The United Arab Emirates’ Strategic Approach in Gaza Amid Israel-Hamas Conflict

The UAE is balancing its strategic partnership with Israel and claiming support for Palestinian statehood while providing humanitarian aid in Gaza. Ambassador Yousef Al-Otaiba’s comments on transforming Gaza reflect these complexities. His long-standing connections and negotiations demonstrate the UAE’s significant role in Middle Eastern geopolitics, despite maintaining a facade of alignment with Arab consensus.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is navigating a complex political landscape regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. The UAE is establishing a strategic partnership with Israel while simultaneously professing support for a Palestinian state. Notably, historian Jean-Pierre Filiu highlights their diplomatic approach and humanitarian efforts within the Gaza Strip as a significant aspect of their current strategy.

Yousef Al-Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to Washington, has made controversial remarks advocating for a vision of Gaza as a tourist hub, reiterating this notion at a recent event in Dubai. His influence, cultivated over years, stems from strong connections with various American leaders, and his involvement in negotiating the Strategic Partnership Treaty between Israel and the UAE.

Al-Otaiba maintains close ties with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the UAE’s president, suggesting that his statements reflect the UAE’s deeper political intentions. Despite this, they publicly maintain alignment with Arab consensus, promoting the establishment of a Palestinian state at forums such as the recent Arab summit in Cairo.

In summary, the UAE’s dual approach entails forging closer relations with Israel while professing support for Palestinian statehood. The remarks made by Yousef Al-Otaiba, alongside the UAE’s history of diplomatic engagement, illustrate their strategic maneuvering in the geopolitics surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict. This balancing act reflects a complex and nuanced foreign policy that prioritizes both regional influence and humanitarian commitments.

Original Source: www.lemonde.fr