High Court judge issued an interim order on Friday suspending a decision by Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots to direct a stop to Brexit agri-food checks at Northern Ireland ports.

Mr Justice Colton said he was making the temporary direction until a judicial review of the minister's unilateral action this week to order a halt to port checks that are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Civil servants have yet to implement the instruction, pending legal clarity on their obligations, and checks are continuing.

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

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AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

Huroob Ezterari

Director: Ahmed Moussa

Starring: Ahmed El Sakka, Amir Karara, Ghada Adel and Moustafa Mohammed

Three stars

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bundesliga results

Mainz 0 Augsburg 1 (Niederlechner 1')

Schalke 1 (Caligiuri pen 51') Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Miranda og 81')

Jetour T1 specs

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Power: 254hp

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Islamophobia definition

A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
The specs

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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

VEZEETA PROFILE

Date started: 2012

Founder: Amir Barsoum

Based: Dubai, UAE

Sector: HealthTech / MedTech

Size: 300 employees

Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)

Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC

WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?

1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull

2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight

3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge

4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own

5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed

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Light Flyweight (48kg): Alua Balkibekova (KAZ) beat Gulasal Sultonalieva (UZB) by points 4-1.

Flyweight (51kg): Nazym Kyzaibay (KAZ) beat Mary Kom (IND) 3-2.

Bantamweight (54kg): Dina Zholaman (KAZ) beat Sitora Shogdarova (UZB) 3-2.

Featherweight (57kg): Sitora Turdibekova (UZB) beat Vladislava Kukhta (KAZ) 5-0.

Lightweight (60kg): Rimma Volossenko (KAZ) beat Huswatun Hasanah (INA) KO round-1.

Light Welterweight (64kg): Milana Safronova (KAZ) beat Lalbuatsaihi (IND) 3-2.

Welterweight (69kg): Valentina Khalzova (KAZ) beat Navbakhor Khamidova (UZB) 5-0

Middleweight (75kg): Pooja Rani (IND) beat Mavluda Movlonova (UZB) 5-0.

Light Heavyweight (81kg): Farida Sholtay (KAZ) beat Ruzmetova Sokhiba (UZB) 5-0.

Heavyweight (81 kg): Lazzat Kungeibayeva (KAZ) beat Anupama (IND) 3-2.

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Difference between fractional ownership and timeshare

Although similar in its appearance, the concept of a fractional title deed is unlike that of a timeshare, which usually involves multiple investors buying “time” in a property whereby the owner has the right to occupation for a specified period of time in any year, as opposed to the actual real estate, said John Peacock, Head of Indirect Tax and Conveyancing, BSA Ahmad Bin Hezeem & Associates, a law firm.

MATCH INFO

Karnataka Tuskers 110-5 (10 ovs)

Tharanga 48, Shafiq 34, Rampaul 2-16

Delhi Bulls 91-8 (10 ovs)

Mathews 31, Rimmington 3-28

Karnataka Tuskers win by 19 runs

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COMPANY PROFILE

Company name: Letstango.com

Started: June 2013

Founder: Alex Tchablakian

Based: Dubai

Industry: e-commerce

Initial investment: Dh10 million

Investors: Self-funded

Total customers: 300,000 unique customers every month

The language of diplomacy in 1853

Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)


We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.

Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

The%20specs%20
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Updated: October 09, 2023, 5:40 AM