ABU DHABI // The President Sheikh Khalifa has called on the international community to increase pressure on Israel to force it to halt its aggression against Palestinians.
His comments came in his annual message to the chairman of the United Nations’ Committee on Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People to mark International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, which takes place on Saturday.
Sheikh Khalifa expressed his solidarity with Palestinians and asked for them to be provided with political, economic and developmental assistance to help them gain freedom and independence.
The President also condemned strongly the dangerous, large-scale escalation committed by Israel as an “occupying force” in the Palestinian Territories, particularly in East Jerusalem, reported state news agency WAM.
He said Israel had desecrated the Al Aqsa Mosque and its facilities, shown aggression against Palestinian worshippers by preventing them from practising their religious rituals, built illegal settlements and continued its inhumane siege of the Gaza Strip.
The President demanded that the UN take necessary measures to provide protection for the Palestinian people.
He said: “The just, comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Palestinian cause will only be achieved through withdrawal of Israel from all Palestinian lands it has occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, and implementation of the two-state solution in accordance with the international legitimacy resolutions, principles of the peace road map and the Arab Peace Initiative.”
newsdesk@thenational.ae
Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
- 1st Test India won by 304 runs at Galle
- 2nd Test Thursday-Monday at Colombo
- 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
Director: Laxman Utekar
Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna
Rating: 1/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Vidaamuyarchi
Director: Magizh Thirumeni
Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra
Rating: 4/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.