Trump's Middle East tour leaves Israel in 'confusion'

Live updates: Follow the latest on Trump's Gulf trip

US President Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East has left Israel in a position of uncertainty, highlighting differences over Iran and Syria while it presses on with its war in Gaza, experts have told The National.

Mr Trump on Friday concluded a Gulf tour on which he met Syria’s President Ahmad Al Shara, signed major economic deals worth trillions of dollars with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and attempted to tackle several crises and conflicts across the Middle East.

He also set out a carrot-and-stick approach to Iran and raised the prospect of Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords and establishing ties with Israel, though that is yet to happen.

"Mr Trump has not only left out Israel from his tour, which certainly conveys certain signals, but also shed light on policy differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over Syria and Iran," said Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East North Africa Programme at London's Chatham House.

Mr Trump's visit "shows the close relationship between Gulf states and Washington and his willingness to listen to them on key regional issues", Ms Vakil told The National.

President Trump in Abu Dhabi - in pictures

Diplomatic differences

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Syria and Iran while Mr Trump was touring the Gulf, and assured him of the solid ties between the two states.

Mr Rubio "stressed the deep US commitment to its historic relationship with Israel and the ironclad US support for Israeli security", State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. She said the two men expressed a "mutual commitment to make sure Iran never possesses a nuclear weapon".

However, Mr Trump's trip leaves a confused picture behind in Israel, said Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the country's Institute for National Security Studies.

“There is a sort of confusion because on the one hand, politicians in Israel feel that they were thrown aside, but on the other hand, there is no doubt that some things that have been said or done by Mr Trump are deeply and well co-ordinated with Israel,” he said.

The co-ordinated issues included the push to include Saudi Arabia and other Arab states in the Abraham Accords, Mr Michael told The National. But Mr Trump's move to lift US sanctions on Syria was a move that Israel has opposed.

President Trump met Syrian leader Ahmad Al Shara in Riyadh a day after announcing the lifting of sanctions. Reuters

The visit also comes at a time where the US has been engaged in talks with Iran – mediated by Oman – with four rounds being held since April 12. Both sides have described the negotiations positively and a further round is expected soon.

Reports have emerged of ties between Mr Trump and Mr Netanyahu becoming strained as the two leaders are at odds over a possible Iranian nuclear deal. Israel has previously opposed making concessions to Tehran on the nuclear issue.

Gaza war

Mr Trump said on Friday “good things” would happen in the Gaza Strip over the next month. That was a change from his previous rhetoric, having threatened that "all hell is going to break out" if Hamas did not release Israeli hostages.

“We have to help the Palestinians, a lot of people are starving in Gaza,” said Mr Trump after boarding Air Force One in the UAE, without elaborating on what would happen.

Earlier in the day, speaking at a business forum in Abu Dhabi, Mr Trump said he was looking to resolve a range of global crises, including Gaza. “We’re looking at Gaza,” he said. “And we’ve got to get that taken care of. A lot of people are starving. A lot of people are – there’s a lot of bad things going on.”

Israel has been pressing ahead with its brutal war on the besieged strip. No aid has entered since early March and the entire population of Gaza is at critical risk of famine, with half a million people facing starvation, a global hunger monitor warned this week. On Friday, it was reported that at least 250 people have been killed by the latest round Israeli strikes in Gaza.

Hunger and displacement are rampant in Gaza as Israel steps up its military campaign. EPA

Houthi surprise

Israel was also taken by surprise when the US announced a ceasefire with Yemen’s Houthi rebels early this month.

The agreement mediated by Oman stipulates neither the US nor the Houthis would target the other, including US vessels in the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandeb. The deal did not feature Israel.

Dina Esfindiary, Middle East geoeconomics lead at Bloomberg Economics, told The National the move shows “the relationship between Mr Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn't as comfortable as many may think”.

That the deal does not cover Israel is “interesting in itself, they were not even told about it and were taken by surprise when they heard”, she said.

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate

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

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

RESULTS

Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) beat Ahmed Saeb (IRQ) by decision.

Women’s bantamweight
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) beat Cornelia Holm (SWE) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Omar Hussein (PAL) beat Vitalii Stoian (UKR) by unanimous decision.

Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) beat Ali Dyusenov (UZB) by unanimous decision.

Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) beat Delfin Nawen (PHI) TKO round-3.

Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) beat Emad Hanbali (SYR) KO round 1.

Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) beat Ramadan Noaman (EGY) TKO round 2.

Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) beat Reydon Romero (PHI) submission 1.

Welterweight
Juho Valamaa (FIN) beat Ahmed Labban (LEB) by unanimous decision.

Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) beat Austin Arnett (USA) by unanimous decision.

Super heavyweight
Maciej Sosnowski (POL) beat Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) by submission round 1.

Family reunited

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.

She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.

She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.

The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.

She was held in her native country a year later.

Electoral College Victory

Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.

Popular Vote Tally

The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.

While you're here

Yes, Marmite hummus is a thing: UK supermarket launches yeast-flavoured dip

The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

Like a Fading Shadow

Antonio Muñoz Molina

Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

Tuskar Rock Press (pp. 310)

Winners

Ballon d’Or (Men’s)
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain / France)

Ballon d’Or Féminin (Women’s)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona / Spain)

Kopa Trophy (Best player under 21 – Men’s)
Lamine Yamal (Barcelona / Spain)

Best Young Women’s Player
Vicky López (Barcelona / Spain)

Yashin Trophy (Best Goalkeeper – Men’s)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City / Italy)

Best Women’s Goalkeeper
Hannah Hampton (England / Aston Villa and Chelsea)

Men’s Coach of the Year
Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain)

Women’s Coach of the Year
Sarina Wiegman (England)

THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS

Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.

Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.

Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.