As chairman of the Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs Committee at the United Arab Emirates Federal National Council, Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi serves as a kind of senior adviser in the Arab Gulf state.
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In an interview with Israel Hayom, Al Nuaimi shares his views, which reflect those of the palace in the Gulf state.
Q: One year after the signing of the Abraham Accords, are the Emirates pleased with the results?
"Yes. I am very pleased with what I see. The agreement was an opportunity to open doors, not just to Israel and the Emirates, but the entire region. The Emirates received the change warmheartedly, with an open mind and appreciation, and that is not an easy thing. The region has been through 70 years of suffering and conflict, and suddenly you need to leave the past behind, embark on a new era and believe in peace. We see the Israelis in the hotels, at the shopping malls. We see you can talk to them, work with them, that we can let our walls down, overcome the injuries and the difficulties that separated us, and build bridges. That is a great achievement."
In an interview with Newsweek magazine following the 11-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in May, Al Nuaimi said: "We also have to fight the war of propaganda – one that the Israelis lost in this last round of fighting between Israel and Hamas. I saw narratives coming from not only the Middle East but the West too, which represented a shift. One of the biggest errors in this narrative, which I saw repeated over and over in the media, was the way they speak about [the] Gaza [Strip] as if it's occupied by the Israelis. It's not: It's occupied by Hamas. And the Palestinian people in Gaza are suffering because of Hamas, not the Israelis … What the public doesn't understand is who is behind so much of the media they read – who is funding this misguided narrative, which only serves to protect Hamas, and ultimately, Iran."
While it is almost unbelievable to see a senior UAE official speaking this way, some in the Gulf Arab state were highly critical of Israel. Asked about the criticism, Al Nuaimi responded by saying: "That is just one side. Many of us condemned Hamas. In Israel, too, there were people who opposed the war, so that is not an indication, but rather says what some of the people in the Emirates think. True, it's hard to overcome history, but we want to open people's eyes and show them things they haven't seen over the last 40 or 50 years."
Q: What do people in the Emirates think about Israel re-examining the deal to transfer natural gas from the UAE to Europe via Israel?
"Understand, the ties being forged between us are not political or just between governments. These are comprehensive ties in every respect. This is a normal relationship that is growing. Clearly, there will sometimes be difficulties and differences, but that doesn't mean you go back whenever there is conflict. We aren't going back, no matter what. There is discussion and dialogue, and I know the media will paint it as a crisis. But it isn't. This is one issue, and in the end, I am sure we will reach an agreement. But I don't want our Israeli friends to think that a disagreement on one issue will degrade ties. This is not the case."
Q: How do you view the events of the last week, in which two ships came under attack in your area and Israel was targeted by rocket fire from Lebanon?
"The international community must enforce international law so that there is security and stability in the region. These actions were taken all over the region by the [Iranian] Revolution Guards and organizations under their auspices. This is a violation of international law. The Israelis conducted themselves wisely when they contacted the US, Britain, and other countries, and tasked those governments with the responsibility to act. This is not the responsibility of the Israelis, but the world.
Q: How should Iran, which threatens both our countries, be treated, particularly when a new president has just entered office there?
"The problem is that the international community does not speak in one voice on Iran. When we speak with our European friends about the invasiveness and aggression of Iran in Arab states, we hear that they 'understand our concerns.' But we don't need someone to understand our concerns, rather we need someone to act according to international law and respond to those violating other countries' sovereignty."
Q: What do the Emirates think of US intentions of returning to the nuclear deal?
"We have a clear history. The Iranians have never honored the agreement or the commitments, in any respect. They want to be a world power and violated the law in Europe when, in many cases, they supported terrorist activity. So, to return to that accord as is won't solve the problem."
Q: For years, you have sounded the alarm on the Muslim Brotherhood. Why do you believe they are a problem?
"The Muslim Brotherhood hijacked Islam. They use religion to promote political objectives. Organizations like al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Islamic State, and others have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. But that is not Islam, and it does not serve the interests of the world's Muslims. Instead of religion uniting all people, they have developed a narrative of hate."
Q: Is it a mistake for the Israeli government to include a party that in practice belongs to the Muslim Brotherhood?
"No. Every country has its own priorities. But I am confident that they joined after accepting that they are Israeli citizens and have sworn to serve their country, and that is a step in the right direction."
Q: Final Question: What do you see happening with Israel-UAE ties over the next year?
"I see progress. We already have the first students from the Emirates studying in Israel, and after the coronavirus restrictions are removed, there will be additional cooperation. It may not happen in the coming months, but I am certain more countries will take part."
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