Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel s diplomatic reporter
In this Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, photo released by Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, left, attends a ceremony with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Mohamed Al Hammadi/Ministry of Presidential Affairs via AP)
To the surprise of many, Saudi Arabia seemed to target Israel last week when it specifically mentioned the Jewish state in its announcement about new tax break policies.
Last Monday, Riyadh amended its rules on imports from other Gulf Cooperation Council countries to exclude goods made in tariff-free zones or “using Israeli input” containing a component made by Israel, or made by a company fully or partially owned by Israelis from preferential tax breaks.
Former jailor exposes Houthi torture, abuses of women arabnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from arabnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Palestinian security forces’ beating death of Nizar Banat, a critic of President Mahmoud Abbas and a candidate for parliament, has led to an explosion of pent-up frustration with a leadership that Palestinians see as both illegitimate and failing.
Demonstrations erupted immediately across the West Bank after the killing last week and have continued daily against Mr. Abbas, who protesters say bears responsibility for the killing and for government corruption and ineffectiveness. Tensions were already high after Mr. Abbas canceled elections in the wake of clashes with Israel over Jerusalem and Gaza.
Mr. Banat’s killing is being seen by most Palestinians as violating an unwritten code of solidarity even among political rivals, particularly in the West Bank. And the popular reaction, including demands that the aging Mr. Abbas must go, is drawing parallels to the 2011 Arab Spring.
Palestinian forces and protesters cross lines: Is this a new Spring ? csmonitor.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from csmonitor.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
BEIRUT (AP) Groups of angry Lebanese on Thursday beat up Syrian expatriates and refugees heading to the Syrian Embassy in Beirut and pelted their cars and buses with stones and sticks, outraged over what they perceive as an organized vote for President Bashar Assad.