Humanitarian aid: Palestinian Authority deplores lack of coordination with Abu Dhabi

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For the second time in less than a month, the Palestinian Authority has refused humanitarian aid from the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi has sent medical supplies needed to fight the Covid-19. But the two UAE planes landed in Tel Aviv, while the UAE has no diplomatic relationship with Israel. The Palestinian Authority considers itself sidelined.

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With our correspondent in Jerusalem ,  Guilhem Delteil

In 2002, the Arab League linked recognition of Israel by its member states to the creation of a Palestinian state. The position remains dear to Palestinian leaders, but the landing of these two flights to Tel Aviv underscores a rapprochement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel.

Faced with a major financial crisis and the threat of annexation of part of the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority does not dare to attack head-on a country it counts among its allies.

Prime Minister Mohamed Shtayyeh simply mentions a lack of coordination: “  Of course, we accept any assistance offered to the Palestinian people. But all the countries of the world warn us when they send us aid. The plane from the Emirates took us by surprise: we were not at all aware of it. And nobody can blame us for something that was not done in coordination with us and of which we knew nothing.  "

Israeli authorities say the humanitarian aid will then be sent to Gaza, controlled by Hamas. The Islamist movement is ready to accept it if the delivery is coordinated with the UN.

► Read also: Coronavirus: the United Arab Emirates increases humanitarian aid around the world

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• United Arab Emirates
• Palestinian territories
• Coronavirus
• Humanitarian

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