Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the US was his country’s “best ally” following a major leak of US intelligence documents that revealed Washington had spied on its allies, including Israel.
A trove of documents surfaced in March on social media platform Discord, stunning analysts and intelligence agencies by revealing the full extent of western support for Ukraine.
Among the leaks was the claim that the US had eavesdropped on Israeli security services and heard that “senior members” of the Mossad intelligence agency were encouraging others in the organisation to join anti-government protests.
The truth is that the Mossad legal adviser said that under Israeli law, junior members of Mossad can participate in the demonstrations, not senior members
Benjamin Netanyahu,
Israeli Prime Minister
Since January, massive protests have rocked Israel as demonstrators try to put a stop to Mr Netanyahu’s proposed judicial reforms.
Critics of the government say the reforms would give the government influence over supreme court appointments and would give parliament the power to overturn supreme court rulings.
Mr Netanyahu has suspended efforts to pursue the reforms, but his government still insists they are necessary.
Last week, Mr Netanyahu tried to play down the leaks, saying that political dissent was accepted within the organisation.
“The truth is that the Mossad legal adviser said that under Israeli law, junior members of Mossad can participate in the demonstrations, not senior members,” Mr Netanyahu said.
He added that Israel's military and security services were “working hand in hand with me, as Prime Minister, to assure the security of the country”.
During an interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Mr Netanyahu called the reporting around the US classified material a “misunderstanding”.
The Prime Minister's tone was more mollifying than that of earlier statements released by his office, which initially called the reporting “mendacious and without any foundation whatsoever”.
Mr Netanyahu's reform push has prompted months of unrest and criticism from western allies, including stern words from US President Joe Biden.
Last month, the US President issued his strongest condemnation to date of Mr Netanyahu’s reform plans.
“Like many strong supporters of Israel, I'm very concerned,” he said. “And I'm concerned that they get this straight. They cannot continue down this road. And I've sort of made that clear.”
Economic concerns
In addition to shaking the foundations of Israel’s security establishment — thousands of security forces withheld their service in protest over the plans — the economy has also been dented by the upheaval.
On Sunday, credit rating agency Moody’s cut the outlook for Israel’s sovereign credit rating.
The assessment follows widespread critique from Israeli economists of Mr Netanyahu’s plans. They have said that if the Prime Minister weakens the rule of law in the country, it will spook foreign investors.
Israel's Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Sunday said Moody's decision was “not a big drama” and reiterated his stance that the government's plan to overhaul the judiciary would help the economy.
But the head of Israel's securities agency, who weighed in on the issue as she ended a five-year term on Sunday, said the downgrade was a warning that needed to be taken seriously and should push the government to rethink its plans.
Moody's Investors Service on Friday lowered Israel's outlook to stable from positive while affirming its sovereign credit rating of “A1".
Much of its report focused on a government plan to overhaul Israel's court systems.
Mr Smotrich told a session of parliament's finance committee during a debate on the 2023-24 state budget that Israel's credit outlook was previously lowered in 2020 and raised again in 2022.
“I take the opinion seriously but it's not big drama,” he said, noting Moody's also pointed to a strong economy despite the political turmoil.
“I don’t think economists are great experts on the judicial issue” and any damage to the economy would come from the “campaigns of lies” against the reforms”, he said.
Agencies contributed to this report
Results
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner No Riesgo Al Maury, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Marwa W’Rsan, Sam Hitchcott, Jaci Wickham.
6pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner Dahess D’Arabie, Al Moatasem Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi.
6.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 2,200m
Winner Safin Al Reef, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 2,200m
Winner Thulbaseera Al Jasra, Shakir Al Balushi, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.
7.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 80,000 2,200m
Winner Autumn Pride, Szczepan Mazur, Helal Al Alawi.
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The specs
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West Asia rugby, season 2017/18 - Roll of Honour
Western Clubs Champions League - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons
West Asia Premiership - Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Premiership Cup - Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners up: Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership - Winners: Dubai Exiles; Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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Cricket World Cup League 2
UAE results
Lost to Oman by eight runs
Beat Namibia by three wickets
Lost to Oman by 12 runs
Beat Namibia by 43 runs
UAE fixtures
Free admission. All fixtures broadcast live on icc.tv
Tuesday March 15, v PNG at Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Friday March 18, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
Saturday March 19, v PNG at Dubai International Stadium
Monday March 21, v Nepal at Dubai International Stadium
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
RACE CARD
5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m
Abdul Jabar Qahraman was meeting supporters in his campaign office in the southern Afghan province of Helmand when a bomb hidden under a sofa exploded on Wednesday.
The blast in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah killed the Afghan election candidate and at least another three people, Interior Minister Wais Ahmad Barmak told reporters. Another three were wounded, while three suspects were detained, he said.
The Taliban – which controls much of Helmand and has vowed to disrupt the October 20 parliamentary elections – claimed responsibility for the attack.
Mr Qahraman was at least the 10th candidate killed so far during the campaign season, and the second from Lashkar Gah this month. Another candidate, Saleh Mohammad Asikzai, was among eight people killed in a suicide attack last week. Most of the slain candidates were murdered in targeted assassinations, including Avtar Singh Khalsa, the first Afghan Sikh to run for the lower house of the parliament.
The same week the Taliban warned candidates to withdraw from the elections. On Wednesday the group issued fresh warnings, calling on educational workers to stop schools from being used as polling centres.
MATCH INFO
Chelsea 1
Alonso (62')
Huddersfield Town 1
Depoitre (50')
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What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
