The UAE: Unmatched Generosity in Supporting Palestine
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been and continues to be a pioneer of goodness and righteousness under the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the wise Arab leader who rose to glory. His legacy was carried forward by the distinguished leader Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who added another laurel of eternal glory to his nation, one built upon solidarity, cooperation, faith in humanity, respect for nations, and their dignity.
The UAE has always dedicated its efforts and capabilities to enhance the brotherly Palestinian reality, which aligns with its correct approach and its strategic principles that have led to its ascent. A testament to this is the UAE being among the first Arab countries to recognize the state of Palestine immediately upon its declaration on November 15, 1988.
Today, the UAE plays an active role in the region and the world, contributing with its constructive opinions and supportive stances on just causes and the promotion of solidarity among nations. All of this reflects its love for goodness, tolerance, and openness in an atmosphere of respect and love.
One of these important historical stances of the UAE is that it has always stood by the Palestinian leadership during the era of the late President Yasser Arafat. The UAE is eager to maintain the depth of the Palestinian-Emirati relationship with support and assistance. The UAE government and its people have consistently called upon the world to take a serious position on the Palestinian cause, involving the liberation of the people and the land and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.
The UAE’s continuous support for the just struggle to end the Israeli occupation, achieve the Palestinian people’s freedom and independence, and its noble stance as the largest supporter of Palestinian orphans through the UAE Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, have consistently helped ease the suffering of Palestinians. The UAE provides continuous support to the Palestinian community, both residents and those with diplomatic missions in the UAE, helping solve the problems of many Palestinians residing in the sisterly United Arab Emirates.
In this context, we recall the famous words of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, “Arab oil is not more valuable than Arab blood.” These words remain a badge of victory, and Palestinians remember them without forgetting.
The UAE’s support and continued political and material aid to Palestine did not cease with the passing of the late Sheikh Zayed, and they are, indeed, the successors of a good predecessor. They have been eager to follow in the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who incorporated the Palestinian cause into his firm principles. They have preserved the constants of support for Palestine in their official and public speeches, and Palestine has remained the focus of their foreign policy.
As Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan said, “The United Arab Emirates is part of the Arab nation, and the struggle of the Palestinian people is our struggle, and the land is our land.” In this context, we remember what the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed, said on the occasion of the 38th National Day of the founding of the UAE, a pure Emirati national occasion, where he emphasized that “the Palestinian issue is our issue, and the suffering of the Palestinians is our suffering.” He reaffirmed the UAE’s full support for the rights of the Palestinian people and their just cause, calling on the United States, the international quartet, and the international community to exert maximum pressure on Israel to comply with international legitimacy resolutions.
He also emphasized the UAE’s diplomatic efforts to support the Palestinian cause in international and regional forums, defending the interests and rights of the Palestinian people and advancing Middle East peace talks. He called on the Palestinian factions to overcome their differences and unify their ranks to achieve the aspirations of the Palestinian people for security, stability, and a decent life.
