JERUSALEM // Ahead of Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas’s meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday, a senior Abbas adviser cast the US president as the man who can forge a historic peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
"When you have a president who from day one commits himself to peace and invests time and effort in reaching a solution that's the definition of a historic opportunity," Husam Zomlot, the Palestine Liberation Organisation's newly appointed chief representative in Washington, told Israel's Haaretz newspaper at the weekend. Mr Trump has the "political capacity, the relationship with all the parties involved and the will" to achieve peace, he added.
Such effusive talk highlights that Mr Abbas desperately wants the US president to come to the rescue of faltering Palestinian hopes for statehood.
With Israeli settlements expanding across the heartland of the envisioned state and the Palestinian issue being eclipsed by other regional crises, statehood aspirations are at a nadir and Palestine is in need of a saviour.
But most Palestinian observers think Mr Trump is an unlikely choice for that role and that any pressure he brings to bear on peacemaking will not be in favour of the Palestinians.
“Historic deals in politics are harder than historic deals in real estate trades,” said Qais Abdul-Karim, a left-wing member of the central council of the PLO. The umbrella organisation is headed by Mr Abbas and dominated by his Fatah party.
“I don’t know if it’s possible that the Trump administration with all its clear close relations with Israel could be in a position to actually prepare the ground for a historic deal to end the conflict,” added Mr Abdul-Karim. “One can be hopeful but you also have to be realistic.”
Mr Abbas’s meeting with Mr Trump is set to take place just two days after the PLO’s Islamist rival Hamas moved to boost its popularity and international standing by unveiling a new political document that accepts the formation of a Palestinian state along 1967 borders – albeit without moving to recognise Israel.
The possibility of new momentum for Hamas makes it all the more important for Mr Abbas to be seen as having a successful meeting with Mr Trump so as not to lose ground to the Islamist group.
“With the document Hamas is seeking to be recognised as an accepted factor in the Palestinian arena and internationally,” said Naji Shurrab, a political scientist at Al Azhar University in Gaza. “This will strengthen Hamas.”
Senior PLO leader Ahmad Majdalani said Mr Abbas will be bringing a clear message to the Trump administration: “We want positive and true cooperation and partnership with president Trump to realise peace and stability and fight terrorism. As long as there is an occupation, there will be no peace and stability in the region.”
Since taking office in January, Mr Trump has met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah, twice, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and now, Mr Abbas.
His chief adviser on Arab-Israeli relations, Jason Greenblatt, meanwhile, has already met with Mr Netanyahu and Mr Abbas. This, together with Israeli media reports that Washington is exploring convening a regional peace conference that would bring together Gulf countries, Egypt, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians, give the impression that a peace plan may be being cooked up.
But Mr Abbas comes to this dynamic situation – and to his meeting with Mr Trump – in a weak position. The West Bank-based Palestinian president is hard-pressed to answer charges that he cannot claim to speak for all Palestinians, with Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip despite recent moves to try to bring it back under his control. And regionally, the Palestinian issue is a low priority, with wars raging in Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen.
Mkhaimar Abusada, another political scientist at Al Azhar University in Gaza, said regional countries are more concerned with the Iranian threat than the Palestinian issue and view Israel as playing a part in containing Iran.
“There are much bigger problems in the region. Abu Mazen is in a very delicate position,” he said, referring to Mr Abbas by his kunya.
Mr Shurrab, from Al Azhar University, predicted: “Abbas will say to Trump, ‘I’m ready to resume negotiations but I want a more active US policy to achieve the historic settlement that you want’.”
Specifically, the Palestinian president will ask Mr Trump to ensure there is a halt on Israeli settlement construction, Mr Shurrab said.
PLO leader Mr Majdalani said a freeze on settlement building would be a necessary precursor to any peace negotiations.
“Settlements are destroying the two-state solution. If there is no settlement freeze, we can’t talk about a political process,” he added.
Ghassan Khatib, vice president of Bir Zeit University in the West Bank said, however, that Mr Abbas’s priority for the meeting will be to educate Mr Trump about the conflict.
“It will be the first chance for a Palestinian leader to present the new American president with the Palestinian narrative, with the Palestinian side of the story,” he said. “This is important to bring some balance to the impressions of the president. While he’s very familiar with the Israeli side, this is the first chance for him to listen to the other side.”
Mr Abbas is also hoping that being feted at the White House will boost his international standing, said Mr Abusada. “It will show the Palestinians and Arabs he is a credible partner, that he is being recognised by the US as a partner for peace. He will try to show the Palestinians and Arabs that he deserves to be treated in a respectful way.”
But if Mr Trump uses the meeting with the Palestinian president to move further in the direction of a regional conference, then Mr Abbas will feel he has to take part to stay relevant, Mr Abusada added – whatever the narrative being prioritised.
“The train is about to start moving and if Abu Mazen is not part of that train he will be left behind,” said Mr Abusada. “If there is a regional peace conference the Palestinians will have to make unprecedented concessions on Jerusalem, refugees and final borders and be pressed to recognise Israel as a Jewish state. These are the kind of big concessions that Abu Mazen will be asked to do.
“And that’s what scares the Palestinian leadership about meeting Trump.”
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
Mica
Director: Ismael Ferroukhi
Stars: Zakaria Inan, Sabrina Ouazani
3 stars
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
Golden Shoe top five (as of March 1):
Harry Kane, Tottenham, Premier League, 24 goals, 48 points
Edinson Cavani, PSG, Ligue 1, 24 goals, 48 points
Ciro Immobile, Lazio, Serie A, 23 goals, 46 points
Mohamed Salah, Liverpool, Premier League, 23 goals, 46 points
Lionel Messi, Barcelona, La Liga, 22 goals, 44 points
Five personal finance podcasts from The National
To help you get started, tune into these Pocketful of Dirham episodes
·
Balance is essential to happiness, health and wealth
·
What is a portfolio stress test?
·
What are NFTs and why are auction houses interested?
·
How gamers are getting rich by earning cryptocurrencies
·
Should you buy or rent a home in the UAE?
Tips%20for%20travelling%20while%20needing%20dialysis
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EInform%20your%20doctor%20about%20your%20plans.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EAsk%20about%20your%20treatment%20so%20you%20know%20how%20it%20works.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPay%20attention%20to%20your%20health%20if%20you%20travel%20to%20a%20hot%20destination.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPlan%20your%20trip%20well.%C2%A0%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Vikram%20Vedha
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirectors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Gayatri%2C%20Pushkar%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hrithik%20Roshan%2C%20Saif%20Ali%20Khan%2C%20Radhika%20Apte%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company name: Play:Date
Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day
Founder: Shamim Kassibawi
Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US
Sector: Tech
Size: 20 employees
Stage of funding: Seed
Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
At a glance - Zayed Sustainability Prize 2020
Launched: 2008
Categories: Health, energy, water, food, global high schools
Prize: Dh2.2 million (Dh360,000 for global high schools category)
Winners’ announcement: Monday, January 13
Impact in numbers
335 million people positively impacted by projects
430,000 jobs created
10 million people given access to clean and affordable drinking water
50 million homes powered by renewable energy
6.5 billion litres of water saved
26 million school children given solar lighting
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
