The Palestinian Authority has attacked the Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI), Mustafa Barghouti, on Friday over statements he made that were described as “offensive” to the UAE.

The attacks comes as part of a PA-driven media campaign against Barghouti since the outbreak of the Gaza War in October 2023. The current accusations concern a video in which Barghouti apparently criticised the rulers of the UAE for its policy of normalisation with Israel and the Abraham Accords.

Observers say his consistent presence and outspoken support for Palestinian resistance have made him a target of an orchestrated campaign by certain factions within the PA. These factions, critics argue, appear more focused on silencing pro-resistance voices than confronting the Israeli occupation itself—at times even downplaying or rationalising its actions.