Insight and opinion from The National’s editorial leadership
February 28, 2024
The debate over whether or not to support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza speaks to deep questions about humanitarianism, the ethics of war and the mechanics of building a lasting peace in a troubled region. At least, it ought to. Instead, in Britain it has become a football in the shallow arena of domestic identity politics.
Last week, a largely symbolic parliamentary vote on the subject, proposed by the Scottish National Party (SNP), descended into chaos after the Speaker of the House of Commons broke with procedure to entertain an amendment put forward by the Labour party, leading Conservative MPs to walk out of the chamber in protest. The amended motion, urging an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” but excluding the SNP’s original language calling for “an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people”, passed as a result.
The country’s politicians have been rowing ever since. The temperature increased when Suella Braverman, a former Conservative home secretary who was dismissed in November after criticising London police for being soft on pro-Palestine protesters, wrote a particularly inflammatory op-ed in the Daily Telegraph insinuating those supporting a ceasefire are in thrall to religious extremists. “The Islamist cranks and left-wing extremists…took control of the streets,” she wrote. On the parliamentary vote and Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, Ms Braverman wrote: “in hock to the Islamists, he is responsible for one of the most shameful days of our democracy”.
Conservative MP Lee Anderson piled on, claiming in a television interview that Islamists have “got control of” London Mayor Sadiq Khan, and the capital itself. Shortly afterwards, Mr Anderson was suspended by his party. Mr Khan and Mr Starmer have rightly accused him of Islamophobia – a term Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is loath to use.
Khan and Starmer have rightly accused Anderson of Islamophobia
On Monday, Conservative MP Paul Scully claimed that parts of East London and Birmingham with large Muslim communities are “no-go areas”, further fuelling allegations of anti-Muslim sentiments within the UK's ruling party. Andy Street, the Conservative West Midlands Mayor, was quick to criticise the claim, saying: “It really is time for those in Westminster to stop the nonsense slurs and experience the real world. I, for one, am proud to lead the most diverse place in Britain.”
The heightened rhetorical tensions are only adding to the distress of those who feel targeted in UK communities.
Mr Sunak’s reluctance to tackle this issue head on is deeply problematic. But in an environment where politicians have allowed – even encouraged – identity politics to become such a powerful force, it is all too predictable. The British left is not without fault, and has its own history of questionable positions driven by identity politics.
The wave of cynical populism Ms Braverman is helping to drive will only deepen Britain’s divisions – not heal them. And that would have significant implications for the country’s future as a diverse, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society, as well as its ability to be a voice of reason in an increasingly polarised world. As the war continues in Gaza, some members of parliament from the UK, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, are too busy fighting internal battles against some of their own communities.
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Five hymns the crowds can join in
Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday
Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir
Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium
‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song
‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar
‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion
‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope
The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’
There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia
The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ
They will practice for the first time at the stadium on the eve of the public mass on Monday evening
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.
Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
