Editor’s note: A version of this article appears in today’s Middle East newsletter, CNN’s three weekly newsletter featuring the region’s biggest stories. SIGN UP HERE.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
CNN
—
It was a rare hug between one of Israel’s most controversial politicians and the Arab ambassador, Itamar Ben Gvir and Israeli Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Mohamed Al Khaja. held each other’s hands Warm greetings in Tel Aviv, early December.
A columnist for Israel’s left-leaning Haaretz newspaper wrote that the Abraham Accords, in which Israel received endorsement from four Arab states, “flock like feathers.” Including United Arab Emirates 2020 did little to ease Israel’s position on Palestinians.UAE superstar”
Israel on Thursday most right-wing government In that history, it is headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Extremist Ben Guvir, who was convicted of supporting terrorism and inciting anti-Arab racism, became Minister of National Security. Bezalel Smotrich, who supports the abolition of the Palestinian Authority and the annexation of the West Bank, has been appointed finance minister.
Both politicians were invited to December’s National Day celebrations hosted by the UAE and Bahrain. normalized relationship With Morocco and Sudan in 2020, with Israel.
“The Emirates are here to show that unity equals prosperity,” said Al Hajah. Age of Israel As he said at his country’s National Day celebration, where he was pictured with Ben Guvir. “We will continue to use diplomacy to deepen our ties through friendship and mutual respect.”
Public acceptance of a disliked figure in the Arab world and causing division within Israel is a rare gesture by Arab states that have normalized relations with Israel.
Egypt and Jordan, which recognized Israel in 1979 and 1994 respectively, have what observers called a “cold peace” with Israel.
In a call congratulating Netanyahu on his return, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi “underscored the need to avoid any measures that create tensions and complicate the situation in the region.” Jordan’s King Abdullah II said in an interview with CNN last month that his country is “ready for conflict if the situation changes at his al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, which he administers.” warned.
The rightward direction of Israeli politics puts Israel’s new Arab partners in an awkward position with respect to the Palestinian cause. A central issue among the Arab people.
Abdulkarek Abdullah, a professor of political science in the United Arab Emirates, told CNN, “It’s embarrassing not just for us (in the UAE), but for America and everyone everywhere.” “It’s a dilemma, but the way to deal with it is just wait and see.”
A poll conducted by the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in July 2022 showed support for the Abraham Accords dropping in the Gulf, showing a minority view. United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, more than 70% of the general public view the agreement negatively. But the data also showed that around 40% of people in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain support maintaining business and sports ties with Israel.
The normalize state seems to be aware of it. On Friday, all four Arab countries continued their tradition of supporting Palestinians at the United Nations and voted in the General Assembly to seek the International Criminal Court’s opinion on the legal consequences of Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. Called the vote “despicable”.
However, Israeli media reports say the emirate has been sending behind-the-scenes messages of concern to Netanyahu over the inclusion of extremists in his government. Ahead of the Israeli elections, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed warned Prime Minister Netanyahu not to include Ben Guvir and Smotrihi in his government. Age of Israel said as a senior official. Axios, which first reported the news, said: Netanyahu did not respond.
The move is a rare case of one of Israel’s Arab partners showing a fondness for the country’s domestic politics.
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Israeli analyst Zvi Bar’el written in Harletts Ben Gvir’s hiring in December is linked to Abu Dhabi’s desire to steer Israeli policy, adding that it has made the United Arab Emirates “the Arab country with the greatest influence over Israel’s new government.” said it was possible.
The effectiveness of UAE diplomacy inside Israel remains to be seen. So far, Israel’s militant minister appears unrestrained.
Less than a week into office, Ben Gvir made a controversial visit Inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque premises escorted by Israeli police on Tuesday. The mosque in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem is located in the area known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif. For Muslims he is the third holiest site and for Jews it is the holiest known as the Temple Mount. Under current arrangements, non-Muslims are not allowed to pray there, and Ben Gvir wants to change that.
UAE “strongly” Condemned Ben Gubir’s visit It did not appoint a minister and stressed the need to respect Jordan’s role as custodian of the Holy Land.Then, along with China, called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the issue.
“However unhappy they[Bahrain and the UAE]are with the emergence of Israel’s most right-wing government, it is clear that they have chosen to publish these concerns privately and that they Elham Faklo, a researcher at the Gulf Studies Center at the University of Exeter in the UK, told CNN.
