Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi. EPA
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi. EPA
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi. EPA
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi. EPA

Israeli minister’s comments draw Arab, EU condemnation


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Israel has come under a barrage of Arab and European criticism after its finance minister denied the existence of the Palestinian people.

It was the latest controversy involving members of the ultra-right government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which came to power in December and took what Palestinian and Jordanian officials describe as provocative actions aimed at undermining the two-state solution.

“There are no Palestinians, because there isn't a Palestinian people,” Israeli Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich said on Sunday.

He was speaking at a memorial service in Paris attended by members of France's Jewish community He spoke from behind a flag depicting expanded Israeli borders that incorporated Jordan and the Palestinian territories.

In early January, days after Mr Netanyahu's government took office, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, another hardline Israeli official, entered the Al Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem, in action seen widely seen in the Middle East as provocative.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Al Safadi said on Tuesday that Mr Smotrich's remarks and the optics of his speech were provocative and "exclusionary".

Mr Al Safadi said the actions "will not undermine us, nor the rights of the Palestinian people".

"The right of existence of the Palestinian people is not cancelled by extremists' statements," Mr Al Safadi said. He called for the revival of the two-state solution to achieve Palestinian-Israeli peace.

Jordan and Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994.

"Killing the two-state solution will ingrain racial separation [in Palestine] and lead to more tension," Mr Al Safadi said.

An official source told Reuters that Israel's national security advisor had called Mr Safadi to assure him that Israel respected his country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mr Safadi said his government could adopt further steps if Israel repeated such provocations, but did not elaborate.

Israel's Foreign Ministry wrote on Twitter: "Israel is committed to the 1994 peace agreement with Jordan. There has been no change in the position of the State of Israel, which recognizes the territorial integrity of the Hashemite Kingdom."

Jordan was stepping up a diplomatic campaign to pressure Israel to lift heavy-handed security measures during the fasting month of Ramadan beginning later this week, Safadi said.

The comments by Mr Smotrich prompted Jordan on Monday to summon Israel's ambassador to Jordan, Eitan Sorkis, to receive a rebuke.

The UAE has also condemned the speech.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation said the UAE “rejected the incitement rhetoric and all practices that contradict moral and human values ​​and principles”.

Oman also issued a "total rejection" of Mr Smotrich's "irresponsible and provocative" comments.

On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called Mr Smoprtich's remarks conterproductive, especiallu in the situation which is already very tense".

"Could you Imagine if a Palestinian leader would say that the Israeli state doesn’t exist," he said. "What would have been the reaction?”.

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said ahead of a cabinet meeting on Monday the "inflammatory statements" made by Mr Smotrich provided "conclusive evidence of the extremist, racist Zionist ideology... of the current Israeli government".

Egypt, which in 1979 became the first Arab country to recognise and sign a peace treaty with Israel, condemned the "inflammatory and unacceptable" as well as "racist" remarks, Cairo's foreign ministry said in a statement.

5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

Updated: March 21, 2023, 5:53 PM