Hamas slams UAE over pro-Israel statements

By Ahmed Asmar

ANKARA (AA) – Palestinian group Hamas on Sunday accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supporting Israeli occupation in violation of Palestinians’ rights.

"Statements made during visits by some Emirati officials to the [Israeli] occupation went over the line and reflect unlimited UAE support to the settlement and occupation,” Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Twitter.

Such statements also confirm “UAE involvement with the occupation against Palestinian rights and the interests of the peoples of the region,” he said.

During recent visits to Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a number of Emirati and Bahraini officials made statements showing support for Israeli policies.

This September the UAE, along with Bahrain, signed a controversial US-brokered agreement with Israel to establish diplomatic relations. Following their normalization deal, a host of bilateral agreements were signed between the two countries.

The normalization deals have drawn widespread condemnation from Palestinians, who say the accords ignore their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.