Dozens were wounded at Al Aqsa Mosque compound on Friday in confrontations with Israeli police, hours after a visit to Jerusalem by US officials aimed at defusing tension in the city.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said medics treated at least 31 people at the Old City site, where Muslims had gathered for prayers. Fourteen were taken to hospitals.
Israeli police accused demonstrators of throwing rocks and fireworks at the force but no injuries among officers were reported.
Violence in recent days at Al Aqsa Mosque compound has raised international fears of a wider conflict, after similar incidents a year ago preceded an 11-day war between Israel and Gaza militants.
A US delegation led by senior State Department official Yael Lempert embarked on a Middle East tour this week.
Meeting Israeli officials on Thursday, the US envoys stressed “the importance of upholding the historic status quo at East Jerusalem’s holy places and the unacceptable firing of rockets at Israel”.
Al Aqsa Mosque compound is the third holiest site in Islam and is also revered by Jews.
The US visit comes as religious holidays converge, with Muslims marking Ramadan, Jews celebrating Passover and Christians observing Easter at the Old City’s sacred sites.
Washington has banned its embassy employees and their families from visiting the Old City after dark because of the security situation.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday urged the US envoys to “stop Israel’s aggression”, Palestinian official Hussein Al Sheikh said.
Israel, which has occupied East Jerusalem since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war, said it was acting “only in order to prevent violence and to enable prayer to continue as normal”.
Scenes of Israeli riot police using rubber bullets and tear gas at Al Aqsa prompted Jordan, custodian of the site, to convene an emergency meeting of Arab states on Thursday.
The delegates condemned actions by Israeli security forces and called for only Muslims to be allowed to worship at the compound.
Visits by observant Jews, who are not allowed to pray at the site, have continued this week. Such tours are expected to end for the final 10 days of Ramadan, in keeping with previous years.
Events in Jerusalem prompted Israeli nationalists to hold a rally on Wednesday at the edge of the Old City, although they were prevented by police from marching en masse through Palestinian neighbourhoods.
Palestinian medics have treated more than 200 wounded people at Al Aqsa Mosque compound over the past week.
Separately, police said a number of passengers were hurt on Sunday when Israeli buses were stoned by Palestinians near the Old City.
The violence in Jerusalem has been followed this week by militants launching rockets from Gaza for the first time since January, sparking Israeli retaliatory strikes on the Palestinian enclave.
In the occupied West Bank, at least 14 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces this month.
The Israeli military launched a series of raids in the territory after the killing of 14 people in four attacks in Israel over recent weeks. The perpetrators were either Palestinians from the West Bank or Arab Israelis.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
If you go
Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.
Nomadic Road offers expedition-style trips to Mongolia in January and August, and other destinations during most other months. Its nine-day August 2020 Mongolia trip will cost from $5,250 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, two nights’ hotel accommodation in Ulaanbaatar, vehicle rental, fuel, third party vehicle liability insurance, the services of a guide and support team, accommodation, food and entrance fees; nomadicroad.com
A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com
'Peninsula'
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Ra
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
Rating: 2/5
'How To Build A Boat'
Jonathan Gornall, Simon & Schuster
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
BOSH!'s pantry essentials
Nutritional yeast
This is Firth's pick and an ingredient he says, "gives you an instant cheesy flavour". He advises making your own cream cheese with it or simply using it to whip up a mac and cheese or wholesome lasagne. It's available in organic and specialist grocery stores across the UAE.
Seeds
"We've got a big jar of mixed seeds in our kitchen," Theasby explains. "That's what you use to make a bolognese or pie or salad: just grab a handful of seeds and sprinkle them over the top. It's a really good way to make sure you're getting your omegas."
Umami flavours
"I could say soya sauce, but I'll say all umami-makers and have them in the same batch," says Firth. He suggests having items such as Marmite, balsamic vinegar and other general, dark, umami-tasting products in your cupboard "to make your bolognese a little bit more 'umptious'".
Onions and garlic
"If you've got them, you can cook basically anything from that base," says Theasby. "These ingredients are so prevalent in every world cuisine and if you've got them in your cupboard, then you know you've got the foundation of a really nice meal."
Your grain of choice
Whether rice, quinoa, pasta or buckwheat, Firth advises always having a stock of your favourite grains in the cupboard. "That you, you have an instant meal and all you have to do is just chuck a bit of veg in."
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