'Dirty Global Politics' is why UAE Supports Zionism over Muslim Countries | Sami Hamdi

Who is Sami Hamdi?
Sami Hamdi (born 1990) is a British journalist, political commentator, and risk-intelligence advisor. In 2025, Hamdi was detained by the Trump administration in the United States for statements he made about the Gaza war. Hamdi is a frequent media commentator, featuring on media outlets including Al Jazeera (both English and Arabic), BBC, Sky News, LBC and TRT World, offering geopolitical analysis of the Middle East.

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What is Zionism?
Zionism is a political movement that supports the self-determination and homeland for Jewish people in Israel. Zionists advocate for the existence and continuation of Israel, but is used by Israel's settler movement to justify expansion and occupation into internationally recognized Palestinian lands. The 'Greater Israel' project is a frequently contentious, right-wing Zionist project linked to settlement expansion and greater land annexation concepts for a Jewish state. The project may include the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea (including the West Bank and Gaza) to biblical, larger borders stretching from the River Nile to the Euphrates. Jewish, Christian and Muslim Zionists are those Jews, Christians and Muslims who support Israel in its objectives in the 'Greater Israel' project.

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What is Islam?
One of the major religions of the world, Islam literally translates to "submission," as a follower of Islam (Muslims) devotes their life to that of their God. The religion began with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. The theology of Islam is based on the Qur'an, which was given to Muhammad by God. Some of the major fundamental principles of Islam include the Five Pillars, which hope to unite all Muslims into a community. Two different factions of Muslims exist - the majority are known as Sunni, with a small percentage known as Shi'a - both predominantly reside throughout the Middle East. Muhammad died in 632 AD and the religion of Islam formally started after his death. The Quran was formally compiled and finalised in 650 AD, prior to which it was 'memorised' and written across many parchments.

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What is UAE?
United Arab Emirates (UAE), sometimes simply called the Emirates is a country in Western Asia at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf. UAE borders Oman to the east and Saudi Arabia to the south and west, as well as sharing maritime borders with Qatar to the west and Iran to the north. The sovereign constitutional monarchy is a federation of seven emirates consisting of Abu Dhabi (which serves as the capital), Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain. Their boundaries are complex, with numerous enclaves within the various emirates. Each emirate is governed by a ruler; together, they jointly form the Federal Supreme Council. One of the rulers serves as the President of the United Arab Emirates. In 2013, the UAE's population was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million are Emirati citizens and 7.8 million are expatriates.

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