Recognition of the State of Palestine: UAE Sends Strong Diplomatic Messages in Support of Peace and Justice

1st August 2025

3 minutes read

Recognition of the State of Palestine: UAE Sends Strong Diplomatic Messages in Support of Peace and Justice

The United Arab Emirates has launched a series of strong diplomatic messages supporting a growing international momentum to recognize the State of Palestine. These messages aim to promote a comprehensive and just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to create real opportunities for lasting peace in the region.

Over the past week, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Prime Minister, issued three official statements welcoming the recognition of Palestine by several countries.

These statements revolved around four key pillars:

The UAE’s warm welcome of any move to recognize Palestine;
Emphasizing the strategic and moral importance of such recognition;
Reiterating the UAE’s unwavering support for Palestine and its legitimate rights;
And an open call to the international community to follow suit, based on legal, humanitarian, and ethical responsibility.

Recognition Welcomed

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the intentions of Malta, Canada, Australia, Andorra, Finland, Iceland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal, and San Marino to recognize the State of Palestine.

This came shortly after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his intention to pursue official recognition during the next UN General Assembly in September. Days earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron made a similar announcement, also commended by the UAE.

Historic Momentum and Expected Outcomes

These decisions, Sheikh Abdullah emphasized, are historic milestones reflecting growing global support for Palestinian sovereignty and legitimate rights.

He outlined several positive outcomes:

A positive push for international peace efforts;
Revitalization of the political process to resolve the conflict;
Strengthening of the two-state solution framework;
Reinforcement of Palestinian sovereignty based on international law and UN resolutions.

A Constant Position

The UAE’s foreign minister reaffirmed the country’s long-standing position:

A firm commitment to the aspirations and rights of the Palestinian people;
Willingness to cooperate with regional and international partners to achieve lasting peace;
A shared vision for a more stable and prosperous future for the entire region.

A Call to the World

Sheikh Abdullah called on the international community to recognize the State of Palestine and assume its ethical, humanitarian, and legal responsibility toward a just and sustainable resolution to the conflict.

Sustained Diplomatic Engagement

These initiatives are part of an ongoing diplomatic mobilization by the UAE to promote a clear path toward peace based on the two-state solution.

Among recent highlights:

UAE’s participation in a high-level UN conference on peaceful settlement and the implementation of the two-state solution;
Welcoming the UN General Assembly resolution of 18 September 2024, demanding an end to Israeli occupation within a year;

Presenting a draft resolution to grant Palestine full UN membership, adopted with strong majority support;
Supporting the ICJ advisory opinion declaring Israeli settlement policy a violation of international law.

Diplomacy Backed by Humanitarian Solidarity

The UAE’s diplomatic efforts are matched by ongoing humanitarian support for Palestine and Gaza, in continuity with the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Current President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan continues on this path, reaffirming the UAE’s unshakeable solidarity with the Palestinian people, both in word and deed.