From 2013 to 2017, I served as a White House appointee to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Annually, we would review how the practices of countries around the world affected the ability of their citizens and residents to freely follow their faiths. We would identify countries that violated religious freedom, together with our recommendations for actions the US government could take to bring these countries into compliance.
Early on, I could see there was deep resistance to any examination of Israel by some commissioners, both Republican and Democratic appointees. In my first month as a commissioner, I was dragged into a bizarre battle over a Christmas op-ed the Commission wanted to publish expressing concern that “in the land where Jesus was born, Christians feared celebrating Christmas”. As examples of places where Christians might face persecution, the article cited a few Arab countries (weirdly, including Lebanon and Syria) and added Pakistan and Nigeria for good measure. When I asked about Palestinian Christians, the response was a near hysterical rejection – more like a “How dare you?”.
And when, a year later, the Commission received a visit from the Roman Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem seeking our support for a few rather small requests he had of Israeli authorities – like visas for priests and unimpeded passage for Christians between Israel and the West Bank at Christmas and Easter – he was startled when two of my colleagues not only rejected his appeal, but insisted that his priority ought to be demanding that Hamas disarm.
Knowing it would be an uphill battle, I wanted to make the best case possible before proposing that the Commission investigate Israel. I asked a team of attorneys to prepare an extensive brief on Israel’s repressive actions that affected Palestinian Christians and Muslims, as well as Israeli non-Orthodox Jews. The study was modelled on the Commission’s studies of cases of hostile occupations in other countries.
When I submitted the report, together with another Democratic appointee (who was Jewish and was deeply concerned with the treatment of non-Orthodox Jews in Israel), we were greeted with a firestorm of abuse. Our report was not discussed (or even read). Instead, I was subjected to the charge of being anti-Semitic, because two Commissioners claimed I was “singling Israel out for criticism”. This accusation is a hallmark of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, which equates many forms of criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. It is used to silence critics of the state.
My response to my colleagues on the Commission was to remind them that I had voted with them every year to criticise the practices of two dozen countries and therefore it wasn’t I who was singling Israel out for criticism. It was they who were singling Israel out as the one country that could not be criticised.
This is the “Israel exception” in many American circles. Israel can violate religious freedom, international law, humanitarian law, US laws regarding the use of aid to violate human rights and the lives of civilians, and yet never be criticised. And if it is criticised, those who do so are deemed anti-Semites. This insidious situation has allowed Israel to operate with impunity. Its impact has not only taken a toll on the lives and fortunes of Palestinians, Lebanese, Syrians and others – it is now being weaponised in the US, putting at risk Americans’ basic freedoms.
This acceptance of the IHRA definition has been with us since the first Trump administration’s Department of Education formally adopted it. A dozen states have also legislated its use. After several failed efforts to have it passed by Congress, it may very well pass this year.
Most concerning has been the way the current Trump administration has weaponised the Department of Education’s use of the IHRA definition to threaten universities into taking measures that violate academic freedom and free speech on campuses, the firing of some faculty members, the cancelling of courses and gutting of departments of Middle East Studies. This same IHRA definition is also being used by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to cancel visas and green cards, resulting in deportations or cancelling of visas for hundreds of pro-Palestinian advocates. The individuals being deported, university programmes being cancelled, and students being threatened with expulsion are denounced for their anti-Semitism that is creating a hostile environment for Jews on campuses. On examination, however, their “crimes” are nothing more than being critical of Israel or supportive of Palestinians.
Disturbing is the silence of too many liberals in Congress and academia who, out of fear, have allowed this to continue. They have permitted the “Israel exception” to morph into the “Palestine exception”. In this situation, any state (even the US itself) can be criticised. But not Israel. Victims of human rights violations and genocide must be supported. But not Palestinians. Even US policies can be protested or condemned. But not Israel’s policies.
This implementation and expansion of the “Israel/Palestine exception” by the Trump administration and the enabling silence of too many liberals in Congress and civil society have left many in my community feeling vulnerable and powerless. They are witnessing Israel acting with impunity as it devastates and imposes itself on Lebanon and Syria and accelerates what is increasingly being described by experts as a genocide in Gaza and new levels of repression and ethnic cleansing in the West Bank.
Many in the US are afraid to speak out or become engaged in political protest. Not only visa holders, but citizens, are concerned about travel not knowing how they will be treated on re-entry and, in the case of visa holders, whether they’ll be allowed to return.
