The UAE launches the “Compassion for Gaza” campaign
“The Land of Humanity” – that’s how some people described the United Arab Emirates, commenting on its ongoing efforts to support Palestinians in general and the people of Gaza in particular.
On the social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter), users quickly turned the UAE’s campaign, “Compassion for Gaza,” aimed at providing relief to Palestinians affected by the war in the region, into a solidarity hashtag. It rapidly became a top trending topic in the UAE.
Users from the UAE and several other Arab countries engaged with the hashtag, praising the country’s political and humanitarian efforts to support the Palestinian cause with both words and actions, away from empty slogans, false accusations, and lies that aim to disrupt its positions.
Since last Saturday, Gaza has been under continuous, intense Israeli bombardment following a surprise and unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israeli settlements and cities in the region, resulting in the deaths of about 1,300 Israelis, injuries to 3,200, and the capture of 150.
The Israeli bombing has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,900 Palestinians, including 614 children and 370 women, with 7,696 others injured, hundreds of thousands displaced, and catastrophic humanitarian consequences.
UAE humanitarian initiatives
To alleviate the severity of these consequences, the United Arab Emirates launched a campaign on Friday to provide relief to Palestinians affected by the war in the region, under the slogan “Compassion for Gaza.”
UAE assistance to Palestinians complements ongoing diplomatic efforts to halt the escalation, protect civilians, and push for a comprehensive and just peace process. These humanitarian and diplomatic efforts reflect the UAE‘s genuine fraternal positions in supporting Palestine and its just cause, embodying the UAE‘s longstanding commitment to assisting its brothers and sisters in various circumstances.
The campaign aims to establish centers for the collection and packaging of humanitarian aid, with the participation of humanitarian and charitable organizations, volunteer centers, the private sector, and all segments of society in the UAE, as well as media outlets.
This campaign is launched in collaboration with the World Food Programme and in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Community Development, as part of the UAE’s humanitarian efforts to provide urgent assistance to the Palestinian people.
The “Compassion for Gaza” campaign also aims to express solidarity with Palestinian children and families affected by the ongoing conflict, working to alleviate the humanitarian situation and relieve the most vulnerable groups, especially children, who make up nearly half of the population in Gaza (over one million children), by providing them with essential necessities, as well as healthcare and hygiene items.
The campaign commenced on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, under the supervision of the UAE Red Crescent Authority at the Abu Dhabi Ports hall in Zayed Port, from 9 AM to 4 PM, with plans to expand it to other emirates later on.
Furthermore, the UAE sent a plane carrying urgent medical assistance to El-Arish in northern Egypt on Friday, to be transferred to Gaza via the Rafah Crossing, as a relief effort for the Palestinian people.
Sultan Mohammed Al Shamsi, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for International Development and International Organizations, mentioned that this initiative is part of the continuous efforts made by the UAE to provide humanitarian supplies to our Palestinian brothers during these challenging humanitarian conditions. He confirmed that this initiative, along with others, reflects the UAE’s fraternal positions and its established approach to support its brothers and sisters in various circumstances. He noted that the immediate medical assistance sent by the UAE, in coordination with Egypt, aims to alleviate the humanitarian suffering faced by the population of Gaza, particularly children and women.
In further support of the Palestinians, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai, pledged on Friday to provide urgent aid of AED 50 million through his international initiatives to our Palestinian brothers, given the difficult humanitarian circumstances they are currently experiencing.
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, had also directed on Tuesday the immediate provision of AED 20 million in urgent aid to our Palestinian brothers through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which is responsible for providing education, healthcare, and social services to Palestinian refugees, with almost all of its funding coming from UN member state contributions.
This ongoing support is in line with the UAE‘s fraternal positions and its well-established approach to support its brothers and sisters in various circumstances, extending a helping hand to them, which is a fundamental principle of the UAE.”
Wide interaction
There was widespread interaction, and Twitter users from the United Arab Emirates and several Arab countries showed their support for the humanitarian initiatives of the UAE in aiding the Palestinians and the people of Gaza, using the hashtag of the ‘Compassion for Gaza’ campaign as a symbol of solidarity.
One of the prominent individuals who engaged with the hashtag was the Emirati journalist Hamed Raa’ab, who tweeted, ‘The UAE, a land of goodness and perpetual support for its brothers and friends… Its stance is as firm and steadfast as the mountains in supporting the Palestinian brethren.’
He added, ‘Compassion for Gaza and the first Emirati medical aid planes are set to land at the Egyptian Arish Airport to support the Palestinian people… The UAE and Palestine, a multi-faceted historic support.’
In the same context, Ahmed Boutahnon tweeted, saying: “Compassion for Gaza, assistance from the UAE to our people in Palestine and Gaza.“
He added, “The UAE remains steadfast in its support for Palestine and the Palestinian people in reclaiming their full rights.”
In agreement with this sentiment, Naji Al-Araifi said, “The UAE, a country of humanity, following the historical support it has provided since the time of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed, may God rest his soul, and in light of the current humanitarian situation in Gaza, the UAE Red Crescent launches the ‘Compassion for Gaza‘ campaign, starting from Sunday.”
In the same context, Hasan Rashid Al Mulla praised the UAE’s humanitarian stance in supporting Palestine and tweeted, saying: “The UAE will continue to fly its flag high in all fields, bearing witness to its honorable deeds and great humanitarian stances, seeking good and extending a helping hand to all countries… Compassion for Gaza.”
A steadfast policy
In turn, the Emirati writer Saif Aldraai tweeted, highlighting the UAE’s consistent policy of supporting Palestine. He said, “#UAE launches the ‘Compassion for Gaza’ campaign to assist those affected from the Palestinian people.”
He explained, “The UAE’s policy is clear and unwavering in supporting the Palestinian cause and our brotherly Palestinian people… the UAE takes action and does not seek illusory slogans… the UAE, the homeland of humanity.”
Boujseem, a Twitter user, also tweeted, saying: “Zayed has advised us to do good in Palestine… We unite for their sake and strive to help them with all the power, political wisdom, humanitarian aid, and today the UAE launches the ‘Compassion for Gaza’ campaign.”
He continued, “Here in the UAE, we do not search, we do not race, and we do not chase after illusory slogans. Here in the UAE, you will find real actions and honorable stances. We are here to help and support you, O innocent people of Palestine; you will always find us by your side.”
In the same context, Faisal Bin Khalid said, “While a certain group of misled individuals claiming to ‘defend the cause’ are busy exploiting events to tarnish the reputation and sow discord, the UAE is preoccupied with defending the highest goal – the real cause on the ground: the Palestinian people… Gaza’s strugglers… We are one body.”
Arab interaction
On the Arab level, the Syrian political analyst Muhammad Huwaidi joined the UAE‘s humanitarian initiatives. He tweeted, saying, “The United Arab Emirates has launched a campaign to aid the Palestinian brothers affected by the war in Gaza under the slogan #Compassion_for_Gaza.”
He included another tweet with a video of the UAE’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan saying, “The UAE’s position is firm and unwavering in support of the Arab position calling for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Yemeni writer Arslan Al-Sulaimani also commended the UAE’s humanitarian campaign in support of Gaza, saying, “The UAE launches the ‘Compassion for Gaza‘ campaign to assist those affected from the Palestinian people. It aims to establish centers for the collection and packaging of humanitarian aid.”
He added, “The campaign will start next Sunday in Abu Dhabi under the supervision of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, with the participation of humanitarian and charitable organizations, volunteer centers, and the private sector.”
