UAE and the Palestinian Cause in 2024: Ongoing Initiatives and Growing Support

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The UAE bids farewell to 2024, continuing its political, diplomatic, and humanitarian efforts to support Palestine in general and Gaza in particular.

• Palestinian analysts reveal the significant humanitarian and diplomatic role of the UAE in the Gaza Strip 

• The UAE pledges to treat a thousand children from Gaza in solidarity with the Palestinians

This support is acknowledged with gratitude and appreciation by the world, Palestinians, and the people of Gaza as they say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, a year expected to see the continuation of this commitment. It reflects the UAE’s unwavering dedication to the Palestinian cause, which has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy since its inception.

Strong support and a steadfast approach remain the hallmarks of another year of commitment to the Palestinian cause on all levels, a path documented by facts and confirmed by numbers on the ground.

Recent statistics published by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reveal that the UAE tops the list of countries providing the most support to Gaza residents since the start of the war in October 2023 until the end of November 2024, contributing $828 million, representing 42% of total aid to the region.

• Reuters: UAE Responds to Humanitarian Appeal for Gaza and Announces Hosting a Thousand Palestinian Children for Treatment 

• Principles of peace and humanitarianism are at the heart of the UAE’s commitment to support the Palestinian cause

This support was praised by the Arab Parliament, whose president stated on December 7 that it reflects the UAE’s firm positions in supporting the Palestinian cause politically and humanitarily, reaffirming its role as a leading supporter of the Palestinian people in alleviating their current suffering.

Throughout 2024, political and humanitarian efforts have characterized the UAE’s support for the Palestinian cause in general and the people of Gaza in particular.

Political and Diplomatic Efforts

Diplomatic and political efforts have intensified since the attack on Gaza, through various channels, including:

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• Political leadership discussions (ongoing efforts by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE).
• Active diplomatic engagement (talks by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emirati diplomats, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs statements).
• Engagement in international organizations and forums (UN Security Council, General Assembly, Human Rights Council, International Court of Justice, and other conferences).
• Strengthening cooperation with various regional and global parties to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Since the onset of the Gaza war, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has engaged in daily discussions with global leaders and officials to promote calm, protect civilian lives, and explore pathways for comprehensive peace in the region.

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Most recently, conditions in Gaza dominated a phone discussion between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, on December 6.

The two leaders discussed several regional and international issues of common interest, including developments in the Middle East and the importance of containing escalation to prevent further crises threatening regional peace and stability. They also emphasized the need to open avenues for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to global conflicts.

The UAE President expressed appreciation for Cyprus’ efforts in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza, reiterating the UAE’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with Cyprus and other parties to support these efforts.

In a historic milestone, the UAE successfully mobilized international efforts in March to establish a maritime aid corridor delivering relief from Cyprus to Gaza.

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The UAE allocated $15 million under the “Amalthea” fund to support the flow of aid to Gaza.

The maritime corridor was launched by the “World Central Kitchen” foundation and “Open Arms” organization in close partnership with the UAE.

Prior to the discussions between UAE leadership and the Cypriot president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed had held meetings and contacts with Arab and foreign leaders to end the violence, ensure respect for international humanitarian law, and protect civilians from the worsening suffering caused by escalating field developments.

General Assembly

As part of its continuous efforts in international forums, the United Arab Emirates undertook notable initiatives throughout 2024 to support the Palestinian cause, including:

• Palestinian Analyst: UAE Relief Efforts Form Integrated Humanitarian Strategy in Gaza

• Caravan of Hope… UAE Aid reaches Gaza for the first time since Rafah crossing closure

• The UAE, in its statement to the United Nations General Assembly during its 79th session at the end of September, called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza, the urgent, full, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid on a large scale, the release of hostages and detainees, and the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
• The UAE welcomed the adoption, on September 18, 2024, of a resolution by the United Nations General Assembly, with an overwhelming majority, calling for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories within one year.
• The UAE submitted a draft resolution recognizing the eligibility of the State of Palestine to gain full membership in the United Nations during an extraordinary session of the General Assembly, in its capacity as the Chair of the Arab Group for May 2024.

The resolution received broad support from the General Assembly for granting full membership to the State of Palestine, marking a historic milestone toward peace and the realization of the two-state solution.

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International Court of Justice

The UAE welcomed, on July 20, the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which considers Israeli settlement policies in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as violations of international law.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the UAE’s rejection of all measures aimed at altering the historical and legal status of the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as practices that contravene international legitimacy resolutions, threaten further escalation and tension, and hinder efforts to achieve peace and stability.

