World

Israel faces showdown between judges and government over new law

Israel’s Supreme Court took the unprecedented step of assigning all 15 of its justices to an appeal against a new law limiting their power, a sign of how important the case is amid an ongoing governmental crisis.

The parliament, or Knesset, passed a basic law last week that prevents judges from voiding government decisions they deem “unreasonable.”

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The move, championed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition, was highly controversial and Israelis have held massive protests for months.

Investors sold off the bonds and the shekel, while US President Joe Biden criticized the government for acting without building a consensus.

The Knesset is on recess until October. Israeli financial assets have stabilized, with the shekel paring some of its losses and is up 2.3 percent in the past three days to 3.64 per dollar.

Flash Point

Still the anti-government protest movement has promised more big demonstrations in coming weeks. And the appeal could be a flash point.

Netanyahu’s Likud Party reacted to the court’s announcement that all judges will hear it next month by saying the organization needs “to respect the basic laws.”

On NBC News on Monday, the prime minister declined to say he will definitely accept the decision of the court, which could annul last week’s law, limit its use or say it can stand.

His comments were seen by some lawmakers as an implicit threat to the court.

“The hint is clear and violent,” said opposition leader Yair Lapid, who was prime minister until Netanyahu succeeded him last year.

Labor Party leader Merav Michaeli accused Likud of trying “to threaten judges and intimidate them before the hearing on the petition.”

Broader Overhaul

Israel has no written constitution. Its so-called basic laws have quasi-constitutional status and the court has never overruled one before. But two years ago, while examining a different basic law, it said it might do so if any legislation violated Israel’s Jewish or democratic character.

The government has indicated that the reasonableness law may be just the first step of a broader judicial overhaul. Other moves being mulled include giving politicians more say in selecting judges.

The court, which will hear the case against reasonableness on September 12, is considered by the right to be a bastion of liberalism.

However, several of its justices are religious and conservative. By assigning the entire group to the case rather than a normal panel of three, Supreme Court President Esther Hayut is aiming at the broadest possible basis for the ruling.

Suzie Navot, a professor of constitutional law and vice president at the Israel Democracy Institute, said that if the court does overturn the law and the government refuses to abide by the ruling, it would amount to a true crisis, something she considers unimaginable.

“When the Likud claims that the high court is not authorized to intervene in basic laws, the meaning is that the Knesset has absolute power, and absolute power does not go with a democratic system,” she said.

In his US television interview, Netanyahu said he hopes the justices would not strike down the new law.

“I think we have to abide by two rules,” he said. “One is, Israeli governments abide by the decisions of the Supreme Court. And at the same time, the Supreme Court respects the basic laws which are the closest thing we have to a constitution. I think we should keep both principles, and I hope we do.

Israel’s Supreme Court judges to hear petitions against judicial reform bill

UAE joins Gulf states, Islamic nations in condemning Ben-Gvir’s Al-Aqsa mosque visit

World

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi meets with CEOs of leading Norwegian companies

H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has met with a group of CEOs from leading Norwegian companies, as part of their participation in the UAE-Norway Investment Forum, held alongside his official visit to the Kingdom of Norway.

During the meeting, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed underscored the UAE leadership’s commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with its international partners.

He highlighted that investment in innovation and knowledge is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development, noting that enhancing collaboration with Norwegian companies across key sectors will open new avenues for mutual economic growth between the two countries.

The UAE-Norway Investment Forum, taking place in Oslo, aimed to highlight available investment opportunities and strengthen trade relations between the UAE and Norway, fostering shared interests and supporting innovation and knowledge-based economic visions.

-wam

World

At the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS inaugurates 10th global office, releases four books

As part of its Asian research tour, partnership with Aletihad News Center, and
primary sponsorship of the Indonesia International Book Fair 2024, TRENDS
Research & Advisory inaugurated its office in Jakarta, marking its 10th location
worldwide. It also released four books in Indonesian.
The inauguration event was attended by ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, and
Jordan to Indonesia, chairpersons of the UAE and Indonesian Publishers’
Associations, the Director of TRENDS’ Jakarta office, and a group of researchers
and academics.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS
Research & Advisory, stated that TRENDS’ international offices—set to reach 15
by the end of 2024—aim to enhance the Center’s research efforts and deepen its
role in disseminating knowledge, thus serving as a global knowledge bridge.
He emphasized, “At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of cooperation
between think tanks and prioritize this endeavor. We believe the TRENDS office in
Jakarta will enhance the exchange of knowledge and ideas between think tanks in
Asia and the Middle East, opening new horizons for collaboration in various
fields.”

