The United Arab Emirates (UAE) may reduce its diplomatic relations with Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government annexes parts or all of the Judea-Samaria, but is not considering cutting ties entirely, according to three sources briefed on the Gulf state’s discussions, as reported by Reuters on Thursday
However, the same evening, the Ynet news website reported, citing unnamed Gulf officials, that the UAE would consider “all options” if Israel pursues any type of annexation.
These sources said any annexation would be a “red line” for Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, and would pose an “immediate” risk to relations between the two countries, including the possibility of a complete severing of ties.
Context of Relations and the Abraham Accords
The UAE is one of the few Arab countries that maintains diplomatic relations with Israel, established in 2020 through the Abraham Accords, a major milestone in the foreign policy of former US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.
These agreements also included Bahrain and Morocco, in addition to existing relations with Egypt and Jordan.
A reduction in relations would be a major obstacle to these agreements.
Recently, the Israeli government took steps that suggest the possibility of annexing the Judea-Samaria, territory captured from Jordan during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Annexation is widely rejected by the United Nations and most countries.
UAE Warning and Recent Tensions
In early September, a UAE Foreign Ministry official, Lana Nusseibeh, told *The Times of Israel* that any annexation would be a “red line” that would jeopardize the Abraham Accords and regional integration.
The UAE is considering withdrawing its ambassador from Israel as a possible response, but does not plan to completely sever ties, according to Reuters sources.
Tensions between the two countries have increased during the war in Gaza, which began in October 2023 after an attack by the Palestinian group Hamas in southern Israel that killed around 1,200 people, most of them civilians.
Furthermore, last week, the UAE decided to ban Israeli defense companies from participating in the Dubai Air Show in November due to security concerns.
Israeli officials, however, believe the decision is linked to an Israeli airstrike in Qatar that targeted Hamas leaders, a move condemned by Gulf countries, including the UAE.
Relations after 2023
Since establishing ties in 2020, the UAE and Israel have developed a close relationship, with cooperation in economics, security, and intelligence.
However, tensions grew after Netanyahu returned to power in 2023, leading a government considered the most right-wing in Israel’s history.
The UAE has criticized Israeli actions, such as Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s attempts to change the status quo of the Temple Mount (or Al-Aqsa compound) in Jerusalem, a holy site for both Muslims and Jews, where non-Muslims are currently allowed to visit but not pray.
The UAE has also condemned Israel’s policies in the Judea-Samaria and the military operation in Gaza.
Abu Dhabi advocates the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel as necessary for regional stability, while Netanyahu recently declared that he will never allow the formation of a Palestinian state.
Internal Pressure in Israel
Within Netanyahu’s government, which relies on right-wing nationalist parties, the annexation of the Judea-Samaria is seen as a measure that could attract votes ahead of elections scheduled for next year.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that maps are being prepared to annex a large part of the Judea-Samaria, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also supports the idea.
Conclusion
Although the UAE has warned that annexation would be unacceptable, it does not plan to completely sever ties with Israel, but may take measures such as reducing its diplomatic presence.
The situation remains tense, especially after recent Israeli actions that have drawn criticism from Arab countries.
Israel, for its part, claims to be committed to the Abraham Accords and seeks to strengthen ties with the UAE, but decisions regarding the Judea-Samaria could have significant consequences for this relationship.
Published in 09/19/2025 09h48
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
Reference article:
| Geoprocessing Drone Systems HPC |
| ERP and CRM Systems Mobile Systems AI |