Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’: Emirati FM Calls Palestinian Leadership ‘Useless’, Questions Aid Without Reforms

A shouting match broke out between the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates and senior Palestinian officials during a meeting in Riyadh in late April between the United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken and a group of Arab counterparts. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on 29th April. The Palestinian minister Hussein al-Sheikh, the closest deputy to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, was present along with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting’s objective was to talk about a coordinated post-war plan for Gaza.

According to reports, during the meeting, al-Sheikh stated that while the Palestinian Authority is implementing reforms and establishing a new government in response to requests from the United States and Arab nations, it isn’t receiving enough financial and political assistance. As the meeting came to a conclusion, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, pushed back and said he had not witnessed any meaningful reform within the Palestinian Authority.

The Palestinian leadership was then referred to as “Ali Baba and the forty thieves” by the minister, who also declared that senior PA officials were “useless” and that “replacing them with one another will only lead to the same result.” He even questioned, “Why would the UAE give assistance to the Palestinian Authority without real reforms?”

Responding to this, Al-Sheikh yelled back at the UAE foreign minister and announced that no one would tell the Palestinian Authority how to carry out its reforms.

In an attempt to defuse the heated discussion, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud commented that improvements need time. However, the discussion had already spiraled out of hand, with the Emirati minister storming out of the room in a fit of rage and both sides raging at each other. The foreign minister of Jordan, Ayman al-Safadi, left the meeting and returned a few minutes later with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, who apologized to Antony Blinken for having to see the internal argument.

“His Highness added that if the Palestinian Authority paid as much attention to its own people as it does to security coordination with Israel, the Palestinians will be in much better shape,” an Emirati official confirmed the statements voiced by the UAE’s FM.

The PA and the UAE have had a tumultuous history, especially since Abu Dhabi restored diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020. PA President Mahmoud Abbas and Mohammed bin Zayed, the president of the United Arab Emirates, don’t get along well. However, reports claimed that the UAE is not the only country upset with the PA and Abbas, as most of the other attendees including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar are also growing more impatient with Ramallah.

Many participants at the meeting believed that Abbas was unwilling to implement the kind of major reforms required to turn the PA into an entity that would allow it to take back control of Gaza and move toward a two-state solution. Qatar, which expected Abbas to name a prime minister who would have backing from all segments of Palestinian society, including the Islamist ones, is equally frustrated with Abbas. The emir of Qatar conveyed this message to him when he visited the nation in February. Nevertheless, Abbas turned down the request and chose Mohammed Mustafa, a close confidant with little popular appeal.

The tension between the PA and other Arab nations reflects a broader dissatisfaction with the current Palestinian leadership’s approach to governance and reform. The discord at the Riyadh meeting underscores the growing impatience and frustration among key Arab states, who are keen to see substantial changes in the Palestinian Authority to address the longstanding issues in Gaza and advance the prospects for peace and stability in the region.

This incident is emblematic of deeper issues within the Palestinian Authority and its relationships with neighboring Arab countries. The frustrations voiced by the Emirati foreign minister echo a sentiment shared by many in the international community who are calling for greater accountability and effectiveness from the Palestinian leadership. The use of the term “Ali Baba and the forty thieves” is particularly telling, as it suggests a perception of widespread corruption and inefficiency within the Palestinian Authority.

The historical context of the strained relationship between the UAE and the PA adds another layer to this confrontation. Since the UAE normalized relations with Israel in 2020 through the Abraham Accords, there has been a noticeable shift in the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The PA viewed this move as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, further exacerbating tensions between Ramallah and Abu Dhabi. This backdrop of diplomatic discord provides a clearer understanding of the heated exchange at the World Economic Forum.

Furthermore, the broader regional dynamics play a significant role in this scenario. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Qatar have been significant players in the Middle East peace process and have invested considerable political capital in finding a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Their growing impatience with the PA stems from a desire to see progress and stability in a region that has been marred by decades of conflict and upheaval. The lack of meaningful reforms within the PA is seen as a major obstacle to these efforts.

The specific demands for reform that have been put forth by these Arab nations and the United States are aimed at creating a more transparent and effective governance structure within the PA. This includes measures to combat corruption, improve public services, and ensure greater political inclusivity. The resistance from Abbas and his close circle to implement these changes is a major point of contention and is seen as a significant barrier to achieving a unified and effective Palestinian leadership.

The incident at the World Economic Forum meeting highlights the strained relations between the Palestinian Authority and several influential Arab nations. The demand for genuine reforms within the PA is echoed by multiple stakeholders, all of whom are seeking a more effective and representative Palestinian leadership that can effectively govern and navigate the complex political landscape toward a sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The acts of worship and sacrifice performed during this month are a testament to the enduring values of devotion, charity, and unity within the Muslim ummah (community).