The UAE… A continuous dynamic for the protection of Gaza!
Arab states are leading major efforts to de-escalate and stop the escalation in the region, actively engaging in ceasefire lines to halt Israeli attacks and military operations that have claimed innocent lives. This stands as a rejection of collective punishment against Palestinians and the starvation of Gaza’s residents.
Emirati efforts highlight their communication with all international and regional parties to provide protection for civilians and safeguard their lives in the face of Israel’s threats to forcibly displace Gaza’s population, expand the scope of attacks, and hint at ground invasions.
Since its establishment, the United Arab Emirates has shown great interest in Arab issues, making them a top priority in their foreign policy. They consider themselves a part of this Arab nation, connected by a shared cultural heritage, common destiny, and a mutual national security. They have not hesitated for a moment to answer the call of their Arab brothers and stand with them in times of joy and adversity, supporting them in facing the challenges and crises they encounter, setting the boldest examples of solidarity, generosity, and sincere fraternal spirit.
Positions and Implications
The fingerprints of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, are very clear. He personally leads extensive efforts to calm and stop the devastating Israeli escalation in Gaza. Over the past few days, he conducted a series of communications with the leaders and officials of Arab and Western countries, discussing developments in Palestine and the region within diplomatic and humanitarian efforts that crystallized in the early hours of the war on Palestinians in Gaza.
Political and humanitarian positions confirm support for the Palestinian people, contributing to the achievement of a two-state solution by establishing an independent Palestinian state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with its capital in East Jerusalem, ensuring that the region is not drawn into new crises that threaten its security and stability.
One of the key points emphasized by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, during his meeting with Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State two days ago, is the utmost priority of the UAE in ensuring the full protection of civilians and preserving their lives, as well as the urgent need to open humanitarian corridors to deliver medical and relief aid to Gaza, alongside an immediate cessation of all forms of escalation.
Emirati Movement in the United Nations Security Council
Emirati political leadership efforts have been accompanied by Emirati diplomatic efforts on multiple fronts to achieve their goals. This includes discussions by the Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with counterparts around the world, as well as the Emirati movement in the United Nations Security Council. These discussions have focused on the efforts to secure safe passages for urgently needed humanitarian aid to civilians.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan emphasized the importance of regional and international efforts to protect civilians as a top priority, with an emphasis on reducing the ongoing escalation in the region and ending the rising extremism and violence. He stressed that the current situation requires immediate action from all active international parties to ease tension and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control.
In a recorded statement by the Emirati Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed the UAE’s unwavering support for the Arab stance calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state with its capital in East Jerusalem. The UAE will continue to support the Palestinian cause, following the historical support it has provided, based on deep-rooted convictions that remain unchanged.
The United Arab Emirates previously urged the international community, as a member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2022-2023 period, to prioritize the Palestinian issue and help resume serious and effective negotiations based on internationally agreed-upon frameworks, including the two-state solution. The United Nations Security Council has witnessed continuous efforts to support the Palestinian cause and promote a comprehensive and just peace.
Emirati International Efforts
Gulf sources have revealed international efforts that coincided with the Emirati movement in the United Nations Security Council, which held a closed meeting at the beginning of October regarding the Middle East, including the Palestinian issue. During this meeting, the UAE’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, emphasized the importance of using international and bilateral channels to call for calm and de-escalation, with a focus on protecting civilians on both sides.
Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh stressed that many members of the Council believe that opening a political horizon leading to the implementation of the two-state solution is the only way to resolve this conflict.
Humanitarian and Political Positions
Dr. Mohammed Al Mubarak, a UAE researcher and academic, praised the country’s stance in rejecting the targeting of civilians in any form and emphasized the importance of respecting humanitarian principles. The UAE’s consistent stance in advocating for the Palestinian cause and supporting efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace that guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people is unwavering.
Dr. Al Mubarak added that the UAE’s continuous actions on various fronts confirm its enduring support for the Palestinian cause. The UAE’s signing of a peace agreement with Israel on September 15, 2020, will not compromise the Palestinian issue and the non-negotiable rights of the Palestinian people. Instead, the UAE consistently employs its actions to support these rights.
Notable Milestones
In a return to some of the UAE’s prominent contributions to support Palestinians, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, ordered urgent assistance of $20 million to be provided to Palestinian brothers. This support is channeled through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), which focuses on providing education, healthcare, and social services to Palestinian refugees.
The UAE has also launched a campaign to assist Palestinians affected by the war in Gaza, under the slogan “Compassion for Gaza.” Subsequently, an urgent medical aid plane was sent to aid the people of Gaza. This campaign is carried out in cooperation 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 campaign began in Abu Dhabi, supervised by the UAE Red Crescent Authority, at the Abu Dhabi Ports Hall in Zayed Port, heading to the city of El-Arish in northern Egypt. Additionally, the UAE sent a plane carrying urgent medical aid to the city of El-Arish in northern Egypt to be delivered to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. This aid aims to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the people of Gaza, especially children and women.
In further support for Palestinians, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, directed the provision of urgent aid to Palestinian brothers with an amount of 50 million AED, through his international initiatives, given the difficult humanitarian conditions the Palestinians are currently facing.
