UAE: Sharjah royal slams normalization with Israel

By Diana Shalouhb

ISTANBUL (AA) - The wife of the ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has criticized an online meeting between the Emirati and Israeli education ministries to discuss cooperation, student exchange and joint academic studies.

Sheikha Jawaher al-Qasimi said in a brief tweet on the Israeli education: "Their methodology recommends killing an Arab and usurping an Arab's land."

Al-Qasimi's tweet is the most explicit objection and rejection to come from elite ruling circles in the UAE, which announced the establishment of official relations with Israel roughly four months ago amid Palestinian rejection and widespread criticism in the country and the Arab world.

She also retweeted a tour guide who described Israeli Education Minister Yoav Galant as one the "bloodiest generals in the history of Israel." Galant had previously served twice in the Israeli military before being appointed to his current post last year.

"He participated in the killing of Hassan Salameh [Palestinian PLO member] in Beirut in 1979, the leader of the operation to storm the Jenin camp, which led to the killing of dozens of defenseless Palestinians, and the operation Grapes of Wrath against Lebanon [Qana massacre] in 1996."

In 2013, the UN chose Jawaher al-Qasimi as the first prominent advocate for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in the UAE, citing her humanitarian work, community support and efforts in women empowerment.

On Sept. 15, the UAE agreed to establish full diplomatic, cultural and commercial relations with Israel after signing controversial agreements at the White House.