Among Americans opposed to Israeli annexation, reactions to UAE-Israel agmt have been wildly divergent – from enthusiastic support to adamant hostility. That’s bc their apparently shared opposition to annexation reflected radically different motivations for it. [THREAD]

2/ Those who strongly welcome deal under which Israel suspends annexation in exchange for normalization w/UAE opposed annexation bc it unnecessarily risked upending situation in which Israel already enjoys control over Pals. They oppose annexation bc it threatens the status quo.

3/ Those who are ambivalent about deal welcome fact that annexation is off for now, but dislike that Bibi is rewarded even tho his gvt has done nothing to advance 2 state solution -- & much to hurt it. They oppose annexation because it threatens chance of changing status quo.

4/ Those most strongly agst deal oppose annexation not bc it's new but bc it isn't -- bc it merely formalizes existing reality. See only harm in rewarding Israel for keeping hidden policies annexation wld have brought to light. They oppose annexation because it is the status quo

5/ These divergent reactions are yet another indication of an evolving debate in the US (notably among Democrats) about the Israeli-Pal conflict, where it stands and how to resolve it. The debate is likely to get more polarized over time.