Trump's economic war depends on it: The country that became Iran's back door
World press headlines: The success of Trump's economic pressure on Iran depends on the ability to cut off Iranian financial channels through Dubai; the German Chancellor condemns Itamar Ben Gvir's statements and changes position; and in Sweden, a Muslim Minister of Education wears a Star of David in the face of rising antisemitism. Globes presents a daily short review of interesting news from the world media about Israel.
About the world press headlines
Against the backdrop of the constantly developing security situation, the lens of the world media reveals unique perspectives on what is happening in the country. From analyses by international experts and interpretations from a different angle to small stories from Israel that disappear from view - every day we will present you with a short daily review of what is written in the world media about Israel, to try and decipher how things here look from overseas.
The articles we present in the section are taken from major newspapers around the world and do not necessarily reflect the worldview of Globes.
1. Analysis: Trump's economic war on Iran depends on one country
The "crushing economic war" that US President Donald Trump announced in the last day against Iran depends mainly on one country, which has become Tehran's lifeline in recent decades - the UAE; so states an analysis published this morning (Thursday) in the Wall Street Journal.
"Dubai (the largest emirate in the UAE) is Iran's back door to international markets," the analysis states, and "fighting the money transfers to the Revolutionary Guards through Dubai could be much more effective than an American naval blockade of Iranian ports."
On Tuesday, the UAE announced that it is banning all trade with Iran and the Revolutionary Guards, in what appears to be a step coordinated with the American administration. A day later, Trump threatened any country providing a "lifeline" to Iran with "huge economic consequences" from the US.
Fighting the Iranian networks, which were founded following decades of experience in evading international sanctions, will be difficult, the analysis states, because "it involves shell companies and control structures in Dubai, usually without an Iranian name as a beneficiary." Such a struggle, it is written, could also undermine Dubai's status as a financial center for the Asia and Middle East region.
On the Emirati side, they told the newspaper that the announcement of cutting ties is part of a "rolling escalation" and that there are additional steps being considered if Iran does not open free movement in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE refuses to "choose a side" completely and prefers to "maintain channels of dialogue with Tehran," it was reported. Dubai was responsible for 30% of Iranian imports before the war and still serves as a financial center for receiving funds for oil shipments to various countries, laundering it, and transferring it to Iran despite international sanctions.
By Samer Said, Georgi Kantchev and Ruby Cramer, from the Wall Street Journal.
2. Germany changes position: Will support direct sanctions against Ben Gvir
In discussions in the European Union on imposing sanctions on Israel over the last three years, Germany has so far stood by Jerusalem's side and torpedoed plans to boycott settlement products, impose sanctions on extremist ministers, or cut off commercial ties; but the recent statements by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir have led it in recent days to sharp condemnations and internal pressure to change its position; so reports the magazine Der Spiegel this morning (Thursday).
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz published a statement this week despite his summer vacation, in which he condemns the "inhumane" words of Ben Gvir, who said that "30 to 40 should be taken down every night" in reference to Gaza. At a press conference this week, Merz's spokesman hinted that the European Union will discuss "tangible steps" against Israeli politicians who express themselves with such extremism at its upcoming meeting in Ireland in early September. According to the magazine, the German government is actually ready now to support sanctions against Ben Gvir at the European Union level, so that their chances of being accepted are now significantly increasing. At this stage, according to the report, the adoption of similar sanctions against Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is not being considered.
By Paul-Anton Krüger, Timo Lehmann and Christoph Schult, from Der Spiegel.
3. The Swedish minister who revealed a Star of David pendant as "solidarity" with Jews
Swedish Minister of Education Simona Mohansson revealed in a political debate a Star of David pendant that she is wearing, and said that she is doing so as a sign of "solidarity" with the Jews in Sweden, who are experiencing rising antisemitism; so reports the Italian newspaper Il Foglio this morning (Thursday).
Mohansson, who heads the Liberal Party, is from a Muslim family and defines herself as an atheist. She promised to wear the necklace throughout the election campaign, ahead of the vote in the country on September 13. Mohansson said that many Jewish children are afraid to go to school now, with the start of the school year, because of antisemitism. She also attacked the Swedish left for supporting Palestinian prisoners convicted of terrorist attacks, and for its attitude towards Palestinian terrorist organizations, including correspondence that was revealed in recent weeks.
The article notes the flight of the Jewish community from Malmö, a city where there are many immigrants, and the documented attempt of a TV reporter to walk with a kippah in the immigrant neighborhood of Rosengård, which ended in a series of verbal attacks, egg throwing, and harassment.
By Giulio Meotti, from Il Foglio.
