Timeline

2019: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
September 15, 2020: UAE and Bahrain sign the Abraham Accords with Israel, under which Israel reportedly agreed to suspend annexation plans.
July 23, [Recent Year]: Israeli Knesset approves a non-binding proposal calling on the government to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank and Jordan Valley.
[Recent Day] Wednesday: UAE Assistant Minister Lana Nusseibeh declares West Bank annexation a "red line" for the UAE. Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich reiterates calls for extensive annexation.
[Recent Day] Thursday: Reports indicate PM Netanyahu postponed a government discussion on West Bank sovereignty, signaling immediate de-escalation but not an end to the debate.

Different Perspectives

UAE Stance: Abdulkhaleq Abdullah, a UAE political science professor, described the UAE's message as "clear and strong," indicating a willingness to cut ties with Israel if annexation proceeds. The UAE views the Accords as a means to support Palestinian aspirations.
Israeli Hardliners: Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich advocates for annexing 82% of the West Bank, explicitly stating the goal is to "bury the idea of a Palestinian state" based on the principle of "maximum land, minimum Arabs."
Israeli Analysts: Eli Nissan, an Israeli political analyst, downplays the Knesset vote as a non-binding recommendation, arguing that Israel cannot realistically annex the entire West Bank due to the Palestinian population and the resultant collapse of the Palestinian Authority. He suggests the proposal primarily targets judicial and administrative control over settlements.
International Community: Egypt, the UK, France, and 21 other nations have condemned Israeli settlement plans and annexation rhetoric, viewing them as violations of international law and impediments to peace.
US Position: Senator Marco Rubio warned European nations against recognizing a Palestinian state, suggesting it could provoke Israeli annexation, yet refrained from directly condemning Israeli annexation moves.

Regional Perspective

The UAE's explicit "red line" on West Bank annexation is a unique regional perspective, showcasing its willingness to leverage the Abraham Accords as a tool for broader regional stability and Palestinian rights, rather than merely a bilateral trade and security pact. This stance highlights that normalization was, for the UAE, partly conditional on Israel refraining from actions that undermine a two-state solution. The highly provocative "maximum land, minimum Arabs" rhetoric from Israeli hardliners has served as a direct catalyst for this strong rebuke, forcing the UAE to clarify its boundaries for continued engagement.