UAE Issues Compliance Reminder to Israel Regarding West Bank Annexation as a "Red Line" for the Abraham Accords

In the Middle East, tensions are escalating as Israel prepares for a potential assault on Gaza City and pushes forward with controversial annexation plans in the West Bank.

Israel is currently mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists for a possible military operation in Gaza City, according to security officials. The move comes as Israel continues its military campaign in the region, with warnings that the country may be headed towards the military administration of the Strip.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Minister of Economy, Bezalel Smotrich, has proposed extending Israeli sovereignty to 82% of Judea and Samaria, biblical names for the West Bank. Smotrich's plan aims to achieve the maxim of "maximum territory, minimum Arabs" in the West Bank and includes a key settlement project called E1, which will divide the West Bank into two parts.

The E1 settlement project, if implemented, will have significant consequences for the region. It aims to ensure Jewish supremacy in the West Bank and will separate cities like Ramallah and Nablus in the north from Bethlehem and Hebron in the south, as well as isolate the eastern part of Jerusalem.

The annexation plans in the West Bank are a barrier to expanding the number of countries involved in the Abraham Accords, a series of peace agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. The Israeli prime minister and Donald Trump had sought to expand the accords, but the military campaign in Gaza and the annexation of the West Bank have proven to be major obstacles.

The Saudis have expressed their rejection of annexation plans and advocate for the two-state solution, joining several other countries in their opposition. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has deemed the annexation of the West Bank a "red line," and the UAE envoy Lana Nusseibeh has warned that the annexation would impede regional integration and be the death knell for the two-state solution.

France, the UK, Canada, Australia, and Belgium have announced plans to recognize the Palestinian state, joining several other countries that have already done so. As of 2023, 137 states had recognized Palestine, and by 2024, about 147 of the 193 UN member states had done so. Several recognitions are planned or considered for September 2025 during the UN General Assembly.

Benjamin Netanyahu has reopened the front in the West Bank and raised the prospect of its annexation. However, the annexation plans and the military campaign in Gaza are facing increasing opposition from both within the region and internationally.

Mikel Ayestaran, a correspondent in Istanbul, is closely following the developments in the Middle East and will continue to report on this ongoing situation. Stay tuned for more updates.

UAE Issues Compliance Reminder to Israel Regarding West Bank Annexation as a "Red Line" for the Abraham Accords