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By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
The United Arab Emirates on Thursday criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for harsh words directed at Qatar, warning that any attack on a Gulf state would be viewed as an assault on the region’s collective security.
Afra Al Hameli, a senior UAE official, said Israel’s approach threatened the Gulf’s “joint security system,” highlighting rare public friction between Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem.
The comments followed Netanyahu’s stark warning to Doha on Wednesday, when he called on Qatar to take action against Hamas leaders living there.
“Expel Hamas officials or bring them to justice, because if you don’t, we will,” he declared in a video statement.
The exchange came just a day after Israel carried out an airstrike on Doha aimed at Hamas’s political leadership, part of a widening campaign against the group’s senior figures outside Gaza.
The attack drew a wave of international criticism and sharpened tensions with regional powers, including those that had previously sought closer ties with Israel.
For the UAE, Netanyahu’s message struck directly at regional solidarity.
“Any attack on a Gulf state is an attack on the Gulf’s joint security system,” Al Hameli emphasized.
Israel has insisted that Hamas leaders abroad remain legitimate targets, pointing to their roles in planning and directing the group’s operations.
Netanyahu’s remarks highlighted that position, signaling his government’s intent to pressure countries hosting Hamas figures.
The episode revealed the fragile balance between Israel’s efforts to pursue Hamas leadership across borders and the sensitivities of Arab states wary of being drawn into confrontation.
While Israel views such strikes as vital to its campaign against the group, the UAE’s response reflected a determination to protect the integrity of Gulf alliances.
Since many gulf states tacitly agree with Israel’s actions and would welcome the end of Hamas, I doubt they would do anything. Strong language, but probably empty.
Blood is far thicker than water and the denizens of the Gulf are all “brothers” who, no matter what differences they have, their disdain for Israel overwhelms the difference. Israel knows that very well and when it comes to its defense, Israel can’t be consoled by the Abraham Accords which is a peace-time luxury and nothing more. So, addressing Qatar’s sovereignty is something that Israel should have addressed with decisiveness long ago because, simply said, Qatar has for a very long time done everything in its power to undermine Israel’s sovereignty.
If the other Gulf states act like Qatar, Israel should treat them like Qatar.
This is the article’s conclusion: “the UAE’s response reflected a determination to protect the integrity of Gulf alliances.” Idiocy.