UAE Faces Backlash for Hosting Israeli Minister Amid Gaza War
Public outrage erupts as Abu Dhabi welcomes Israeli official during ongoing genocide in Gaza, fueling criticism of normalization and betrayal of Arab causes.
Watan-The UAE’s hosting of an Israeli minister amid the peak of the genocidal war on Gaza has been met with widespread criticism on social media, with strong condemnation of normalization and the open alliance that Abu Dhabi insists on maintaining with Tel Aviv.
Activists and commentators described the meeting between UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Israeli Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Abu Dhabi as a symbol of Emirati shame and a complete betrayal of Arab nationalist positions.
The reception of the Israeli minister in Abu Dhabi comes at a time when more than two million Palestinians are suffering catastrophic humanitarian conditions due to ongoing bombardment, a suffocating siege, and the lack of any safe corridors for aid or evacuation.
UAE-Israel Ties Deepen Despite Gaza Crisis
According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), the two sides discussed developments in the region, particularly the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They also reviewed regional and international efforts to resume the ceasefire agreement, reach a truce, and secure the release of prisoners.
Following the meeting, Abdullah bin Zayed repeated his calls for what he described as “regional and international cooperation to confront extremism, hatred, and racism”—a thinly veiled reference to Palestinian resistance.
Since the signing of the normalization agreement between Abu Dhabi and the Israeli occupation in September 2020, relations have rapidly expanded across economic, trade, technology, and even security sectors—despite Israel’s ongoing violations against Palestinians, particularly in Gaza.
Despite the escalation of Israeli crimes in Gaza, Abu Dhabi has taken no serious steps to suspend or even reassess its ties with Israel. On the contrary, joint commercial activities have continued. Official data shows that bilateral trade volume reached $3.24 billion in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year.
UAE-Israel Alliance Draws Fire as Gaza War Escalates
These repeated meetings between Emirati and Israeli officials persist despite frequent Palestinian and broader Islamic calls to halt normalization and freeze political and economic relations with the occupying state.
On March 18, Israel reneged on the ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement that had been in place since January 19, resuming its genocidal war on Gaza—even though Hamas had committed to all terms of the deal.
With unconditional U.S. support, Israel has been carrying out what has widely been described as a genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in over 165,000 Palestinians killed or wounded, the majority of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing.
Calls are mounting to isolate the Emirati regime from the Arab sphere, as Abu Dhabi’s alignment with Israel increasingly appears to threaten Arab security and undermine the Palestinian cause.
For decades, the UAE has consistently opposed Arab uprisings and democratic movements, choosing instead to align itself with counter-revolutionary forces. This has led to a convergence with Israel’s stance toward political change in the region, and closer proximity to the occupying entity itself.
UAE Normalization with Israel Goes Beyond Politics Amid Gaza War
The UAE was a leader in forging normalization agreements with Israel during Trump’s first term, and went beyond mere political normalization—pushing for popular acceptance of Israel in ways not even seen in Egypt or Jordan, despite their much older formal ties.
In fact, an Israeli citizen cannot walk around Cairo or Amman with their national flag or religious symbols—even with those countries’ tight security apparatuses. In contrast, the UAE has normalized Israeli presence in public spaces and entertainment venues, undermining Arab, religious, and even security principles.
The genocidal war on Gaza has exposed yet another dimension of the UAE’s alignment with Israel, particularly in official rhetoric that criticizes resistance movements. In contrast, Egypt’s official statements have been limited, and Jordan has perhaps issued none at all, despite the tensions both regimes have with Palestinian resistance groups and political Islam.
The UAE, however, has repeatedly condemned Hamas, labeling its attacks as “barbaric,” while UAE spokespersons echo Israeli narratives by denouncing what they claim is “the killing of civilians” in Israel.
