Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in remarks aired on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia’s China-brokered agreement with Iran to resume diplomatic relations is fraught with the risk of “misery”.
In an interview with US broadcaster CNBC, Mr Netanyahu said the deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran has very little to do with Israel and is more focused on Yemen.
“I think it has probably a lot more to do with the desire to de-escalate or even eliminate the long-standing conflict in Yemen,” Mr Netanyahu said.
“I think that Saudi Arabia, the leadership there, has no illusions about who are their adversaries, and who are their friends in the Middle East.”
But, he added, “those who partner with Iran, partner with misery”.
On March 10, Saudi Arabia and Iran formally restored diplomatic relations in a move widely seen as aimed at fostering stability and improving the regional economy.
The China-sponsored agreement, which ended a seven-year rift between the two countries, has positioned Beijing to potentially assume a more prominent role in a region that the US has long dominated diplomatically.
On Monday, Iran invited Saudi Arabia's King Salman for an official visit.
The unexpected rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and Iran puts a pause in Mr Netanyahu’s long-time aim to isolate Tehran internationally due to its nuclear weapons programme.
It also sets back Israel’s quest to normalise relations with Riyadh under the auspices of the US-mediated Abraham Accords.
“We’d like very much to have peace with Saudi Arabia,” Mr Netanyahu said. “Because I think it would be another huge quantum leap for peace. In many ways, it would end the Arab-Israeli conflict.”
He went on to explain: “I’m not saying it would end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Palestinians are about 2 per cent of the Arab world, but it would end, in many ways, the conflict between Israel and the Arab states.”
The development comes at a delicate time in Israeli politics. Since January, thousands of Israelis have been taking to the streets to protest against a controversial judicial overhaul proposed by Mr Netanyahu's government.
And earlier this month, footage of Israeli forces beating Palestinian worshippers with batons inside Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan drew widespread condemnation, including from Saudi Arabia.
Underscoring China's aim for more influence in the region, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday said that it was willing to play a more constructive role in promoting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
The US has long sought to forge a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians that would include the creation of an independent Palestinian state.
But the last time there was any development in the peace process was nine years ago and there is little sign of a potential resumption of talks in the near future.
During the interview, Mr Netanyahu said he was not aware of China’s initiative to enable such talks.
“I’m not aware of any specific offer of this kind,” he said. “Look, we respect China, we deal with China a great deal. But we also know we have an indispensable alliance with our great friend, the United States.”
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Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc
The%20specs
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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
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
Honeymoonish
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six
Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Fuel consumption: 11.12L/100km
Price: From Dh796,600
On sale: now
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.
TV: World Cup Qualifier 2018 matches will be aired on on OSN Sports HD Cricket channel
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Gulf rugby
Who’s won what so far in 2018/19
Western Clubs Champions League: Bahrain
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Dubai Hurricanes
West Asia Premiership: Bahrain
What’s left
UAE Conference
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Hurricanes II v Al Ain Amblers, Jebel Ali Dragons II v Dubai Tigers
March 29, final
UAE Premiership
March 22, play-offs:
Dubai Exiles v Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Dubai Hurricanes
March 29, final
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
FINAL RESULT
Sharjah Wanderers 20 Dubai Tigers 25 (After extra-time)
Wanderers
Tries: Gormley, Penalty
cons: Flaherty
Pens: Flaherty 2
Tigers
Tries: O’Donnell, Gibbons, Kelly
Cons: Caldwell 2
Pens: Caldwell, Cross
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
