Talking heads and pundits, and American diplomats, too, keep raising the question of “What Happens After.” That is, who will control Gaza after Hamas is crushed, and 2.2 million people will still need someone to run the area. We know that Israel has no desire to run Gaza; what it wants, however, is to retain responsibility for security in the Strip, so that never again will it be turned into a terrorist outpost threatening the lives of Israelis. Elder of Ziyon believes that the United Arab Emirates could be the most plausible, benevolent, and deep-pocketed future ruler of Gaza. His discussion of this intriguing possibility can be found here: “The ‘Emirate of Palestine’ – the UAE is the key for a lasting solution to the Gaza crisis,” Elder of Ziyon, January 19, 2024:
…Gazans would suddenly live in a place that has a future. With its long coastline on the Mediterranean, Gaza could turn into a potential beach resort, well-placed to attract Arab and European visitors. The UAE and Israel could work on joint business ventures and economic zones to help employment and bring Gaza up to modern standards. One could imagine luxury hotels and high tech skyscrapers being built on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Gazans would become citizens of an Arab country and could still call themselves Palestinians. The emirate itself could be called “the Emirate of Palestine.” Why not? And Gaza citizens of the UAE could move to the other emirates to seek other opportunities if they prefer, with Emirati entrepreneurs moving to Gaza to take advantage of a blank slate. Which is not dissimilar to how they built the UAE to begin with.
Why would the UAE be interested? Well, a port on the Mediterranean is a pretty big carrot. Shipping lanes from and to Europe would be a huge economic boost. Working with Israel, the proposed train line from the Gulf to Israel could be extended a bit to Gaza to tie the Gulf countries closer to the sea as well.
Beyond that, there are some significant gas deposits off the coast of Gaza. No one wants to risk drilling there now, but the UAE would solve that problem.
Under rule by Hamas, Gaza has been involved in four wars with Israel. The constant threat of violence naturally puts off companies that might otherwise be involved in discovering and producing gas deposits in the territorial waters of Gaza. But with Gaza becoming part of the Emirates, and Hamas completely out of the picture, Western companies would be eager to exploit the natural gas deposits that are known to exist off the coast of Gaza. Those deposits could not only supply Gaza with its full energy needs, but the sale of gas beyond what is used by the Gazans, should provide a huge boost to the Gazan treasury.
Also, Palestinians are among the best educated Arabs. There is a competent workforce already there.
Moreover, Gaza could become a money-making tourism destination. Wealthy Europeans could rub shoulders with wealthy Arabs and make deals much closer to home.
Gaza has a long beachfront of white sand, and palm trees line the shore along the Mediterranean — this is not the Gaza we read about in the Western press, that describes only the present misery of its inhabitants. This Gaza could be turned into a tourism destination for both rich Arabs and rich Europeans.
Gazans would have huge opportunities to work and thrive. There would be no more “refugees” in Gaza. UNRWA would be gone.
Egypt would be thrilled to have such a neighbor. The entire Sinai could benefit from increased trade….
Egypt would benefit economically from having a deep-pocketed “Emirate” as its next-door neighbor. It could export food, textiles, and other goods to this new market, as well as buying natural gas from Gaza. Gazans, no longer impoverished, but instead prosperous citizens of the “eighth emirate” of the UAE, could visit Egypt as tourists, providing another boost to the Egyptian economy.
Qatari influence is disastrous. They support Hamas both with direct aid and through Al Jazeera, by far the most influential source of news in the Middle East. They cannot have a role in the future of Gaza….
Qatar has been the financial supporter of Hamas, and furthermore, has close relations with Iran. Qatar’s attempt to wield influence in Gaza has to end, and the UAE is ideally placed to ensure that result. It has the money to outbid Qatar for influence in the Strip.
Westman says
Elder Of Zion: “Also, Palestinians are among the best educated Arabs..”
Proof, please.
http://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2016/12/13/muslim-educational-attainment
Shalom says
I also did a double take when I read that!
Mark says
Do NOT forget what God Almighty has planned !!!
