The senior diplomat says his country is not ready to participate in post-war efforts unless a Palestinian state is established.
The United Arab Emirates says it will not support Israel's “day after” plan in Gaza unless a Palestinian state is established.
“The UAE is not ready to support the day after the war in Gaza without the establishment of a Palestinian state,” UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan posted on X on Saturday.
In May, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published a post-war plan for Gaza online, claiming that Palestinians would “enjoy unprecedented prosperity” once it was implemented.
The plan included investments in ports, solar energy, electric car manufacturing and profits from newly discovered gas fields in Gaza. The plan consisted of three stages running from an unspecified “victory date” to 2035.
The road map said Palestinians in Gaza would carry out the plan under Israeli occupation, overseen by a coalition of Arab states including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco.
In response, Abdullah criticized Netanyahu, saying he “lacked legitimate authority to implement this measure or take similar measures” and making clear that the UAE was not consulted about the Gaza plans.
“Furthermore, the UAE refuses to participate in any plan aimed at covering up the Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip,” said a statement released by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“When a Palestinian government is formed that meets the hopes and aspirations of the brotherly Palestinian people and is distinguished by its integrity, competence and independence, the UAE will be fully prepared to provide all kinds of support to that government,” he added.
'Temporary international mission'
In late July, the United Arab Emirates stressed the need for a “temporary international mission” to address the massive humanitarian consequences of the war in Gaza once the fighting ends.
“The consolidation of peace and security and the end of humanitarian suffering must begin with the deployment of a temporary international mission in Gaza with a formal invitation from the Palestinian government,” UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy told the official WAM news agency.
He added that the mission should put Gaza on the path to eventual reunification with the occupied West Bank under the rule of the Palestinian Authority.
At least 41,182 Palestinians have been killed and 95,280 wounded in Israel's war on Gaza, as the first anniversary of the devastating offensive approaches. The war followed the October 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel, in which 1,139 people were killed.
