The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reaffirmed its position that Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank would cross a “red line” and jeopardize regional integration efforts. The UAE has stressed that such moves would go against the spirit of the Abraham Accords. Those agreements were intended to build diplomatic relations and understanding between Israel and its Middle Eastern neighbors. The UAE has really, strongly tied its normalization of relations with Israel to suspension of annexation plans. This firm commitment has remained steadfast since the historic resolution announced in 2020.
CEOs from the UAE, which in 2020 became the first Arab country in 26 years to normalize relations with Israel, politicking aside. This pioneering move under the Abraham Accords reshaped the diplomatic landscape of the region in an unprecedented way. Bahrain and Morocco quickly did the same soon after, solidifying the first major break in Arab-Israeli relations in decades. The UAE framed this normalization as a strategic achievement for its diplomatic efforts towards Palestinian statehood, asserting that it would ultimately benefit the Palestinian people.
Lana Nusseibeh, the former UAE permanent representative to the United Nations, lobbied fiercely against any such annexation. She was very concise when expressing the UAE’s immovable position on the matter. She argued that these actions would undo the vision and spirit behind the Abraham Accords. At worst, they could threaten to undermine the hard-fought desire for regional integration.
“Annexation in the West Bank would constitute a red line for the UAE,” – Lana Nusseibeh
The UAE’s stance has stayed the same since the Accords were first signed. Nusseibeh stressed that through its normalization, the UAE hopes to enhance support for the Palestinians. They are dedicated to doing so in their pursuit of an independent state of their own.
“From the very beginning, we viewed the Accords as a way to enable our continued support for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspiration for an independent state. That was our position in 2020, and it remains our position today,” – Lana Nusseibeh
The continuing debate in Jerusalem over a possible annexation has ratcheted up the jitters in Abu Dhabi. At the time, Nusseibeh labeled these proposals as initiatives that would “bury the dream of a Palestinian state.” She strongly encouraged Israeli leaders not to make that choice. She reiterated that extremists cannot be allowed to define the future of the region.
“We call on the Israeli government to suspend these plans. Extremists, of any kind, cannot be allowed to dictate the region’s trajectory. Peace requires courage, persistence, and a refusal to let violence define our choices,” – Nusseibeh
The UAE had stuck to its normalization commitment even during a short breakout of its accord partner, during the recent Gaza war. Simultaneously, it drew on its long-standing relationship with Israel to help arrange air drops of humanitarian aid into Gaza. This action highlights the UAE’s commitment to supporting Palestinians despite the UAE’s balance and maneuvering of often-competing political interests.
The UAE, along with other nations, continues to advocate for a two-state solution where both Israel and Palestine can coexist peacefully and securely. It is still very much dedicated to working towards a victory that matches up with this vision.
