France, Aug. 28 -- The United Arab Emirates says it backs the creation of a Palestinian state - but it is also one of the few Arab countries to have normalised relations with Israel. That dual role has become harder to maintain during the war in Gaza, and with the continuing expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, illegal under international law.

Abu Dhabi was the first Gulf capital to join the United States-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, establishing diplomatic relations with Israel. Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan later followed suit.

At the time, Emirati officials said the deal would help bring peace and stability to the region. But critics saw things differently.

"The justifications presented by the Emirati regime for sign...