El chocolate de Dubái transformó el mercado internacional de dulces en el último año. Fabricantes de distintos países, comerciantes al por mayor y consumidores impulsaron la popularidad de este producto, que surgió en Emiratos Árabes Unidos en 2021 y en poco tiempo dio el salto a los escaparates y redes sociales de todo el mundo. Tiendas de Nueva York, supermercados de Europa y cadenas estadounidenses ofrecen ahora diferentes versiones de chocolate de Dubái, una innovación que reúne ingredientes clásicos y toques de lujo.

Según la agencia Associated Press, el bar clásico de chocolate de Dubái surgió en 2021 gracias a Fix Chocolatier, una empresa con sede en Emiratos Árabes Unidos. Los usuarios de redes sociales difundieron videos y fotografías del producto durante 2023 y lo llevaron a la categoría de fenómeno viral global. A mediados de ese año, búsquedas en Google relacionadas con “chocolate de Dubái” experimentaron un fuerte aumento y se mantuvieron elevadas hasta la actualidad.

El atractivo del chocolate de Dubái radica en su combinación de sabores y texturas. De acuerdo con lo publicado por Associated Press, la versión original consiste en una barra con una gruesa capa de chocolate con leche, rellena de pistachos triturados, tahini y kadayif, un tipo de pasta de trigo crocante que añade una capa de textura. El resultado es un producto rico e indulgente, diferente a los chocolates tradicionales. El relleno puede variar e incorporar, según el fabricante, elementos como crema de cacahuate, frutas, mermeladas, malvaviscos, polvo de té verde o incluso oro comestible.

El impacto del boom repercute en todo el sector alimenticio. Según cifras de la consultora NielsenIQ mencionadas por Associated Press, las ventas de chocolates rellenos de pistacho sumaron USD 822.900 en el mercado estadounidense durante el año finalizado en junio, aunque ese segmento sigue siendo pequeño ante los USD 16.270 millones globales si se considera el rubro total de chocolates. Lo que destaca, de acuerdo al informe, es el crecimiento: mientras las ventas generales caían levemente, la demanda de chocolates con pistacho se disparó un 1.234% frente al año anterior.

De acuerdo con Stew Leonard, Jr., responsable de la cadena de supermercados Stew Leonard’s en Nueva York, ningún otro producto individual registró una rotación tan rápida. Desde el debut de la barra BeeMax Dubai en marzo pasado, la empresa introdujo una propia, fabricada por Chocopologie, y complementó la gama con una caja especial para las fiestas de fin de año. Entre las nuevas propuestas figuran mini conos helados, pralinés y variantes clásicas en barra.

La tendencia no se limita a las barras. Según detalla Associated Press, la oferta incluye coberturas de chocolate y pistacho para dátiles, nueces recubiertas, parfaits de fresa y versiones con láminas de oro, cuyo costo alcanza los USD 79,99, mientras las barras comunes se venden a USD 18,99. Chocolove creó caramelos pequeños, Matteo’s Coffee Syrups lanzó sirope de chocolate versión Dubái sin azúcar, y marcas como Moda, Magno y Leonessa adaptaron el concepto a su catálogo.

El gran interés afecta la cadena de abastecimiento. Según el productor iraní de frutos secos Keinia, citado por Associated Press, el aumento del consumo de chocolate de Dubái genera escasez de pistachos en este año. Las dificultades se agravan por la viralización de la tendencia en aplicaciones como TikTok y por limitaciones en la oferta agrícola, lo que estimula el valor de los insumos y la diversificación en los rellenos de las barras.

El consumidor define el éxito del producto tanto por su sabor como por su aspecto visual. De acuerdo con testimonios publicados por Associated Press, la textura resulta central: la suavidad del chocolate, el relleno cremoso y el crujido aportado por el kadayif construyen una experiencia sensorial diferente. Los ingredientes, que incluyen pistachos, rosas, azafrán y cardamomo, suman una percepción de lujo y sofisticación. Este carácter selecto se ve reflejado en el precio, que supera ampliamente al de una barra convencional.

Por último, la inclusión de productos inspirados en el chocolate de Dubái en cadenas internacionales y la continuación de ventas elevadas reflejan una tendencia consolidada y en expansión. El fenómeno redefine los hábitos de consumo de chocolate en mercados distantes, estimula la creatividad de empresas y presenta desafíos logísticos para toda la cadena de distribución. La innovación se manifiesta tanto en el sabor como en la presentación, y el chocolate de Dubái se instala como un referente de lujo, novedad y éxito comercial en el sector global de dulces.

