The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for suggesting their involvement in aiding a future government in Gaza. The UAE, one of the few Arab states with official diplomatic ties to Israel, has maintained relations with Israel throughout the more than six-month war in Gaza. However, tension between the two countries seems to have arisen after Netanyahu’s recent comments.

UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, rebuked Netanyahu through an early morning post on X, denouncing the Israeli leader’s comments. He stated that the Israeli prime minister does not possess the legal capacity to take such a step, and the UAE refuses to be drawn into any plan aimed at providing cover for the Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip. Sheikh Abdullah emphasized that the UAE would be prepared to support a Palestinian government that meets the hopes and aspirations of the Palestinian people, including their aspiration for independence.

In an interview that aired recently, Netanyahu mentioned that the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other countries could potentially assist a civilian government in Gaza after the war. However, prominent members of Netanyahu’s cabinet reject the idea of an independent Palestinian state. Netanyahu himself has stated that Israel would need to maintain security control of Gaza even after the war.

The UAE, on the other hand, supports the Palestinians’ hope to establish an independent state in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The UAE’s criticism of Netanyahu’s comments reflects their opposition to any plan that covers Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip and shows their commitment to supporting the aspirations of the Palestinian people.

Source: Reuters