UAE Warns Annexation Threatens Abraham Accords
The United Arab Emirates has issued its strongest warning yet to Israel, saying any move to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would cross a “red line” and threaten the foundations of the Abraham Accords.
Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, said annexation would undermine the accords’ vision, which was built on supporting Palestinian aspirations for statehood. She urged Israel to suspend settlement plans, stressing that extremists must not dictate the region’s future.
The warning comes after Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced preparations for a settlement project that would divide the West Bank and isolate East Jerusalem. He has also pushed for formal annexation of the territory.
The UAE, Bahrain and Morocco normalised ties with Israel under the 2020 accords brokered by then-US President Donald Trump. The UAE was considered the biggest diplomatic breakthrough for Israel in decades.
But since the Gaza war erupted in 2023, tensions have strained those ties. The conflict has left more than 62,000 Palestinians dead and destroyed much of Gaza, sparking criticism of Israel’s policies across the Arab world and beyond.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Riyadh this week, reaffirming the need for a two-state solution and a comprehensive peace plan.
