UAE backs Egypt, condemns Israeli premier’s call for Palestinian displacement

ISTANBUL

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) reaffirmed full support for Egypt on Saturday, and condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s call for Palestinian displacement from Gaza.

A Foreign Ministry statement hailed Egypt’s “ongoing efforts to stand with the Palestinian people, counter attempts to displace them, work towards achieving an immediate ceasefire, and alleviate the suffering of civilians.”

According to the statement, the UAE considered Netanyahu’s comments on displacing Palestinians from Gaza as “a dangerous continuation of occupation policies.” It reiterated its condemnation of “attempts aimed at displacing the Palestinian people.”

“Such unfounded calls constitute a flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions, as well as a blatant infringement on the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to remain on their land and establish their independent, sovereign state,” the ministry said.

It further stressed its “categorical rejection of all attempts at displacement or undermining the Palestinian cause.”

“Safeguarding the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people is no longer a political choice, but a moral, humanitarian, and legal obligation,” the ministry said.

The UAE said that lasting stability in the region “can only be achieved through a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions and international legitimacy.”

In an interview with the Israeli Telegram channel Abu Ali Express, Netanyahu claimed there were “different plans for how to rebuild Gaza” and alleged that “half of the population wants to leave Gaza,” describing it as “not a mass expulsion.”

He added: “I can open Rafah for them, but it will be closed immediately by Egypt.”

Egypt denounced Netanyahu’s comments as part of “ongoing attempts to prolong escalation in the region and perpetuate instability while avoiding accountability for Israeli violations in Gaza.”

The Israeli genocidal war in Gaza entered day 700 on Friday, with Israel having killed at least 64,300 Palestinians. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, which is facing famine.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.