UAE Declares West Bank Settlement Plans a ‘Red Line’ for Israel

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a strong warning to Israel regarding its plans to annex parts of the West Bank. On September 3, 2023, UAE officials stated that any such annexation would represent a “red line” for Abu Dhabi, jeopardizing the principles established by the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between the two nations.

Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s Assistant Minister for Political Affairs and Envoy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, articulated the government’s stance during an interview with Reuters. “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,” she emphasized. This statement reinforces the UAE’s commitment to the Palestinian cause, a position it has maintained since the inception of the Accords in 2020.

The UAE’s remarks mark its most pronounced criticism of Israel’s actions since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in 2023. Tensions escalated further when Bezalel Smotrich, Israel’s Finance Minister, announced in August that construction would commence on a settlement project that had been delayed for years. This development aims to divide the West Bank and effectively sever its connection to East Jerusalem, a strategy Smotrich’s office claimed would “bury” the prospect of a Palestinian state.

The Palestinian government, along with various allies and advocacy groups, has condemned the settlement project as illegal. They argue that the fragmentation of Palestinian territory would undermine any chances for peace in the region. Nusseibeh called on Israel to halt these plans, stating, “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.”

The UAE’s statements reflect a growing concern over the implications of Israeli settlement activities on regional stability. As a signatory to the Abraham Accords, the UAE is navigating a delicate balance between fostering diplomatic relations with Israel and supporting Palestinian rights. The situation remains fluid, with potential repercussions for both diplomatic relations and the ongoing peace process in the Middle East.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that respects the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.