How the Detention of Emirati Activists is Affecting Society’s Support for Palestine
Human rights groups have reported that the Emirati government has intentionally arrested and silenced activists to weaken public support for the Palestinian cause while fostering stronger ties with Israel.
The UAE Detainees Advocacy Center pointed out that, in light of the region’s shifting political landscape and the growing normalization with Israel, the authorities are confronting an internal challenge. This challenge comes from activists and intellectuals who have voiced strong support for Palestinian rights and opposition to any form of cooperation with Israel.
The center emphasized that, since 2012, the UAE authorities have launched a targeted campaign of arrests aimed at prominent figures who champion Palestinian rights and oppose normalization.
This crackdown, the center added, is not just about silencing individuals; it is part of a broader strategy to reshape the political climate in a way that aligns with the government’s push for normalization. By removing dissenting voices, the government aims to present a misleading image of broad societal support for its policies.
Suppressing Voices Supporting Palestine and Silencing Opposition
The UAE’s campaign of arrests against activists advocating for Palestinian rights coincided with the rise of government voices backing normalization with Israel, notably Dhahi Khalfan, who openly supported such normalization and appeared to be outside the political mainstream.
However, this shift was part of a broader government strategy aimed at steering public opinion towards accepting normalization with Israel. To achieve this, the UAE authorities sought to suppress prominent figures who opposed the normalization efforts. By silencing activists and keeping them imprisoned, the government prevented these voices from reaching the public, thereby creating a false image of societal agreement with the normalization process.
This systematic suppression marginalized anti-Israel voices and allowed the government to promote its normalization agenda with minimal opposition, crafting a misleading narrative of widespread public consensus within the Emirati society.
Prominent Detained Activists
The arrest campaign specifically targeted influential figures who were vocal in their opposition to normalization and unwavering in their support for Palestine, including:
Ahmed Mansour: A renowned human rights activist known for his outspoken criticism of Israeli occupation and his firm support for the Palestinian cause. In 2014, Mansour condemned the support of some Gulf states for Israel, hailed the resilience of Gaza’s resistance, and called for Israel to be held accountable under international law to prevent
further attacks on Gaza.
Nasser bin Ghaith: An academic and activist, bin Ghaith has long been an advocate for Palestinian rights. He has been outspoken about the resilience of the Palestinian people, famously describing Gaza as a “war of wills,” not just a war of weapons. He praised the steadfastness of Palestinians, calling it worthy of admiration and glory.
Dr. Mohammed Al-Roken: A prominent lawyer and human rights defender, Al-Roken was a member of the “Committee Against Normalization” before its dissolution. He has been one of the most vocal critics of normalization with Israel, constantly defending Palestinian rights. His opposition to normalization made him a target of the authorities in their campaign to silence dissenting voices.
Sheikh Mohammed Abdul Razzaq Al-Siddiq: A notable public figure, Al-Siddiq was active in the 2008 demonstrations on the Khalid Lake Corniche in Sharjah, protesting Israeli massacres. He delivered a powerful speech calling for an end to Israeli aggression and rejecting any form of normalization with Israel. His vocal stance made him a concern for the authorities seeking to control public opinion.
Dr. Ali Al Hammadi: A staunch opponent of normalization, Al Hammadi emphasized the sacredness of Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims and urged defense of Islamic holy sites before they were destroyed. He called for a united message from Islamic governments and people to reject Israeli policies and the support of the United States, further placing him in opposition to the Emirati government’s normalization agenda.
The Impact of Suppressing Opposition Voices on the Palestinian Cause
The absence of Emirati activists advocating for the Palestinian cause has allowed the UAE authorities to openly promote normalization with Israel, facing little to no opposition. By silencing critical voices and marginalizing anti-normalization figures, the UAE has been able to lead the charge for normalization in the Arab world, culminating in the signing of the 2020 peace agreement with Israel and the repeal of the law boycotting Israel.
The UAE’s actions did not stop there; it also played a significant role in encouraging other Arab nations to follow suit, dramatically altering the collective Arab stance on the Palestinian issue. This dramatic shift in policy would not have occurred so smoothly had it not been for the systematic sidelining of those voices that once advocated for the preservation of Palestinian rights.
The center pointed out that the UAE’s current approach to the Palestinian cause contrasts sharply with the policies of Sheikh Zayed, who viewed Palestinian solidarity as a cornerstone of Emirati foreign policy. Since 2012, Emirati authorities have targeted those who support Palestine or oppose normalization, imprisoning activists and intellectuals who champion Palestinian rights.
Had Sheikh Zayed been alive today, his strong anti-Israel stances would likely lead to charges of “supporting terrorism” and “opposing the state,” and he might have been detained along with the many activists who have been imprisoned for their views.
The UAE’s shift from championing Palestinian solidarity to embracing normalization with Israel marks a significant departure from the founding principles of the state. This change reflects a broader political shift, where supporting Palestinian justice is now considered a security threat, and the legacy of Sheikh Zayed, once a symbol of Arab unity and support for Palestine, is gradually being overshadowed by policies at odds with his vision.
