‘Don’t lecture us’: UAE official calls on Israel, and Palestine to take responsibility for peace

Despite current challenges, Dr Al Nuaimi says the UAE remains firmly committed to the Abraham Accords

- Haneen Dajani

The Abraham Accords can only deliver lasting peace if Israeli and Palestinian public figures focus on changing attitudes within their own communities, a senior UAE official has said, urging both sides to take greater responsibility for shaping public support in the “day after” phase of regional diplomacy.

Speaking at the Abraham Accords Conference in Abu Dhabi, Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, Member of the UAE Federal National Council and Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior & Foreign Affairs Committee, said the UAE had “committed itself to do whatever it takes” to make the agreement successful since it was signed on September 15, 2020 —even going beyond what was required.

“The UAE did more than what the agreement had accepted, and we faced so many challenges because of our commitment,” he said. “The other two countries, you know, they didn’t fulfill their commitment within that agreement. And this is very important to understand.”

He stressed that the Abraham Accords were “a political agreement... It has nothing to do with religion,” and reiterated that the UAE “walks the talk” when it signs international agreements. “When we sign an agreement with someone, we respect that agreement. We engage fully.”

'Don’t come and lecture us’

Dr Al Nuaimi said the main challenge now lies not in diplomatic negotiations but in public attitudes inside Israel and Palestine. He urged both sides to take responsibility of that work rather than expecting the UAE to mediate local narratives.