Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday accused the United Arab Emirates of "betraying" Persian Gulf states and the Palestinians after the UAE-based Etihad Airways debuted a direct commercial flight between Israel and Abu Dhabi.
The airline sent one of its cargo planes, carrying 16 tons of coronavirus aid for Palestinians. As Neither the West Bank nor the Gaza Strip have airports, the plane landed at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport.
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The UAE has no diplomatic ties to Israel, yet the flight marked a moment of cooperation between the two nations after years of rumored back-channel discussions over the mutual enmity of Iran and other issues.
Video: Reuters
Etihad, the state-owned, long-haul carrier based in Abu Dhabi, confirmed the flight took place, saying, "Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv ... to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians. The flight had no passengers on board."
In the past, private and diplomatic planes often had to travel to a third country before heading onto Israel.
The UAE's state-run WAM news agency later issued a statement saying it delivered 16 tons of protective gear, medical items, and ventilators "to curb the spread of [the] COVID-19 pandemic and its impact in the occupied Palestinian territory."
The cargo flight landed at Ben Gurion on Tuesday night, with ground crews pulling out pallets of cargo bearing both the Emirati and Palestinian flags. It will go toward UN efforts to fight the outbreak.
While Arab leaders opted not to address the issue, Iran blasted the move as "an act of betrayal" of the Palestinians.
"Today, some Persian Gulf states have committed the biggest treachery against their own history and the history of the Arab world," Khamenei tweeted. "They have betrayed #Palestine by supporting Israel. Will the nations of these states tolerate their leaders' betrayal?"
Today, some Persian Gulf states have committed the biggest treachery against their own history and the history of the Arab world. They have betrayed #Palestine by supporting Israel. Will the nations of these states tolerate their leaders' betrayal?
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 19, 2020
Unlike other Persian Gulf nations, the United Arab Emirate, a federation of seven sheikhdoms founded in 1971, had no significant history with Jews. While not acknowledging Israel diplomatically, Emirati officials have allowed Israeli officials to visit and the Israeli national anthem was played after an athlete won gold in an Abu Dhabi judo tournament. Israel also has a small mission representing its interests at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi.
Next year, Israel will take part in its delayed Expo 2020, the world's fair being hosted by Dubai. A secret synagogue also draws practicing Jews in Dubai. The UAE also has announced plans to build the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, which will house a mosque, a church and a synagogue. Israelis traveling with Western passports routinely enter the UAE without a problem, though one still can't make a phone call between the two countries.
Oman, which has ties with Iran, hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a surprise visit in 2018 that served to remind Washington of its unique ability to be a conduit for talks. Saudi Arabia and the UAE also have allegedly used Israeli spyware to go after government critics.
But such ties remain highly contentious among the Arab public, particularly as the Israel-PA peace process continues to stall. The UAE recently criticized Netanyahu's plans to annex parts of the West Bank and warned of "dangerous repercussions."
An Israeli official told reporters that the flight was delivering humanitarian aid provided by the UAE to the Palestinians through the World Food Program, and that the cargo flight was coordinated with the Israeli government.
Earlier this week, Khamenei called to arm Palestinians in the West Bank.
"The West Bank must be armed, just as Gaza. The only thing that can reduce the Palestinians' hardships is the hand of power. Otherwise, compromise won't reduce a bit of the cruelty of this usurping, evil, wolf-like entity," Khameinei tweeted on Monday.
The West Bank must be armed, just as Gaza. The only thing that can reduce the Palestinians' hardships is the hand of power. Otherwise, compromise won't reduce a bit of the cruelty of this usurping, evil, wolf-like entity.#FlyTheFlag
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 18, 2020
Iran is the primary sponsor of the terrorist groups in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Also on Monday, a senior Iranian official said Israel's "annihilation" was "closer than ever."
"On Quds Day, we come closer to the annihilation of Israel," Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Esmayeeli told reporters in Tehran.
Quds Day was declared in 1979 by Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of the Iranian Revolution. It is marked throughout the Middle East and in countries around the world, including the United States. This year, over the coronavirus crisis that has been ravaging the Islamic republic, President Hassan Rouhani ordered protesters to arrive at and stay in their cars while demonstrating.
