The United Arab Emirates is mulling a downgrade of diplomatic ties with Israel if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government proceeds with annexing parts of the occupied West Bank, three sources familiar with the matter said.
UAE is one of just a few Arab states with diplomatic relations with Israel and downgrading ties would be a major setback for the Abraham Accords – a signature foreign policy achievement of U.S. President Donald Trump and Netanyahu.
Israel's government has recently taken steps that could presage annexation of the West Bank, which was captured along with East Jerusalem in a war in 1967. The United Nations and most countries oppose such a move.
For Netanyahu, whose coalition relies on right-wing nationalist parties, annexation could be seen as a valuable vote-winner before an election expected next year.
Abu Dhabi warned Netanyahu's right-wing coalition this month that any annexation of the West Bank would be a "red line" for the Gulf state but did not say what measures could follow.
