Gaza Administration
CAIRO: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued a sharp rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday following his remarks suggesting the Gulf state’s potential involvement in governing Gaza post-war.
Despite maintaining diplomatic ties with Israel, which persisted throughout Gaza’s prolonged conflict, the UAE’s response underscored growing tensions in their relationship.
Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan publicly denounced Netanyahu’s statements in an early morning post on X, emphasizing that the UAE firmly rejected any attempt by the Israeli leader to dictate the region’s political landscape.
Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that Netanyahu lacked the legal authority to make such propositions and categorically opposed any plan that aimed to legitimize Israel’s presence in Gaza.
Asserting the UAE’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause, Sheikh Abdullah reiterated the nation’s willingness to back a Palestinian government aligned with the aspirations of its people, particularly the pursuit of independence.
Netanyahu’s suggestion of potential assistance from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other nations in establishing a civilian administration in Gaza post-war was met with skepticism and disapproval from Emirati officials.
Sources revealed that Abu Dhabi’s relationship with Netanyahu had deteriorated significantly during the military campaign, leading to infrequent communication between Emirati officials and the Israeli Prime Minister.
The rift between the UAE and Israel highlights the complexities of regional dynamics, especially in the aftermath of prolonged conflicts like the one in Gaza.
Despite previous diplomatic efforts to foster cooperation, the diverging interests and perspectives of key stakeholders have strained relations and complicated prospects for future collaboration.
