The United Arab Emirates sought to align with lobbying groups supporting the Zionist entity in Washington during its dispute with Saudi Arabia, according to a report by Middle East Eye, citing one current and one former US official.
According to the report, at least one organization—the American Jewish Committee (AJC)—came under pressure from the UAE to issue a statement expressing concern over alleged so-called antisemitism in Saudi Arabia. The current US official cited by Middle East Eye said the request was part of a broader effort by Abu Dhabi to shape the narrative in Washington.
The AJC is known as a strong supporter of ‘Israel’ with deep ties in US political circles. Its chief executive officer is former Democratic Congressman Ted Deutch.
The report suggests that the UAE’s outreach reflects an attempt to leverage relationships developed under the 2021 Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between the UAE and the Zionist entity. That same year, the AJC opened a satellite office in Abu Dhabi, the Sidney Lerner Center for Arab-Jewish Understanding, aimed at promoting Muslim-Jewish dialogue, combating antisemitism, and supporting the Abraham Accords.
The head of AJC’s Abu Dhabi office referred Middle East Eye to the organization’s press team. The press office and the UAE embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment, the outlet reported.
Instance of UAE Lobbying
While the AJC has not publicly intervened in the UAE-Saudi rift, other organizations have issued statements. In January, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) warned of what it described as the “increasing frequency and volume of prominent Saudi voices … using openly antisemitic dog whistles and aggressively pushing anti-Abraham Accords rhetoric.”
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) stated:
— ME24 – Middle East 24 (@MiddleEast_24) January 24, 2026
“We are deeply concerned about the rising frequency and prominence of Saudi voices—including analysts, journalists, and activists—publicly using antisemitic rhetoric, aggressively opposing the Abraham Accords, and often promoting… pic.twitter.com/rgYeBrabea
The ADL partnered with the UAE in 2023 to launch the Al Manara Center in Abu Dhabi. According to Middle East Eye, this is the first reported instance of direct Emirati lobbying of this nature.
The report also notes that the ADL has previously characterized some Palestinian rights movements as “antisemitic” and has faced criticism over past cooperation with US law enforcement and support for US police training programs in ‘Israel’.
Current and former US officials cited by Middle East Eye described the lobbying effort as part of a broader Emirati campaign to raise allegations of so-called antisemitism against Saudi Arabia in Washington.
“This feud has taken on a religious dimension,” one US official told the outlet.
Such allegations could carry significant weight in US policy circles. Last month, Saudi Arabia’s Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman met with pro-Israel organizations, including the AJC and ADL, during a visit to Washington. A separate source briefed on the matter told Middle East Eye that Saudi officials held follow-up meetings with AJC representatives after the visit.
A former US official described the Saudi outreach as “damage control,” according to the report.
Relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, once close allies, have been strained for several years. Tensions escalated sharply in December when Saudi Arabia led a counteroffensive against UAE-backed forces in Yemen. Riyadh has since moved to push the UAE and its local allies out of the country.
Source: MEE (edited by Al-Manar)