Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Iran conflict
After striking Iran on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in just a matter of hours, went from having his coalition on the brink of collapse to almost all of the opposition politicians behind his “Rising Lion” operation against Iran.
The turnaround is yet another example of how Mr Netanyahu almost always seems to survive.
The leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, having only just finished an attempt to dissolve the parliament, said on X that Israel’s operation was “a necessity”. He did not once mention his criticisms of and efforts to topple the government since the inception of Mr Netanyahu’s coalition.
The comments came shortly after Mr Lapid and other opposition members became the closest they had yet been to toppling Mr Netanyahu, following a coalition crisis over his ultra-Orthodox parties' anger at a lack of progress in passing a law to exempt their young men from service.
For days, it appeared they would leave the government and deprive the prime minister of his majority.
Former prime minister Naftali Bennett, a favourite for prime minister in the event of future elections and a fierce critic of Mr Netanyahu’s efforts to exempt ultra-Orthodox military service, took to X after the Iran strikes began to say, with not one mention of Mr Netanyahu: “Now we have finally hit the head of the octopus."
Sami Abu Shehadeh, one of the few Israeli politicians willing to criticise Mr Netanyahu at the moment and his Iran operation, told The National that the prime minister was “trying to push the region into a huge war that nobody needs in order to keep his coalition”.
“Israel is a very militarised society. Whether in the opposition or coalition, politicians have had a career in the army. When there are security issues, they forget they are politicians and that they can and should criticise anything,” he added.
“They start behaving like any small soldier who gets an order. They do not think as free politicians who see the whole context and can put forward a different political programme.”
Another opposition politician and often controversial figure, Ayman Odeh, said that the timing of the attack on Iran is not a coincidence.
“I think that it really has to do with Netanyahu's inability to keep his coalition. He is leading us to this very dangerous war with the Iranians, dangerous for the Israelis, the Palestinians and to the whole Middle East, based on his very narrow political interests.”
A seasoned political survivor and Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, Mr Netanyahu has weathered many crises.
Since October 2023, Mr Netanyahu’s government has faced mounting unpopularity, with polls showing his coalition would not stand a chance in an election today. Public anger has surged over his refusal to take personal responsibility for the intelligence, military and policy failures that led to the 2023 Hamas attack, and for not doing enough to secure the return of hostages still held in Gaza.
T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Day 5, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Given the problems Sri Lanka have had in recent times, it was apt the winning catch was taken by Dinesh Chandimal. He is one of seven different captains Sri Lanka have had in just the past two years. He leads in understated fashion, but by example. His century in the first innings of this series set the shock win in motion.
Stat of the day This was the ninth Test Pakistan have lost in their past 11 matches, a run that started when they lost the final match of their three-Test series against West Indies in Sharjah last year. They have not drawn a match in almost two years and 19 matches, since they were held by England at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi in 2015.
The verdict Mickey Arthur basically acknowledged he had erred by basing Pakistan’s gameplan around three seam bowlers and asking for pitches with plenty of grass in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Why would Pakistan want to change the method that has treated them so well on these grounds in the past 10 years? It is unlikely Misbah-ul-Haq would have made the same mistake.
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
PROFILE
Name: Enhance Fitness
Year started: 2018
Based: UAE
Employees: 200
Amount raised: $3m
Investors: Global Ventures and angel investors
RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
HOW TO WATCH
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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
Ferrari
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