Behind the Veil: The UAE’s Role in Gaza’s Tragedy

Watan-While Gaza experienced a devastating genocide that lasted 15 months, Emirati support for Palestinians was nothing more than a superficial display masking a prominent role by Mohammed bin Zayed in secretly and discreetly supporting the Israeli occupation. Questions have escalated regarding the UAE’s true stance on the Palestinian cause, especially with shocking revelations about the extent of cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv during the war.

In 2023, the number of flights between the UAE and Israel reached approximately 4,892, with Abu Dhabi alone accounting for 2,456 flights to Tel Aviv. This made it a key air support hub for the occupation at a time when several countries suspended their air links with Israel in solidarity with Gaza. The relationship went beyond air travel, extending to commercial supply lines. The UAE dedicated 10 permanent flights to transport goods to the occupation.

Data also showed that by the end of 2024, there were 233 commercial flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv, making the UAE a significant player in supporting Israel’s economy through air and sea transportation. Moreover, the UAE became an intermediary hub for goods transit between Asia and Israel, securing a significant share of the international shipping pie for the occupying entity.

Politically, Mohammed bin Zayed did not backtrack on normalization or leveraging his efforts to support the occupation, even as scenes of bombing and destruction in Gaza persisted. He hosted the head of the occupying entity a month after the war erupted and mobilized his media outlets to justify the occupation’s crimes and demonize Palestinian resistance.

International reports spoke of the UAE sending special forces to support the occupation army in the Gaza Strip, sparking widespread public outrage, particularly among Emiratis, whose solidarity with Gaza was met with repression and persecution. While the world turned its back on Israel, Mohammed bin Zayed transformed the UAE into a haven for Israelis and a primary contributor to the occupation’s treasury with trillions of petrodollars.

The pressing question remains: Was Mohammed bin Zayed a supporter of Gaza or a partner in its annihilation? As more truths emerge about this suspicious relationship, calls for holding the UAE accountable for its role, described as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, continue to grow.