Jamal Khashoggi’s US lawyer sentenced to three years following detention in UAE
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Your support makes all the difference.President Joe Biden’s trip to the Middle East came to an end with yet more controversy after it emerged that an American lawyer who previously represented murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi had been detained in the UAE.
US citizen Asim Ghafoor was detained at Dubai airport on Thursday while travelling to Istanbul for a family wedding and was held on charges related to an in absentia conviction for money laundering. Mr Ghafoor reportedly had no prior knowledge of any conviction.
UAE state media said on Saturday that the attorney had been sentenced to three years in prison.
On Saturday, Mr Biden met with UAE President Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and invited him to visit the US before the year is out.
He was one of multiple Middle Eastern leaders Mr Biden met in Saudi Arabia on Saturday before leaving aboard Air Force One.
New details also emerged about Friday’s controversial meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – the man US intelligence found responsible for ordering the Khashoggi’s murder.
When Mr Biden confronted MBS about the killing – after a friendly fist-bump – he denied the accusation and fired back about the US’s own controversies.
Jamal Khashoggi’s American lawyer sentenced to three years in UAE prison following detention at airport
MBS fired back at Biden with US controversies after confrontation over Khashoggi’s murder, says report
Biden poses for ‘family photo’ with Saudi Crown Prince MBS after clash over Khashoggi murderJoe Biden fist-bumps Saudi crown prince after vowing to make him ‘a pariah’ in 2019
Ilhan Omar on Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia: ‘It sends the wrong message to everyone who cares about human rights’
Who was Qassem Soleimani?
A shocking story from Yahoo News relays a US intelligence report that warns of potential assassination threats from Iran against top Trump administration officials, including the ex-president himself to avenge the 2020 death of Qassem Soleimani.
Here’s a refresher on who General Soleimani was and his role in Iran and the wider region.
Qassem Soleimani: The elusive general who was feared by his foes and fiercely admired at home
The killing of the long-serving leader of Iran’s elite militia ensures major inflammatory consequences
Biden’s visitor book message at the presidential residence
US President Joe Biden left Israeli President Isaac Herzog a personal message of friendship in a note for the visitors’ book at the presidential residence in Jerusalem.
My friend, thank you for all you and your family have done to deepen the ironclad bonds between our two great countries. From our shared Irish roots to our shared love of Israel we are united in heart and spirit. May our friendship endure and continue to grow!
Biden meets Netanyahu
After his meeting with the Israeli president, Joe Biden met with former Prime Minister and leader of the opposition Benjamin Netanyahu.
Herzog brings Biden a copy of minutes of Golda Meir meeting
President Joe Biden is participating in a ceremony with President Isaac Herzog in which he is being awarded the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour.
In remarks before the ceremony, Mr Herzog said he brought with him a copy of the minutes from then-Senator Biden’s 1973 meeting with Golda Meir that he frequently talks about.
The minutes record how the young Mr Biden “was carried away by his enthusiasm” during the meeting on his first trip to Israel.
Biden presented with Israeli Presidential Medal of Honour
Voices: Welcome to Israel, President Biden. As a member of the Knesset, I have a request
In an article exclusively for The Independent, Aida Touma-Sliman, a member of the Israeli Knesset has a plea for Joe Biden: “We need to talk about the Palestinian people, even if you’d rather not.”
Welcome to Israel, President Biden. As a member of the Knesset, I have a request
We need to talk about the Palestinian people, even if you’d rather not
Biden has met all of Israel leaders since 1973
President Joe Biden is six years older than the state of Israel, which was established in 1948, and he’s met every one of the country’s prime ministers since he first became as a US senator in 1973.
He first visited Israel that year shortly before the Yom Kippur War - fought between Israel and Arab nations.
Biden’s Israel visit means he has met all country’s leaders since 1973
US president praises ‘deeper and stronger’ relationship with Israel
US force as ‘last resort’ to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons says Biden
The United States would use force to prevent Iran from acquiring or developing nuclear weapons if all other options fail, President Joe Biden has said.
Mr Biden said the US would use its military to prevent Iran’s nuclear program from succeeding in bringing about a working nuclear weapon during an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 news.
Andrew Feinberg reports.
Biden says US would use force as ‘last resort’ to prevent Iranian nuclear weapons
‘The only thing worse than the Iran that exists now is the Iran with nuclear weapons’
Analysis: Biden opposed South African apartheid but is now accused of ignoring similar policies in Israel
When Joe Biden travels to Bethlehem he will be greeted by large billboards emblazoned with the words: “Mr President, this is apartheid,” alongside a map of what is left of the disconnected Palestinian territories — a stunt arranged by Israeli human rights group B’Tselem.
Richard Hall reports on how some of the world’s leading human rights groups have condemned Israel for committing what the president opposed so fiercely as a senator in the 1980s and how he is accused of ignoring it today.
Biden was a critic of South African apartheid. Where does he stand on Israel today?
Several of the world’s leading human rights groups have accused Israel of committing the crime of apartheid, writes Richard Hall
Readout of President Biden’s meeting with President Herzog of Israel
Per The White House:
President Biden met with President Isaac Herzog of Israel today ahead of the Israeli Medal of Honour ceremony this evening. The leaders discussed several issues including the United States’ ironclad support for Israel’s security, their commitment to working together to counter Iran’s destabilising activities, and efforts to promote regional integration to widen the circle of peace. President Biden and President Herzog reaffirmed the deep bonds and enduring friendship between our two nations and our people.
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