Live updates: Follow the latest from Israel-Gaza
About 20 years ago, Laura Kraftowitz, who was raised Jewish, made a trip to Israel with the intention of studying at a local university – but her plans changed following a brief visit to Gaza.
“I was afraid that everything my Israeli friends said would be true, that people would hate me because I was Jewish, that they would throw rocks at me,” she recalls.
“Instead, I was warmly welcomed. I was taken in and made to feel the kind of safety and community that I hadn’t felt, frankly, ever in my life.”
That experience prompted Ms Kraftowitz to move to Gaza for nearly a year, changing the course of her life forever.
Over the past eight weeks, Ms Kraftowitz has been on the streets of Detroit, Chicago and Washington to protest against Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. She has been arrested several times.
“It’s so important right now to use our voices as Jewish Americans to say we oppose this, we do not stand for genocide,” she says.
“This is not part of our religion, it’s not part of our cultural identity. We want to use every tool that we have to make that clear.”
And Ms Kraftowitz isn’t alone.
Jewish Americans across the country are taking to the streets in increasing numbers to protest against Israel’s siege of Gaza that has killed more than 15,000 people and displaced about 1.7 million so far, according to local tallies.
“I grew up with stories of the Holocaust. I had a really strong sense of my ancestors and the history and trauma,” says Dana Kornberg, an academic and member of the Detroit, Michigan, chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, a progressive, anti-Zionist organisation.
While on a trip with Birthright, a programme in Israel that invites young Jews to visit and experience the country, she says she “was horrified to see how that narrative was being used to time and time again to justify [Israel’s actions]".
“The history of the Holocaust has been used to justify Israeli oppression and occupation and really horrific acts that are clearly violating international law.”
Pro-Palestine protesters shut down busy bridge in San Francisco – video
Ms Kornberg was part of a group of peace activists who blocked the entrance to the Israeli consulate in Chicago on November 13.
Last month, dozens of Jewish Americans, including Ms Kornberg, protested at government offices in Detroit to call for an end to the US government’s support for Israel's attacks on Gaza. On Thursday, she and others protested against Israel’s actions during the Detroit Thanksgiving parade.
While Jewish Americans have recently become more vocal about Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank amid the war on Gaza, it is part of a broader shift over the past several years.
A 2021 poll of Jewish Americans found that a quarter believed Israel to be an apartheid state, with nearly as many saying they believed that Israel was “committing genocide against the Palestinians”.
While the voice of progressive Jewish Americans may be growing louder, many still support Israel’s war on Hamas. Dozens of state and federal politicians, including leading members of the Democratic Party such as Chuck Schumer, attended a major rally in support of Israel on Washington's National Mall on November 14.
The White House has continued to assert Israel’s right to defend itself.
“In the early days [of the current conflict], we were more hopeful that our elected leaders would listen to us,” says Ms Kornberg.
“There was a little bit more hope that if we call, write, protest, something might change but what we found was that we were completed stonewalled by our elected representative across the board.”
The Washington Post reported this week that about 10,000 Jewish Americans have travelled to Israel with the intention of fighting for or signing up with the Israeli military.
Even before the war, Jewish Americans held widely differing views on Israel, with a 2021 Pew Research poll finding that 45 per cent of those surveyed believed that “caring about Israel is essential to what being Jewish means to them.”
Still, observers say they are witnessing a shift in attitude in recent weeks, especially among young Jewish Americans. The aforementioned Pew Research poll found that only 24 per cent of 18–29-year-olds thought Israel was making a sincere effort towards peace.
That is an observation members of Jewish Voice for Peace say they are seeing on the ground.
“I think there is a generational divide,” says Joshua Feinstein, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace and a Michigan resident.
“I’ve seen that happen first-hand that there’s a shift, [that younger Jewish Americans are thinking] ‘wait a second, maybe there’s a missing piece here'.
“I think this is the first time that you are starting to see cracks in the information starting to get out.”
He says that while several of his family members fully support of Israel, younger generations getting their information through social media do not.
“It’s our moment to decide what it means to be Jewish. I’m very heartened by the number of Jewish people stepping up and saying, ‘not in my name.’”
Mr Feinstein says he first began to question the narrative of unconditional support for Israel that he grew up with when hearing that Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli citizen in 1995.
“I remember thinking: ‘wait, that doesn’t add up,’” he says.
“I can’t believe in this day and age, after everything the Jewish people have been through that there is a genocide being perpetrated – in our name.”
Ms Kraftowitz says: “It’s the fact that I grew up looking at atrocities that had been done to my people and being told ‘never again,’ and seeing that that phrase was not holding up.
“Exterminating a people does not keep us safe.”
The latest from the Israel-Gaza war – in pictures
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
If you go...
Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs: 2018 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy
Price, base / as tested Dh97,600
Engine 1,745cc Milwaukee-Eight v-twin engine
Transmission Six-speed gearbox
Power 78hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque 145Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined 5.0L / 100km (estimate)
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
TEST SQUADS
Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Nasir Hossain, Sabbir Rahman, Mehedi Hasan, Shafiul Islam, Taijul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed.
Australia: Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson and Jackson Bird.
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.
7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Syria squad
Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 2 (Vecino 65', Barella 83')
Verona 1 (Verre 19' pen)
Results
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash
8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel
9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri
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
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Green ambitions
- Trees: 1,500 to be planted, replacing 300 felled ones, with veteran oaks protected
- Lake: Brown's centrepiece to be cleaned of silt that makes it as shallow as 2.5cm
- Biodiversity: Bat cave to be added and habitats designed for kingfishers and little grebes
- Flood risk: Longer grass, deeper lake, restored ponds and absorbent paths all meant to siphon off water
MORE ON INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The years Ramadan fell in May
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Top New Zealand cop on policing the virtual world
New Zealand police began closer scrutiny of social media and online communities after the attacks on two mosques in March, the country's top officer said.
The killing of 51 people in Christchurch and wounding of more than 40 others shocked the world. Brenton Tarrant, a suspected white supremacist, was accused of the killings. His trial is ongoing and he denies the charges.
Mike Bush, commissioner of New Zealand Police, said officers looked closely at how they monitored social media in the wake of the tragedy to see if lessons could be learned.
“We decided that it was fit for purpose but we need to deepen it in terms of community relationships, extending them not only with the traditional community but the virtual one as well," he told The National.
"We want to get ahead of attacks like we suffered in New Zealand so we have to challenge ourselves to be better."
Tottenham's 10 biggest transfers (according to transfermarkt.com):
1). Moussa Sissokho - Newcastle United - £30 million (Dh143m): Flop
2). Roberto Soldado - Valencia - £25m: Flop
3). Erik Lamela - Roma - £25m: Jury still out
4). Son Heung-min - Bayer Leverkusen - £25m: Success
5). Darren Bent - Charlton Athletic - £21m: Flop
6). Vincent Janssen - AZ Alkmaar - £18m: Flop
7). David Bentley - Blackburn Rovers - £18m: Flop
8). Luka Modric - Dynamo Zagreb - £17m: Success
9). Paulinho - Corinthians - £16m: Flop
10). Mousa Dembele - Fulham - £16m: Success
