A Shocking Ultimatum: UAE Threatens to Abandon Abraham Accords Over Judea and Samaria Sovereignty

The United Arab Emirates has issued a stern warning against Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's call for imposing full sovereignty over Judea and Samaria, labeling it a "red line" that could severely damage the Abraham Accords. Senior UAE Foreign Ministry official Lana Nusseibeh told Reuters that such a move would represent a "strategic loss" for the region, emphasizing that while normalization with Israel remains a core strategic choice for the Emirates, they cannot accept steps that contradict the spirit of the peace agreements.

Smotrich, head of the far-right Religious Zionism party, made his remarks earlier today, declaring, “The time has come to apply full sovereignty in Judea and Samaria.” His statement has sparked immediate backlash, not only from the UAE but also amid broader regional concerns about escalating tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, marking a significant shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

Nusseibeh's comments echo earlier UAE positions on potential annexation, which the Emirates have consistently viewed as a threat to regional integration and stability. In a related interview, UAE diplomat Majed Al-Ansari expressed regret over what he called a "change in the rules of the game," warning that Israel risks alienating its new allies under the Accords. Analysts suggest this response reflects growing frustration in Gulf states over Israel's right-wing policies, particularly as the Accords approach their fifth anniversary amid ongoing Gaza hostilities.

Israeli officials have not yet responded directly to the UAE's criticism, but Smotrich has defended his stance in the past, arguing that sovereignty is essential for Israel's security.

The UAE's pointed rebuke points to the fragile balance of the Abraham Accords, which have fostered economic ties, such as booming trade and tourism between Israel and the Emirates, but remain vulnerable to political flashpoints like Judean and Samarian policies. As one Emirati source noted, "We chose peace, but peace requires mutual respect for boundaries."

This story is developing, with potential implications for broader Middle East normalization efforts, including stalled talks with Saudi Arabia.