I discussed more than two months ago the suggestion of Elder of Ziyon that “the day after” the war in Gaza ends with the complete destruction of Hamas as a military force, the United Arab Emirates ought to be put in charge of Gaza. It is uniquely qualified for this task. First, the UAE is fabulously rich, one of only two Arab states ( the other, of course, is Saudi Arabia) able to pay for the rebuilding of infrastructure — most importantly, for about 150,000 housing units to replace those destroyed — in Gaza. That housing will cost about $15 billion. Second, the UAE was the first Arab state to join the Abraham Accords in 2020, and since then has entered into agreements with both the Israeli government and Israeli entrepreneurs amounting to billions of dollars in trade and investment. The UAE has not uttered a word about possibly withdrawing from the Abraham Accords or in downgrading its ties to Israel. It remains the Arab state most trusted by Israel. Third, the UAE is dead set against Hamas ever again coming to power in Gaza, for Hamas is a branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, a group which the UAE rulers both hate and fear.
More of Elder of Ziyon’s discussion of the UAE as the most plausible, benevolent, and deep-pocketed, future ruler of Gaza can be found here: “The ‘Emirate of Palestine’ – the UAE is the key for a lasting solution to the Gaza crisis,” Elder of Ziyon, January 19, 2024:
There are lots of articles about “the day after” in Gaza.
Most of them envision some sort of Palestinian self-rule. The US, Saudi Arabia and others are pushing a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority.
This is a recipe for disaster. Palestinians overwhelmingly support Hamas and destroying Israel, in survey after survey. If there are elections, the terror supporters will win handily, just as they did in the last elections.
In both Gaza and in the West Bank, Palestinian support for Hamas has gone way up after October 7. More than 85% of Palestinians now say they support the terror group, which would handily win any election. That is why no elections should be held, but Israel, the United States, the EU, and the rich Arab states of the Gulf should agree on putting the UAE in charge of the Strip.
No one has come up with a better plan than my suggestion two months ago to turn Gaza into an emirate of the UAE.
As I wrote then (this is slightly modified):
There is one country that could turn Gaza into a wonderful place: the UAE. Gaza should become the fifth [sic; there are seven now, and so Gaza would be the eighth] United Arab Emirate.
Gaza, in other words, would be folded into the UAE as one of its “emirates.” Gazans would enjoy the same rights as all other Emiratis, including the generous support Abu Dhabi provides to its citizens in what is a cradle-to-grave welfare state. Hamas, already stripped of its military effectiveness by the IDF, would be forbidden from operating as a political group in Gaza; the UAE, not Israel, would enforce this prohibition.
The UAE would pay the salaries of a police force in Gaza that would enforce this ban on Hamas. The largesse distributed by the UAE would win the support of any doubters in Gaza. The improvement in the lives of ordinary Gazans, under the benevolent and generous rule of the UAE, would be a startling contrast to their wretchedness under the rule of Hamas.
The UAE is at peace with Israel. it could pour massive amounts of money into rebuilding Gaza into a paradise. It wouldn’t allow Islamists to gain a toehold.
The total cost of rebuilding the damaged and destroyed buildings of Gaza might come, at most, to $50-60 billion dollars. This amount of rebuilding could, as Elder of Ziyon says, provide full employment for Gazans willing to work, and they would receive the same high wages as workers in the Emirates currently receive. We think of Gaza as an irremediably wretched place, but that is because it has endured since 2007 the despotic rule by Hamas, whose mismanagement and corruption have caused an economic collapse in the Strip. Just three Hamas leaders — Khaled Meshal, Mousa Abu Marzouk, and Ismail Haniyeh — managed to steal a total of $11 billion. More billions have been spent on a vast network of tunnels, built deep underground, and about 500 km. in total length, that has contributed nothing to the wellbeing of Gazans.
Ray Jarman says
The UAE is probably the only Arab state that is truly a place where one feels safe and free. When one flies on Air Emirates, there is usually a layover in Dubai.
One does not have the feeling as when landing in say Islamabad or Riyadh where all the women are wearing sheets from head to toe. In Dubai one witnesses people actually smiling. On one visit, I met a friend who was teaching at a school in an adjacent emirate and he was a member of my church. He told me that the Emir would sometimes attend services on Sunday and was very supportive of the church but for obvious reasons could not convert. This could and would not occur in any of the other Muslim nations.
Also the shopping is great but not cheap and the restaurants are excellent.
gravenimage says
Ray Jarman wrote:
The UAE is probably the only Arab state that is truly a place where one feels safe and free.
………………………………..
Ray–with the greatest respect–I don’t think you can say this about any Islamic state.
“If you’re shocked by a woman being arrested after reporting gang-rape in Dubai, you should know how common these cases are”
“A British national from the North West has been charged with sex outside marriage in Dubai after she reported having been gang-raped by two men from Birmingham. The men were due to return to the UK within a few hours of the incident, so were not arrested in the UAE as a result of the victim report. The 25-year-old was on her way to pursue a life in Australia when she was befriended by two fellow Englishmen who, it was reported, lured her to their hotel room where she was pinned down and raped while recording it on a phone.
Following her arrest for extramarital sex, this woman’s passport has been confiscated and she is prohibited from leaving the country…”
https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/dubai-woman-arrested-gang-rape-uae-sex-crime-local-laws-know-how-common-it-is-a7422336.html
There are many more such cases. Not so safe and free after all, I’m afraid.
࿗Infidel࿘ says
Graven
While I somewhat agree w/ you, this is a very dated story, going back to 2016. The Emirates has loosened its laws a lot, from what I have read, and the same is true of the Saudis. It doesn’t mean that we should let in their citizens into our countries w/o vetting them, but at the same time, it’s fair to say that Saudi or Emirates is a lot safer than most other muslim countries (not counting the ex Soviet -stans)
gravenimage says
Infidel–with respect–I doubt that the UAE has changed that fundamentally in the past eight years. Shari’ah is still the basis of the law there–with flogging and amputations. Blasphemy against Islam is illegal, and apostasy is a capital crime. Adultery and homsexuality are also capital crimes.
Now, this *may* still be more “moderate” than some other Islamic states, but this is damning with faint praise.
SKA says
I think the UAE would do well to remember what King Priam of Troy said when he saw the Greeks leaving the Trojan horse as a peace offering: “I fear the Greeks even when they are bearing gifts!” Turning Gaza into a constituent “Emirate” would open the rest of the UAE to an invasion of hostile Palestinians. At most maybe a “Mandate for Gaza” or protectorate status.
Mike says
“The Republic of Gaza” (UAE protectorate state). That might work. They’d also need to revamp the educational system, and denazify the society.
gravenimage says
Quite likely, SKA.
John Smith says
I personally believe it will take WW 111 before there is peace in the middle east, but that’s only my opinion. Several politicians keep banging on about a two state solution, and anyone with an ounce of common sense knows this would be doomed to failure.
I think this plan that Hugh proposes is an exceptionally good idea. I don’t know if it would work, but it’s without doubt the best idea that I’ve heard yet.
Well done Hugh.
Mike says
It’s the best idea so far. However, what should be done about the demands of the West Bank Palestinians for a state?
Israel should also try to sue the top Hamas leaders for the billions of dollars those men have embezzled. Or, if the Missed has already killed them, then sue their estates or the international banks that hold their funds.
Mike says
…. Mossad…. (typo)
SKA says
Since those leaders now marked for death still breathe Qatari air freely maybe “Missed” is fortuitously correct.