West Bank Annexation Threatens Normalization and Regional Stability
A unified and potent warning has emerged from key Arab powers, cautioning that any Israeli move to annex the West Bank would shatter the prospects of further normalization and could unravel existing peace agreements. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has unequivocally stated that such an action would terminate any possibility of establishing diplomatic ties with Israel, a sentiment echoed forcefully by the United Arab Emirates, which warned that annexation is a "red flag" that could lead to its exit from the landmark Abraham Accords.
The stern messages were reportedly solidified during a recent meeting in Riyadh between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. According to a source within the Saudi royal family cited by Israeli public broadcaster KAN News, the two leaders concurred that a withdrawal from the Abraham Accords would be a "realistic" option if Israel proceeds with annexation. This coordinated stance from Riyadh and Abu Dhabi represents the most significant challenge to the burgeoning Israeli-Arab relations cultivated under the 2020 accords.
The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States, led to the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. A cornerstone of the UAE's agreement to normalize ties was Israel's commitment to suspend its then-plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The recent warnings indicate that this condition remains paramount. UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed reiterated his country's position on X/Twitter, stating, "annexation is a red line, and peace through a two-state solution must remain the path forward."
The renewed push for annexation within Israel is being championed by far-right members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich recently unveiled a proposal for the annexation of approximately 82% of the West Bank, a move aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state. This has come in response to announcements by several Western countries of their intent to recognize a State of Palestine formally.
The warnings from the Gulf are not isolated. Jordan's Foreign Minister, Ayman Safadi, accused the Israeli government of attempting to "redraw the region's map" and stressed that the only path to peace is the creation of an independent Palestinian state. He affirmed Jordan's "red line" in rejecting the displacement of Palestinians and condemned any moves to impose Israeli sovereignty over occupied land.
Similarly, Egypt has warned that the mass displacement of Gazans would be a "red line," viewing it as a potential "liquidation" of the Palestinian cause. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed that while Cairo respects its peace treaty with Israel, any displacement would pose a significant risk to Egypt's national security and sovereignty.
The concerted diplomatic pressure is having an effect. Reports indicate that Prime Minister Netanyahu recently removed the issue of annexation from the government agenda following the direct warnings from the UAE. An Israeli official acknowledged that the public and private warnings from the Emirates, a key partner in regional integration, caught the government off guard.
Analysts suggest that an Israeli annexation of the West Bank would be a violation of international law and would not only jeopardize the Abraham Accords but also extinguish the prospects of a much-coveted normalization deal with Saudi Arabia, the region's economic powerhouse. A source cited by KAN news noted that such a step by Israel would play into the hands of Iran and Hamas, who seek to disrupt the growing ties between Israel and Arab states. The international community is now watching closely to see if these stern warnings will be enough to deter a move that could irrevocably alter the landscape of the Middle East.