Israeli annexation of West Bank could sink Abraham Accords, UAE warns
The article discusses warnings from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Washington, D.C.,that Israel’s potential annexation of parts of the West Bank could jeopardize the Abraham Accords-an important U.S.-brokered agreement normalizing relations between Israel and Arab countries. The UAE, the first Arab nation to sign the Accords and a strong supporter of Israel, has emphasized that annexation would cross a “red line,” damaging prospects for lasting peace, regional integration, and the two-state solution.Emirati officials expressed concerns that extremist elements within the Israeli government are threatening these goals. The UAE also highlighted that former President Donald Trump, who helped broker the Accords and previously blocked annexation attempts, remains a key figure with influence over the situation. Several European countries have threatened to recognize a Palestinian state in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza, increasing international pressure. The UAE’s position underscores the fragile balance in Middle East diplomacy and the potential consequences of Israeli annexation plans.
Israeli annexation of West Bank could sink Abraham Accords, UAE warns
The United Arab Emirates warned Washington, D.C., that an Israeli annexation of the West Bank could tank the Abraham Accords, one of President Donald Trump’s most touted foreign policy accomplishments.
The UAE was the first Arab signatory of the Abraham Accords, a U.S.-brokered effort to normalize relations between Israel and the Arab world. Abu Dhabi is also arguably the most enthusiastic Arab partner — it was the first country to condemn Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack against Israel and has maintained diplomatic relations with it throughout its war with Hamas.
In response to reports that Israel could annex parts of the West Bank in retaliation for the recognition of a Palestinian state by several European countries, Abu Dhabi told Trump that such a move would cross a clear red line, with massive diplomatic consequences.
“Annexation would be a red line for my government, and that means there can be no lasting peace. It would foreclose the idea of regional integration and be the death knell of the two-state solution,” Emirati special envoy Lana Nusseibeh told the Times of Israel in an interview.
The UAE is far from alone in this regard, she argued, warning that any chance at lasting peace is being jeopardized by extremists in the Israeli government.
“For every Arab capital you talk to, the idea of regional integration is still a possibility, but annexation to satisfy some of the radical extremist elements in Israel is going to take that off the table,” Nusseibeh said.
She also stressed Abu Dhabi’s belief that Trump held the keys to the situation, controlling many of the “levers” needed to lead the way for Israel’s integration into the region.
“These plans, if carried out, will do substantial damage to the UAE-Israel relationship. And they will irreparably damage whatever remains of the vision of regional integration. In many ways, the choice before Israel right now is annexation or integration,” a senior Emirati official told Axios.
The UAE made ruling out any annexation of the West Bank a precondition for signing the Abraham Accords in 2020.
BELGIUM TO RECOGNIZE A PALESTINIAN STATE IF CERTAIN CONDITIONS ARE MET
The Emiratis’ direct appeals to Trump further illustrate that the president is the last thing standing between Israel and the long-desired annexation of Palestinian lands. Trump blocked annexations twice during his first term, but has been more ambiguous this time around.
France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Belgium have all said they would recognize a Palestinian state in response to Israel’s conduct of the war in Gaza. France and the U.K.’s announcements last month came as a shock to many, representing some of the most significant international pressure exercised against Israel yet.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
