Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed out at the leaders of France and Australia in personal letters condemning their plans to recognise Palestine.
In similarly worded broadsides, Mr Netanyahu accused the French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of fuelling anti-Semitism by backing a Palestinian state.
His spat with Mr Albanese has escalated after Australia denied visas to hardline Israeli figures, prompting Israel to retaliate by barring diplomats. On Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu described the Australian leader as "a weak politician who betrayed Israel and abandoned Australia's Jews".
Mr Macron has also been a target of Israeli anger after he announced in July that France would recognise Palestine, triggering similar announcements by Britain, Canada and others. Several plan to make recognition official when the UN General Assembly meets next month.
In his letter to Mr Macron, which was seen by AFP, Mr Netanyahu said anti-Jewish hatred was on the rise in France. "Your call for a Palestinian state pours fuel on this anti-Semitic fire. It is not diplomacy, it is appeasement," he wrote.
"It rewards Hamas terror, hardens Hamas's refusal to free the hostages, emboldens those who menace French Jews and encourages the Jew-hatred now stalking your streets."
The letter to Mr Albanese, which was revealed by Sky News Australia, mentioned a spate of incidents at Jewish sites in Australia, which Mr Netanyahu said were part of a "campaign of intimidation".
He called on both leaders to "replace weakness with action, appeasement with resolve, and to do so by a clear date: the Jewish New Year, September 23". That is also when world leaders begin taking the floor at the UN General Assembly.
There was no immediate reaction from France or Australia. Mr Albanese said last week that the Israeli leader was "in denial" about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Mr Netanyahu, who has positioned himself as a firm opponent of a Palestinian state, has alarmed foreign leaders by planning to expand the war despite the already dire conditions in Gaza. Israeli troops have been instructed to capture Gaza city as a first step to retaking control of the strip.
The US also rejects the idea of statehood and last month announced sanctions on Palestinian officials in apparent retaliation at the growing momentum behind a state.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Need to know
When: October 17 until November 10
Cost: Entry is free but some events require prior registration
Where: Various locations including National Theatre (Abu Dhabi), Abu Dhabi Cultural Center, Zayed University Promenade, Beach Rotana (Abu Dhabi), Vox Cinemas at Yas Mall, Sharjah Youth Center
What: The Korea Festival will feature art exhibitions, a B-boy dance show, a mini K-pop concert, traditional dance and music performances, food tastings, a beauty seminar, and more.
For more information: www.koreafestivaluae.com
Anxiety and work stress major factors
Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.
A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.
Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.
One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.
It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."
Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.
“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.
“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."
Daniel Bardsley
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
