New York, United States – The UAE Gaza war stance took center stage at the United Nations General Assembly after Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed pressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urgently end hostilities in Gaza.
The high-profile meeting, reported by state news agency WAM, marked Netanyahu’s first encounter with a senior Arab official since Israel’s September 9 strike on Hamas leaders in Qatar. That attack drew condemnation from the UAE, which summoned Israel’s deputy ambassador in protest.
Sheikh Abdullah underscored Abu Dhabi’s commitment to a two-state solution, describing it as the only sustainable framework to address the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis. He called for “all initiatives that can pave the way for comprehensive peace,” while emphasizing the humanitarian cost of prolonged conflict.
The United Arab Emirates, a regional trade hub and major oil exporter, has maintained strategic influence in Middle Eastern diplomacy since normalizing ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords in 2020. However, recent Israeli actions have strained the deal’s spirit. Earlier this month, Abu Dhabi warned that annexation in the occupied West Bank would represent a “red line” that could trigger a downgrade of diplomatic ties.
Netanyahu has ruled out recognition of a Palestinian state despite growing international momentum. In recent weeks, major Western countries—including France, Britain, and Canada—extended formal recognition to Palestine, reflecting frustration with the ongoing war. Israel’s far-right government has instead pledged to intensify its campaign against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, assault that killed more than 1,200 people.
For the UAE, balancing its role as a U.S.-aligned Gulf power with the expectations of Arab partners underscores the geopolitical stakes of the UAE Gaza war dialogue. By meeting Netanyahu in New York, Sheikh Abdullah signaled that Abu Dhabi is willing to engage but insists that stability depends on ending the conflict and reviving meaningful peace talks.