As President Donald Trump moves to finalize his 20-point plan to end the Gaza war, Israel faces a pivotal decision that could reshape the conflict’s aftermath. The framework envisions a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the return of all hostages, and a major prisoner exchange. In return, Hamas would commit to disarmament and allow a technocratic transitional authority to manage Gaza’s reconstruction.

Part of the agreement involves releasing hundreds of convicted Palestinian terrorists, a clause that has already triggered backlash from the families of victims.

Dr. Michael Milshtein, head of the Moshe Dayan Forum at Tel Aviv University and one of Israel’s foremost experts on Hamas, told Fox News Digital that the list of roughly 250 prisoners contains names that represent what he called «a real strategic danger.»

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«These are not low-level activists,» Milshtein said. «Among them are people who built power and influence inside prison. When released, they will return as leaders.»

He cited several examples that, he said, demonstrate the risk of past exchanges. Among the prisoners now under discussion are Abbas al-Sayed, convicted for the 2002 Park Hotel bombing in Netanya that killed 30 people; Ibrahim Hamed, former Hamas military commander in the West Bank, serving more than 40 life sentences; Abdullah Barghouti, who produced explosives for a series of large-scale suicide bombings and Hassan Salameh, convicted for orchestrating multiple bus attacks in the 1990s.

Ibrahim Hamed, a former head of the Hamas terrorist movement in the West Bank, looks on as he arrives for sentencing at the Ofer military court near Ramallah, West Bank, on July 1, 2012. The Israeli military court sentenced Hamed to 54 life terms after convicting him of ordering attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, the army said.

«These are people with dozens of life sentences,» Milshtein explained. «We’ve already seen what happens when such figures are freed. Many of those who carried out the Oct. 7 massacre were prisoners released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal.»

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Milshtein noted that several recently released prisoners have quickly rejoined Hamas’s leadership abroad. He pointed to Abdel Nasser Issa, a Hamas operative convicted in 1995 who was released earlier this year and soon relocated to Turkey, where he began appearing in podcasts as part of the group’s senior political echelon. «That is the model,» Milshtein said. «They enter prison as operatives and emerge as decision-makers.»

Among the most concerning names, he added, is Jamal Al-Hur, who he described as «one of the five most dangerous.» Al-Hur, deeply connected to Hamas’s hierarchy, has served nearly three decades in prison and now acts as a key liaison between jailed operatives and the group’s external leadership. «He didn’t enter as a leader but became one inside,» Milshtein said. «If released, he will re-establish himself quickly—just as others did before him.»

Jamal al-Hur, left, and Rahman Ismael Ranimat, right, are led into an Israeli military court in Lod, Israel, on Feb. 5, 1998. An Israeli military tribunal charged the two with multiple counts of murder in the slayings of 13 Israelis in a series of Hamas attacks. (Danni Salomon/Yedioth/AFP via Getty Images)

The Edri family’s warning

The inclusion of Al-Hur on the draft list has renewed anguish for the family of Sharon Edri, the Israeli soldier he helped kidnap, torture, and murder in 1996. Al-Hur was also convicted for the 1997 Apropo Café bombing in Tel Aviv that killed 13 civilians. Twice before, his name appeared on proposed release lists and was removed after public pressure.

«I know what it’s like not to know where your brother is for seven months,» said Danielle Edry Karten, Edri’s sister, who lives in New York. «There’s nothing that makes me happier than knowing families will soon be reunited with the hostages. But this man shouldn’t be released—not because of my brother alone, but because of the danger he still poses.»

Sharon Edri is seen here with his sister, Danielle Edri Karten. Edri Karten opposes the release of her brother’s killer. 

«He kidnapped, mutilated, tortured my uncle,» said Izzy Karten, Edri’s nephew, in an interview with Fox News Digital from New York. «He went to jail, was released, and went on to commit the Apropo Café bombing. Later, he helped organize the kidnapping of the three boys that started the 2014 war. Now he’s a senior Hamas leader inside prison—that’s why we call him the next Sinwar.»

