TEL AVIV // Under US pressure, Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to have shifted closer to the centre of Israel's political map this week after the premier finally reversed his years-long opposition to the creation of a future Palestinian state.
But the controversial conditions Mr Netanyahu has set for his acquiescence to the establishment of such a state spurred much scepticism yesterday about whether the two-state accord would see the light of day during his four-year premiership. In a keenly anticipated speech on Sunday night, Mr Netanyahu endorsed a Palestinian state as long as it did not have an army, controlled its own airspace or was allowed to strike military alliances.
He also insisted Israel retain sovereignty over all of Jerusalem, a position rejected by Palestinians, who want east Jerusalem as their future capital. Furthermore, he stated that he would continue expanding existing settlements in the occupied West Bank and demanded that Palestinians forego the right of return for refugees.
Ghassan Khatib, the Palestinian co-editor of bitterlemons.org, a website devoted to Israeli-Palestinian dialogue, said such conditions made the emergence of a Palestinian state "impossible".
"His conditions would not make this entity a state - how can the borders of a state be controlled by another state? This speech is bad news for the American peace efforts at ending the conflict."
Indeed, Mr Netanyahu's address drew criticism throughout the Arab world.
A spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the western-backed Palestinian Authority, which holds sway in the West Bank, condemned the statements as "sabotaging" peace efforts.
The foreign ministry of Egypt, one of only two Arab states - along with Jordan - which is at peace with Israel, called the premier's vision "flawed". In Syria, the mass-circulation Al Watan said Mr Netanyahu's speech "torpedoes all peace efforts" while Al Baath, the mouthpiece of Syria's ruling party, wrote that the prime minister "confirmed" his rejection of Arab states' peace efforts with Israel.
In Jordan, the pro-government Al Rai daily headlined an editorial: "Netanyahu offered rotten merchandise. Nobody will buy it." In Saudi Arabia, the state-run Al Nadwa daily wrote: "Every paragraph of Netanyahu's speech makes us more pessimistic."
Analysts said that instead of drawing Palestinians back to the negotiations' table, Mr Netanyahu seemed to aim his speech at mitigating pressure from Washington and the European Union while appeasing his right-wing coalition allies at home.
That tactic may have yielded some success. In the European Union, where some top officials have recently hinged an upgrade of bilateral ties with Israel on its new government's acceptance of Palestinian statehood, the Czech foreign minister, Jan Kohout, called Mr Netanyahu's statements a "step in the right direction".
But the Finnish foreign minister, Alexander Stubb, when asked if the Israeli premier's speech was enough to upgrade ties with the EU, said: "No." Several other foreign ministers questioned Mr Netanyahu's stance on divisive issues, such as settlements and the fate of Jerusalem.
The White House welcomed the speech as an "important step forward". However, it remained silent on a key demand by Barack Obama, the US president, which went unheeded by Mr Netanyahu - namely, a freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank, territory Palestinians want for their future state along with the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem.
In his address, the premier made no mention of removing any Jewish communities from occupied Palestinian land and said construction would not be halted. Yesterday, in an interview with the US channel NBC, he stated: "I think that President Obama and I are trying to reach a common understanding on this."
Israeli analysts said Mr Netanyahu - like his predecessors, including those from the centre-left Labor party - was seeking ways of keeping the powerful settler groups satisfied even as he accepted a future Palestinian state, which the settlers fiercely reject.
"Ultimately, keeping the settlers happy means the spread of settlements and reduces the Palestinian motivation for a two-state solution," said Yossi Alpher, a prominent Israeli commentator.
He added: "Obama has grasped this, which is why he insists on zero growth. It will be interesting to see whether he stands his ground even at the risk of causing a political crisis in Israel, which could ultimately elections that produce the same kind of government."
For the time being, Mr Netanyahu appears to have clinched his survival in Israel's tumultuous political world. His list of constraints for the establishment of a Palestinian state kept any potential opposition within his predominantly right-wing coalition muted yesterday.
His conditional support for Palestinian statehood is also likely to appeal to many Israeli Jewish voters, who - according to polls published in recent years - have consistently backed the two-state solution by a small majority.
vbekker@thenational.ae
More on Quran memorisation:
HUNGARIAN GRAND PRIX RESULT
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 1:39:46.713
2. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 00:00.908
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 00:12.462
4. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 00:12.885
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 00:13.276
6. Fernando Alonso, McLaren 01:11.223
7. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 1 lap
8. Sergio Perez, Force India 1 lap
9. Esteban Ocon, Force India 1 lap
10. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren 1 lap
11. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso 1 lap
12. Jolyon Palmer, Renault 1 lap
13. Kevin Magnussen, Haas 1 lap
14. Lance Stroll, Williams 1 lap
15. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber 2 laps
16. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber 2 laps
17r. Nico Huelkenberg, Renault 3 laps
r. Paul Di Resta, Williams 10 laps
r. Romain Grosjean, Haas 50 laps
r. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 70 laps
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The biog
Full name: Aisha Abdulqader Saeed
Age: 34
Emirate: Dubai
Favourite quote: "No one has ever become poor by giving"
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
if you go
The flights
Air France offer flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Cayenne, connecting in Paris from Dh7,300.
The tour
Cox & Kings (coxandkings.com) has a 14-night Hidden Guianas tour of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. It includes accommodation, domestic flights, transfers, a local tour manager and guided sightseeing. Contact for price.
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Reading List
Practitioners of mindful eating recommend the following books to get you started:
Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr Lilian Cheung
How to Eat by Thich Nhat Hanh
The Mindful Diet by Dr Ruth Wolever
Mindful Eating by Dr Jan Bays
How to Raise a Mindful Eaterby Maryann Jacobsen
Scores
Day 2
New Zealand 153 & 56-1
Pakistan 227
New Zealand trail by 18 runs with nine wickets remaining
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Mia Man’s tips for fermentation
- Start with a simple recipe such as yogurt or sauerkraut
- Keep your hands and kitchen tools clean. Sanitize knives, cutting boards, tongs and storage jars with boiling water before you start.
- Mold is bad: the colour pink is a sign of mold. If yogurt turns pink as it ferments, you need to discard it and start again. For kraut, if you remove the top leaves and see any sign of mold, you should discard the batch.
- Always use clean, closed, airtight lids and containers such as mason jars when fermenting yogurt and kraut. Keep the lid closed to prevent insects and contaminants from getting in.
POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Bio:
Favourite Quote: Prophet Mohammad's quotes There is reward for kindness to every living thing and A good man treats women with honour
Favourite Hobby: Serving poor people
Favourite Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite food: Fish and vegetables
Favourite place to visit: London
RESULTS
Cagliari 5-2 Fiorentina
Udinese 0-0 SPAL
Sampdoria 0-0 Atalanta
Lazio 4-2 Lecce
Parma 2-0 Roma
Juventus 1-0 AC Milan
