US condemns Erdogan's anti-Semitic remarks

The US government on Tuesday condemned statements made by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, calling them anti-Semitic and reprehensible.

In an unusual statement by the State Department, spokesman Ned Price rebuked Mr Erdogan for his remarks.

"The United States strongly condemns President Erdogan's recent anti-Semitic comments regarding the Jewish people and finds them reprehensible," the statement said.
On Monday, Mr Erdogan accused US President Joe Biden of "writing history with bloody hands" because of arms sales to Israel.

In the same speech, Mr Erdogan criticised Austria for flying the flag of Israel last week and made reference to the Holocaust.

"The Austrian state seems to be trying to make Muslims pay the price for [its role] in the Holocaust,” he said.

The State Department called the remarks incendiary.

“We urge President Erdogan and other Turkish leaders to refrain from incendiary remarks, which could incite further violence.”

It also called on Ankara to help end the conflict.

Turkey is an open supporter of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Mr Erdogan hosted its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, last August.

The Biden administration has not yet approached Turkey to help end the fighting in Gaza, despite speaking to regional players such as Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the UAE and Bahrain.
Relations have deteriorated between Turkey and Washington since Mr Biden came into office. Unlike his predecessor, Donald Trump, who enjoyed a close personal relationship with the Turkish leader, Mr Biden waited more than three months before speaking to Mr Erdogan.

US recognition of the Armenian genocide, Turkish acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defence system and Ankara's record on human rights deepened the rift between the two.

Types of fraud

Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

* Nada El Sawy

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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