UAE FM meets with Netanyahu in New York; war on Gaza main focus
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During a UNGA meeting in New York, the UAE called for a Gaza ceasefire and reaffirmed its opposition to West Bank "annexation" in talks with Netanyahu.
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UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed shakes hands with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, New York, United States, September 27, 2025 (X/ @OFMUAE)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday in New York during the UN General Assembly.
According to a UAE Foreign Ministry statement, the meeting addressed recent regional developments and international efforts to end the war on Gaza, with Sheikh Abdullah emphasizing the critical need for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza to stop the bloodshed and alleviate the severe humanitarian crisis.
The senior diplomat also reaffirmed Abu Dhabi's firm commitment to backing all efforts that seek a comprehensive peace founded on the "two-state solution", which meets the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis.
Sheikh Abdullah also reaffirmed the UAE's support for international efforts to secure the release of all Israeli captives while emphasizing the importance of concerted global action to confront what he called extremism and terrorism in all its forms and to safeguard the lives of all civilians.
West Bank 'annexation' file 'closed': UAE FM
Following a meeting between UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a senior Emirati official stated that "Israel" will not proceed with the "annexation" of the West Bank.
“Just as the UAE’s position was decisive in closing the file on Israel’s annexation of Palestinian lands, the meeting tonight between Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed and the Israeli prime minister in New York is a bold step to support international efforts to end the Gaza war and reach a permanent ceasefire that puts an end to the humanitarian tragedy and bolsters the path to peace,” Anwar Gargash, the UAE president's diplomatic advisor, wrote on X.
This closely follows an announcement by Trump declaring that Israeli efforts to "annex" the West Bank will not crystallize.
“I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank. Nope, I will not allow it. It’s not going to happen,” Trump told reporters at the White House on September 26, adding, “There’s been enough. It’s time to stop now”.
Trump's comments coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's arrival in New York to speak at the United Nations, amid growing speculation about how "Israel" would respond to this week's recognition of Palestinian statehood by the UK, Australia, France, Canada, Portugal, and other nations.
