UAE agreeing in theory to manage Gaza "the day after." Is my "Emirate of Palestine" plan being pursued? ~ Elder Of Ziyon

Thursday, January 23, 2025

UAE agreeing in theory to manage Gaza "the day after." Is my "Emirate of Palestine" plan being pursued?

In November 2023, only a month into the war, I floated an idea of the only possible way the Gaza problem could be solved: turn the sector into a fifth United Arab Emirate. This plan, I argued, would ensure that Gaza would be ruled by forward thinking, anti-terror and anti-Islamist Arabs who would cooperate with all regional actors from Israel to Egypt; who could be trusted by the world, and who could conceivably turn Gaza into the Singapore that some envisioned when Israel withdrew in 2005. It would benefit everyone who isn't interested in destroying Israel.

Gazans would benefit as well: they would not be under the thumb of terrorist Hamas or the corrupt PA; they would have access to education and jobs both being created in Gaza and in the Gulf. Most importantly, they could become citizens of an Arab country and no longer be stateless.

Right now we are in a pattern of the world pouring billions into Gaza every few years with the virtual guarantee that the Islamists will start new wars with Israel and those billions will turn into dust. This pattern cannot continue.

One criticism I received was that the UAE would never want to take this responsibility, since who wants the headache of Gaza? I argued that there are clear benefits for the UAE to have access to a Mediterranean port, to control offshore gas fields, and to be much closer to the financial centers of Europe. Gaza could become a tourist and business Mecca (so to speak) where deals can be made. The Palestinians are perhaps the best educated Arab group and could help mitigate the UAE's dependence on foreign workers.

Of course this is an ambitious plan, with lots of moving parts and easy to sabotage. But no one has come up with anything better, or similar, or workable that would ensure no new Islamist takeover of Gaza, no more Palestinian misery and no more October 7ths.

Now we are learning that the UAE is supportive of at least a phase one of the plan: taking responsibility for managing Gaza:

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a preliminary agreement today (Wednesday) on how Gaza will be managed after the war. However, the implementation of the plan requires a "Palestinian invitation."

According to Abu Dhabi's approach, the next move must come from the Palestinians themselves, rather than being initiated by Israel. Alternatively, as Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer hinted in the Knesset, American or international sponsorship could also propel the plan forward.

Information obtained by Israel Hayom reveals that the UAE, which spearheaded the Abraham Accords in 2020, has agreed in principle to take responsibility for Gaza's management post-war. The emirates aim to rebuild the region in a way that neutralizes any potential threat to Israel. Known for leading the Arab world in opposing jihad and the use of Islam for violence, the UAE is prepared to instill these values in Gaza.

Speaking in the Knesset, Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer acknowledged the complexities of advancing such a plan. In response to questions from MKs Alon Schuster, Oded Forer, and Amit Halevi, Dermer confirmed his involvement in shaping Gaza's post-war future.

However, he added a critical caveat: "Any Israeli plan will die on arrival simply because it's an Israeli initiative. We need to enlist the US and other regional forces to manage Gaza after the war..."

While the UAE supports the establishment of a Palestinian state, it shares the international community's harsh criticism of corruption and incitement to terrorism within Palestinian educational and media institutions.

The standard line is that the Palestinian Authority must control Gaza and the UAE cannot go against its wishes. But last October, the UAE outlined the conditions necessary for the PA to take over Gaza, including eliminating its corruption, creating a new transparent government and a transition period of partnering with others on rebuilding Gaza.

The PA flatly rejected the plan without even discussing it. This did not endear them to the UAE. The Gulf countries have been sick of the PA for a while now, and everything it does makes them like them even less. They want the money they send to Gaza to be investments, not burned. The UAE is uniquely positioned to spend the money with the chances of a huge dividend.

I would not be surprised if the UAE and Israel have the same vision I outlined. As we saw with the Abraham Accords, the UAE is willing to prioritize its own interests over the obstructionist demands of Mahmoud Abbas. His veto power over the entire Arab world has been destroyed. While politics precludes the UAE articulating a final goal of Gaza as an emirate for political reasons, it very possibly is setting the stage for exactly that result.

That would be the best possible peace plan between Israel and the Palestinians, and everyone would love to see it - besides those who are committed to destroying Israel.