Banners with the photograph of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas terrorist leader who was killed in an Israeli attack, are hung on the streets in Tehran, Iran on Oct. 19, 2024.  (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Karten added: «We’re not against the peace deal. We’re praying for the hostages to come home. We just need to make sure they don’t trade them for the worst of the worst.»

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The family launched a new petition this week calling on the Israeli government to block Al-Hur’s release and to bar any future swaps involving convicted murderers. 

Sharon Edri, an Israeli soldier abducted and killed by Hamas terrorist Jamal al-Hor in 1996, is shown in a family photo provided by the Edri family, who oppose the planned release of his killer as part of a potential prisoner exchange.  (Edri Family)

At Sharon Edri’s funeral nearly three decades ago, Netanyahu vowed to the family, «We are telling the killers—you won’t break the people and the family. We will not forget him and your daughter Hana. We will end the terror and will bring peace.» The family now fears that the promise may be undone.

The Nukhba dilemma

Beyond the list of notorious prisoners, another issue threatens to derail the negotiations: Hamas’s demand to release about 90 members of its elite «Nukhba» force, the commandos who spearheaded the most horrific atrocities on the Oct. 7 attack on Israeli communities.

Milshtein, who visited the section of Ramla Prison where some of these terrorists are held, said they remain unrepentant. «I spoke with them,» he told Fox News Digital. «They are fanatical—completely committed. They show no remorse. The only thing they regret is not having killed more people.»

Hamas terrorists killed civilians, including women, children and the elderly, when they attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.  (Israel Defense Forces via AP)

He described the Nukhba detainees as the most ideologically extreme and operationally capable among Hamas’ ranks. «They are like a special-forces division with a radical worldview,» he said. «Releasing them would be like setting loose the people who planned and executed the worst day in Israel’s history.»

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Despite the risks, Milshtein acknowledged that Israel may have no alternative. «It’s a terrible dilemma,» he said. «But strategically, this may be one of those bitter compromises Israel will have to make to bring its citizens home.»

The Supreme Court on Tuesday appeared ready to strike down Colorado’s ban on mental health professionals providing so-called «conversion therapy» to minors with gender identity or sexual orientation issues, an important First Amendment case laced with sharp political and social undertones.

Licensed counselor Kaley Chiles says the legislation violates her free speech rights and infringes on her free exercise of religion and that of her clients by censoring and prohibiting certain private client-counselor conversations.

About two dozen states and Washington, DC have laws similar to Colorado’s.

The state says it acted to regulate professional conduct, «based on overwhelming evidence that efforts to change a child’s sexual orientation or gender identity are unsafe and ineffective.»

SUPREME COURT HEARS IF FAITH-BASED COUNSELING ON GENDER IDENTITY IS PROTECTED SPEECH

During a brisk 90 minutes of oral arguments, the court’s 6-3 conservative majority appeared supportive of Chiles’ claims.

Several conservative members of the bench suggested the Colorado law created a double standard that Justice Samuel Alito said may amount to «viewpoint discrimination.»

«Let’s say that you have some medical experts that think gender-affirming care should be — is dangerous to children and some that say that this kind of conversion talk therapy is dangerous,» said Justice Amy Coney Barrett. «Can a state pick a side?»

But other justices appeared to agree with the state, which cited what it claims is the consensus of mental health professionals that verbal-based conversion therapy has shown to be ineffective.

«There are studies that say that this advice does harm the people emotionally and physically,» said Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Justice Samuel Alito (left) suggested Colorado’s law may amount to «viewpoint discrimination. Justice Sonia Sotomayor (right) noted some studies have found that so-called «conversion therapy» for LGBTQ+ individuals may have harmful effects on people.  (Getty Images)

Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts could be the key to deciding the case, over whether regulation of «talk therapy» can be treated the same as medical practices.

Roberts cited previous high court precedent that did not distinguish professional speech.

«Just because they’re engaged in conduct doesn’t mean that their words aren’t protected,» said Roberts.

Among the issues the nine justices confronted were whether the state law properly distinguishes speech versus conduct, and the professional speech limits of licensed mental health therapists.

Chiles’ lawyers describe her as «a practicing Christian [who] believes that people flourish when they live consistently with God’s design, including their biological sex.»

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She said she uses «faith-informed» counseling to engage in talk therapy with young people who are «seeking to reduce or eliminate unwanted sexual attractions, change sexual behaviors, or grow in the experience of harmony with one’s physical body.»