However, the United Arab Emirates has previously said a friendlier relationship with the Arab world was not a green light for Israel to expand its territory. Otaiba warned Israel that “an illegal Israeli seizure would worsen relations with Arab countries.” Land of Palestine”
Abdullah, a professor in the United Arab Emirates, said Abu Dhabi could have some influence over Israel and could use it personally, but ultimately “Everyone knows that no one has influence over Israel today. Not even America.”
Still, the UAE-Israel relationship is not forever, he said. “This relationship is decided by the UAE … if it is not in the UAE’s interest … it can collapse at any time.”
With additional reporting by Nadine Ebrahim
Turkey’s ruling party considers bringing elections ‘slightly’ forward
Turkey’s ruling AK party, led by President Tayyip Erdogan, is considering “minor changes” to the election date scheduled for mid-June, AK party spokesman Omer Celik said on Monday. I told him. He said the party is considering moving it “slightly forward” because the election date coincides with the summer holiday season.
- Background: Turkey’s parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled for June 18 and Erdogan has previously said elections will take place in June. Celik said the date change would not result in a general election.
- why it matters: Elections are set to take place as Turkey faces steep inflation and an economic downturn that could jeopardize Erdogan’s re-election prospects. However, the government has recently tried to regain voter support through populist moves such as wage hikes, retirement benefits, social assistance, energy and agricultural aid.
Amnesty International accuses Iran of supporting death sentences for demonstrators
On Monday, Amnesty International condemned Iran’s Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the death sentence of protester Mohammad Borokhani, who is accused of stabbing a security guard during a protest, according to Iranian state media.
- Background: Boroughani will be executed under the “Mohalebe Law”, or war against God, state-run Tasnim news agency said. According to Amnesty International, he was sentenced to death by a revolutionary court in a collective trial in Tehran presided over by notorious judge Aborgasem Salavati, before the Supreme Court confirmed its verdict.
- Important reasons: The protester is among 26 other people Amnesty International identified last month as at risk of execution in connection with nationwide protests in the country. It has already carried out two executions in connection with the protests. CNN confirmed that at least 43 detainees face execution. The situation has come under strong criticism from several European countries, including Germany, France and the UK.
Iranian judiciary charges two Frenchmen, one Belgian with espionage
Iran has indicted two French citizens and a Belgian for carrying out espionage and activities against national security, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing the semi-official Student News Network. The office did not disclose the names of the three, when they were charged, or where they were charged.
- Background: Belgian justice minister said last month that Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecastil was sentenced to 28 years in prison in Iran. Iranian media released a video in October that appeared to show two French citizens confessing to espionage. The video sparked outrage in France, which said those detained were “hostages of the state”.
- Important reasons: France’s foreign minister said in November that a total of seven French nationals were being held in Iran. Iran accuses foreign opponents of fueling the wave of unrest that erupted three months before her. The protests represent one of the boldest challenges to the country’s leadership since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, drawing Iranians from all walks of life.
Region: #Halalonaldo (Hello Ronaldo)
Football fans in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are celebrating the arrival of famous Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo in Riyadh, as he heads to the kingdom on Tuesday ahead of an unveiling ceremony with Al Nasr Football Club. arrived at
Twitter was flooded with images of Ronaldo in the club’s yellow and blue colors, smiling at a large billboard in the Saudi capital. A meme shows ‘Sheikh Ronaldo’ in Arab attire, while another shows him wearing a jersey with the slogan ‘Just do it’ from his sponsor Nike. rice field.
Saudi Arabian magazine even advertised for full-time ‘correspondent to Ronaldo’, Esquire magazine report.
“Welcome to the greatest player in the world,” one Saudi user tweeted, sharing a video of a framed photo of Ronaldo holding an Al Nasr jersey.
“The streets of Riyadh welcome Ronaldo,” tweeted one Kuwaiti social media influencer, who said the Saudis were lucky to have their country home to such a high-profile player.
However, if Ronaldo accidentally left his new home “South Africa‘ It went viral on Tuesday. “So for me, coming to South Africa is not the end of my career. said at a press conference in
Some joked that Ronaldo only got the country’s name wrong when he received a lot of money to play in Saudi Arabia.
Al Nasr FC announced on December 30 that the footballer will be joining the team, tweeting a photo of Ronaldo in the jersey. He is 37 and a free agent. available immediately He made headlines after breaking up with Manchester United last month.
Nadine Ebrahim
