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Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Trump's new agenda leaves Israel marginalized
When Air Force One left the tarmac in Abu Dhabi after US President Donald Trump concluded a whirlwind four-day visit to the Gulf this month, the general consensus was that it was a major success that brought the region and the US closer than they have been for a long time. For someone not known for his discipline and predictability, there was much coherence in Trump's approach to the engagement with his hosts, aimed at building a long-term partnership. But there was also robust gesturing to Benjamin Netanyahu's Israeli government that it is increasingly being seen as a liability for US interests in the region. Trump no doubt enjoyed the lavish hospitality, but there was also a combination of building close personal friendships, interwoven with much substance beyond the ambience and optics of this visit, as was illustrated in his speech during an investment conference in Riyadh. Much of the focus for Trump reflected his transactional approach to foreign politics, agreeing major long-term economic deals that also reflected a commitment to the security and stability of the countries he visited. However, there was clear departure from the past when it came to the overall approach of dealing with this region, and probably others too. Trump's declaration that the world's most powerful superpower will refrain from 'giving you lectures on how to live' and from interventionism was met with a mixture of approval and a sigh of relief, but this also has implications for Israel. For Israel, this sends a different and worrying message, beyond the fact that Trump and his administration are reportedly growing weary of the way Israel is conducting the war in Gaza. One of the pillars of the close alliance between the US and Israel — even when the US' hardcore interests have dictated otherwise — emanated from them sharing democratic values. Trump and his administration are reportedly growing weary of the way Israel is conducting the war in Gaza Yossi Mekelberg For decades, Israeli leaders effectively utilized these shared values to gain enormous benefits that no other country in the world has enjoyed: military aid that includes the most advanced and expensive weaponry; intelligence cooperation; economic aid; defending it in international forums including the UN Security Council; and a free trade agreement, in addition to close cultural ties. However, Trump does not believe that close ties between countries have to be based on similar systems of governance. And in any case, Israel's democracy is in dangerous retreat, not to mention its record on human rights regarding the Palestinians on either side of the Green Line, which no longer qualifies it for special treatment as a democracy. Even Trump's decision not to have a stopover in Israel on his first visit abroad — and one to the Middle East at that — was a clear and painful reminder to Tel Aviv that, at least under its current government, it is quickly being relegated in importance by the US. And more concerning for Israel, America is fast becoming an obstacle to what it is trying to accomplish. The American president is still broadcasting mixed messages about the future of Gaza and the sooner he abandons his idea of pushing the Palestinian population out of the Strip, the better. Nevertheless, Trump seemed to be receptive to the unified warnings he heard during his visit to the Gulf, which called for prioritizing an end to the suffering of the people of Gaza. The writing for Israel was already on the wall before Trump arrived in Riyadh: Netanyahu no longer calls the shots in Washington. When he visited the White House last month, he sat next to the president as the cameras rolled and Trump revealed, for the first time, that the US was engaged in 'direct talks' with Iran over its nuclear program. In diplomatic terms, this was a public slap in the face for Netanyahu, who vehemently opposes diplomacy with Tehran as a tool to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapon capability. Israel's leader favors a tightening of the sanctions on Iran or, preferably, a joint US-Israeli military operation to destroy its nuclear program. It was not only America's direct negotiations with Iran that caused displeasure to Netanyahu and his far-right government, but also its talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and the release of the remaining hostages. For better or for worse, Trump and many of his advisers have not arrived in politics the conventional way and they do not abide by diplomatic conventions, traditions or history. Gradually, in the case of Gaza, the intransigence of Netanyahu is seen as an obstacle to reaching a ceasefire Yossi Mekelberg A case in point is Trump's surprise meeting with the interim president of Syria, Ahmad Al-Sharaa, along with the decision to remove the sanctions imposed on the country. At a time when Israel's dealings with the new Syria are solely through occupation and military force, Washington is prepared to strengthen Al-Sharaa's position as a potentially moderate and stabilizing figure. And one would not be surprised if Washington's next step was to demand that Israel refrain from flexing its military muscles with its northeastern neighbor. Despite the inherent contradictions in Trump's attitude to Gaza, he seems increasingly upset by the images of civilian suffering. Trump is looking for quick