JERUSALEM // Israeli authorities have opened an investigation after video footage emerged of Jewish zealots mocking the death of a Palestinian baby in an arson attack.
Aired on Israel’s Channel 10 television late Wednesday, the clip showed a wedding at which one dancing celebrant stabbed a picture of 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh while others waved assault rifles, knives and what appeared to be a petrol bomb.
Israeli media reported that the groom has previously been questioned over acts of “Jewish terrorism”, while the guests were friends or relatives of suspects arrested over the July firebombing.
The boy and his parents died when their home in the village of Duma in the occupied West Bank was set ablaze in July in an incident Israeli officials described as “Jewish terrorism”. A Star of David and the words “revenge” and “long live the Messiah” were spray-painted on a wall near the family’s small house in Duma.
The arson attack, and delays in solving the case despite the arrest of several suspects, contributed to the outbreak of the worst Israeli-Palestinian violence in years. At least 130 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers since October, and more than 20 Israelis were killed by Palestinians during the same period, according to the Palestinian news agency Maan.
On Thursday, Israeli security forces shot dead four Palestinians in the West Bank, three of whom they accused of attempted attacks on Israelis. Another Palestinian was killed during clashes with security forces in the Qalandiya refugee camp near East Jerusalem.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the wedding video “shocking” and said it showed “the true face of a group that constitutes a danger to Israeli society and to the security of Israel.”
“We are not prepared to accept people who deny the laws of the state and do not view themselves as subject to them,” he said.
Israeli police said they were investigating whether the actions at the wedding, which Channel 10 says took place in Jerusalem last week, constitute an incitement to violence.
In recent weeks, Israeli authorities have arrested a number of suspected Jewish extremists over the Duma firebombing, but no one has been charged with the crime.
Palestinians have often highlighted the lack of progress in the case as one of the causes of a wave of knife, gun and car-ramming attacks targeting Israelis that began on October 1. The firebombing drew renewed attention to Jewish extremism and accusations Israel had not done enough to prevent such violence.
On Tuesday, two tear gas canisters were thrown into a Palestinian home near Ramallah by suspected Jewish extremists, without hurting the family there at the time. Graffiti written in Hebrew near the home in Beitillu appeared to make reference to the detention of suspects in the Duma attack, saying “revenge” and “hello from the prisoners of Zion”.
Young Jewish men from wildcat settlement outposts in the West Bank and known as the “hilltop youth” have been blamed for violence and vandalism targeting Palestinians, Christian holy sites and even Israeli military property.
* Agencies
Young women have more “financial grit”, but fall behind on investing
In an October survey of young adults aged 16 to 25, Charles Schwab found young women are more driven to reach financial independence than young men (67 per cent versus. 58 per cent). They are more likely to take on extra work to make ends meet and see more value than men in creating a plan to achieve their financial goals. Yet, despite all these good ‘first’ measures, they are investing and saving less than young men – falling early into the financial gender gap.
While the women surveyed report spending 36 per cent less than men, they have far less savings than men ($1,267 versus $2,000) – a nearly 60 per cent difference.
In addition, twice as many young men as women say they would invest spare cash, and almost twice as many young men as women report having investment accounts (though most young adults do not invest at all).
“Despite their good intentions, young women start to fall behind their male counterparts in savings and investing early on in life,” said Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, senior vice president, Charles Schwab. “They start off showing a strong financial planning mindset, but there is still room for further education when it comes to managing their day-to-day finances.”
Ms Schwab-Pomerantz says parents should be conveying the same messages to boys and girls about money, but should tailor those conversations based on the individual and gender.
"Our study shows that while boys are spending more than girls, they also are saving more. Have open and honest conversations with your daughters about the wage and savings gap," she said. "Teach kids about the importance of investing – especially girls, who as we see in this study, aren’t investing as much. Part of being financially prepared is learning to make the most of your money, and that means investing early and consistently."
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
The Kites
Romain Gary
Penguin Modern Classics
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The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
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