The ministry stressed the importance of supporting all regional and international efforts to advance the Middle East peace process and to put an end to illegal practices that threaten the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

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In February, Lana Nusseibeh, UAE Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs, called on the ICJ in The Hague, Netherlands, to uphold the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the two-state solution.

The UN General Assembly had requested the ICJ to provide an “advisory opinion” on the legal implications of Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem.

On March 29, the UAE welcomed additional provisional measures issued by the ICJ in the genocide prevention case brought by South Africa, urging Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza and open additional crossings for food and medical supplies.

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Human Rights Council

During the 55th session of the Human Rights Council held in February in Geneva, the UAE stated that the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza requires intensified collective efforts to achieve an immediate ceasefire, protect civilians, and expedite the sufficient, sustainable, and safe delivery of vital humanitarian aid without obstruction.

The UAE called for the need to establish a political horizon for a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue, based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state, to prevent further escalation and ongoing violence in the region.

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Historical Support

Throughout 2024, the UAE maintained diplomatic momentum to end the Gaza war, protect civilians, and open pathways to peace, continuing its historical support for the Palestinian cause through the United Nations and its affiliated organizations, a cornerstone of UAE foreign policy since its founding in 1971.

These efforts culminated in the UAE’s success, at the end of its term on the UN Security Council in 2023, in adopting Resolution 2720, which calls for “substantial and tangible steps to increase the flow of urgently needed humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza and to protect UN personnel and humanitarian workers on the ground.”

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• The UAE supports reconstruction efforts in Gaza 

Notable outcomes include:

• The appointment of Dutch national Sigrid Kaag as Chief Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza in December.
• The UAE’s allocation of $5 million to support her efforts to alleviate the suffering of Gaza residents and strengthen the humanitarian response.

A Humanitarian Epic

Through successive political and humanitarian initiatives, the UAE continues to console Gaza’s residents and alleviate their suffering. Under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country has emerged as a global leader in supporting Gaza, highlighted during the Cairo Conference for Humanitarian Response to Gaza on December 3.

• The UAE continues to provide assistance to the people of Gaza… Details 

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The “Gallant Knight 3” relief operation, launched by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, continues to deliver humanitarian aid across Gaza’s provinces, providing food, shelter, and essential supplies in response to the territory’s dire conditions over the past year.

The Language of Numbers

The United Arab Emirates sent humanitarian and medical aid by air, sea, and land to the Gaza Strip in the most complex strategic transfer operation, involving cargo planes, ships, and trucks carrying around 50,000 tons of food, medical supplies, and shelter materials.

• Palestinian Analyst: UAE Has Cemented All Humanitarian Efforts to Support Palestinian People

• The UAE continues to provide assistance in the Gaza Strip

• 53 successful air drops delivered approximately 3,623 tons of humanitarian aid to isolated areas in Gaza that are inaccessible to other aid, as part of the “Birds of Good” operation.
• 5 relief ships were sent, carrying 23,642 tons of aid, including parcels, medical supplies, medicines, shelter materials, food, water, and clothing.
• Two field hospitals were established, the first inside Gaza, and the second, a floating hospital off the coast of al-Arish. These hospitals provided medical care to more than 53,744 Palestinian injured individuals.

• About 736.25 tons of medical aid, including medicines, first-aid supplies, and medical equipment, were sent, alongside contributions to the rehabilitation and expansion of hospitals and health centers damaged during the war.

• During 55 days… 129 planes and 121 trucks of aid from the UAE to Gaza

• Emirati land and air bridge… Massive aid shipment on its way to Gaza 

• 5 automatic bakeries were set up to ensure daily bread needs for more than 72,000 people.
• Flour was provided to 8 existing bakeries in Gaza to supply bread to more than 17,000 others.
• 6 desalination stations were established, producing two million gallons of water daily, pumped into Gaza, benefiting over one million people.
• The UAE evacuated more than 2,100 injured children and cancer patients from Gaza, along with their families, to receive medical care in the UAE hospitals.

Under the direction of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE launched an initiative to evacuate 1,000 children and 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza to the UAE to provide specialized medical treatment. The support includes covering treatment costs, providing medicines and medical supplies, as well as healthcare to ease their suffering, particularly amid the lack of medical resources.

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• An emergency vaccination campaign successfully vaccinated around 640,000 children under the age of ten against polio.
• The UAE financed several programs from international organizations, such as UNRWA, by donating $20 million on October 10, 2023, and providing ongoing support to the World Food Program and the World Health Organization throughout 2024.

The UAE’s humanitarian leadership in supporting Palestine revives the memory of the founder’s efforts, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Following the path of the founder in supporting the Palestinian cause, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, continues to affirm, through both actions and words, his country’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people.

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