Latest news with #Delacroix
Memri
3 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Macron's Palestine Gambit
Al-Quds Al-Arabi cartoon on France recognizing Palestine modeled on Delacroix's 1830 painting La Liberté Guidant Le Peuple To say that the reaction was mixed would be an understatement. While both the United States and Israel openly criticized and rejected it, the terrorist group Hamas "congratulated French President Macron's recognition of a Palestinian state." In his July 24 letter to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron said that he would make the formal statement at the UN General Assembly in New York this September.[1] France and Saudi Arabia are co-hosting a high-level (although less high-level than the hosts wanted) UN conference in New York on July 28-29 on the "peaceful resolution of the Palestinian issue and the implementation of a two-state solution."[2] With the announcement, France became the first member of the G-7 group of advanced industrialized democracies to recognize a Palestinian state although a year ago European states Spain, Ireland and Norway took the same step (Sweden had been the first Western European state to do so back in 2014). It has long been the position of both the United States and Israel that any formal recognition of a Palestinian state is to be part of a bilateral peace process between the two sides – the culmination of a process, not its predecessor. France and the more than 140 countries that already have done so are recognizing a country with undefined borders and entirely hypothetical political and security dimensions. And while Macron said that "the state of Palestine must be established, its existence guaranteed, and through its demilitarization and full recognition of the state of Israel, allowed to contribute to the security of the entire region," neither demilitarization nor full recognition of the state of Israel are conditions that Hamas accepts. France is even trying to get condemnation of Hamas by Arab states at the upcoming UN Conference.[3] So why is Hamas pleased and why did Macron take this step? Obviously, for Hamas this European recognition is seen as a direct result of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, the October 7, 2023 invasion of Israel by Hamas. The recognition, despite any reservations or caveats attached by European diplomats, is seen as an advance for the Palestinian cause and justification or indirect approval that Hamas's action that day was not only warranted but yielded concrete international results, without Hamas having made any political concessions of any sort.[4] The Hamas feeling is that the Palestinian street will regard this French step as a clear Hamas success rather than as the result anything its rivals in the PLO have done. For Macron's France, the decision is a far cry from when France was an early supporter of the Jewish state. In the 1950s and 60s, France not only sold weapons to Israel, including the all-important advanced Mirage III fighter, but was a key partner in the Israeli nuclear program. Both states shared at the time concerns about Arab nationalism as Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser was a major supporter of Algerian insurgents waging guerrilla war against the French Army. When de Gaulle imposed an arms embargo only days before the Six Day War in 1967, he broke a military and security partnership that had lasted for almost 15 years. Some observers blame Qatar, the great Arab patron of Hamas, for Macron's decision.[5] They point to the February 2024 announcement that Qatar would invest ten billion euros in France between 2024 and 2030. Qatar has also been aggressive in pushing its agenda throughout Europe, by fair means or foul, including an initiative that was dubbed "Qatargate" as the wealthy emirate reportedly bribed deputies and staff at the European Parliament since 2019 to favor Qatari policies.[6] But while I am sure that many Europeans are susceptible to Qatari financial blandishments, there is a more plausible explanation for Macron's stance. Just days before the Palestine statement, an Institut Français d'Opinion Publique (IFOP) poll revealed that Macron's popularity had slumped to its lowest level since he was elected in 2017.[7] Only 19 percent supported him and the decline was particularly pronounced among those who re-elected him as president in 2022. The next French presidential elections are less than two years away, scheduled for April 2027. Macron's decision makes sense when one examines the deep changes occurring within the French – and indeed in other European countries – electorate.[8] The constant flood of migrants into Europe, many of them Muslims or Arabs (or both) particularly hostile to Jews, is changing the voting demographics of Europe. A rough division is slowly emerging: migrants (especially Muslims) generally support leftist political parties.[9] In the United Kingdom, Muslims tended to vote for Labour and leftist splinter parties, in Germany for Die Linke and other leftist parties, in France, they favor (74 percent) La France Insoumise (LFI) and other leftists. Throughout the continent one can see the hollowing out of supposedly centrist parties with a strengthening at opposite ends of the political spectrum: migrant/leftist coalitions versus native/rightist coalitions.[10] Macron's Palestine decision then seems the worst of both worlds for an ostensible centrist. It is an irritant to Israel and to the Americans while at the same time only whetting the appetites of the Islamo-Left. The decision not only helps Hamas in the Territories; it also empowers Islamists in Europe and in France. Ironically it is now the European Right that tends to be philosemitic or at least less hostile to the state of Israel. In France, of course, the nationalist space is dominated by Macron's great rival the National Rally (RN) of Marine Le Pen. Having demonized the political right for so long, it is hard for Macron and his ilk to move to the right too much. They have more space to the left and attempting to appease Muslim voters, with their deeply antisemitic worldview, is far easier than trying to please the (much smaller) Jewish electorate.[11] It is not that Macron is an antisemite, he is not, but that he and others in Europe are politicians who think they understand the demographic writing on the wall.[12] President Trump put it succinctly when he described Macron's decision this way: "Here's the good news. What he says doesn't matter."[13] That is mostly true when it comes to politics and diplomacy in the Middle East. But what does matter and extraordinarily dangerous is the demographic shift occurring in Europe and the political ramifications that it will have. This is not good news for Israel, that "the West" will become more hostile but the worst news will be to Western nations themselves. States and societies will be stressed and fractured as never before. Some talk alarmingly of civil war in France or the UK.[14] That may be a step too far but rather than posturing that they are trying to secure peace in the Holy Land, Macron or his successor may find himself/herself much more involved in trying to secure a shaky peace at home. Will that be a two or three or four state solution? *Alberto M. Fernandez is Vice President of MEMRI.
