标签： Asia

A senior United Arab Emirates official has issued a direct challenge to Israeli and Palestinian leadership, urging them to focus on transforming domestic public attitudes rather than seeking external mediation for peacebuilding. Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee at the UAE Federal National Council, delivered his remarks at the Abraham Accords Conference in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing that regional normalization agreements represent merely the starting point rather than the culmination of peace efforts.

Dr. Al Nuaimi asserted that the UAE has consistently exceeded its obligations under the Abraham Accords since their signing in September 2020, despite facing significant challenges. He revealed that other signatory nations have failed to fulfill their commitments, creating an implementation gap that undermines the agreement’s potential. The official stressed that the Accords constitute a political arrangement entirely separate from religious considerations, noting that the UAE honors its international agreements with full engagement and respect.

The core challenge, according to Dr. Al Nuaimi, lies not in diplomatic negotiations but in reshaping public perception within Israeli and Palestinian societies. He explicitly requested both parties to cease lecturing the UAE on how to alter Arab perspectives toward Israel and similarly stop requesting Emirati intervention with Israeli authorities. “We need Israelis to work on Israelis. We need Palestinians to work on Palestinians,” Dr. Al Nuaimi stated, highlighting a critical gap that only domestic leadership can address.

While acknowledging that the Abraham Accords have established valuable channels for cooperation and cultural exchange, the official distinguished between normalization and genuine peace. He characterized normalization as merely “a piece of paper designed by two leaders,” whereas true peace must capture “the heart and the mind of the people across the region.” Dr. Al Nuaimi emphasized that Palestinians will achieve their rights through peace rather than conflict, just as Israel will obtain security through peaceful means rather than military superiority.

The UAE official pointed to recent developments in American politics as potential catalysts for progress, describing President Donald Trump’s emerging approach to the conflict—including his stance on Gaza and investigations into the Muslim Brotherhood—as a strategic opportunity that regional partners should not miss. He cautioned however that opponents of the Accords actively seek to transform the political dispute into a religious conflict, making unified commitment among signatories essential.

Dr. Al Nuaimi presented the UAE’s multicultural society as a model for regional transformation, where residents from diverse backgrounds “feel safe, feel respected, feel accepted as they are.” He promised Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that similar coexistence becomes achievable through dedicated effort to transform public attitudes. The official additionally called on European partners to modernize their approach to regional diplomacy, noting that outdated methods persist despite dramatically changed circumstances over decades.

Reaffirming the UAE’s unwavering commitment to the Abraham Accords, Dr. Al Nuaimi declared there is “no way back” from the agreement, which he described as representing the future of the region. The Emirates remains invested in transforming the entire region into a peaceful territory where all inhabitants experience safety, respect, and acceptance regardless of origin.

Beijing has issued a strong condemnation of a violent assault on two Taiwanese individuals in Tokyo, urging Japanese authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. Peng Qing’en, spokesperson for China’s State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, expressed deep concern over the incident during a press conference on Wednesday. The attack, which occurred in July, involved five Japanese men severely assaulting the Taiwanese victims on a Tokyo street. Japanese police have since confirmed the arrest of suspects linked to the case. Peng emphasized the shared bond between mainland China and Taiwan, stating, ‘We strongly condemn such acts of violence and urge the Japanese side to deal with the offenders swiftly and severely.’ He also highlighted a concerning trend of increasing attacks on tourists in Japan, including those from Taiwan. Peng linked the rise in such incidents to provocative remarks made by Japan’s prime minister regarding Taiwan, which he claimed have fueled anti-China sentiments and extremist behaviors among Japan’s right-wing factions. These developments, he warned, pose significant risks to the safety of visitors in Japan.

In the shadow of Derry’s Guildhall, a determined group of elderly protesters gathers weekly, holding handwritten placards that declare: ‘I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action.’ This act of defiance carries profound historical significance in a city that served as the epicenter of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Many participants, leaning on walking sticks or seated in wheelchairs, are veterans of the civil rights movement that challenged British authority decades ago.

The UK Labour government’s July 2025 proscription of Palestine Action under terrorism legislation has resulted in over 2,000 arrests nationwide for displaying support. The ban followed activists’ breach of RAF Brize Norton air base, where they damaged military aircraft. While London protests have seen mass arrests, Derry’s demonstrations have proceeded with minimal police intervention—for now.

This contrast highlights Northern Ireland’s complex policing environment, where the government’s ban has sparked concerns about reverting to partisan enforcement practices. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 promised to end discriminatory policing that historically targeted Catholic and Republican communities. Yet rights organizations argue the Home Office failed to conduct proper community impact assessments specific to Northern Ireland before implementing the ban.

Eamonn McCann, a prominent civil rights organizer who received an ‘advisory letter’ from police regarding his protest participation, draws direct parallels to the 1970s when terrorism laws targeted Irish rights activists. ‘People carrying these placards are at risk of fairly long terms of imprisonment for standing with a placard. Where is freedom gone?’ McCann questioned.

The Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) attempted to intervene in the judicial review of the ban, arguing it could disproportionately affect Catholic and nationalist communities where Palestinian solidarity is strongest. Director Daniel Holder warned the proscription ‘lowers the bar’ for what constitutes terrorism, potentially undermining efforts to disband loyalist paramilitary groups that remain active despite their proscribed status.

Evidence reveals policing disparities: while three Palestine Action supporters face Terrorism Act charges in Northern Ireland, authorities have taken no action against recent parades by proscribed loyalist groups displaying paramilitary insignia.

For protesters like Maire McNally, arrested at 75 for wearing a ‘We are all Palestine Action’ T-shirt, and Kate Nash, whose brother was killed on Bloody Sunday, the current crackdown evokes painful historical echoes. Their continued activism, rooted in Derry’s tradition of civil resistance, challenges what they perceive as the erosion of hard-won freedoms in post-agreement Northern Ireland.