UAE Opposition: Abu Dhabi is Publicly Whitewashing Israeli Crimes
Abu Dhabi organizes Ramadan gatherings with Israeli settlement leaders, drawing criticism for legitimizing occupation under the guise of religious tolerance.
Watan-Opposition sources in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have accused Abu Dhabi of publicly whitewashing Israeli crimes, after hosting Ramadan events in both the Emirati capital and its embassy in Tel Aviv, which included top Israeli officials and leaders of West Bank settlements.
According to the UAE71 opposition website, Abu Dhabi organized these events under the pretext of “religious rapprochement and tolerance,” crossing religious, national, and Arab red lines in the process.
The report also highlighted shared interests between the UAE and Israel, particularly their hostility toward Islamic movements, including Palestinian resistance groups.
The UAE-Israel relationship has evolved beyond economic and diplomatic normalization into social, cultural, and even religious cooperation, reflecting the deepening ties between the two.
Hosting Israeli Settlers at Ramadan Iftar Events
During the first days of Ramadan, Abu Dhabi organized “normalization iftars,” under the guise of tolerance and dialogue, hosting Israeli officials, including leaders of illegal settlements accused of war crimes and forced displacement in Gaza and the West Bank.
A Historic First?
In one of these events, Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, a member of the UAE Federal National Council and head of its Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs Committee, hosted a delegation of senior Israeli settlement leaders from the West Bank at his home in Abu Dhabi last week.
Israeli media hailed the visit as “historic,” as it included representatives from the Yesha Council, which governs settlement affairs in the West Bank and previously in Gaza.
This visit contradicts Abu Dhabi’s previous claim that the normalization agreement with Israel would help promote peace and curb settlement expansion in Palestinian territories.
The Israeli delegation included:
- Yisrael Gantz, head of the Yesha Council
- Omer Rahamim, CEO of the council
- Eliram Azulay, head of the Hebron Hills Regional Council
- Rabbi Matania Yedid, a key figure in religious Zionism
These individuals held direct talks with Emirati government officials, business leaders, and influential figures in Abu Dhabi.
UAE Embassy in Tel Aviv Hosts Israeli Officials for Ramadan Iftar
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, the UAE ambassador to Israel, Mohamed Al Khaja, hosted a “Ramadan Majlis and Iftar,” attended by dozens of Israelis, diplomats, and government officials.
The UAE Embassy described the event as one that “embodied the principles of human fraternity in this blessed month.”
Attendees included:
- Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights in Israel
- Tzachi Hanegbi, head of Israel’s National Security Council
These events coincided with Israel’s ongoing military escalation in the West Bank, particularly in Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps, which has resulted in:
- The forced displacement of over 40,000 Palestinians
- Mass destruction of homes and infrastructure
- A worsening humanitarian crisis
The UAE’s warm reception of Israeli officials—including settlement leaders responsible for Palestinian displacement and killings—signals clear Emirati support for Israeli expansionist policies.
UAE Israel relations
UAE-Israel Partnership Rooted in Common Interests
The UAE and Israel share several key objectives, particularly:
- A mutual opposition to Islamic movements
- A strategic alliance against Palestinian resistance factions
Both governments label Islamic groups as terrorist organizations and have engaged in joint intelligence-sharing efforts to counter their influence.
Their security coordination has led to:
- Cybersecurity and defense agreements
- Collaborative efforts to combat “Islamist threats”
- Media campaigns promoting secular narratives as alternatives to political Islam
The UAE has also worked to reshape public perception by promoting “moderation” and “anti-extremism” discourse, which aligns with Israel’s efforts to justify its crackdown on Palestinian factions.
Deepening Normalization: A Cover for More Profound Ties?
While the UAE publicly promotes its actions as “dialogue and openness,” critics argue that these efforts serve as a cover for deeper normalization—one that aims to:
- Legitimize Israel’s presence in the region
- Foster societal acceptance of Israeli ties beyond official agreements
- Desensitize Arab public opinion to Israel’s occupation
With each iftar attended by Israeli officials and every “interfaith dialogue” hosted in Abu Dhabi, skepticism grows regarding the true intentions behind these initiatives.
Are these events genuine calls for tolerance, or are they calculated moves to cement Israel’s regional integration at the expense of Palestinian rights?
