Palestinians and Iran condemn Israel-UAE agreement

The UAE-Israel agreement to normalize political relations has drawn mixed reactions around the world. While the Palestinians have condemned it, Bahrain and Egypt have welcomed it.

The Palestinian leadership has strongly criticized and condemned the “historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.”

The office of Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas announced on Thursday evening, August 13, after holding an emergency meeting, that it rejects and condemns the "sudden announcement" by Israel and the UAE.

In its statement, the PA called it "a blow to Saudi Arabia's efforts to establish peace, the statements of the Arab League, and an aggressive approach to the Palestinian people."

The Palestinian Authority statement also stated that the UAE-Israel agreement is "a betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Palestinian issue."

The organization stated in its statement that such an agreement “is in effect the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” The Palestinian leadership has called on the UAE to immediately withdraw the agreement.

Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki also called the UAE's move a "betrayal." Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, accused the UAE of "stabbling the Palestinians in the back" with its agreement with Israel.

According to Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum, “the announcement of this agreement is a reward to Israel for the crimes it committed by occupying Palestine.” He added: “This normalization of relations is a dagger stabbed in the back at our people.”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling the Palestinians' strong reaction to the Israel-UAE agreement "understandable" and stating that "history and human conscience will not forget such hypocritical behavior."

The Islamic Republic also condemned the announcement of the agreement between the UAE and Israel. The Islamic Republic's Foreign Ministry called it "dangerous and illegitimate" and called it a "shameful act" that "betrayed the Palestinians."

The United Arab Emirates and Israel announced on Thursday, August 13, that they had reached an agreement on peace and cooperation with each other, mediated by the US government and Donald Trump himself.

The UAE is the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have reached an agreement to normalize relations with Israel.

According to news media reports, as part of the agreement, Israel has abandoned its policy of annexing parts of the West Bank. The agreement also includes the opening of embassies in the capitals of both countries and the establishment of direct flights.

"A historic agreement"

US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have called the agreement reached between the two countries a "historic agreement."

Bahrain and Egypt are among the Arab countries that have expressed satisfaction with and welcomed the agreement between the UAE and Israel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also praised the establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel.

Guterres' spokesman said in this regard: "The Secretary-General welcomes this agreement and hopes that it will provide an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume meaningful negotiations."

Source: DW