The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a strong warning against Israel’s plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank. A senior official emphasized that such actions represent a “red line” for the UAE. Lana Nusseibeh, the assistant minister for political affairs in the UAE’s foreign ministry, made these remarks on Wednesday.
Nusseibeh stated that annexation would “severely undermine” the Abraham Accords, which established diplomatic ties between Israel and several Arab nations in 2020. She highlighted that last month, Israel approved a significant colonial settlement project just east of occupied Jerusalem. This project has drawn warnings from the international community, which argues it threatens the viability of a future Palestinian state.
On Wednesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the annexation of large areas in the West Bank. His comments came shortly after Belgium announced it would recognize Palestine as a state. Nusseibeh pointed out that the UAE has always viewed the Accords as a means to support the Palestinian people’s legitimate aspirations for independence.
Concerns Over Israeli Government Proposals
Nusseibeh expressed concern over proposals reportedly under discussion within the Israeli government, noting that these proposals aim to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” as stated by an Israeli minister. The UAE, along with Bahrain and Morocco, recognized Israel under the Abraham Accords during US President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Annexation in the West Bank would constitute a red line for the UAE,” Nusseibeh asserted, warning that such actions would undermine the vision and spirit of the Accords. Furthermore, it would disrupt the pursuit of regional integration and alter the consensus on the conflict’s trajectory, which envisions two states living side by side in peace and security.
International Law and Settlements
Israeli colonial settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law. Critics, including members of the international community, have raised alarms about construction on the E1 site east of occupied Jerusalem. They argue that this construction would jeopardize hopes for a contiguous Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Smotrich has openly stated that the E1 project aims to “bury the idea of a Palestinian state.” On Wednesday, he reiterated that annexing large parts of the West Bank would eliminate the notion of dividing the land and establishing a Palestinian state.
In response to these developments, Nusseibeh urged the Israeli government to suspend its annexation plans, stating, “Extremists, of any kind, cannot be allowed to dictate the region’s trajectory.” The UAE’s firm stance highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the fragile nature of regional agreements.
