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JERUSALEM: Israel plans to open a diplomatic-level mission to the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, the first openly established representative office in the United Arab Emirates, Israeli diplomats said on Friday.
The office will not be a full mission, but will consist of a diplomat assigned to the renewable energy agency. Nevertheless, it will be the first time an Israeli foreign ministry official is permanently stationed in the Gulf state.
Foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon confirmed details first reported in Israeli daily Haaretz and three diplomatic officials told Reuters the move was underway. A spokesperson for IRENA could not be reached for comment.
Israel does not have formal diplomatic ties with most states in the Middle East because of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Its only formal relations are with neighbours Egypt and Jordan.
But the Iran nuclear deal has caused disquiet in Israel and Sunni Arab states alike. Common ground has emerged between the two sides, even if they are cautious about drawing attention to the links.
In recent years, Israeli officials have met counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf at nuclear non-proliferation talks in Switzerland, gatherings that the Israelis say have helped melt the ice and lead to increased dialogue.
The director-general of Israel's foreign ministry, Dore Gold, visited Abu Dhabi this month, the first time someone of his diplomatic rank has publicly made such a trip. Israeli ministers have visited the Gulf.
While the Abu Dhabi mission is seen as a positive step, at least one Israeli official voiced caution, saying that while it was "half a step out the door", it was still a long way from being a full diplomatic posting.
"This is accreditation to the International Renewable Energy Agency, nothing else. It is in Abu Dhabi, not a mission to Abu Dhabi," he said.
Also read: Unesco approves Arab resolution criticising Israel
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Comments (83) Closed
Nov 27, 2015 03:43pm
Nice. Even Pakistan should establish diplomatic relation with Israel. If you see in real world Saudi , Kuwait , UAE and Bahrain has already tie with Israel Unofficially.
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Nov 27, 2015 03:51pm
Israel is killing innocent Muslims at will and these Gulf states are creating political and economic ties with Israel. Shame on them!!!!! Where has the concept of one Ummah and Muslim brotherhood gone?
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Nov 27, 2015 03:52pm
@Junaid NO!
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Nov 27, 2015 04:02pm
Money and common interests will create strange bed-fellows. So, instead of improving relations with a Muslim Iran the Gulf states will court the Israelis to provide them a 'umbrella' against potential strike by Iran? Stranger than fiction!
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Nov 27, 2015 04:07pm
@Umair Khalid Basically there was no concept of anything. Just a series of adjustments.
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Nov 27, 2015 04:12pm
@Junaid: YES
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Nov 27, 2015 04:17pm
set up another shop for their spies.
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Nov 27, 2015 04:20pm
Big mistake, UAE government is wrong doing this. These rich arabs don't know how much Palestinians are suffering because of non cooperation from Muslim counties.
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Nov 27, 2015 04:21pm
UAE should not allow an Israeli on their soil until the resolution of Palestine issue.
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Nov 27, 2015 04:26pm
Not a good news for Pakistan, Israel already in India providing help in defence and intelligence; we should strengthen our ties with Iran to countervail their designs.
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Nov 27, 2015 04:36pm
Most Mid-east rulers serve Israeli interests anyway. Now they will hand over their economy, their finance and their country to the Zionists- Eretz Israel. Abu-Dhabi rulers are being protected by Israeli company as personal guards
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Nov 27, 2015 04:41pm
@Junaid please talk some sense!! you cannot follow what others do..
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Nov 27, 2015 04:50pm
Very disappointing news...
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Nov 27, 2015 04:51pm
saudi has old buddy type realtions with israel FO for years. and Turkey has been forgotten by author, it has long trade tied with israel
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Nov 27, 2015 05:12pm
We should only look for Pakistan interests PAKISTAN FIRST always
No Pakistan No Honey
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Nov 27, 2015 05:18pm
@junaid, what's the rush to befriend the Israeli tyrants, what gifts are you expecting to receive??
Last time I checked, these Arabs treat us as sub human yet you want us to follow their lead...
Talk about the slave mind..
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Nov 27, 2015 05:24pm
Arabs adopted themselves with the custom of defeat
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Nov 27, 2015 05:34pm
@Junaid Why not. We should have relation with all countries based on interest of Pakistan, and not based on what Arab/Gulf countries like or dis-like. As far as Muslim-Ummah is concerned this concept only exists in Pakistan, brain-washed by gulf sponsored mullahs.
