UAE Aligning with Israel and US in Push for Palestinian Reform

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is making waves at the annual Arab League summit in Bahrain by taking a hardline stance against the Palestinian Authority. The UAE is demanding sweeping reforms from the Palestinian leadership, including halting payments to terrorists and ending incitement, before backing a significant budget allocation.

Tensions have escalated behind the scenes as the UAE blocked a proposed resolution to allocate USD 100 million monthly to the Palestinian Authority, citing concerns about corruption and ineffective leadership. The Emiratis are also pushing for measures to ensure financial transparency and prevent corruption within the PA, much to the dismay of the Palestinian delegation.

The UAE’s bold move challenging President Mahmoud Abbas’s leadership has found support from Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Galant, who envisions recognizing a reformed PA authority in post-war Gaza. However, the PA continues to boycott the US and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken following the US veto of a UN Security Resolution that would have granted the Palestinians full UN membership.

“The Emirates have openly decided to align themselves with the Biden administration, which emphasizes the need for a new and reformed Palestinian Authority to be a viable partner post-Gaza war,” a diplomatic source revealed.

The UAE is throwing its weight behind Muhammed Dahlan, a rival of Abbas, as a potential leader for managing post-war Gaza. Dahlan, a former high-level figure within Fatah, fell out with Abbas in 2011 and was expelled from the party on corruption charges, which he denies.

During a recent conference of Arab diplomats, opposition to Abbas’s rule was voiced, highlighting the dissatisfaction with his leadership among Palestinians. Abbas, who is in the 19th year of what was supposed to be a four-year term, has faced criticism for canceling several attempted elections amid Fatah-Hamas disagreements.

The US has been pressuring Abbas to reform the PA as a prerequisite for taking responsibility for Gaza’s administration and reconstruction. Proposed reforms include streamlining the PA’s bureaucracy, replacing diplomats representing the PA abroad, and implementing an internal self-investigation mechanism within the Palestinian Preventive Security.

Despite efforts to appease US demands with a technocratic government and indirect funding for Hamas members, doubts linger over Abbas’s commitment to implementing reforms. A survey conducted in March found that a majority of Palestinians are dissatisfied with Abbas’s leadership and want him to resign.

The UAE’s bold stance against the Palestinian Authority underscores a shift in regional dynamics and a growing alignment with the US and Israel on the need for significant reforms within the Palestinian leadership. As the Arab League summit unfolds, the UAE’s push for change is likely to reverberate across the region, shaping the future of Palestinian politics and governance.