We have reached the point where the “Israel/Palestine exception” not only distorts American foreign policy and erodes our stated commitments to international law and covenants but also compromises our right to free speech and assembly and the right to petition our government. As we have witnessed in recent weeks, it is threatening academic freedom and the very idea of the university in American life.
What is heartening is that the coalition that has come together to meet this challenge to Americans’ rights is broad and diverse, encompassing not only Arab Americans, but also an array of civil and human rights organisations, ethnic and faith-based groups, and students and professors. They are coming together to demand an end to the “Israel/Palestine exception”.
About Proto21
Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group
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”
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.
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday
Borussia Dortmund v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm kick-off UAE)
Bayer Leverkusen v Schalke (5.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Cologne (5.30pm)
Mainz v Arminia Bielefeld (5.30pm)
Augsburg v Hoffenheim (5.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Bayern Munich (8.30pm)
Borussia Monchengladbach v Freiburg (10.30pm)
Sunday
VfB Stuttgart v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)
Union Berlin v Hertha Berlin (8pm)
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
Series info
Test series schedule 1st Test, Abu Dhabi: Sri Lanka won by 21 runs; 2nd Test, Dubai: Play starts at 2pm, Friday-Tuesday
ODI series schedule 1st ODI, Dubai: October 13; 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 16; 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi: October 18; 4th ODI, Sharjah: October 20; 5th ODI, Sharjah: October 23
T20 series schedule 1st T20, Abu Dhabi: October 26; 2nd T20, Abu Dhabi: October 27; 3rd T20, Lahore: October 29
Tickets Available at www.q-tickets.com
Stat Fourteen Fourteen of the past 15 Test matches in the UAE have been decided on the final day. Both of the previous two Tests at Dubai International Stadium have been settled in the last session. Pakistan won with less than an hour to go against West Indies last year. Against England in 2015, there were just three balls left.
Key battle - Azhar Ali v Rangana Herath Herath may not quite be as flash as Muttiah Muralitharan, his former spin-twin who ended his career by taking his 800th wicket with his final delivery in Tests. He still has a decent sense of an ending, though. He won the Abu Dhabi match for his side with 11 wickets, the last of which was his 400th in Tests. It was not the first time he has owned Pakistan, either. A quarter of all his Test victims have been Pakistani. If Pakistan are going to avoid a first ever series defeat in the UAE, Azhar, their senior batsman, needs to stand up and show the way to blunt Herath.
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
Drishyam 2
Directed by: Jeethu Joseph
Starring: Mohanlal, Meena, Ansiba, Murali Gopy
Rating: 4 stars
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
Kanye%20West
%3Cp%3EYe%20%E2%80%94%20the%20rapper%20formerly%20known%20as%20Kanye%20West%20%E2%80%94%20has%20seen%20his%20net%20worth%20fall%20to%20%24400%20million%20in%20recent%20weeks.%20That%E2%80%99s%20a%20precipitous%20drop%20from%20Bloomberg%E2%80%99s%20estimates%20of%20%246.8%20billion%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021.%3Cbr%3EYe%E2%80%99s%20wealth%20plunged%20after%20business%20partners%2C%20including%20Adidas%2C%20severed%20ties%20with%20him%20on%20the%20back%20of%20anti-Semitic%20remarks%20earlier%20this%20year.%3Cbr%3EWest%E2%80%99s%20present%20net%20worth%20derives%20from%20cash%2C%20his%20music%2C%20real%20estate%20and%20a%20stake%20in%20former%20wife%20Kim%20Kardashian%E2%80%99s%20shapewear%20firm%2C%20Skims.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Griselda
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Itcan profile
Founders: Mansour Althani and Abdullah Althani
Based: Business Bay, with offices in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and India
Sector: Technology, digital marketing and e-commerce
Size: 70 employees
Revenue: On track to make Dh100 million in revenue this year since its 2015 launch
Funding: Self-funded to date
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Directed by Sam Mendes
Starring Dean-Charles Chapman, George MacKay, Daniel Mays
4.5/5
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fasset%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2019%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Mohammad%20Raafi%20Hossain%2C%20Daniel%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.45%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2086%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Pre-series%20B%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Investcorp%2C%20Liberty%20City%20Ventures%2C%20Fatima%20Gobi%20Ventures%2C%20Primal%20Capital%2C%20Wealthwell%20Ventures%2C%20FHS%20Capital%2C%20VN2%20Capital%2C%20local%20family%20offices%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'Falling%20for%20Christmas'
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Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
