Two years ago, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on the United Nations General Assembly to make 2017 the year to end the Israeli occupation. But as he prepares to take the stage again this week, the Palestinian position is weaker than ever.
Since that speech, an American president has entered the Oval Office who officials in Ramallah view as the most pro-Israeli leader they have ever encountered and a man who has further undercut Palestinians dreams of statehood. US President Donald Trump has embarked on what he has called a bid to seal the “ultimate deal” – an agreement to end the decades-long conflict – but the Palestinians have perceived his moves from January 2017 onwards as the ultimate betrayal.
No US peace plan has been pushed out, despite the White House saying it has been working intensively on one for the past 20 months. The US embassy now sits in West Jerusalem, not in Tel Aviv. Israeli settlement construction continues unchallenged in the occupied West Bank, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees now receives zero American funding, leaving it in crisis, and all public diplomatic contact between Washington and Ramallah has been severed.
The Palestinians are relying on the international community to help, but little is being done to stop unilateral American moves in favour of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government. That is why Mr Abbas' speech at the UN General Assembly this week should be the most important of his political career – but it likely won't be.
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UNGA 2018:
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The Palestine Liberation Organisation has confirmed to The National that Mr Abbas will be in attendance despite recent health problems. In his September 27 speech, he is expected to rail against Washington, reiterating the need for an alternative peace plan to what the Palestinians believe the US is putting together.
But he will return to Ramallah to meet with the Palestinian National Council, the PLO's legislative body, after the speech, where any response to the US will be decided upon. It means that few concrete steps will be announced in his address.
"You are not going to see many surprises to be honest with you, but it's going to be a very strong statement," a Palestinian official told The National.
The official noted that the content of Mr Abbas’ address could still change as “the last touches are made in New York a few hours before the speech”.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Al Malki told Maan news agency that Mr Abbas’ outline would be similar to the proposals he put before the UN in February, where he advocated an “international coalition” to replace the US as the main broker in the conflict.
A provisional outline of what the PLO response will be to US and Israeli actions, seen by The National, confirms what Mr Al Malki says.
The standout decision is that the “State of Palestine” will join 22 specialised agencies of the UN that had previously been ruled “off-limits” because of US opposition and hopes of maintaining ties with Washington. The Palestinian official said Ramallah “had a dialogue” with the previous Obama administration so were “not in the business of surprising anyone” in Washington.
“With this administration there is no engagement, there is nothing. There is no incentive not to go to a particular organisation,” the official said, confirming the Palestinian accession to those organisations, which include the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the International Telecommunication Union.
Mr Abbas is also likely to declare that the Palestinians are no longer bound to the Oslo Accords signed in 1993, introducing measures that could range from suspending security co-operation with Israel to ending recognition of the West Bank’s division into areas A, B and C.
His speech will also call for greater UN protection for Palestinian civilians, reiterate the demand for an international conference on the conflict and formally dissolve the Palestinian Authority as defined under Oslo with a name change that would replace it with “the State of Palestine under occupation”.
Mr Trump and his team of advisers – son-in-law Jared Kushner and Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt – appear to have attempted to remove the issues of Jerusalem and the Palestinian right of return from the table.
There is little in the planned Palestinian response about these two issues. But the Palestinian leadership has remained adamant that any solution to the conflict would require East Jerusalem as the capital of a Palestinian state, the Israeli settlements defined as illegal and resolving the issue of refugees displaced by the creation of Israel in 1948.
To that end, it has cut all ties with Washington and said the US can no longer be an impartial broker in the conflict.
A day before his speech, Mr Abbas has invited Middle East envoys, foreign ministers and UN diplomats – about 30 dignitaries in total – to a meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly. He didn't invite any American representatives.
The meeting is an attempt to rally international figures around the Palestinian position as the crisis for Ramallah continues. The Palestinian Ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, said it will address the “radical shift” in US policy towards the Palestinians under Mr Trump.
Observers say that many of the moves the Palestinians could announce at the summit have been heard before.
“Any announcements should of course be taken with a grain of salt. Much of the plan outlined has been threatened before, including in past UNGA speeches, and never carried out,” said Hugh Lovatt, Middle East and North Africa policy fellow at the European Council of Foreign Relations.
“That said, it would be wrong to entirely dismiss the putative plan. While much of this may prove merely symbolic for now, there is an unmistakable mood of anger and alienation within the Palestinian leadership caused by US policies, which is pushing them towards more disruptive strategies.”
The Palestinian leader has the annual disadvantage of speaking before Mr Netanyahu, who will have the chance to strike back during his address. The Israeli leader's speeches are usually dramatic, prop-filled affairs that capture headlines around the world.
On the other hand, Mr Abbas now has the ammunition to muster a verbal body blow to the Israeli government on the biggest stage before his Israeli rival has even uttered a word. What that will be, and whether he delivers it or not, remains to be seen. But, for the millions of Palestinians living under an Israeli occupation with US backing, he has nothing to lose.
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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
Our legal columnist
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
THE%20SPECS
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Countries recognising Palestine
France, UK, Canada, Australia, Portugal, Belgium, Malta, Luxembourg, San Marino and Andorra
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies – by Kiana Danial
There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine.
Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.
Although cryptocurrencies are a fast evolving world, this book offers a good insight into the game as well as providing some basic tips, strategies and warning signs.
Begin your cryptocurrency journey here.
Available at Magrudy’s , Dh104
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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
Top 10 most polluted cities
- Bhiwadi, India
- Ghaziabad, India
- Hotan, China
- Delhi, India
- Jaunpur, India
- Faisalabad, Pakistan
- Noida, India
- Bahawalpur, Pakistan
- Peshawar, Pakistan
- Bagpat, India
The BIO
Favourite piece of music: Verdi’s Requiem. It’s awe-inspiring.
Biggest inspiration: My father, as I grew up in a house where music was constantly played on a wind-up gramophone. I had amazing music teachers in primary and secondary school who inspired me to take my music further. They encouraged me to take up music as a profession and I follow in their footsteps, encouraging others to do the same.
Favourite book: Ian McEwan’s Atonement – the ending alone knocked me for six.
Favourite holiday destination: Italy - music and opera is so much part of the life there. I love it.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed PDK
Power: 630bhp
Torque: 820Nm
Price: Dh683,200
On sale: now
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
