UAE calls for independent Palestine under Palestinian Authority

The UAE’s Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, called for the establishment of a Palestinian state under the leadership of the Palestinian Authority (PA), with East Jerusalem as its capital.

During a speech at the UN General Assembly on Monday, the diplomat said this would be done after the establishment of a “temporary international mission in the Gaza Strip – upon an official request from the Palestinian government – to address the humanitarian crisis, re-establish security and law, and reunite Gaza and the West Bank under a reformed Palestinian Authority.”

Sheikh Shakhboot added that Palestine deserves to be recognised by all states as a fully-fledged state under occupation, saying “just a couple of weeks ago it took its new seat in this hall like every other nation, has fulfilled the requirements for full membership in this organisation.”

The UAE’s statement, held on the last day of the UNGA in New York, comes after numerous world representatives issues similar remarks regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state under a two-state solution and an end to the Israeli aggression in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

"It must be recalled here that even wars have rules. Parties must respect international law, including international humanitarian law," Sheikh Shakhbot said. 

He added a lasting ceasefire in Gaza must be reached and "It is evident that what we have warned about is now unfolding beyond our control. We regret to see the war spread to Lebanon, at a time when we were hoping for an announcement about reaching a deal to end the war on Gaza."

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the international body on Sunday, after the majority of delegates walked out in protest. He said that following that attack, his country was forced to defend itself on six more fronts, organised by Iran in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. 

He also stated that if Iran should “strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach and that is true of the entire Middle East.”

Since then, the Israeli military has launched a ground invasion of Lebanon, around a week after an intensification of airstrikes across the country, and the assassination of Hezbollah leader Nasrallah.