In a heated exchange during a meeting of Arab countries last month, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan referred to the leadership of the Palestinian Authority as “Ali Baba and the forty thieves,” sparking a shouting match with top P.A. official Hussein al-Sheikh.
The incident, reported by Axios and confirmed by five sources, took place during a gathering in Riyadh attended by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, as well as diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting was called to discuss a joint post-war strategy for the Gaza Strip.
Al-Sheikh expressed frustration that despite implementing reforms and creating a new government as requested by Washington and Arab countries, the Palestinian Authority was not receiving adequate political and financial support. In response, Sheikh Abdullah criticized the P.A. leadership, calling them “useless” and questioning the need for assistance without real reforms.
The exchange escalated with al-Sheikh pushing back against the criticism, stating that nobody would dictate how the P.A. conducts reforms. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud attempted to calm the situation, but Sheikh Abdullah left the room in anger.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi later returned with the Emirati foreign minister to apologize to Blinken for the confrontation. The incident highlighted the tensions and disagreements among Arab countries and the Palestinian leadership regarding reforms and support for the P.A.
The clash comes amid efforts by the Palestinian Authority to enact wide-ranging reforms and hold elections, with the aim of taking control of the Gaza Strip after the conflict with Hamas ends. The United States has been urging for an “effective and revitalized” P.A. to govern the Strip, a move opposed by Israel due to concerns over terrorism support.
In previous interactions, U.S. officials have pressed P.A. chief Mahmoud Abbas to implement reforms that would benefit the Palestinian people. Palestinian officials, in turn, have criticized American policies towards the Palestinian issue, calling for reforms in U.S. approaches.
Despite the tensions, the Biden administration has expressed eagerness to work with the new P.A. government, which includes individuals with a history of supporting terrorism. The U.S. State Department has emphasized the importance of necessary reforms and cooperation for promoting peace, security, and prosperity in the region.
The confrontation between UAE and Palestinian officials underscores the challenges and complexities in the relationships between Arab countries and the Palestinian Authority, as they navigate post-war strategies and reforms in the region.