UAE Rejects Trump’s Displacement Plan for Palestinians in Gaza
The UAE has rejected a proposal by former President Trump to displace Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing support for their rights. During a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated the necessity of linking Gaza’s reconstruction with a lasting peace based on a two-state solution. This rejection poses challenges for the proposal, which has faced international criticism.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has firmly rejected a proposal by former President Donald Trump that aims to displace Palestinians from Gaza. During a meeting with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, stated the importance of upholding the rights of the Palestinian people and denounced any efforts to relocate them from their lands. This position was reported by UAE state media WAM.
Rubio’s visit to the Middle East included discussions focused on regional cooperation, securing the release of American captives, and advancing the next phase of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Sheikh Nahyan emphasized that the reconstruction of Gaza should align with a pathway towards a comprehensive peace based on a two-state solution, highlighting the necessity for stability in the region.
The UAE’s stance is noteworthy given its historical shift in foreign relations, being the first Gulf state to normalize relations with Israel under the Trump administration. Since that time, the UAE and Israel have formed bilateral agreements across various sectors, including investments and security, and the UAE opened its embassy in Tel Aviv in 2021.
This announcement comes at a critical time, as around 2.3 million individuals in Gaza are reported to be without homes due to the aftermath of prolonged hostilities. The United Nations has reported severe destruction of housing across the region, emphasizing the urgency of humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts.
Sheikh Nahyan’s rejection of the proposal poses significant obstacles for Trump’s vision to transform Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East” and relocate Palestinian residents to neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. This proposal has garnered global condemnation and is described as ethnic cleansing. Arab leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar will convene soon to deliberate on this issue further.
In a statement from the U.S. State Department regarding Rubio’s interactions, emphasis was placed on the strategic partnership between the U.S. and the UAE, noting the strong economic ties and defense cooperation between the two nations. The discussions also addressed ongoing challenges within Gaza, as well as stability concerns in Syria and Lebanon, and threats to navigation in the Red Sea.
In summary, the UAE’s rejection of Trump’s plan to displace Palestinians underscores its commitment to supporting Palestinian rights and pursuing a two-state solution. This stance is particularly significant given the UAE’s prior alignment with Israel and its involvement in reconstruction efforts in Gaza. As regional leaders prepare for further discussions, the implications of this rejection highlight the complexities of Middle Eastern geopolitics and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