Jeffrey Fixler says
I don’t think the UAE wants this hot potato. After the war, there will still be thousands of Jihadis left in Gaza. Any officials who come in from the Gulf will be subject to attacks from the remaining Hamas loyalists who will bitterly resent them. Under those circumstances, it is doubtful the UAE will invest billions to rebuild Gaza. I suspect Gaza will remain in ruins for the foreseeable future with the population, forced by the international community to remain , sucking off aide for years to come. Hope Hugh is right, but knowing the Palestinians, my predicted scenario seems more realistic. Besides, by keeping Gaza in dire straights, the Arabs can use it as a cudgel to blame Israel for all the self inflicted woes of those Palestinians.
David Cooper says
As much as I hope to see a positive outcome for this war,I tend to agree with you.Palestiniansare a pariah to Jordan,Egypt,the reason why these countries borders are closed to refugees. Who would blame them? Many have forgotten the Black September Palestinian uprising in 1970 Jordan when they tried to over thow King Hussein. Jordanian troops ruhtlessly crushed the refugee coup attempt with over 20000 casualties.
gravenimage says
Likely the case, Jeffrey and David.
WPM says
No country in the Middle East wants the Gaza “refugees” why would any of them would want the headache of ruling a people who the majority of them their soul ambition in life is violent Jihad? If they are not fighting “the Jews” they would be fighting their new Moslem governing body no matter who the ruling body is if it stop them from killing Jews .The other Moslem nations would rather use the Palestinians to be a thorn in Israel side ,they could care less about the thousands of Palestinians that die following Hamas leaders orders .The UAE could invest in real estate in the west ,stocks ,bonds ,and other things that do not explode and go Jihad crazy making them uncomfortable when dealing with western governments and foreign companies.
Bugs says
Dream on! What with 87% of Gazans supporting the mohamedan nazis! Dream on!
OLD GUY says
Israel should do what the people of Gaza would do if the shoe was on the other foot. TAKE IT and make Gaza a new state of Israel. Send Islam/muslims a message they understand, you try to take my land and property and we will take yours. They will get that message. Talk is cheap so make them pay the price for attacking the citizens of Israel or any other country they try to infiltrate or attack.
gravenimage says
Israel left Gaza in 2005 because the “Palestinians” were so violent and troublesome.
They also–foolishly–hoped that this would lead to peace. Of course, they just used Gaza as a base from which to wage violent Jihad.
Transmaster says
Lebanon used to be the financial center for Asia minor. Thanks to Syria and Iran, and with provocation Israel it no longer is. This is a vacuum Gaza could fill. The key to all of this is dealing with Iran. The solution needs to be regional the solution cannot be mandated for the outside. The United States and the EU need to make it clear that we will defend ourselves and and back Israel. But this is your problem to solve. So get your Sunni Shi’a war of annihilation going and deal with it.
The one thing the US needs to do is recognize the sovereign state of Kurdistan. This will piss off Erdogan, Iran. Iraq, and give the US a solid base in the middle east. I know US servicemen who have fought alongside the Kurds. They told me they are crazy brave. Their Women fighters have such a furious reputation that Daesh jihadists would kill themselves rather than fall into their hands.
David Cooper says
A lot of ‘uncommon’ good sense here.Its going to take a US president with balls to recognise Kurdistan. The critics of both Iraq wars of 1990 and 2023 never mention Husseins invasion of Kuwait or the gassing of those Kurdish towns and villages. ,not to mention Erdogans persecution of Kurdish minority in Turkey.and Syria.Dealing wth the Iran regime is another problem,but given that over 50,000 mosques have closed in Iran,could be cause for optimism.
gravenimage says
The Most Plausible, Benevolent, and Deep-Pocketed Future Ruler of Gaza Is…
…………………………………….
I have the greatest respect for Hugh Fitzgerald, and the UAE might indeed be better than Hamas (most would be). I do realize that the UAE has recognized Israel–a good thing.
But the UAE is still a pretty ugly Shari’a state–not sure we can consider them benevolent.