Top UAE adviser reaffirms commitment to Palestinian state, says any annexation would be ‘red line’

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reiterated its unwavering support for a two-state solution, emphasizing it as the sole pathway to enduring peace in the region. Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, delivered this message during the Reuters NEXT Gulf Summit in Abu Dhabi. He declared that any annexation of Palestinian territories would constitute a ‘red line’ for the UAE, underscoring the nation’s firm stance on the issue. Gargash warned that a return to confrontation would only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians and fail to secure lasting safety for Israel. He also highlighted the UAE’s significant humanitarian efforts in Gaza, including $2.57 billion in aid over the past two years, which accounts for nearly 46% of all assistance reaching the region. This aid has included 100,000 tons of food and medical supplies, as well as water infrastructure benefiting a million people. Gargash credited the UAE’s relationship with Israel, established through the Abraham Accords, as a critical enabler of these humanitarian initiatives. He noted that without this diplomatic connection, the UAE would not have been able to facilitate the relocation of 3,000 Palestinians and their families to the UAE. UAE Minister of State Lana Nusseibeh also emphasized the Accords as a strategic move to promote peace, coexistence, and tolerance among the region’s youth. Gargash further expressed the UAE’s readiness to play a key role in rebuilding Gaza, contingent on political clarity and a clear path toward Palestinian statehood. However, Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar distanced himself from reconstruction efforts, stating that those responsible for the destruction should bear the responsibility for rebuilding.