Two-state call is a reality check for Israel's elites

Yesterday morning, Israeli air strikes on refugee camps in northern and central Gaza killed four people, according to local authorities. Such deaths are an almost daily occurrence; more than 41,200 Palestinians have been killed across a ruined Gaza and hundreds more in the occupied West Bank since the war began last October. In this gruesome context, talk of a Palestinian state can seem speculative but it cuts to the heart of the conflict.

When Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated on Saturday that the UAE will not support post-war efforts in Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state, he was emphasising and championing the growing global momentum for Palestinian self-determination as the only realistic and comprehensive way of breaking the cycle of conflict. It was also a reality check for those in Israel’s elites who may be labouring under the delusion that other countries will resolve the Palestinian question for them.

There is no shortage of goodwill and practical solidarity for the Palestinian people among Arab countries, and the UAE has been in the vanguard of those nations that have sent lifesaving aid and treated the sick and injured, all while championing calls for an immediate ceasefire at the highest levels. The Emirates has also indicated a willingness to support a temporary international mission in Gaza after the war – but only at the request of the Palestinian government.

On Friday, ministers from the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and four European nations met in Madrid and reiterated their position that a two-state solution is the 'only way to establish lasting peace and security' for Israel and Palestine. AFP

The Palestinians are a people who have had too many decisions made over their heads already, and their agency will be vital to the task of eventually rebuilding Gaza – work that will take a generation. The UAE is making it clear that the Palestinians themselves will be instrumental not only in the days after the war but in building their own future. It is not a job that can be outsourced. However, good governance and leadership from the Palestinians are instrumental for that to happen.

In fact, it is Israel’s sidelining of the Palestinian people that has, arguably, helped create this current catastrophe. Continuing occupation and settlement building in the West Bank, with a stranglehold on the futures of two million Gazans was always an unsustainable status quo. Sadly, the consequences arising from years of such occupation appear not to have been heeded by Israeli decision makers, some of whom have doubled down on their rejection of Palestinian statehood.

A July vote by Israeli MPs to reject Palestinian statehood in principle took place days before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – another high-profile opponent of Palestinian sovereignty – travelled to Washington to address the US Congress. Other Israeli Cabinet ministers are on record as explicitly opposing Palestinian self-determination.

The Palestinians are a people who have had too many decisions taken over their head already, and their agency will be vital to the task of rebuilding Gaza

Far from ensuring Israeli security, such intransigence further isolates the country politically and diplomatically. If anything, support for Palestinian statehood through a two-state solution is more common than before, including among many and allies of Israel.

Already this year, several countries have unilaterally recognised Palestine and in May the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of Palestinian membership; last week, delegates queued to greet Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Authority’s UN ambassador, as he took his place at the General Assembly. On Friday, ministers from the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation and four European nations reiterated their position that a two-state solution is the “only way to establish lasting peace and security” for Israel and Palestine.

That peace and security will have to be built with political and practical support from outside Israel and Palestine, but it cannot be done if Palestinians are denied a path to building their own state, and without Palestinian unity and good governance. Resolving these core issues is key to stopping the current war and further conflict in the future.

Globalization and its Discontents Revisited
Joseph E. Stiglitz
W. W. Norton & Company

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The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?

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.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

The bio

Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France

Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines

Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.

Favourite Author: My father for sure

Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst

Global state-owned investor ranking by size

1.	United States
2.	China
3.	UAE
4.	Japan
5	Norway
6.	Canada
7.	Singapore
8.	Australia
9.	Saudi Arabia
10.	South Korea

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)

Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)

Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

Types of bank fraud

1) 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.

2) 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.

3) 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.

4) SIM swap

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

5) 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.

6) 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.

Key findings of Jenkins report

Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."