UAE Collaborates with US and Israel on Gaza Post-War Plans
According to those involved with the negotiations, the United Arab Emirates has discussed with Israel and the United States taking part in a temporary administration of post-war Gaza until a reformed Palestinian Authority will take control.
It is stated in the media that there is a possibility of the United States and the United Arab Emirates along with other countries temporarily supervising the governance, security and reconstruction of Gaza following the Israeli military withdrawals and until a Palestinian administration is able to take over.
In contrast to most Arab regimes, the UAE maintains diplomatic relations with Israel and is a close security partner of the United States. According to the diplomats and officials, this gives the Gulf state some influence over the administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the sources Israel is still hesitant to lay out its own plans for Gaza after more than a year of conflict and the international community has found it difficult to come up with a workable strategy.
According to the sources, Israel has openly resisted Abu Dhabi’s support for a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) to rule Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem under an independent Palestinian state in the behind the scenes negotiations.
The Oslo Accords of 1993-1995 which were signed by Israel and the Palestinians formed the PA thirty years ago and granted it limited control over Gaza and the West Bank.
After 15 months of Israel’s catastrophic military war rebuilding Gaza including its democratic institutions is projected to take years, cost tens of billions of dollars and require significant international assistance.
Concerns about the war’s effects on Middle Eastern stability as well as on initiatives for more regional integration and economic growth have also been openly voiced by UAE leaders.
A US State Department spokesman told Reuters that partners had presented a number of draft proposals, plans and concepts and that discussions on possibilities for governance, security and reconstruction had taken place with a number of partners including the United Arab Emirates.
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