Sven Koopmans, the EU's Middle East peace envoy, emphasised the 'devastating violence and a complete breakdown of the social fabric' in Gaza. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sven Koopmans, the EU's Middle East peace envoy, emphasised the 'devastating violence and a complete breakdown of the social fabric' in Gaza. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sven Koopmans, the EU's Middle East peace envoy, emphasised the 'devastating violence and a complete breakdown of the social fabric' in Gaza. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Sven Koopmans, the EU's Middle East peace envoy, emphasised the 'devastating violence and a complete breakdown of the social fabric' in Gaza. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

EU and Arab nations work on peace plan for post-war Israel and Gaza


Sunniva Rose
  • English
  • Arabic

The European Union is working with Arab states to push forward a peace plan between Israel and Palestine once the Gaza war is over, and perhaps even sooner, a senior EU diplomat has told The National.

European and Arab officials are working to stage an international conference ahead of full-scale peace negotiations, possibly in Spain.

With diplomatic efforts intensifying to avoid the total collapse of the enclave, hopes have faded for a ceasefire being achievable in Gaza in the coming months, the EU's special representative for the Middle East peace process, Sven Koopmans, told The National.

A high-level preparatory meeting to discuss peace in the region should happen “sooner rather than later”, but “the fact that it is taking forever to get to a ceasefire means we also have to think again,” said Mr Koopmans, a Dutch diplomat, speaking ahead of a trip to the UAE and Qatar this week.

“A conference for the sake of a conference is not a good idea. It should have results.”

The prospect of a peace conference is being overtaken by the urgency of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which Mr Koopmans described as possibly falling apart in a scenario similar to what happened in Somalia's civil war in the 1990s.

“There is devastating violence and a complete breakdown of the social fabric. It is impossible currently to organise orderly distribution of any type of aid and there is no clear vision of what should happen when the fighting ends,” he said.

“Then you will have a violent, non-governed, or partially governed zone with people who have basically nothing and are all traumatised. It would be a catastrophe of immense proportions combined with an incredible amount of chaos.”

To make sure Palestinians “actually survive to live to the day of peace”, diplomatic efforts must focus now on allowing more humanitarian aid into Gaza, preparing the enclave for a post-ceasefire situation and ensuring the survival of the Palestinian Authority, said Mr Koopmans.

Israel has withheld tax revenue it holds on behalf of the Palestinian Authority and has redirected $35 million of these funds to families of victims of the October 7 attacks. This puts the PA's reform plans at risk, despite them being well received in Brussels when they were presented by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa to EU members last month.

“The PA has an incredible financial disaster hanging over its head,” said Mr Koopmans.

A lot of political effort needed

Mr Koopmans recognised that “a lot of political attention is needed right now” to put an end to the conflict. But he also pushed back against criticism that the EU has been slow and relatively ineffective in its reaction to the war in Gaza due to internal divisions between member states.

Countries reluctant to appear as critical of Israel such as Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic have slowed down the adoption of retaliatory measures to Israeli human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank.

These include sanctions against extremist Israeli settlers that attack or kill Palestinian civilians, which were issued in the EU weeks after the US and the UK made a similar move.

EU countries have also been busy with national elections this year. In some countries, such as France, the Gaza war has become a highly sensitive and polarising topic.

Mr Koopmans cited an emergency meeting of Arab and EU officials in Oman after the October 7 attacks, describing statements given by the EU's foreign affairs minister Josep Borrell as “very forward looking”.

“He said 'we support Israel in its security and the need to support its citizens', and at the same time we say don’t overreact, don’t cut off Gaza from food and water because that would be contrary to international law,” said Mr Koopmans.

“Some in the media criticised him for that. I think everybody agrees with him now. If they agree with him today they should have agreed with him in October.”

A woman walks with a water container after filling up with others from a truck loaded with water cisterns in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 25. AFP
A woman walks with a water container after filling up with others from a truck loaded with water cisterns in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on June 25. AFP

There have also been calls from some EU countries to pressure Israel into engaging in peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, which it has so far refused to do, by reviewing the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

But such calls went unheeded until Israel shocked the international community last month when it violated an International Court of Justice ruling ordering it to stop its military offensive against Rafah in southern Gaza.

EU foreign affairs ministers then agreed on calling a meeting with Israel, which it has accepted, and the bloc is now internally discussing the meeting's agenda.

Yet just the fact that EU countries have considered reviewing the trade agreement, compounded with other statements such as calls for releasing PA funds, has angered Israel, and diplomatic relations have tanked as a result. This has further raised doubts about Europe's ability to influence Israeli policies.

Israeli officials refused to meet Mr Koopmans during his most recent visit to Israel and Palestinian territories earlier this month. Speaking to The National, Mr Koopmans downplayed the snub, saying that Israeli had reacted in a similar fashion during past wars in Gaza.

He was, however, keen to highlight positive offers the EU can make to Israel to encourage it to engage with Palestinians in peace talks. Based on its experience in rapidly ramping up military aid to Ukraine in the past two years, the EU believes it can contribute to Israel's regional security at some point in the future.

“If the circumstances are right, and we are not there right now, there is always more that we can do in terms of political, economic and security co-operation and integration,” said Mr Koopmans.

Such tools include the revival of an EU border mission at Rafah which was greenlighted by the bloc's 27 foreign affairs ministers last month. “It could have an expanded mandate and be in different places,” said Mr Koopmans.

Mr Koopmans has based his diplomatic efforts with the Arab region on the EU's so-called “peace day” that aimed to relaunch negotiations for a two-state solution with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.

The meeting took place in New York in September, one month before the Hamas-led October 7 attacks against Israel that killed around 1,200 people. Israel's military response in Gaza has killed more than 37,500 people and injured close to 87,000 others.

The peace-day effort, which reiterated long-held EU positions such as calling for an end to illegal Israeli settlements in territory meant to be part of a future Palestinian state, was paused but “still forms a basis of inspiration for all of us”, said Mr Koopmans.

The EU updated its vision for the region in light of the continuing conflict with a proposal of robust security assurances for Israel and Palestine conditioned on full mutual diplomatic recognition of both states in the region, according to a version leaked to the media in January.

The plan has since been modified, and it is not available to the public.

“I don't have a document that people can just put their signature on and it would be a peace agreement. I don't even have a draft of that,” said Mr Koopmans.

“What I have is a draft of steps to get there: how to set up a negotiation process; how to bring together all the things that you need to have a successful peace agreement.”

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A little about CVRL

Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.

One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases. 

The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery. 

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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Sleep Well Beast
The National
4AD

Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

The BIO:

He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal

He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side

By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam

Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border

He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push

His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Types of fraud

Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

* Nada El Sawy

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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

Al Jazira's foreign quartet for 2017/18

Romarinho, Brazil

Lassana Diarra, France

Sardor Rashidov, Uzbekistan

Mbark Boussoufa, Morocco

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The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

Tamkeen's offering
  • Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
  • Option 2: 50% across three years
  • Option 3: 30% across five years 
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Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
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Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra

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Rating: Three out of five stars

 


 

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE

Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

Company%20Profile
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HAJJAN
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It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

The biog

Name: Fareed Lafta

Age: 40

From: Baghdad, Iraq

Mission: Promote world peace

Favourite poet: Al Mutanabbi

Role models: His parents 

Champion%20v%20Champion%20(PFL%20v%20Bellator)
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Three trading apps to try

Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:

  • For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
  • If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
  • Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1

Updated: June 28, 2024, 4:32 AM