The United Arab Emirates Discouraged Hamas' Use of Violence. Now, they are A Major Donor to Gazans: Where is Iranian Aid for Starving Gazans?

When the United Arab Emirates normalized relations with Israel, Hamas called the country an "existential threat."[1]. The Emiratis stood their ground and argued that they hoped to broker peace and moderate Israel's actions. This was brushed aside by states and international entities who sought to annihilate the state of Israel violently. Today, the United Arab Emirates is one of the biggest donors to the people of Gaza.

All the groups that funded and encouraged Hamas' actions on October 7 have turned their backs on the people of Gaza. Most notably, Iran's support for the Palestinian people at this time of need is missing. Their actions only prolong the war, which prevents any possibility of ending the ongoing Gaza war.

In fact, the United Arab Emirates is one of the few Islamic countries that has been able to influence Israel directly in this war. They have been able to appeal to Israel and maintain high-level relations with the Israeli government, which has given them possible paths to peace.

From the onset, the United Arab Emirates made it clear that they seek to lead efforts to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians peacefully.[2]. This shows that the Emiratis do not believe the old methods of rioting and terror are valid in our present dispensation. Instead, they believe technology and prosperity are essential for the region. Hence, their push to normalize relations with Israel and enhance their cooperation with the United States.

In November 2022, Israel signed a memorandum of understanding with Jordan and the UAE to swap desalinated water for solar energy. Indeed, Israel is one of the leading countries in the desalination of seawater. Emiratis have leveraged this technology impressively.

Since the Gaza War began, the United Arab Emirates delivered over 130 million gallons of clean drinking water to the Gaza Strip through six plants in Egypt.[3]

Due to normalization, the UAE gained high-level approval for essential clean water and aid to reach the people of Gaza.

What good can any of the biggest haters of Israel do for Hamas at a time like this?

What can the endless blame of Israel do for the starving women and children of Gaza?

Interestingly, there are images of armed Gazans struggling with the civilians to grab Emirati aid as it enters the Strip. This is due to weeks of fighting that have restricted the delivery of this much-needed aid.

All of this indicates that:

1.      The Emirates are dedicated to Palestinian lives, and their effort to open up with Israel has turned out to be much more helpful for Gazans and Palestinians at this time of great need.

2.      The Emirates is doing more for the Palestinian people than the biggest haters of Israel. While those who advocate for violence against Israel might be hailed as "noble" supporters of Palestinians, the evidence shows that the Emirati decision to open up to Israel puts them in a position to help avert famine and starvation in Gaza.

3.      The Emirati decision to look into the future with optimism and cooperation with Israel rather than nurture hostility is much more fruitful and beneficial. It saves them artificial hatred manufactured by malcontents who often use hatred for Israel to cover up for pertinent national problems that hamper development and advancement.

The UAE has reason to be proud of its efforts in Gaza and elsewhere in the Palestinian territories. Those who supplied arms to start the unprovoked war on October 7, 2023, are nowhere to be found when it comes to averting hunger, thirst, famine, and starvation in the Gaza Strip. And all this suffering emanates from a war they contributed to while condemning the UAE for normalizing ties with Israel.

[1] Alexander Cornwell. "Exclusive: UAE plans to maintain ties with Israel despite Gaza outcry, sources say" Reuters. Published: November 11, 2023. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/uae-plans-maintain-ties-with-israel-despite-gaza-outcry-sources-say-2023-11-11/

[2] Ambassador Hesham Youssef. "Can the ‘New Normalizers’ Advance Israeli-Palestinian Peace?" United States Institute of Peace. Published: June 16, 2021. Available at: https://www.usip.org/publications/2021/06/can-new-normalizers-advance-israeli-palestinian-peace

[3][3] Ali Al Shouk. "UAE-built desalination plants deliver 130 million gallons of clean water to Gaza Strip." The National Published:  July 8, 2024. https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2024/07/08/uae-built-desalination-plants-deliver-130-million-gallons-of-clean-water-to-gaza-strip/