Saudi Arabia has transferred $90 million to the Palestinian Authority, as the leadership of the occupied West Bank buckles under the strain of a financial crisis and punitive measures from Israel.
Fearing the authority's collapse, countries such as Saudi Arabia and France have launched a push to raise funds. But the organisation remains vulnerable amid wider security turmoil, with many employees receiving reduced monthly salaries.
Saudi Arabia’s charge d’affaires in Jordan, Mohamed Mounis, said the grant was a show of his country's commitment to the authority and Palestinians more broadly. Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al Sheikh thanked Saudi Arabia, saying the money would help his people “confront the difficult economic and financial conditions that Palestine is going through”.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a West Bank settler who is strongly opposed to the PA, has withheld monthly Israeli transfers of revenue to the authority, in response to several western countries recognising Palestinian statehood. The minister had withheld money throughout the Gaza war, further weakening the organisation.
Opposition to the money transfers in Israel centres on controversial payments the PA makes to the families of Palestinians held in Israeli jails, and attackers who have been killed. PA President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree in February revoking laws related to the payments, known as “pay for slay” in Israel. Official Palestinian media reported at the time that previous beneficiaries of the laws would still be entitled to apply for assistance based on need.
There is also opposition to a portion of the funds that used to be sent to the Gaza Strip. The financial arrangements, which came into force shortly after the 1994 Oslo Accords, give Israel a vast amount of leverage over the PA. The money provided to Ramallah, made up of tax revenue that Israel collects on Palestinian imports, makes up most of its income.
Israel collects the revenue, which should then be sent to the PA, subject to the approval of Israel's Finance Ministry, currently headed by Mr Smotrich.
Israel faced pressure to make payments during the Gaza war, most consequentially from the Biden administration in Washington, but the Trump administration does not appear to be applying the same level of pressure.
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Three ways to limit your social media use
Clinical psychologist, Dr Saliha Afridi at The Lighthouse Arabia suggests three easy things you can do every day to cut back on the time you spend online.
1. Put the social media app in a folder on the second or third screen of your phone so it has to remain a conscious decision to open, rather than something your fingers gravitate towards without consideration.
2. Schedule a time to use social media instead of consistently throughout the day. I recommend setting aside certain times of the day or week when you upload pictures or share information.
3. Take a mental snapshot rather than a photo on your phone. Instead of sharing it with your social world, try to absorb the moment, connect with your feeling, experience the moment with all five of your senses. You will have a memory of that moment more vividly and for far longer than if you take a picture of it.
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
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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
MATCH SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma
Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)
Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)
Small Victories: The True Story of Faith No More by Adrian Harte
Jawbone Press
the pledge
I pledge to uphold the duty of tolerance
I pledge to take a first stand against hate and injustice
I pledge to respect and accept people whose abilities, beliefs and culture are different from my own
I pledge to wish for others what I wish for myself
I pledge to live in harmony with my community
I pledge to always be open to dialogue and forgiveness
I pledge to do my part to create peace for all
I pledge to exercise benevolence and choose kindness in all my dealings with my community
I pledge to always stand up for these values: Zayed's values for tolerance and human fraternity
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
