Israel Halts West Bank Annexation Plans After UAE Warning

Israel has paused its plan to annex parts of the West Bank following a strong warning from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet was scheduled to discuss extending Israeli sovereignty over large areas of the territory, but the agenda was shifted to focus on deteriorating security conditions in Palestinian areas.

According to the Times of Israel, the Washington Post reported that Netanyahu’s government was caught off guard by the UAE’s public declaration that annexation was a “red line” which could bring regional normalization to an end.

An unnamed Israeli official told the paper that although the UAE had previously raised concerns about annexation through other channels, the public warning was unexpected and highly unusual.

The warning was delivered by UAE envoy Lana Nusseibeh in an interview with the Times of Israel on Tuesday and reinforced in a subsequent statement. Additional private messages were also conveyed. Citing three informed sources, the Washington Post said the issue was removed from Netanyahu’s cabinet meeting agenda on Thursday night.

The UAE’s stance carried particular weight, as Abu Dhabi normalized ties with Israel in 2020, becoming the first Arab state in 25 years to do so. At the time, dropping plans to annex parts of the West Bank was presented as a condition of the agreement.

According to two sources cited by the Washington Post, the latest public warning came after Netanyahu ignored earlier private cautions, angering Emirati officials. The report also noted that Emirati authorities were displeased with U.S. officials, including Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, who appeared aligned with Netanyahu’s position.

“Emirati officials now believe the U.S. and Israel are taking their concerns more seriously,” the paper said.

When asked to comment, a White House spokesperson referred to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Thursday statement that West Bank annexation was “not a foregone conclusion.” Rubio told reporters in Ecuador that the issue is under discussion in certain circles of Israeli politics and declined to give further opinion. He added that Israel’s debate on annexation was a “completely predictable” response to Western countries’ recent announcement at the U.N. General Assembly recognizing a Palestinian state.

Meanwhile, Israel’s finance minister on Wednesday called for the annexation of nearly 82 percent of the West Bank in order to eliminate prospects for a Palestinian state.

Hebrew media reported earlier in the week that Netanyahu had planned to discuss annexation with senior ministers on Thursday. However, the meeting was canceled following the UAE’s warning.

Israel has occupied the West Bank since the Six-Day War of June 1967. While most countries consider the presence there illegal, the United States does not share this view and supported the move during both terms of President Donald Trump.

Read More: PAF Observes Martyrs’ Day With Reverence, Air Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Mission Amidst Security Challenges