"Hamas is a Terror Organization, Terrorism Has No Religion": An Interview with an Emirati Strategist

In this INSS podcast, Dr. Ofir Winter sits with Eng. Saoud Saqer, an Emirati strategist and expert on the Abraham Accords and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to hear his thoughts about the Israel-Hamas war. Saqer contends that the Hamas October 7 massacre was a catastrophe not only for the Israelis, but for humanity in general. He condemns Hamas as a terror organization that does not represent Arabs or Islam, emphasizing that terrorism has no religion. He discusses the resilience of Israel-Emirati relations in the context of the Israel-Hamas war, and clarifies why the Abraham Accords contribute more to advancing the Palestinian cause than to Hamas's strategy of terrorism and violent struggle. In addition, he suggests lessons for Israelis and Palestinians drawn from the UAE's experience in dealing with radical Islam and promoting tolerance.