International Community Depletes UAE’s Campaign to Halt Diplomatic Coordination with Israel
Multiple international communities have belied the UAE’s propaganda about halting diplomatic coordination with Israel against the backdrop of their continued actions in the Gaza Strip, most recently the killing of seven aid workers in an organization funded by Abu Dhabi.
The UAE strategically revealed through Hebrew media that Abu Dhabi had halted diplomatic cooperation with Israel as a symbolic gesture, aiming to save the reputation of the Emirati leadership.
Anna Jacobs, an analyst focusing on Arab Gulf nations at the International Crisis Group, stated, “I’m unclear on the concept of ending ‘diplomatic coordination,’ but it’s improbable that the UAE will sever its ties with Israel.”
Jacobs noted that senior Emirati officials criticized “the Israeli war (on the Gaza Strip) all the time, but they constantly stress the importance of the bilateral relationship with Israel.”
For his part, researcher Giorgio Cafiero described this news as false. Adding: Saying that the UAE will suspend relations while that does not happen does not help anyone or anything! Let’s stick to the facts.
Cafiero advised caution regarding the sources that disseminate such news.
The Hebrew website “i24NEWS” reported that the UAE had stopped diplomatic coordination with Israel, ignoring widespread calls for it to withdraw its ambassador from Tel Aviv.
The website stated that Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz had a telephone conversation with his counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed, while the Director General of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yaakov Blitstein, met with Abu Dhabi Ambassador Mohammed Mahmoud Al Khaja.
Abu Dhabi did not comment on what was reported by the Israeli media, which according to observers, if confirmed, is an escape from societal and Arab pressure demanding a complete cessation of relations with Israel.
Abu Dhabi chose not to address the information disclosed by Israeli media. Observers suggest that if proven true, this decision would be interpreted as an attempt to evade societal and Arab pressure demanding a complete halt to relations with Israel.
This coincides with the attendance of UAE Ambassador to Israel, Mohammed Al Khaja, at an iftar event hosted by Israeli President Isaac Herzog last Wednesday, seemingly overlooking the loss of Palestinian lives resulting from Israel’s past massacres more than six months ago.
Al Khaja appeared next to Herzog at the breakfast banquet held at the Israeli president’s residence.
Al Khaja accepted the invitation, despite Israel committing a crime by targeting the employees of the World Central Kitchen in Gaza, which receives support directly from the UAE.
According to observers, Al Khaja’s attendance at the Israeli Iftar banquet indicates the continuation of normal relations with the occupation, and Abu Dhabi’s failure to take measures against Tel Aviv.
“On social media, the UK-based news website 5Pillars remarked, ‘Despite the loss of 33,000 lives in Gaza, the UAE maintains strong ties with Tel Aviv.'”