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Nov 27, 2015 05:35pm
Is good that we have our ex ISI chief as a advisor to oversea things
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Nov 27, 2015 05:39pm
So have an established Mossaad business in Hindustan and another one open for business in UEA
Ummm.....
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Nov 27, 2015 05:47pm
@Qamer they know and they don't care! They and Israel share the same USA block!
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Nov 27, 2015 05:49pm
They already have presence in all Arab states! Didn't they kill Palestinian leaders a few years ago in Abu Dhabi Hotel!
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Nov 27, 2015 06:09pm
So what? they are part and parcel of Arabs and they will open anywhere they want now, Is there anyone who can stop? Rather hide your face.
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Nov 27, 2015 06:09pm
This open message to Iran.
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Nov 27, 2015 06:23pm
@Umair Khalid : "Where has the concept of one Ummah and Muslim brotherhood gone?"
In the last 20-30 years, Muslims have killed far more Muslims in acts of war and terror than the Israelis, the Americans and all their real and imaginary allies combined.
So which Ummah are you talking about?
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Nov 27, 2015 06:41pm
Israeli -Palestinian problem is more dear to us --- the Pakistanis than Arabs. Even the conflicts main actor Jordan has diplomatic relationship and so do the Palestinian authority. May be our point of view is more confusing than the issue itself.
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Nov 27, 2015 06:50pm
Pakistanis worry about Pakistan fix that before giving a dam about Israel. As a Pakistani origin person living in the west I am sick of seeing our people in uproar over a Palestinian death but hundreds die I Pakistan and no one cares.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:03pm
Arab hypocrisy. On one hand mobs are yelling death to Israel in the streets while their govt is opening diplomatic mission for Israel.
This could have been done in wake of Modi lovefest with the UAE leaders.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:03pm
The criminals will soon be everywhere in the ME. Shame on Abu Dhabi.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:09pm
@Gaz We do care about humans whenever they are? whoever they are? but don't have power in hand and if you are so much concern then come and handle Pakistani will support you. Pakistani can raise their vices and nothing else because they don't want to kill anyone nor create problem for poor people. Moreover if you have any other option then please do let us know.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:15pm
Saudi are playing smartly.............
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Nov 27, 2015 07:17pm
@Shakil no was in Dubai hotel al bustan
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Nov 27, 2015 07:21pm
We should not follow the lead of the arab states as I belive their days are numbered. Their government do not represent the people. In pakistan we have many faults but I for one do not belive we should settle for anything less than the full liberation of al aqsa and an independent Palestinian state. These people have suffered much more than anyone in the middle east and globally no one cares.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:22pm
@Junaid I think you need an education. Israel has forces assisting India in your destruction and you want them in your house. Very smart.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:23pm
Today Israel is reality. Lot of muslim countries have accepted this.
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Nov 27, 2015 07:35pm
Oops first mandir now synagogue
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Nov 27, 2015 08:06pm
It confirms duplicity (munafiqat) of these Arab States .No doubt the Munafiqs are more dangerous than the declared enemies ,this support of Israel by such Munafiqin is one of the reasons as to why the Palestinian question is not being resolved.
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Nov 27, 2015 08:13pm
Strategically Pakistan needs to built diplomatic ties with Israel. How can one expect to change another's behaviour peacefully without the ability to have a chat? We live in a nation state world and as a country Pakistan's first and only priority is to it's citizens and their future.
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Nov 27, 2015 08:18pm
Anyone with a moral conscious, which many Arab states GCC do not have, know on which side to be on. Nothing justifies the killing of innocent people, the lack of human rights and ghettoization of humans, nothing. Sadly for many, money trumps any ethics or morality and that says a lot about ones character something then aforementioned people do not have.
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Nov 27, 2015 08:18pm
Arabs have a saying: "The enemy of my enemy, is my friend".
Therefore, we can conclude that they consider Iran and Palestine as their enemy? Hence, Israeli is their friend!?
I never thought I will live to see this day!
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Nov 27, 2015 08:29pm
Another East India Company has opened branch in Arab world and lets pray that the history does not repeat itself.