The Herald Scotland
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Jan Brueghel poised to be the Ballydoyle big gun in the King George
While the Ballydoyle handler was not ruling out the possibility of Epsom and Curragh winner Lambourn taking on his elders when speaking at the Kildare track on Saturday, connections appear more likely to chart a path towards a third Classic bid in the Betfred-sponsored Leger at Doncaster in September. You shall not pass ❌ Jan Brueghel sees off Calandagan to win the Betfred Coronation Cup 🏆#EpsomDerbyFestival — ITV Racing (@itvracing) June 6, 2025 O'Brien said: 'At the moment I'd say Jan Brueghel is most likely to go to the King George, with Continuous. 'Lambourn is still on the boiling pot for it, but I don't think he'll be forced into it by any means and he is a three-year-old. 'Jan Brueghel seems to be in very good form and everyone seems to be very happy with him. I'd imagine the lads might let him go there. 'That would mean Lambourn would have a couple of easy weeks and he might go to the Great Voltigeur (at York), even though he's a Group One winner, and kind of set him up for the Leger. 'They haven't really decided yet, but reading between the lines that's what could happen.' Delacroix won a pulsating renewal of the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown (Chris Radburn/PA) O'Brien also confirmed his Eclipse first and fourth Delacroix and Camille Pissarro are both being trained for next month's Juddmonte International at York, despite bookmaker support prompting speculation the former could drop back to a mile for a clash with Field Of Gold in Goodwood's Sussex Stakes, while the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe remains the long-term target for Los Angeles. 'We have Delacroix and Camille Pissarro being trained for the Juddmonte at York and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. They'll be taking that slot at the moment,' he said. 'Los Angeles is on a break and he'll maybe go to the Prix Foy on Arc trials day with the view of going to the Arc with him. 'Delacroix loved Leopardstown and was very good around there. Whether the lads decide to go to York or not before that, they'll make that decision. He seems in good form at the moment.' Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with ITV Racing, O'Brien revealed his Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Lake Victoria may not run again. The Frankel filly was ruled out of Royal Ascot last month after suffering a setback and has not yet returned to work. LAKE VICTORIA wins the Irish 1000 Guineas! 🏆 What a day for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore! @curraghrace @Tattersalls_ie | @coolmorestud — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 O'Brien said: 'She is not back in exercise yet. She's doing very well physically, but she's not back in work yet. 'John (Halley, vet) will make the decision on whether she comes back into work for this year or is left alone until next year or is retired altogether. They'll be decisions that will be made as weeks go by.' The trainer is preparing both Whirl and Bedtime Story for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, but admitted he was 'a little bit uneasy about running them against each other', hinting Whirl could be rerouted to the Yorkshire Oaks should his Epsom and Curragh Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk head elsewhere. Gstaad and Ryan Moore after winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA) With the highly touted Albert Einstein 'probably not' going to run going to run again this season, O'Brien's juvenile team for the second half of the season is set to be led by Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad, who has several Group One options coming up. O'Brien added: 'Gstaad is very well, he's come out of the Coventry very well. We're thinking he could be a Heinz (Phoenix Stakes) horse, he could take in Deauville (Prix Morny) and he could take in the National Stakes and he could end up being a Dewhurst horse at the end.'
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien says Delacroix 'on York programme' not Glorious Goodwood path
The Ballydoyle trainer confirmed the Coral-Eclipse Stakes winner will head to the Juddmonte International despite bookmakers' slashing his odds for the Sussex Stakes on Thursday Aidan O'Brien insists Delacroix remains on course for next month's Juddmonte International - despite a wholesale gamble on the Coral-Eclipse Stakes hero for the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The beaten Derby favourite, who redeemed his reputation with a neck defeat of Ombudsman over a mile and a quarter at Sandown Park 12 days ago, was available at 16-1 on Wednesday for the Visit Qatar-sponsored Group 1 test. Market support down to 5-1 triggered speculation Delacroix would step back to a mile for a clash with Sussex Stakes hotpot Field Of Gold, an imperious winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes on his last two starts. William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: 'We're less than two weeks away from the Sussex Stakes, and the much-anticipated clash between Field Of Gold and Delacroix could be coming sooner than we thought. 'The Juddmonte had seemed their potential first head-to-head, but we've taken notable money for Aidan O'Brien's Eclipse hero to see him more than halve in price for the Sussex. 'He's now a 5-1 shot from 16s, and while he still has a way to go to get to Field Of Gold at 4-7 favourite, his price collapse could suggest that Ballydoyle are seriously considering dropping him back to the mile. "We'd still expect Field Of Gold to be very hard to beat over this course and distance, but their meeting would be a tantalising prospect for racing fans.' But O'Brien stressed the Knavesmire on August 20 - he is set to be joined in the York line-up by Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) victor and Eclipse fourth Camille Pissarro - is still next on the Dubawi colt's to-do list, Ballydoyle's Henri Matisse, winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) at Longchamp before a second to Field Of Gold at Royal Ascot, will seek revenge on his John and Thady Gosden-trained rival on the South Downs in 12 days' time. 'The plan for Delacroix and Camille Pissarro is that they are both on the York programme,' O'Brien reported on Thursday. 'Henri Matisse will go for the Sussex.' O'Brien's Minnie Hauk is William Hill's 2-9 favourite to add Saturday's Irish Oaks to her triumph in the Epsom original after a total of seven rivals were declared for the Curragh Classic yesterday.
