A senior diplomat says his country is not prepared to take part in post-war efforts unless a Palestinian state is established.
The United Arab Emirates has said it will not support Israel in its “day after” plan in Gaza unless a Palestinian state is established.
“The UAE is not ready to support the aftermath of the war in Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state,” Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan said on X on Saturday.
In May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a post-war plan for Gaza online, saying that Palestinians would “enjoy unprecedented prosperity” once it was implemented.
The plan called for investments in ports, solar energy, electric car manufacturing and exploiting newly discovered gas fields in Gaza. It included three stages, running from an unspecified “victory date” to 2035.
The road map calls for Palestinians in Gaza to carry out the plan under Israeli occupation, overseen by a coalition of Arab states including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco.
In response, Abdullah lashed out at Netanyahu, saying he “lacked the legitimate authority to implement this or similar measures” and making clear that the UAE had not been consulted on the Gaza plans.
“Furthermore, the UAE refuses to get involved in any plan aimed at covering up the Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip,” said a statement issued by the UAE Foreign Ministry.
“When a Palestinian government is formed that meets the hopes and aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people and is distinguished by its integrity, competence and independence, the UAE will be fully prepared to provide all forms of support to this government,” he added.
“Temporary international mission”
In late July, the United Arab Emirates stressed the need for a “temporary international mission” to address the enormous humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza after the fighting ends.
“The consolidation of peace and security and the end of humanitarian suffering should begin with the deployment of a temporary international mission to Gaza with a formal invitation from the Palestinian government,” UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy told the official WAM news agency.
She added that the mission must put Gaza on the path to eventual reunification with the occupied West Bank under Palestinian Authority rule.
At least 41,182 Palestinians have been killed and 95,280 wounded in Israel’s war on Gaza, as the devastating offensive approaches its first anniversary. The war follows Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7 that killed 1,139 people.