Right-wingers praise Israel 'loyalty oath' plan


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JERUSALEM // Plans to introduce an oath of loyalty to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state" for anyone wanting to become a citizen were welcomed by rightwing ministers today.

The controversial move would amend the current citizenship law and incorporate the phrase: "I swear to respect the laws of the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state", a statement from the office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said late yesterday.

The proposal, which is being backed by Mr Netanyahu, is to be put to a vote in the cabinet on Sunday. Israeli newspapers said the change was aimed at Palestinians looking to gain Israeli citizenship after marrying Arab Israelis. The ultra-nationalist Israeli foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, told public radio: "I praise the prime minister for the decision to go along with this legislation. Everyone who wants to receive Israeli citizenship must swear loyalty to the state of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state," he said.

Mr Lieberman's Yisrael Beitenu party had made the oath the centrepiece of its campaign in elections in 2009 which eventually led to it becoming the second largest member of the governing coalition after Mr Netanyahu's Likud. Recognition of Israel as a Jewish state is one of Mr Netanyahu's key demands in any eventual peace deal with the Palestinians.

The Palestinians have agreed to recognise Israel as a state but have rejected the further demand to recognise its Jewish character because it would amount to an effective renunciation of their cherished demand for the right of return of refugees from the 1948 Arab-Israeli war

Peace talks are currently facing collapse because of the unresolved dispute over Jewish settlement building on occupied Palestinian land.

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Always use only regulated platforms

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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion

The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".

The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.

He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.

"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.

As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.

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Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

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Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

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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 

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final, second leg (first-leg score)

Porto (0) v Liverpool (2), Wednesday, 11pm UAE

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old

Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai

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