Four books in Indonesian
As part of the Jakarta office’s inaugural activities, four books were released in
Indonesian, including the 11th and 12th books of the Muslim Brotherhood
Encyclopedia and Global Trends in AI and Automation and the Future of
Competition between Man and Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision.

Hostility to Arab states
The 11th book of the Muslim Brotherhood Encyclopedia, The Concept of the State
According to the Muslim Brotherhood, highlights its hostile stance toward Arab
states since its inception. The group views them as an obstacle to its ascent to
power. It opposed the modern principles upon which these states were built,
considering them incompatible with the group’s unique interpretation of Islam,
which it claimed to embody exclusively.

Exclusion of nonconformists
The 12th book, The Muslim Brotherhood: Rejection of Tolerance and Exclusion of
Nonconformists, examines the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance towards
nonconformists, individuals, and entities. The book reveals the group’s binary view
of the world, categorizing others as allies or adversaries. It ties these relationships
to the Brotherhood’s internal power struggles and self-serving interests.

Global Trends in AI
The third book, Global Trends in AI, explores significant developments in AI and
its impact on various aspects of life, including the economy, society, and
governance. It also offers a comprehensive analysis of technological advancements
in AI, its applications across sectors, the ethical and social challenges it presents,
and its future trajectory.

Automation

The fourth book, Automation and the Future of Competition between Man and
Machine: An Analytical Forward-looking Vision, addresses the growing challenges
faced by the human workforce in the face of widespread automation and AI
applications. The book concludes that while automation presents a significant
challenge to the labor market, it simultaneously creates new opportunities. It
emphasizes the importance of preparing for this shift through skills development,
continuous education, and adopting economic and social policies that support the
workforce.

Prominent pavilion and active presence
The TRENDS’ pavilion at the Indonesia International Book Fair has attracted
numerous visitors, including academic researchers and officials, such as the
ambassadors of the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, and Turkey. Additionally,
chairpersons of Arab and Indonesian publishers’ associations, authors, publishers,
and students visited the pavilion. All were impressed with and praised TRENDS’ diverse, valuable publications. They also commended TRENDS’ active
international presence and ability to address global developments with rigorous
analytical research.
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali honored the esteemed guests, including
ambassadors of the UAE and Bahrain to Indonesia, Wedha Startesti Yudha,
Chairperson of the Indonesia International Book Fair Committee, Arys Hilman
Nugraha, Chairman of the Indonesian Publishers Association, and others,
presenting them with TRENDS’ publications and commemorative shields.
Additionally, he awarded TRENDS’ Research Medal to Ni Made Ayu Martini
Indonesian Deputy Minister of Marketing, Tourism and Creative Economy
It is worth noting that during its current Asian research tour, TRENDS announced
the launch of the TRENDS Research Medal, awarded to individuals who make
significant contributions to the development of scientific research and promote collaboration with TRENDS in strengthening a culture of research across various fields.

World

US determined to prevent full-scale war in Middle East, Joe Biden tells UNGA79

US President Joe Biden highlighted the US Administration’s determination to prevent a wider war that engulfs the entire Middle East region, noting that a diplomatic solution “remains the only path to lasting security to allow the residents from both countries to return to their homes on the border safely”.

In remarks he made today before the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), the US President said, “Full-scale war is not in anyone’s interest,” adding that a diplomatic solution is still possible.

He also touched on “the rise of violence against innocent Palestinians on the West Bank”, and the need to “set the conditions for a better future”, which he said featured “a two-state solution, where the world — where Israel enjoys security and peace and full recognition and normalised relations with all its neighbours, where Palestinians live in security, dignity, and self-determination in a state of their own”.

President Biden underscored the ceasefire and hostage deal put forth by Qatar and Egypt, which the UN Security Council endorsed. He said, “Now is the time for the parties to finalise its terms, bring the hostages home,” adding that this would help ease the suffering in Gaza, and end the war.

-WAM