UAE's President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan responded with sarcasm to a reported request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The request involved financial assistance to cover stipends for Palestinian workers who were denied entry into Israel following the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Al Nahyan suggested that Netanyahu approach Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for funding, humorously implying that Ukraine could use its foreign aid, obtained due to the war with Russia, to contribute to the stipends.
Despite previous indications of assistance to Israel, Al Nahyan was allegedly surprised by the request, finding it peculiar for Israel to seek financial support for an issue arising from its conflict with the Palestinian territories. Israel has expressed its wish for Arab nations, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to assist in the reconstruction of Gaza after the recent conflict.
