Three sources briefed on the Gulf Arab state's internal discussions indicate the United Arab Emirates may scale back diplomatic relations with Israel should Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration proceed with annexing portions or the entirety of the West Bank, Reuters reported. The UAE stands among the limited number of Arab nations maintaining diplomatic connections with Israel, making any relationship downgrade a significant blow to the Abraham Accords – a cornerstone foreign policy accomplishment of US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.
Netanyahu's government has recently implemented measures that could signal preparation for the annexation of Judea and Samaria's Jordan Valley region, although some in his Coalition has vowed for a more expansive move. Under Abraham Accords terms, Netanyahu pledged to postpone West Bank annexation for four years, though this deadline has expired and several Israeli ministers now advocate action.
Given Netanyahu's reliance on right-wing nationalist coalition partners, annexation could serve as an effective electoral strategy ahead of next year's anticipated elections. This month, Abu Dhabi cautioned Netanyahu's right-wing coalition that West Bank annexation would constitute a "red line" for the Gulf nation, though specific retaliatory measures remained unspecified, Reuters reported. Sources informed Reuters that the UAE, which formalized relations with Israel through the 2020 Abraham Accords, was contemplating ambassador withdrawal as part of its response strategy. (Read More)
