United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian cause

"With the agreement with Israel, the Emirates is not only not backing down, but is looking to the future of the region, which has suffered so much from unrest and war. The UAE's focus is on achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. Since its inception, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has placed the Palestinian question at the top of its priorities and as the central cause of the Arab nation. This is a legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan which has been championed by the country's leaders who have since dedicated all their efforts to upholding the values of justice and peace.

The announcement issued on the full normalization of relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, as described in the joint statement issued by the United States, is a step towards peace in the Middle East. The role of the United Arab Emirates in the Palestinian cause remains effective and obvious. Now, the joint statement emphasizes "that Israel will stop the plan to annex Palestinian areas outlined in President Trump's Vision for Peace. 

Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, UAE's minister of state for foreign affairs, has pointed out that further annexation of Palestinian territories would have eliminated any hope of peace in the region. With this decision, the UAE is not only not going backwards, but is looking forward to the future of the region, which has suffered so much from unrest and war. The United Arab Emirates was and remains the leading advocate of the values of security and peace in the Middle East in general and in Palestine in particular. "The Arab Emirates calls for a return to direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians as the only formula capable of achieving a permanent and sustainable solution to this conflict" 

In parallel with that approach, the Emirati movement is committed to the Arab Peace Initiative, which aims to establish an independent Palestinian State and intensify international and regional efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East in accordance with international standards, resolutions of legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Madrid Principles.

In the light of these developments, the United Arab Emirates, in the words of Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, calls for a return to direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians as the only formula capable of achieving a permanent and sustainable solution to this conflict. In this regard, the joint statement has emphasized that both parties will continue their efforts to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.  

Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi is Executive Director of the Emirates News Agency (WAM)