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Nov 27, 2015 08:31pm
Israel was forced on Palestinian land by American and European Extremists (Zionists) to hit Muslim ' s heartland. They plan to take Medina as well as it was Jewish colony till the advent of Holy Prophet (PBUH). Only Iran, Pakistan and Syria are major opponent . While all other Arabs follow American Plans to defend Israel, Syria's Bashar Asad is paying their price.
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Nov 27, 2015 08:40pm
How shameless these Arabs are ?
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Nov 27, 2015 08:41pm
@Abbas That's exactly they got rid of Saddam Hussain and now trying to topple Asad. All other Arabs have been either neutralized such as Egypt and Jordan, and are too weak to challenge Israel collective - the rest of the motley crew, flunkies, groupies and hangers on.
The only powers that has the capacity to take on Israelis on their own are Iran or Pakistan. Turkey will not, since it is part of NATO and has diplomatic relations with Israel.
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Nov 27, 2015 08:49pm
@Umair Khalid Just like Pakistan has business cultural relations with India, same for Arabs and Jews who have shalom and salam in common so whats the fuss
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Nov 27, 2015 09:56pm
@Qamer Qamer....I think it is a positive move. Talking ontable is better than battlefield.
How long can enemity continue. A new generation needs a different world order. I think in about 10 years many old conflicts will die and a different one will emerge.
Welcome move.
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Nov 27, 2015 09:57pm
Shame!
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Nov 27, 2015 09:58pm
This is an excellent initiative taken by the Arabs .Pakistan should have done this years ago.i strongly in conformity that we should go all out for a proper diplomatic enclave in Islamabad.lets not live in darkness. Move on live and let live,learn and contribute,live like brothers and human beings,share the achievements. And not fight.Pakistan,Israel friendship solidarity zings ad.
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Nov 27, 2015 10:37pm
Bravo to the "Muslim Ummah" for falling prey to the Shia-Sunni divide!!
The word Disgust doesn't even begin to describe the feeling.
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Nov 27, 2015 10:42pm
This is a good decision by UAE. It's time for all Muslim nations to stop thinking along the religious lines.
And to all my friends who are complaining about this move, you should be demanding Pakistan to stop all diplomatic relationships with China, considering that they don't let Muslims grow beard and fast during Ramzan. Don't be selective in your outrage!
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Nov 27, 2015 10:45pm
@Javed ali shafi You clearly do not understand Zionism and what it aims to achieve!
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Nov 27, 2015 10:49pm
Why Pakistan is only Islamic country suffer for its religious belief . UAE and S.Arabia making trillion of dollars by doing business and keeping religion aside. And stupid Pakistani Awam fighting some imaginary jehad and destroying there own country, and than blaming politician and landlords .
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Nov 27, 2015 11:02pm
@Amirr Not being allowed to grow a beard is not the same as being shot at, killed or humiliated, while being under occupation, and restricted from moving around in your own land, or be able to work, without being searched on a daily basis, and then your wages and taxes withheld by your occupier, and literally being starved to death.
Not being able to fast is a lot different than being bombed into oblivion, at any time and there is no one to defend you.
Get your priorities right!
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Nov 27, 2015 11:05pm
@Amirr Exactly how many true 'friends' does Pakistan have, besides China!? Who's investing Billions in Pakistan? Arabs or Chinese?
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Nov 27, 2015 11:05pm
These Arabs have been dealing with Israelis for a while so nothing surprising. And there is no such thing as Muslim Ummah in their dictionary, only money.
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Nov 27, 2015 11:41pm
@Azhar Hussain "These Arabs have been dealing with Israelis for a while so nothing surprising. And there is no such thing as Muslim Ummah in their dictionary, only money".
First of all Arabs are not very religious people. There is a false perception in the non-Arab Muslim countries that the Arabs they are very religious. Second, they think only Arab Muslims are the Ummah. No matter how much non-Arab Muslims try to relate themselves with them, from their vantage point all non-Arab Muslims are unrelatable.
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Nov 28, 2015 12:01am
The biggest killers of Muslims in the world are GCC nations. Study deeply and you will realise Israel isn't your real enemy.
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Nov 28, 2015 12:18am
@adnan But remember, Turks were butchered in freedom flotilla bound for Gaza.
