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.
All sources, speaking under anonymity conditions, indicated Abu Dhabi was not exploring complete diplomatic severance, despite escalating tensions throughout the nearly two-year Gaza conflict, Reuters learned.
An Israeli source told Reuters the government maintained confidence in repairing strained UAE relationships, viewing the Emirates as the most crucial Arab state among those establishing 2020 Israeli ties. Bahrain and Morocco also normalized relations that year.
Since then, no additional Arab states have formalized Israeli diplomatic relationships, though Israel maintains connections with Egypt and Jordan, plus direct contact with Qatar absent full diplomatic recognition, Reuters reported.
Defense firms sidelined
Demonstrating escalating Israeli tensions, the Gulf state recently prohibited Israeli defense corporations from participating in November's Dubai Airshow, three sources revealed to Reuters. An Israeli official and defense industry executive corroborated this decision.
Israel's defense ministry acknowledged awareness of the decision without providing additional details, while an Israeli Embassy spokesperson in Abu Dhabi stated that discussions regarding Israel's trade show participation continued, Reuters reported. Israeli media initially reported the move blocking companies from the UAE's premier aerospace and defense exhibition. The UAE foreign ministry declined to address questions about potential diplomatic relationship downgrades with Israel.
An Israeli embassy spokesperson in Abu Dhabi emphasized Israel's Abraham Accords commitment and continued efforts strengthening UAE ties, according to Reuters.
Emirati foreign ministry official Lana Nusseibeh informed Reuters and Israeli media on September 3 that West Bank annexation would threaten the Abraham Accords and terminate regional integration pursuits.
Then-Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett (R) meeting with the President of UAE Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in 2022 (EPA/KOBI GIDEON / GOVERNMENT PRESS OFFICE )
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced this month that annexation maps were being prepared for most of the West Bank, urging Netanyahu to approve the proposal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir similarly supports territorial annexation.
Relationship decline
Following diplomatic establishment, the UAE and Israel developed substantial cooperation focusing on economic, security and intelligence collaboration after years of discrete contact.
However, disagreements emerged after Netanyahu's 2023 return to power, heading Israel's most right-wing government in history. Abu Dhabi has criticized Ben-Gvir's repeated attempts to modify Jerusalem's Temple Mount status quo for Jews, which officially still prohibit their prayer there.
The UAE has also condemned Israel's West Bank policies and Gaza military action, which commenced in October 2023 following Hamas's surprise Israeli attack. Abu Dhabi has declared an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel essential for regional stability, while Netanyahu recently stated no Palestinian state would ever exist.
