Palestine–United Arab Emirates relations
Palestinian Territories - United Arab Emirates relations (Arabic: العلاقات بين الأراضي الفلسطينية والإمارات العربية المتحدة) are the economic and political relations between the United Arab Emirates and The Palestinian Territories. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has a Liaison Office in Ramallah while the Palestinian Authority maintain an embassy in Abu Dhabi. Both UAE and the Palestinian Authority form part of the Middle East region and share strong cultural ties. Like other Muslim countries, the UAE supported the independence of Palestinian people. Many Palestinians travel, work, and reside in the UAE.[1] In recent years however, there has been a relapse in relations, as UAE strengthened diplomatic ties with Israel.[2]
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On 15 May 2022, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas visited the United Arab Emirates to offer condolences on the death of Emirati President, Khalifa bin Zayed, and to congratulate the new president, Mohammed bin Zayed. This was the first day-long visit since 2011.[3][4]
Geography
editPalestine and the UAE both lie in the Middle East. Palestine lies in the western part of the Middle East, shares the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea with Egypt and Israel, and is bordered by Egypt to the south, Jordan to the east, and Israel. Whereas the UAE lies in the southeastern part of the peninsula and shares borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. The Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf also surround the UAE.
Both have most of the trade through maritime trade and import resources.
Relapse in relationships
editSince 2018, the United Arab Emirates has improved its relations with Israel, culminating in the Abraham Accords between the UAE and Israel in September 2020. Ramallah recalled its ambassadors from the UAE over the deal with Israel.[5][6] On 30 October 2020, it was reported that long-time rival of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and ex-Fatah chief in the Gaza Strip Mohammed Dahlan aided efforts to normalize ties between Arab countries and Israel, angering Abbas.[7] In light of normalization efforts with Israel, Palestine has rejected aid from the UAE multiple times.[8][9]
On 5 February 2021, it was reported that UAE funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was slashed by 98% in 2020, amidst normalization of ties with Israel.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Palestinians Living in UAE Uncertain Over Peace Deal With Israel". The Media Line. 2020-08-16. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "Palestinians Feel Betrayed By UAE-Israel Deal". NPR.org. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "الإمارات.. عباس يعزي بوفاة الشيخ خليفة ويهنئ بانتخاب "بن زايد"". وكالة الأناضول. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ "محمود عباس يزور الإمارات الأحد لتقديم التعازي بوفاة الشيخ خليفة". العين الإخبارية. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
- ^ Entous, Adam. "Donald Trump's New World Order". The New Yorker. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "Palestinians recall ambassador from UAE over Israel deal". Hindustan Times. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ Ferziger, Jonathan H. "The UAE's Invisible Palestinian Hand". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ Staff, Al-Monitor (2020-05-22). "Palestinian Authority rejects COVID-19 aid flown from UAE to Israel". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ Melhem, Ahmad (2020-06-17). "Palestinians reject aid from UAE again". Al-Monitor. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
- ^ "i24NEWS". www.i24news.tv. Retrieved 2021-02-08.
