UAE Warns Israel Against Annexation of West Bank, Calls It a ‘Red Line’

Abu Dhabi has warned that Israel’s move to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would cross a “red line” and undermine regional peace efforts.

Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE’s Assistant Minister for Political Affairs, issued the warning on Wednesday, stressing that such a step would directly violate the spirit of the Abraham Accords.

“The annexation of the West Bank will serve as a red line for the United Arab Emirates,” she said, adding that it would “seriously damage the vision and spirit of the Abraham Accords, halt efforts for regional integration, and undermine the broad consensus on the future trajectory of the conflict.”

The UAE normalized ties with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, becoming the first Arab nation in 26 years to do so. Bahrain and Morocco soon followed, and Abu Dhabi has since deepened trade, defense, and tourism relations with Israel. Washington and Tel Aviv continue to push for more Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia, to join the deal.

However, in August, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans to move forward with a long-delayed annexation plan. The proposed move would divide the West Bank and sever it from East Jerusalem—effectively burying the vision of a future Palestinian state.

Nusseibeh emphasized that the UAE had always seen the accords as a way to support Palestinians and their legitimate aspirations for an independent state. She urged Israel to immediately suspend its annexation plans.

Meanwhile, several Western nations—including France, Australia, Canada, Portugal, and the United Kingdom—have announced plans at the UN General Assembly this month to recognize a Palestinian state. Analysts warn that Israel’s annexation bid could further complicate the already fragile situation, even as more than 140 countries move toward recognition of Palestinian statehood.