Mohammed bin Rashid sends invitation to Israeli Prime Minister to attend COP28

ABU DHABI, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sent an invitation to Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel, to attend the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), which the UAE will host at Expo City Dubai in November. The invitation was presented to Netanyahu by Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to the State of Israel. Tariq Al Fahaam

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

President Abbas: PLO was founded to foil Zionist movement’s attempts to eradicate Palestine

President Mahmoud Abbas said today on the 59th anniversary of the founding of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) that the organization was founded in 1964 to thwart the plans of the global Zionist movement to obliterate the identity of the Palestinian people, and to be the opposite of the Zionist nationalist project. ‘The PLO preserved the independent Palestinian national decision and protected the national project from being lost,’ said President Abbas, commemorating the occasion. ‘The establishment of the PLO and its representation of our people are one of the most important achievements of Palestinian politics.’ The President paid tribute to the first founders of the Organization, on top of whom is late Palestinian leader Ahmad Shukeiri, and all those whose hard efforts helped preserve this key national achievement. President Abbas pointed out that the PLO has assumed its capacity as sole and legitimate representative of the Palestinian people through the sacrifices of the martyrs and prisoners, stressing that all suspicious attempts to circumvent it will fail. ‘The PLO, throughout its long journey, has gone through very difficult stages, but it remained steadfast in the face of all the conspirators. It has borne the concerns and suffering of our Palestinian people in all places of their presence, as well as their aspirations to achieve freedom and independence like the rest of the peoples of the world,’ said the President.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

Israeli soldiers physically assault young man near Hebron

A Palestinian young man was physically assaulted today by Israeli occupation soldiers who were running a checkpoint at the entrance to the town of Sa’ir, in the southern West Bank province of Hebron, according to local sources. WAFA correspondent said Omar Hamdan Jaradat, a resident of Sa’ir, was brutally assaulted and beat up by soldiers for wearing a shirt bearing the image of a gun. Jaradat suffered bruises as a result of the assault.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

Israeli settlers place caravans on a Palestinian land in Jordan Valley

Colonial Israeli settlers placed a caravan today and set up a cattle barn in the area of Sahl Um al-Qiba in the Jordan Valley region, northeast of the occupied West Bank, according to local sources. Mutaz Besharat, a local activist, told WAFA that Israeli settlers placed a caravan and set up a cattle barn in the said area, in what local Palestinian residents fear what could be a prelude for the establishment of an Israeli outpost in the area. More than 650,000 colonial Israeli settlers live in Jewish-only settlements across the West Bank in violation of international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention which expressly bans the relocation of the occupying nation’s civilian population to the land of the occupied.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

Palestinians protest near Nablus against potential return of settlers to Homesh

Dozens of Palestinians demonstrated today outside the Palestinian town of Burqa, to the northwest of Nablus, in protest of far-right Israeli government’s recent decision to allow settlers to return to Homesh, a nearby Israeli settlement evacuated in 2005. The protesters affirmed that the decision of the far-right Israeli government to allow settlers back to the vacated settlements is a flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian norms, including UN resolutions, and a terrorist escalation against our people. Last week, the chief of the Israeli military’s Central Command signed an order allowing allows Israeli settlers to enter Homesh, paving the way for a formal settlement to be built there. In March, the Knesset approved an amendment allowing Israelis to enter four illegal settlements in the northern occupied West Bank, including Homesh, that were evacuated in 2005 as part of then Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip and the northern West Bank. The US State Department has repeatedly called on Israel to refrain from any moves that escalate tensions with Palestinians, such as formalizing settler outposts.

Source: En – Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA

RAKEZ is home to over 18,000 companies from 100 countries: CEO

RAS AL KHAIMAH, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) Ramy Jallad, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), revealed that RAKEZ is home to over 18,000 companies from 100 countries, representing a diverse range of more than 50 industries from SMEs to large manufacturers, and thriving in supportive and dynamic business environment. Jallad stated that the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah has positioned itself as a preferred hub for international traders due to its business-friendly ecosystem complemented by a range of factors that make setting up and expanding operations here, as well as accessing the MENA region, highly lucrative. “RAKEZ has six dedicated zones catering to all business requirements from SMEs to large manufacturers. The state-of-the-art RAKEZ Compass Coworking Centre gives businessmen the flexibility to operate their businesses while growing their networks with valuable connections. RAKEZ Academic Zone is home to qualified international educational institutions and service providers, said Ramy Jallad in a statement to Emirates News Agency (WAM). “We are thrilled to welcome 1,839 new companies to our ecosystem in the first quarter, representing 122% growth compared to the same period in 2022, indicating a strong start to the year for the economic zone. The sheer number of new businesses choosing us as their base showcases our futuristic approaches, innovative business solutions, and unwavering commitment to aiding enterprises of diverse scales and types. Our ability to maintain a competitive edge in the industry is a reflection of the value we provide to our clients and our dedication to driving their success,” he added. RAKEZ welcomed over 4,200 new companies to its business community in 2022, reflecting an 18%year-on-year growth. RAKEZ CEO said the latest numbers are indicative of how far “we have come with our commitment” to position the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as a preferred hub for SMEs and industrial players.” RAKEZ rolled out customised set-up packages, launched new products and services, and inked strategic partnerships last year to support various segments in its ecosystem, particularly the SMEs involved in trade and e-commerce. The economic zone recorded a whopping 206%growth in the number of new general trading companies with 413 licences issued. RAKEZ’s investment-friendly ecosystem and streamlined processes have played a vital role in drawing in new investors from around the world to Ras Al Khaimah. Notably, a significant proportion of these investors hail from India, Pakistan, UK, Russia and Egypt, respectively, highlighting the global appeal and attractiveness of the emirate’s business environment. With majority of the new set-ups being commercial and general trading companies at 41%, the economic zone has strengthened its position as a bustling hub for traders who prefer Ras Al Khaimah’s fertile business environment for their operations and growth. In addition to the surge in trading companies, RAKEZ also recorded remarkable growth in other sectors such as services, e-commerce, and media companies, highlighting its diverse business landscape. RAKEZ also witnessed a significant growth of 107% in the set-up of industrial companies compared to Q1 of 2022. Majority of these companies fall under various industrial activities including vegetable oils refining and manufacturing, poultry products production, wet cell batteries manufacturing, and packaging materials manufacturing, among others.

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

Arabsat launches BADR-8 satellite into orbit

WASHINGTON, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) Arabsat, one of the leading satellite service providers in the Arab world, today launched Badr-8 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, after four days of delay due to thick cloud cover. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off with the Badr 8 communications satellite for Arabsat. The nearly 10,000 pound (4.5-metric ton) Badr 8 communications satellite will provide television broadcast services, video relay, and data services across the Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and Central Asia. Arabsat says its investment in the Badr 8 program totals about $300 million, including the spacecraft manufacturing contract with Airbus, the launch agreement with SpaceX, insurance, and ground infrastructure. Tariq Al Fahaam

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)

UAE President sends official COP28 invite to President of Israel

ABU DHABI, 27th May, 2023 (WAM) His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has sent a written letter to Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, with an official invitation to attend the COP28 climate conference to be hosted by the UAE at Expo City Dubai in November. Herzog received the message during his meeting with Mohamed Mahmoud Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel. Tariq Al Fahaam

Source: Emirates News Agency (WAM)