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Aidan O'Brien up for a fight as Group 1 superstar with ‘blistering turn of foot' smashed in betting for £1million race
AIDAN O'BRIEN is up for a scrap with John Gosden - after a massive market move suggested Delacroix is set to take on Field Of Gold. A tidal wave of money for the former means the Group 1 superstars will likely do battle in the awesome £1million Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. 1 Delacroix ran a stormer under Ryan Moore to deny William Buick on Ombudsman in a thrilling Coral-Eclipse Credit: ©Debbie Burt And sandwiched in the middle is Richard Hannon's star miler Rosallion. It looked like brilliant St James's Palace winner Field Of Gold would be in a straight head-to-head with Rosallion. But the fact Delacroix has been destroyed from as big as 25-1 into 5-1 shows 'the lads' at Coolmore fancy their chances at a mile. Delacroix won the 1m2f Coral-Eclipse on his last run, coming from nowhere under Ryan Moore to nut Ombudsman on the line. O'Brien said afterwards that Moore had told him he felt Delacroix would be a miler. And they will now test that theory - after it had looked likely he would head to the Juddmonte at York. But the money is rarely wrong with the Coolmore horses. William Hill slashed Delacroix to 5s from 16-1. Most read in Horse Racing And spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "We're two weeks away from the Sussex Stakes, and the much-anticipated clash between Field Of Gold and Delacroix could be coming sooner than we thought. "The Juddmonte had seemed their potential first head-to-head, but we've taken notable money for Aidan O'Brien's Eclipse hero to see him more than halve in price for the Sussex. "He's now a 5-1 shot from 16s, and while he still has a way to go to get to Field Of Gold at 4-7 favourite, his price collapse could suggest that Ballydoyle are seriously considering dropping him back to the mile. "We'd still expect Field Of Gold to be very hard to beat over this course and distance, but their meeting would be a tantalising prospect for racing fans." FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aidan O'Brien up for a fight as Group 1 superstar with ‘blistering turn of foot' smashed in betting for £1million race
It could be an awesome triple threat showdown DEL BOY Aidan O'Brien up for a fight as Group 1 superstar with 'blistering turn of foot' smashed in betting for £1million race AIDAN O'BRIEN is up for a scrap with John Gosden - after a massive market move suggested Delacroix is set to take on Field Of Gold. A tidal wave of money for the former means the Group 1 superstars will likely do battle in the awesome £1million Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. Advertisement 1 Delacroix ran a stormer under Ryan Moore to deny William Buick on Ombudsman in a thrilling Coral-Eclipse Credit: ©Debbie Burt And sandwiched in the middle is Richard Hannon's star miler Rosallion. It looked like brilliant St James's Palace winner Field Of Gold would be in a straight head-to-head with Rosallion. But the fact Delacroix has been destroyed from as big as 25-1 into 5-1 shows 'the lads' at Coolmore fancy their chances at a mile. Delacroix won the 1m2f Coral-Eclipse on his last run, coming from nowhere under Ryan Moore to nut Ombudsman on the line. Advertisement O'Brien said afterwards that Moore had told him he felt Delacroix would be a miler. And they will now test that theory - after it had looked likely he would head to the Juddmonte at York. But the money is rarely wrong with the Coolmore horses. William Hill slashed Delacroix to 5s from 16-1. Advertisement And spokesperson Lee Phelps said: "We're two weeks away from the Sussex Stakes, and the much-anticipated clash between Field Of Gold and Delacroix could be coming sooner than we thought. "The Juddmonte had seemed their potential first head-to-head, but we've taken notable money for Aidan O'Brien's Eclipse hero to see him more than halve in price for the Sussex. "He's now a 5-1 shot from 16s, and while he still has a way to go to get to Field Of Gold at 4-7 favourite, his price collapse could suggest that Ballydoyle are seriously considering dropping him back to the mile. "We'd still expect Field Of Gold to be very hard to beat over this course and distance, but their meeting would be a tantalising prospect for racing fans." Advertisement FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
