Live updates: Follow the latest on Israel-Gaza
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested in Amsterdam on Sunday after ignoring a ban on demonstrations announced after violent clashes between Israeli football fans and groups of youths only days before.
Amsterdam District Court had upheld a decision by the mayor to ban protests in the city, the scene of fighting between Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans and men who had gathered in several areas of the city.
Nonetheless, hundreds of protesters defied the ban and gathered in central Amsterdam's Dam Square, brandishing placards that said "We want our streets back" and chanting "Free Palestine". Police in riot gear advanced on the protesters shortly after the court upheld the ban and made dozens of arrests.
The violence broke out on Thursday night, when some supporters of the Israeli football club, in Amsterdam for Uefa Europa League clash between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, were taken to hospital after being attacked.
Dutch activist Frank van der Linde applied for an urgent permit to demonstrate in Dam Square, not only because of the "genocide in Gaza, but also because our right to protest has been taken away". But the court upheld the temporary ban on protests announced by city mayor Femke Halsema, commenting on X that she "has rightly decided that there will be a ban on demonstrating in the city this weekend".
The protesters who arrived at the square on Sunday, described as peaceful, chanted slogans and carried placards, including one that read: "We can fight anti-Semitism and genocidal Zionism at the same time."
Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla said tension was building ahead of Thursday's match at the Johann Cruyff Arena, when Maccabi fans burnt a Palestinian flag in Dam Square and vandalised a taxi.
After the game, which largely passed off peacefully, groups of men on scooters engaged in "hit-and-run" attacks on Maccabi fans in various areas of the city. Israel’s ambassador to the Netherlands said 2,000 Israelis had been brought home on special flights from Amsterdam over the past few days.
Sixty-three people were arrested before and during the Europa League match but, so far, none in connection with the violence after the game, prosecutors said. Police have launched a major investigation and more arrests are expected.
Thanksgiving meals to try
World Cut Steakhouse, Habtoor Palace Hotel, Dubai. On Thursday evening, head chef Diego Solis will be serving a high-end sounding four-course meal that features chestnut veloute with smoked duck breast, turkey roulade accompanied by winter vegetables and foie gras and pecan pie, cranberry compote and popcorn ice cream.
Jones the Grocer, various locations across the UAE. Jones’s take-home holiday menu delivers on the favourites: whole roast turkeys, an array of accompaniments (duck fat roast potatoes, sausages wrapped in beef bacon, honey-glazed parsnips and carrots) and more, as well as festive food platters, canapes and both apple and pumpkin pies.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, The Address Hotel, Dubai. This New Orleans-style restaurant is keen to take the stress out of entertaining, so until December 25 you can order a full seasonal meal from its Takeaway Turkey Feast menu, which features turkey, homemade gravy and a selection of sides – think green beans with almond flakes, roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato casserole and bread stuffing – to pick up and eat at home.
The Mattar Farm Kitchen, Dubai. From now until Christmas, Hattem Mattar and his team will be producing game- changing smoked turkeys that you can enjoy at home over the festive period.
Nolu’s, The Galleria Mall, Maryah Island Abu Dhabi. With much of the menu focused on a California inspired “farm to table” approach (with Afghani influence), it only seems right that Nolu’s will be serving their take on the Thanksgiving spread, with a brunch at the Downtown location from 12pm to 4pm on Friday.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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
