Jared Kushner meeting Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his office in Jerusalem. Matty Stern / EPA
Jared Kushner meeting Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his office in Jerusalem. Matty Stern / EPA

When being a 'yes man' isn't quite what it seems



The Trump administration is preparing a plan to restart Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, yet Palestinian leaders appear to have been manoeuvered into, and have voluntarily adopted, a losing position before it has even been released. Fortunately, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his colleagues can still adjust their strategy and avoid yet another national defeat or disaster.

The first step is a clear appraisal of what’s possible. New talks are extremely unlikely and if any are held, certainly won't produce a final status agreement or end to the conflict. The requisite political, diplomatic, strategic and cultural conditions simply don't exist.

So there’s no real danger of being trapped in a bad permanent agreement in which core Palestinian rights and aspirations are sacrificed. Yet self-inflicted wounds are still possible and avoidable.

As the Israelis have long understood, the main game in Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy since the Oslo process started breaking down has been to avoid being blamed for any lack of negotiations or progress. The broader goal in this inescapable caricature of diplomacy is to try to make sure, whenever possible, that the other side gets blamed more, if not completely.

Since Israelis understand this clearly and have many built-in advantages, especially the more-biased-than-ever American mediator, it's going to be very difficult to get most of the world to view Israel as the main obstacle to progress.

Unfortunately, it's usually proven easy for Israelis to cast Palestinians as the obstructionist party, even as Israel continues to kill Palestinians, expand settlements, seize land, heighten their demands and inch towards annexation.

Palestinian leaders have consistently helped Israel do this by categorically rejecting proposals their people consider disadvantageous. That may, temporarily, boost politicians’ domestic political standing but at an exorbitant price.

After all, any strategies Palestinians employ will require a significant degree of international support. They need such help to build their society, economy, capacity and governance; or to pressure Israel in international forums like the United Nations; or to promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions. And on it goes.

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Read more from Hussein Ibish:

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Palestinians are already more isolated than Israel - and more than they can afford to be.

Recent comments by Donald Trump's chief Middle East negotiator, his son-in-law Jared Kushner, questioning the peaceful intentions of Mr Abbas are an obvious set-up. Mr Kushner seems convinced Mr Abbas will reject his proposals – as, from what we can gather is probably part of his plan, nearly all Palestinians would instinctively want him to. Or his intention is to make Mr Abbas say a flat "no" so Israel and Washington can claim he is not willing to make peace and bypass him altogether.

There’s only one intelligent response to this.

The word “no” should be avoided in diplomacy, particularly by weaker players. It can only be usefully employed to pander to a domestic political base and help leaders pose as champions of some internal constituency. But in statecraft and dealing with outsiders, the answer "no" is usually self-defeating.

The solution is not complex. It is to say "yes, but…"

Once the “yes” is clearly articulated, a more muted “but” can include anything and everything and it will be up to the other side to claim that your "yes" was actually a “no,” which is difficult, if not impossible.

The Israelis know this perfectly. They have been confronted with dozens of UN Security Council resolutions and even American proposals that they have effectively rejected, although not with a "no" but with a "yes, but".

This was their response to the Clinton Parameters. And the road map of the Middle East Quartet. And virtually everything that didn't come directly from their own negotiators.

Israel didn't even give a clear "no" to the Arab Peace Initiative, which they mainly ignored. In fact, Israel almost never says "no" categorically, except to Palestinians, who should ponder that.

No matter what Mr Kushner proposes, Palestinians should say "yes, but" and then, through that formulation, protect their interests on all sides.

They can insist that anything agreed at this stage be an interim arrangement, possibly with time limits and preserve all their claims on occupied territories, refugee rights, Jerusalem, national sovereignty, territorial contiguity or anything else they like. The decisive "but" following a qualified "yes" can be almost limitless, as the Israelis have frequently demonstrated.

Mr Kushner’s comments suggest his plan will be essentially an effort to buy off Palestinians, a new iteration of the nonsensical idea of "economic peace", without any formula for realising Palestinian national rights. While theoretically such an offer might be regarded as contemptible, it could nonetheless present substantial practical opportunities.

If there are economic or other gains that can be acquired without surrendering core Palestinian rights and aspirations, there’s no rational argument for declining them.

Ridiculous conspiracy theories aside, none of their allies are demanding Palestinians accept anything they don't want.

Saying "yes, but" instead of "no" in diplomacy is an essential way to avoid being set up as a scapegoat by adversaries. Palestinian leaders urgently need to add this phrase to their lexicon.

Hussein Ibish is a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States ­Institute in Washington

Asia Cup 2018 final

Who: India v Bangladesh

When: Friday, 3.30pm, Dubai International Stadium

Watch: Live on OSN Cricket HD

Emergency

Director: Kangana Ranaut

Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry 

Rating: 2/5

MEFCC information

Tickets range from Dh110 for an advance single-day pass to Dh300 for a weekend pass at the door. VIP tickets have sold out. Visit www.mefcc.com to purchase tickets in advance.

Paatal Lok season two

Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy 

Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong

Rating: 4.5/5

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THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
What drives subscription retailing?

Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.

The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.

The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.

The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.

UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.

That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.

Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.

THE LIGHT

Director: Tom Tykwer

Starring: Tala Al Deen, Nicolette Krebitz, Lars Eidinger

Rating: 3/5

 

 

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

if you go
The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre, six-cylinder

Transmission: six-speed manual

Power: 395bhp

Torque: 420Nm

Price: from Dh321,200

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
England Test squad

Ben Stokes (captain), Joe Root, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts

 
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
The biog

Date of birth: 27 May, 1995

Place of birth: Dubai, UAE

Status: Single

School: Al Ittihad private school in Al Mamzar

University: University of Sharjah

Degree: Renewable and Sustainable Energy

Hobby: I enjoy travelling a lot, not just for fun, but I like to cross things off my bucket list and the map and do something there like a 'green project'.

What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo and dual electric motors

Power: 300hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 520Nm at 1,500-3,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.0L/100km

Price: from Dh199,900

On sale: now

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
  • Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
  • Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
  • Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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