Study: Israeli efforts to improve relations with UAE

The Israeli Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) has published a new study claiming that Israel is “impressed” with the regional political role played by the UAE and has been seeking rapprochement with the Gulf state.

According to the study, prepared by fellow INSS researcher Joel Jasinski, “the UAE’s importance in the eyes of Israel stems from its significant role in the face of political, economic and military challenges brought about by the Arab Spring.”

The study pointed out that many forces in the Arab world “have come to realise the importance of the UAE’s role and are trying to recruit it to their advantage” expecting the UAE to continue to employ “enormous military and economic resources to influence the transitions in the Arab world.”

The study found that the UAE’s growing role is “the result of the decline of the role of other Arab countries which used to have political and military weight” noting that the UAE is “focusing its efforts on trying to liquidate regional threats and to show its strength in areas away from its border.”

The study also pointed out that the UAE is trying to strengthen its military presence, being the “only” Arab state to maintain military bases outside its borders. “The UAE owns an airport and a port in Eritrea, in addition to other reports confirming it owns a military base in eastern Libya.”

“The UAE army of 50,000 troops depends on mercenaries,” the study said, adding that “the UAE has launched attacks against Libya from Egyptian air bases.”

The Emirates not only provides financial support to the Egyptian regime President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, it also supplies the Egyptian army with equipment including drones to launch attacks against jihadist targets in the Sinai.

The study added: “The UAE authorities have successfully suppressed manifestations of protests against the government at home after the outbreak of the Arab Spring and accused elements related to the Muslim Brotherhood of planning them,” pointing out that the repression was accompanied by generous grants to the public.

Middle East Monitor