West Bank settlement plans draw a firm boundary for UAE officials
In a series of statements, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has expressed concern over potential annexation plans by Israel in the occupied West Bank. The warnings come following a report that Israel is considering annexation as a response to France and other countries recognizing a Palestinian state.
The UAE views the Abraham Accords, signed between the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Israel in September 2020, as a way to continue supporting the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspiration for an independent state. The UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, described the Accords as the beginning of a "new trend" toward a better Middle East.
However, recent reports suggest that the extension of Israeli sovereignty to the West Bank was on the agenda of Netanyahu's security cabinet meeting. Israeli government figures known for supporting annexation include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Netanyahu has reiterated his rejection of a Palestinian state and promotes settlement expansion, while Smotrich, described as right-wing, actively pushes plans to annex and build settlements in large West Bank areas, playing a central role in planning and publicizing annexation efforts.
In response, the UAE has warned that proposals to annex parts of the West Bank could "bury the idea of a Palestinian state." The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFa) stated that what follows must change the trajectory of this conflict and deliver a genuine horizon to two states, requiring the restoration of law and order in Gaza, credible and reformed Palestinian governance, and the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank.
Saeed Al-Nusseibeh, a senior Emirati diplomat, has been vocal in his calls for peace. He emphasized that peace requires courage, persistence, and a refusal to let violence define their choices. Nusseibeh also stated that the start of peace should be the end of the war in Gaza, securing the release of all hostages, and ensuring that Hamas is disarmed and no longer able to control Gaza or its people.
Nusseibeh recalled that Prime Minister Netanyahu halted annexation of Palestinian territory when the Abraham Accords were signed. He called on the Israeli government to suspend these plans, emphasizing that they undermine the vision and spirit of the Accords. The UAE MoFa further stated that annexation of the West Bank would severely undermine the vision and spirit of the Abraham Accords.
The Abraham Accords were mediated by the American government. The Accords marked a significant step towards normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab countries, and the UAE has been a key player in this process. As the region continues to navigate complex political issues, the UAE's stance on the West Bank annexation serves as a reminder of the importance of a two-state solution for a lasting peace.
