UAE, Jordan Reject Israeli Annexation Plans in West Bank
The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and King Abdullah II of Jordan have strongly opposed any Israeli moves to annex the occupied West Bank. The two leaders held talks on Sunday at Qasr Al Shati Palace in Abu Dhabi during King Abdullah’s working visit to the UAE.
During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah reaffirmed their countries’ firm and united position in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. They stressed that achieving a just and comprehensive peace requires serious international efforts based on the two-state solution, which envisions an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The leaders firmly rejected any Israeli attempts to annex parts of the West Bank or other occupied Palestinian territories. They also opposed any plans to forcibly displace Palestinians, warning that such actions, along with continued settlement expansion, threaten regional peace, security, and stability.
Their remarks come after reports earlier this month that Israeli officials were considering annexation of parts of the West Bank in response to discussions by France and other countries about recognizing Palestinian statehood. Palestinians have long opposed annexation, seeing it as a decisive blow to their aspirations for statehood.
At the end of the visit, King Abdullah was seen off at Al Bateen Airport by Sheikh Mohamed and senior UAE officials.