But Chiles’s lawyers say she does not «seek to ‘cure’ clients of same-sex attractions or to ‘change’ clients’ sexual orientation.»

A small group of demonstrators gathered outside the court to support the Colorado law. The group representing Chiles canceled its rally over safety concerns.

Both Chiles’ lawyer and the Colorado solicitor general offered sharply different views in the courtroom on whether previous studies on conversion therapy showed its ineffectiveness.

Colorado says there is a «mountain of evidence» that it is, and that major medical associations have found it leads to depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

But Chiles argues there are no studies indicating conversion therapy is harmful, and that other studies are fundamentally flawed.

«States should not manipulate private conversations between licensed professionals and clients,» James Campbell, Chiles’ attorney, told the bench.

Kaley Chiles, plaintiff in Chiles v. Salazar (Alliance Defending Freedom press release) (Alliance Defending Freedom, press release)

A majority on the court appeared to agree.

Justice Elena Kagan posed a hypothetical where two different doctors treat someone who believes they are gay — one who tells the patient to change, the other to accept it.

«And one of those is permissible, and the other is not?» Kagan asked. «That seems like viewpoint discrimination in the way we would normally understand viewpoint discrimination.»

When Colorado Solicitor General Shannon Stevenson said the core issue was about preserving the best medical practice over what therapists can tell patients, rather than freedom of speech, Alito stepped in.

«There have been times when the medical consensus has been politicized, has been taken over by ideology,» said Alito. «Once, was there a time when many medical professionals thought that certain people should not be permitted to procreate because they had low IQ?» he asked.

The Trump administration’s Justice Department told the court the law creates a «muzzling» double standard — forbidding her from helping people accept their assigned sex at birth, while allowing other therapists to support young people who may want to accept their homosexuality or transition to another gender.

Some on the bench questioned whether talk therapy amounted to — or should be treated differently than — medical care.

«I’m still just struggling with whether a therapist who is acting in their professional capacity to help someone achieve their goals is really expressing the kind of message or expressing a message for First Amendment purposes,» said Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

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«It’s just a little puzzling to me that she would stand in a different position than a medical professional who has exactly the same goals, exactly the same interests, and would just be prescribing medication for that rather than her talking with the client. «

Stevenson argued there has been a long history of states regulating therapists.

«The harms from conversion therapy come from when you tell a young person you can change this innate thing about yourself,» said Stevenson. «And they try, and they try, and they fail, and then they have shame, and they’re miserable. And then it ruins their relationships with their family.»

The American Psychiatric Association 55 years ago ceased classifying homosexuality as a mental illness.

Chiles attended the oral arguments and afterward told Fox News, «I view my work as an outpouring of my faith. I want what is best for my clients, and often they seek me out because we have a shared faith.»        

«Struggling kids benefit from access to voluntary counseling, conversations that help them as they seek wholeness and gaining peace with their bodies,» added Chiles. «They deserve better than Colorado’s one-size-fits-all approach.»

The Court in recent years has confronted a range of LGBTQ+-related appeals.

In June, the conservative majority upheld a Tennessee law that bans certain medical treatment for transgender teens.

A separate ruling allowed parents to exempt their children from school story time with LGBTQ-themed books that were at odds with their religious convictions.

The court later this term will consider state laws that prohibit transgender athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports teams.

Protesters for and against gender-affirming care for transgender minors demonstrate outside the Supreme Court on Dec. 4, 2024, in Washington.  (Jose Luis Magana/Associated Press file)

The Colorado case has become a political and social touchstone. 187 House and Senate Democrats, along with major medical and mental health officials are supporting the challenged law.

Groups backing Chiles include the Trump Justice Department, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and the Family Research Council.

The debate has sparked political divisions at the national level.

A 2015 report by the Obama Health and Human Services Department concluded conversion therapy for young people should be stopped.

«There is limited research on conversion therapy efforts among children and adolescents,» said the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) said in its report. «However, none of the existing research supports the premise that mental or behavioral health interventions can alter gender identity or sexual orientation.»

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The DHS website now has a disclaimer saying the ten-year-old report is publicly available by court order, but adds, «Any information on this page promoting gender ideology is extremely inaccurate and disconnected from truth… This page does not reflect reality and, therefore, the Administration and this Department reject it.»

The current court case is Chiles v. Salazar (24-539). A ruling is expected by early summer 2026.