solutions, including in Gaza, instead of the open-ended war — with its horrific consequences for innocent people of all ages — that the Netanyahu government is conducting. It goes against how Trump sees conflicts. Maybe simplistically, for him all wars and conflicts are resolvable and it is those leaders who do not understand the art of the deal and fail to recognize that this can bring wars to an end who frustrate him. And gradually, in the case of Gaza, the intransigence of Netanyahu is seen as an obstacle to reaching a ceasefire and as harmful to regional stability; hence, it also harms American interests. Whether Trump did threaten to abandon Israel should the war not be 'wrapped up,' as has been reported, is not clear, but the gist is that he is losing patience with Netanyahu. The latter must make a choice: continue to cave in to the hell-bent pursuit of mass war crimes by the ultranationalist religious zealots in his coalition — and as a consequence further jeopardize relations with Washington and other countries — or do what his own countrymen and the international community demand of him: bring the war in Gaza to an end. If Netanyahu's choice is to continue the war in Gaza for his own political ends, and by that to further damage relations with Washington, it will be yet another reason why Israelis must be the ones to democratically bring an end to his time in office.
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Top Scottish conference venue sees 79,000 visitors give £78 million boost to economy
'Our focus has always been to position the EICC as one of the world's leading and most sustainable conference centres' – Marshall Dallas, departing CEO Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... One of Scotland's largest conference venues has reported record annual revenues after hosting more than 79,000 delegates. Releasing its latest results, the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) posted revenues of £16 million for the year to December 31, 2024, up from £12.8m the year before. It generated a profit of £2.1m last year, while recording an 'economic impact' of £78m, compared with £58m in 2023. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The economic impact figure relates to the direct benefit of conferences and events taking place at the EICC to Edinburgh and the surrounding region and now totals some £930m since the venue opened its doors 30 years ago. EICC chief executive Marshall Dallas is stepping down after a decade at the helm. Picture by Stewart Attwood Photography Last year, major events held at the EICC on the capital's Morrison Street included the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association Investment Conference, the International Electrotechnical General Meeting, and the 36th International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) Conference. In excess of 79,000 delegates attended events during the 12 months, up by around 4 per cent on the previous year. In total, 164 events were staged at the venue during 2024, down slightly year on year, with delegate days up at around 180,000 against approximately 146,000 in 2023. Lezley Marion Cameron, EICC board chair said: 'The conference and events industry, and the overall business events sector, continues to be a highly competitive market in which the EICC is competing against cities around the UK and across the world. 'The EICC board is therefore delighted to report another year of increased revenue and economic impact for Edinburgh, led by our chief executive Marshall Dallas, our EICC team and our partners. Initiatives by our EICC sales team have also contributed hugely to this success.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Stepping down after a decade at the helm, Dallas said: 'Our focus has always been to position the EICC as one of the world's leading and most sustainable conference centres, with a mission to inspire ideas that change the world. 'While the number of events we held last year was moderately down, delegate days were up due to multi-day conferences, with increased attendance at those events, and we see that as the key metric.' He added: 'UK and international association conference business continues to be core, while we have also continued to diversify the range of events held at the venue. Scotland's leading conference venue also has a strong pipeline of events lined up this year and next.' As the venue looks to mark its 30th anniversary, Cameron said: 'Marshall leaves the EICC following one of the most successful years in our history - a year in which the EICC has also faced serious, significant challenges - testimony to the determination, resilience and resolve of Marshall and the EICC team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
See - Sada Elbalad
20-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Egypt's Amb. to EU Stresses Importance of Strategic Co-op, Regional Peace
