Opening of first Israeli embassy in Gulf a ‘historic moment’, says Yair Lapid
By AFP
04 July 2021 |
3:49 pm
Israel's top diplomat Yair Lapid opens the Jewish state's first embassy in the Gulf, during a trip to the United Arab Emirates after the countries normalised ties last year. "Israel wants peace with its neighbours. With all its neighbours. We aren't going anywhere. The Middle East is our home. We're here to stay. We call on all the countries of the region to recognise that. And to come talk to us," Lapid says during the opening ceremony. Since their US-brokered normalisation agreement was announced in August last year, Israel and the UAE have signed a raft of deals ranging from tourism to aviation and financial services.
Related
8 Mar
In an interview with FRANCE 24 from Tel Aviv, former Mossad chief Dany Yatom expressed deep concern at the prospect of Israel becoming a "dictatorship". For weeks, Israel has been rocked by a wave of protests against a bill that would curtail the independence of the country's highest court.
24 Mar
Israelis have been protesting a judicial overhaul planned by the country's ultranationalist government. The gap between supporters and opponents of the controversial reform is widening.
10 Mar
More major protests in Israel against proposed justice reforms forced visiting US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold talks at or near Ben Gurion airport.
17 Mar
In Israel, the ongoing protest movement against judicial reform has now spread to the ranks of the army and in particular, reservists of elite units. In recent weeks, hundreds of them have published open letters to express their doubts about continuing to serve if the plans of Benjamin Netanyahu's government are adopted.
18 Mar
In Israel, protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's planned judicial reform have been going on for weeks. Cultural activists say Israel's democracy is in danger. Writer Etgar Keret explains why.
24 Mar
Israeli lawmakers have passed legislation that drastically narrows the circumstances required to remove Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or a successor from office.
25 Mar
Military reservists are threatening to stop reporting for duty if Israel goes ahead with its judicial reforms. The unprecedented military protests underscore the growing opposition to the legal overhaul.
4 Apr
Departing flights from Israel's main international airport were canceled as protests against the government's proposed judicial overhaul intensified.
31 Mar
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir announced a postponement of plans to overhaul the judiciary, which had triggered protests and strikes by those who opposed.
30 Mar
After massive demonstrations and a general strike that halted most public life on Monday, PM Benjamin Netanyahu has called for a temporary halt to a controversial judicial overhaul. Protesters are not convinced.
30 Mar
Following weeks of mass protests and a day of nationwide turmoil, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yielded to pressure and agreed to postpone his controversial judicial reforms as of March 27th. This decision was a significant reversal for his government, which had fired the defense minister just a day earlier in response to his demands for a delay in the divisive law.
9 Apr
The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas operations in retaliation for rocket strikes, while the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon urged restraint. A shooting in the West Bank has also killed two Israelis.
Latest
1 hour ago
An attack on a military base last month claimed 17 lives in Somalia, highlighting the country's long struggle to contain terrorist attacks. But what is al-Shabab and why is the group terrorizing Somalians?
1 hour ago
Washington and Beijing both said the talks were productive and agreed to maintain communication. The meeting was held between US official Daniel Kritenbrink and China's Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu.
1 hour ago
Prince Harry and MGN'S lawyer seen in London court.
1 hour ago
PopeĀ Francis, hospital ,check-up,Italian media
3 hours ago
The move to slash supplies by 1 million barrels per day in July is "extendable," said Riyadh. Members of the OPEC+ grouping also agreed to extend cuts previously agreed in April until the end of next year.
3 hours ago
Senegal's President Macky Sall on Wednesday (May 31) said his government would ensure peaceful, free and transparent elections next year following weeks of fresh opposition unrest over fears he might run for a third term and sideline a key rival.