British outlet Middle East Eye has reported, citing American officials, that the United Arab Emirates sought to align with pro Israel lobbying groups in the United States amid its dispute with Saudi Arabia.
A US official told the publication that at least one group within American Jewish Committee faced pressure from the UAE to issue a statement raising concerns over alleged anti Semitism in Saudi Arabia.
The American Jewish Committee is regarded as one of the staunchest advocates of Israel and maintains deep ties in Washington. It is currently led by former Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch.
According to the report, the UAE’s decision to leverage its close relationships with pro Israel lobbying organisations demonstrates how Abu Dhabi is attempting to capitalise on the Abraham Accords.
UAE Ties With Pro Israel Advocacy Groups
In 2021, the American Jewish Committee opened a branch office in Abu Dhabi under the name Sidney Lerner Centre for Arab Jewish Understanding.
The office’s stated mission includes promoting Muslim Jewish dialogue, combating anti Semitism wherever it appears, and advancing the Abraham Accords.
While the American Jewish Committee did not intervene publicly in the dispute between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, other organisations did.
Last month, the Anti-Defamation League issued a statement warning of what it described as an “increasing frequency and scale of prominent Saudi voices … openly using anti Semitic whistles and forcefully pushing anti Abraham Accords rhetoric”.
The Anti Defamation League partnered with the UAE in 2023 to launch the Manara Centre in Abu Dhabi.
The organisation has a long history of characterising Palestinian rights movements as anti Semitic. It has also previously worked with US law enforcement agencies to monitor and target Arab American groups, among others. In addition, it facilitated and funded training trips for American police officers to Israel.
Broader Diplomatic Pressure Campaign
Current and former US officials told Middle East Eye that the lobbying effort forms part of a wider Emirati campaign to direct allegations of anti Semitism at Saudi Arabia, an issue that has drawn the attention of administration officials.
Last month, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with pro Israel organisations in Washington, including the American Jewish Committee and the Anti Defamation League, during his visit to the United States.
According to another source familiar with the matter who spoke to Middle East Eye, Saudi officials also held follow up meetings with representatives of the American Jewish Committee after the Defence Minister’s visit.
A former US official described Saudi Arabia’s outreach as “damage control”.
As tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi escalate, Saudi commentators have accused the UAE of supporting separatist movements in the region and fuelling instability. Meanwhile, commentators aligned with the Emirati position have alleged that Saudi Arabia shelters “extremists”.
Prominent pro Israel journalists in the United States have also claimed that Saudi Arabia is engaging in “anti Israel conspiracies, anti Abraham Accords rhetoric, and even anti Semitic language”.
