UAE Joins Israel and US in Demanding Palestinian Authority Reform

The United Arab Emirates is taking a firm stance against the Palestinian Authority at the annual Arab League summit in Bahrain, aligning with Israel and the United States in calling for significant reforms. The UAE has refused to support a substantial budget for the Palestinian Authority (PA) until it makes sweeping changes, such as halting payments to terrorists and ending incitement.

“In this way, the Emirates is aligning itself with the American position that strives for a new Palestinian Authority,” a high-level Arab diplomat told The Press Service of Israel.

Tensions have risen behind the scenes as the Emirates blocked a proposed resolution to allocate $100 million monthly to the PA, citing concerns about corruption and ineffective leadership. The Emiratis demanded measures for PA financial transparency and steps to prevent corruption, which has infuriated the Palestinian delegation.

“The Emiratis practically emptied the initiative to budget the Palestinian Authority of any content,” a diplomatic source explained to TPS-IL. “The refusal of the Emiratis to budget a corrupt authority should not surprise anyone.”

The UAE’s critical stance towards President Mahmoud Abbas’s leadership has found support from Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who would recognize PA authority in a post-war Gaza. However, the PA continues to boycott the US, especially after Secretary of State Anthony Blinken vetoed a UN Security resolution that would have granted the Palestinians full UN membership.

“The Emirates have openly decided to align themselves with the Biden administration, which claims that only a new and reformed Palestinian Authority can be a partner in the eyes of the Americans the day after the war in the Gaza Strip,” the source added.

The Emiratis are pushing the Palestinian Authority to undergo a series of reforms, transforming it into a more transparent and accountable entity. During a recent Zoom conference of Arab diplomats, participants voiced opposition to Abbas’s prolonged rule. Palestinians have not held national elections since 2005, and Abbas is now in the 19th year of what was supposed to be a four-year term.

The US has been pressing Abbas to reform the PA, as a precursor to taking responsibility for Gaza's administration and reconstruction. Proposed reforms include reducing the PA’s bloated bureaucracy, replacing its diplomats abroad, and establishing an internal self-investigation mechanism within the Palestinian Preventive Security.

Ramallah hopes to meet US demands by proposing a technocratic government that includes moderate Hamas members and indirect “pay-for-slay” funding. However, skepticism remains high, with many doubting Abbas's commitment to these reforms. A March survey by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found 81% of Palestinians in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza dissatisfied with Abbas’s leadership, with 84% wanting him to resign.

As regional dynamics continue to shift, the UAE’s alignment with Israel and the US signals a new approach towards Palestinian governance, aiming for a future where transparency and accountability take precedence.

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