UAE 'has been and will always be' a supporter of our cause, says Palestinian diaspora

The Palestinian community in the Emirates rejects any criticism of the decision to agree a peace accord with Israel

Leading members of the UAE's Palestinian community have backed the country's 'sovereign' decision to strike a peace accord with Israel. Victor Besa / The National.

Leading members of the UAE’s Palestinian diaspora have rejected any criticism of the UAE's historic move towards a full normalisation of relations with Israel in exchange for it suspending its planned annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank.

An agreement between the two countries, known as the Abraham Accord, followed a joint call between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Thursday.

Some factions in Palestine have issued statements denouncing the agreement.

But the Palestinian community in the UAE has expressed its confidence in the Emirati leadership and people “who have been supporting the Palestinian cause in establishing an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

“The UAE is an independent and sovereign state ruled by leaders who have great wisdom and insight. It has the right to choose its foreign policy and draw up agreements in line with its strategic interests,”  Palestinian businessmen and leaders based in the Emirates said during a virtual meeting.

“The leadership and people of the UAE have been and are the best supporters of the Palestinian cause,” they said in a statement.

The Palestinian Business Council in Abu Dhabi said on Tuesday the UAE has been and will be a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause.

The council said it believes that the "UAE will never abandon the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and will support them at all events in establishing an independent state in its capital in Jerusalem."

It commended the UAE's humanitarian role in supporting Palestinians.

The UAE has said the accord does not change its view of the peace process.

It remains committed to the Arab plan of a negotiated two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said while some officials have rejected the normalisation of relations between UAE and Israel, it does not diminish his respect for the Emirati people.

“The Emirati people are our people. The UAE flag is an Arab flag. Our rejection of normalisation does not affect our respect towards our people in the UAE,” Mr Shtayyeh said on Twitter.

There is still little detail on the timeline but the accord includes the establishment of diplomatic missions, travel between the two countries, the opening of trade relations – including of technology and goods – and co-operation in areas such as food security, climate change and energy.