The international stage is once again witnessing heightened diplomatic tensions as the aftermath of the Gaza war ignites fresh debates over the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A central issue in these discussions is the United Arab Emirates’ refusal to support any post-war reconstruction efforts in Gaza without a clear plan for the establishment of a Palestinian state. This position, echoed by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Saturday, reflects a growing regional consensus on the need for a two-state solution to resolve the conflict.
Abdullah made his stance clear in a statement posted on X/Twitter emphasizing that the UAE’s participation in Gaza’s recovery would be contingent upon progress toward Palestinian statehood. “The United Arab Emirates is not ready to support the day after the war in Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he declared.
الامارات غير مستعدة لدعم اليوم التالي من الحرب في غزة دون قيام دولة فلسطينية
— عبدالله بن زايد (@ABZayed) September 14, 2024
The UAE’s position aligns with the sentiments expressed during a Joint Ministerial Contact Group meeting in Madrid last week, where representatives from several Muslim and European countries convened to discuss ways to end the Gaza war.
UAE's position endorsed
Hosted by Spain, the meeting brought together foreign ministers from nations such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Norway, and Slovenia, as well as Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. The group, which also included the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, reiterated the necessity of implementing a two-state solution based on international law.
Speaking at the Madrid meeting on Friday, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called for a concrete schedule to ensure the realization of the two-state solution, asserting that it is the only viable path to peace in the region. “The implementation of the two-state solution is the only way,” Albares stated, urging the international community to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions toward resolving the conflict.
Notably absent from the Madrid talks was Israel, a decision Albares defended by stating that Israel was not part of the contact group. “We will be delighted to see Israel at any table where peace and the two-state solution are discussed,” he said. This exclusion, however, underscored the widening gap between Israel and many international actors over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the Madrid meeting concluded with a renewed call for “Palestine” to join the United Nations, Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz launched a scathing attack on Borrell, accusing him of antisemitism. Katz’s harsh comments were triggered by Borrell’s participation in discussions about the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Katz denounced Borrell as an “antisemitic Israel-hater,” comparing him to “the greatest antisemites in history.” He further accused the EU foreign policy chief of leading a “hateful, antisemitic campaign” against Israel while failing to confront the growing influence of Iran in the region. “Rather than confronting the Iranian axis of evil, which poses a threat to Europe’s security, Borrell sides with them in promoting anti-Israel initiatives,” the foreign minister charged.
The exchange between Katz and Borrell highlighted the deepening rift between Israel and the European Union regarding the future of the region. Borrell responded to Katz’s accusations by rejecting the notion that his advocacy for a two-state solution is driven by antisemitism. “Accusing those who disagree with a government’s position of antisemitism makes no sense,” Borrell said.
“There have, unfortunately, been examples in history of what it means to be antisemitic, and I don’t think we should play with big words that have had a tragic dimension in history,” he added, alluding to the historical weight of the term. Borrell defended his participation in the Madrid talks, stating that supporting a Palestinian state is not tantamount to opposing Israel but rather seeking a path to lasting peace.