Original article for Trax News
Since the creation of Israel in 1948 establishing diplomatic ties with Arab countries has always been a strategic dream for Israel. Unfortunately, it has engaged in Arab-Israeli wars and has been isolated from surrounding Muslim countries in the Middle East, with peaceful relations to Egypt and Jordan, but never engaged in trade. Now history is being made as the oil rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made a “peace deal” with Israel, which will allow them to develop commercial, diplomatic, and security ties with Israel. This comes with US backing after Donald Trump failed to deliver his, “Deal of the Century.” In previous years, the UAE has made a purchase of Israeli-manufactured spyware to monitor its own citizens and this move helped to strengthen the Jewish-Arab relations. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed, UAE’s de-facto leader agreed to the deal on the condition Israel halt their annexation plans. Whilst this may seem beneficial for the Palestinians, the annexation has only been delayed not stopped. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted Israel’s claim for sovereignty over occupied territory remains, thus annexation may continue at any time. Instead of working towards placing accountability on Israel for the violation of International laws and human rights, the UAE will aid them out of a spiraling economic crisis. This move to increase economic trade with Israel goes against everything the Boycott Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement stands for. The non-violent resistance boycott movement that is being globally implemented by supporters of the rights of Palestinians, was inspired by the South African Anti-Apartheid movement that ultimately led to their freedom.
Agreement with the UAE is the tipping point to encourage other Gulf Nations such as Saudi Arabia to also normalize relations. This has been seen as a “stab in the back” by Palestinians as it ignores the destruction in Gaza, the brutal occupation of the West Bank, and imminent threat of further annexation; which in itself is an illegal act in defiance of International Law.
Since 1971, Abu Dhabi has accused Tehran of occupying three Emirati islands. Analysts believe this deal has been catalyzed due to both Israel and the UAE’s mutual distrust of suspected nuclear power Iran, who is also suffering under heavy US sanctions.
Following this deal, what received little attention on the ten days of straight attacks on Gaza by Israel, utilizing US jets during the night. Israel claimed to be striking Hamas targets accusing Hamas of launching incendiary balloons across a fence with Israel, but these balloons have been pinpointed to Palestinian youths who can no longer deal with miserable living conditions in Gaza as a call for help. No one in Israel has been hurt. As a response from Israel, Gaza has been attacked every night since the normalization between the UAE and Israel. Since 2007, Palestinians in Gaza have been suffering an inhumane blockade by Israel. A UN report in 2012 projected Gaza would be “unlivable” by 2020 and that did not account for COVID-19. Despite these horrific conditions, Israel has recently also closed the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) border, which is desperately needed to access medicine and humanitarian goods by the people in Gaza. A ban on fishing is also being proposed by Israel and Gaza’s only power plant will be shut down due to the lack of fuel supply, leaving its two million population with only four hours of electricity per day. It is clear that this deal has not been made in the name of peace, but in the interest of security and economic gains. These events in Gaza only a few days after the deal, paint a bleak picture of what the future will hold for Palestine, with the interests in their freedom and equality put on the back burner.