Nada Mustafa Ahmed Abu Zeid, Egypt's Ambassador to Belgium, the European Union (EU), NATO, and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, met with members of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq Countries. The session was dedicated to reviewing Egypt-EU relations and listening to Egypt's perspective on the situation in the Middle East. The session began with a keynote address by Ambassador Abu Zeid, who outlined the current momentum in Egypt-EU relations following the recent upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership. He highlighted ongoing efforts to activate this partnership across its six pillars, emphasizing the importance of mutual benefit for the peoples on both sides of the Mediterranean. Moreover, the Egyptian ambassador stressed Egypt's commitment to strengthening economic and investment ties with the European Union (EU), building on the outcomes of last year's Investment Conference and the positive steps Egypt has taken in its economic reform journey. He pointed to the promising investment opportunities in the Egyptian market as a foundation for further cooperation. Regarding regional issues, Abu Zeid addressed the key challenges facing the Middle East, notably the Palestinian cause and crises in Syria, Yemen, Sudan, and the Red Sea region. He also underscored Egypt's ongoing efforts to restore peace and stability in both the Middle East and Africa, and the need for continued dialogue and coordination between Egypt and EU on these shared challenges. Furthermore, he also highlighted Egypt's interest in strengthening parliamentary cooperation, praising recent high-level exchange visits that have reflected mutual commitment to fostering stronger ties between the peoples of both regions. In addition, Abu Zeid welcomed the upcoming visit of the EU Delegation for Relations with the Mashreq to Egypt later this month, describing it as a valuable opportunity to witness Egypt's reform and development efforts firsthand and to better understand its perspectives on regional developments and its role in promoting stability. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
Zawya
16-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes an official Working Visit to France
Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will undertake an official Working Visit to the Republic of France from 19 – 24 May 2025, for the South Africa-France Investment Conference. The Visit is aimed at strengthening relations between the two countries and, most importantly, mobilising investments in order to realise the country's economic growth and transformation objectives. South Africa and France enjoy cordial relations underpinned by a robust bilateral cooperation programme in areas such as Political Dialogue, Defence, Science&Technology, Energy cooperation, Education and skills development, Health, Transport, Arts and Culture, among others. This Investment Conference will be held under the theme 'SA-France: A Partnership for Mutual Prosperity' with the objective of attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and financial resources focusing on key issues such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, climate change and transitions in the digital economy. The Conference will be centred on eight main sectors, namely Energy, Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics, Finance, Tourism, Agriculture and Agro-Processing, Mining, as well as Information and Communication Technology (ICT). There will also be breakaway groups, which will explore practical steps for projects and investments in these areas. In addition, the Conference will consist of a high-level segment by Government officials who will lead on thematic discussions related to investment opportunities, policies, and the investment climate in South Africa. The Deputy President is expected to have a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, Mr Francois Bayrou, Prime Minister of the French Republic. Deputy President Mashatile will be accompanied by Dr A Motsoaledi: Minister of Health; Ms S Ndabeni-Abrahams: Minister of Small, Business Development; Ms B Creecy: Minister of Transport; Mr G McKenzie: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture; Ms Patricia de Lille: Minister of Tourism; Mr A Botes: Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Mr B Manamela: Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training; Mr Z Godlimpi: Deputy Minister Trade, Industry and Competition; and Ms S Graham-Mare: Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Eswatini Targets R30bn investment ahead of AfCFTA
King Mswati commissioned the Government to work towards improving the economy and create jobs. The conference, facilitated by the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA), seeks to boost both foreign and domestic investment to drive economic growth and development. He made the announcement during a press conference in Pigg's Peak last Friday. ESWATINI is aiming to secure R30 billion in investments at its upcoming Investment Conference, according to Mancoba Khumalo, the country's Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Trade. Khumalo confirmed that Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), would attend the event, while Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini would deliver the keynote address. In an interview with IOL News on Saturday, Sibani Mngomezulu, the chief executive of EIPA, reiterated the R30bn investment target, clarifying that it encompasses Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Domestic Investment. 'The R30 billion target includes both FDI and domestic investments, as well as the expansion of existing projects alongside new investments,' Mngomezulu said. In a related development, King Mswati III has directed the government to prioritise economic improvement and job creation under the national development slogan 'Nkwe'. * Zweli Martin Dlamini is the managing editor of Swaziland News, an independent online publication. ** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media, or IOL.
