Spain's attorney general plans to investigate alleged human rights abuses in Gaza
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is reportedly considering downgrading diplomatic ties with Israel due to potential annexation of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This development comes as the UAE foreign ministry did not respond to questions on whether it is weighing this decision.
The UAE's potential response follows the UAE's decision last week to bar Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow in November. This move was a clear sign of growing differences between the two countries, particularly since the return of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to power in 2023, leading the most right-wing government in Israel's history.
The tension escalated further when the Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) issued a report concluding that genocide is occurring in Gaza. The COI also accused Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and former defence minister Yoav Gallant of inciting the commission of genocide. Israel, however, has rejected the findings of the COI report, calling it "distorted and false."
Navi Pillay, the UN investigator who presented the report, has been vocal about the situation. She plans for the commission to draft a list of suspected perpetrators of abuses in Gaza and explore the suspected "complicity" of countries supporting Israel. However, Pillay acknowledged that securing accountability will not be easy due to the ICC not having its own sheriff or police force to do the arrests.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has stated that maps are being drawn up to annex most of the West Bank. This move has been supported by Itamar Ben-Gvir, the national security minister. Emirati foreign ministry official Lana Nusseibeh warned that annexation of the West Bank would jeopardize the Abraham Accords and end the pursuit of regional integration.
Spain has also joined the chorus of criticism, issuing a decree to create a working team to investigate human rights violations in Gaza. The working team is tasked with gathering evidence and making it available to the International Criminal Court.
It is important to note that the UAE, along with Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, are among the countries that have officially allied with Israel and established diplomatic relations through the Abraham Accords, which began in 2020. Egypt and Iran have discussed improving relations but have no formal alliances. Some countries like Bolivia have severed diplomatic ties with Israel.
Despite the tensions, the UAE embassy in Abu Dhabi stated that Israel is committed to the Abraham Accords and will continue to work towards strengthening ties with the UAE. However, the future of these relations remains uncertain as the potential annexation of the West Bank continues to be a contentious issue.
Navi Pillay, who has her visa ready to travel to New York to present her report to the UN General Assembly, will be leaving the commission in November due to age and health concerns. Her departure comes at a critical time as the international community grapples with the complexities of the situation in Gaza.
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