UAE warning against annexation was ‘surprise’ to government, Israeli official says

6 September 2025, 1:01 pm

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A map presented by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich detailing a proposed Israeli annexation of 82 percent of the West Bank on September 3, 2025. (Courtesy)

A harsh warning by the United Arab Emirates against the proposed annexation of the West Bank came as a “surprise” to the government, an Israeli official tells The Washington Post.

“The Emirates have expressed concerns about [annexation] before through other channels, but the statement came as a surprise,” the official says. “It’s very unusual.”

People familiar with the matter tell The Post that the topic of annexation was removed from the official agenda of a high-level meeting with ministers on Thursday after a UAE official warned publicly that carrying out such a move would be a “red line,” adding to several backchannel messages that were sent expressing opposition to the step.