Arabic press review: Germany seeks to support Arab-Israel normalisation process

Germany seeks to 'benefit from' Arab-Israeli deal

The Saudi newspaper Asharq Al Awsat published an exclusive interview with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, currently on a visit to Riyadh, in which he said that his country seeks to capitalise on the normalisation agreements signed by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain with Israel in order to bolster the peace process in the region.

"We seek to benefit from this emerging normalisation movement to add momentum to the peace process in the Middle East. We are talking with our partners in the European Union, the Arab League and the UN to support a path for new talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians," Maas said.

"We are firmly convinced that the two-state solution remains the best option to end the conflict, both for the security of Israel and to guarantee the rights of the Palestinians," he added. 

Maas told the Saudi paper that the European aid for the reconstruction process in Syria depends on the launch of a comprehensive and credible political track. 

As for Lebanon, he stressed that initiating reforms is the primary condition for obtaining international and German support for the reconstruction process in the country.

Regarding German–Saudi relations, the minister said: "Saudi Arabia is an important partner for us in the region, as we hold close economic ties. Riyadh is the second most important Arab trade partner for Berlin, and Germany is the fourth largest supplier to the kingdom.

"Vision 2030 will pave the way for new cooperation opportunities, most notably in the field of technology, which will enable us to meet the challenges of climate change."

Israeli singer performs in Dubai

Israeli pop singer Omer Adam, who received a personal invitation from the royal family of the United Arab Emirates, visited a synagogue in Dubai during celebrations of the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah that started on Friday and ended on Saturday evening.

According to a video clip posted by the Twitter account in Arabic affiliated to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli singer performed religious rituals in the Jewish temple in Dubai.

Adam said: "Simchat Torah is an occasion for each one of us to reflect on his relationship with people and God. So I chose to meet a wonderful nation who loves the Israeli people."

He commented on his visit to the UAE, saying: "I am proud to be an ambassador of music and art in the Emirates, where there is hope for a better world, without wars and terrorism."

According to Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper, the Israeli singer is expected to hold concerts in the UAE soon, during which he will perform in Hebrew.

Kuwaiti to support businesses affected by pandemic

The Kuwaiti parliament is set to approve a new law to support investors affected by the repercussions of the coronavirus crisis,  Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed newspaper reported on Monday.

The law is expected to be passed in its final draft at a later parliamentary session, the paper said.

According to the newspaper, the law will provide financial assistance to about 1,440 small and medium-sized companies, which have been affected by the pandemic.

The total value of loans the government will hand to the concerned companies is expected to reach $4bn.

A Kuwaiti government source said that the law aims to save business owners who struggle to overcome the repercussions of the pandemic.  

According to a recent study by the Center for Research and Studies on Kuwait governmental organisation, 439 local companies have resorted to layoffs or salary cuts because of the coronavirus crisis.