📍 Abu Dhabi, UAE — The United Arab Emirates has issued a strong warning to Israel, stating that any move to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would constitute a “red line” and jeopardize the future of regional cooperation. The statement comes ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords, the landmark agreement that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that annexation would “severely undermine the vision and spirit of the Accords” and “end the pursuit of regional integration”. She reiterated the UAE’s longstanding support for a two-state solution and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.
The warning follows recent comments by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocating for the annexation of large areas of the West Bank, a move widely condemned by the international community. Critics argue such actions would effectively dismantle prospects for a future Palestinian state.
The UAE, which normalized ties with Israel in 2020 alongside Bahrain and Morocco, has deepened trade, defense, and tourism links with Tel Aviv. However, Emirati officials have made clear that normalization was contingent on Israel suspending annexation plans, framing the agreement as a pathway to support Palestinian statehood.
As Israel’s government reportedly prepares to discuss annexation proposals in response to growing international recognition of Palestinian statehood, the UAE’s statement signals a potential turning point in regional diplomacy.