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Nov 28, 2015 12:29am
@Shakil that is correct.
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Nov 28, 2015 12:38am
@Issah In case you missed several Dawn's articles on the matter, Iran has repeatedly fired mortars into Pakistan. How can Pakistan build good relations with Iran if she keeps on firing mortars at us, again and again?
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Nov 28, 2015 12:52am
More innocent Muslims are killed by other Muslims than they are by other religions, so quit using that as an excuse.
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Nov 28, 2015 12:53am
Historically, India has supported Palestinians because it has always stood for value based nationhood and not that of religion, language, ethnicity oriented ones. UAE has been eccentric Arab state in supporting Taliban Afghan government and now allowing Israel to open offices in its territory.
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Nov 28, 2015 02:03am
Typical of them, very hypocritical step
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Nov 28, 2015 03:20am
@Yasmin if people are so worried about Pakistan then I am pretty sure we would have voted for a human to lead us and our country, but all I see is that we keep on reelecting savages who have brought misery to us again and again. So in what sense do you say Pakistan first ?
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Nov 28, 2015 04:12am
What a shame.
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Nov 28, 2015 04:15am
The population of Jews in the entire planet is 16 to 18 million Jews. Muslims 1.5 billion or more. The hatred for the latter is also 100 fold.
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Nov 28, 2015 04:51am
For me Pakistan's interest are the most important. As much as I condemn Palestine's treatment. Pakistan is most important to me! With this in mind, i think every country has the right to behave in their own interest. For UAE, they must see an interest in this. Similarly, we should look at our own interest!
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Nov 28, 2015 05:33am
@Issah So is Russia and the USA and many other countries.
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Nov 28, 2015 07:14am
We are living a lie.....look around we all do business with Israel....Pakistan's biggest export "textile" the largest imports of this product are Jews in the USA.....let's not kid ourselves....
Makes sense to face reality.
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Nov 28, 2015 07:38am
I think dialogue and diplomacy is the best way.
We must talk to each other to listen to each other problems and solve the issues rather hating each other.
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Nov 28, 2015 07:38am
Syria and Egypt combined to destroy the Israels twice and could not do it. The Middle East needs to concentrate on business and their economies. The Syrian army spent all of the tax money on their wars and their upkeep and made the Sunnis in Syria very poor. Whenever the poor complained the were put down hard by the army. Plenty of guns but no butter. No cheese either.
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Nov 28, 2015 07:47am
@Qamer .... .... They know.
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Nov 28, 2015 07:56am
@Abdul ... Not exactly. Arabs do not get on with each other.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:05am
@Ali ....The Egyptian army and Syrian army combined could not defeat Israel. The Iranian army will not be able to defeat them either. US forces did not enter the '67 or '72 wars. The Israels' defeated them alone, by themselves.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:13am
@lafanga .... That's funny! I don't see mainstream Israelis in the streets crying death to Arabs.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:14am
Gulf Arabs have serious reservations against Arabs from Palestine region. They did not forget what Palestine Arabs did in Jordan which led to Black September.
Israel is in UAE to do business, they are not interested in Arab politics, unless it is aimed towards them.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:15am
@dawn .... Israel is totally unconcerned about Pakistan. They do not see Pakistan as a threat.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:17am
@ Riaz M M... ... What exactly is the Palestinian question?
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Nov 28, 2015 08:20am
@GABOOL .... If not for the East India Company India would be Africa.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:23am
@Unshackle Pakistan ... You must be right because four wars against Israel did the Arabs no good. It was nothing but trouble for the Palestinians, Jordan, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:37am
@bryan .... The Arabs have never won on the battlefield.
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Nov 28, 2015 08:43am
@Javed ali shafi ... ... How can the Israelis help the Palestinians if the have to spend so much money on armaments? David Ben-Gurion, the first prime minister of Israel had a completely different approach but the Palestinians turned him down flat. He never expected the Arabs would spend 67 years trying to destroy Israel. He wanted to be friends. Yassir Arafat got the Palestinians into trouble they will never get out of.
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Nov 28, 2015 01:30pm
@mustafa we are Muslim I am not brain washed by mullahs but we should not forget why we got this great Pakistan we are the fort of ISLAM and we will be till end
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