A phone call by US President Donald Trump clinched what is being described as an historic agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates
ABU DHABI, UAE – A phone call by U. S. President Donald Trump clinched what is being described as an ‘historic agreement’ between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and the Crown Prince of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan have agreed to the full normalisation of relations between Israel and UAE. « The diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement, » a joint statement issued by the U. S., Israel and the UAE on Thursday said. « Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit. Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations. » « As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world. The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal, » the joint statement said. « The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. Working together, these efforts will help save Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives throughout the region. » « This normalisation of relations and peaceful diplomacy will bring together two of America’s most reliable and capable regional partners. Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation. Along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination. Today’s agreement will lead to better lives for the peoples of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the region, » the joint statement of the three countries said. « The United States and Israel recall with gratitude the appearance of the United Arab Emirates at the White House reception held on January 28, 2020, at which President Trump presented his Vision for Peace, and express their appreciation for United Arab Emirates’ related supportive statements. The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem’s other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths. » « Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan express their deep appreciation to President Trump for his dedication to peace in the region and to the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to achieve it, » the statement said. The Palestinians described the agreement as a ‘betrayal,’ and a ‘sell-out,’ whereas Egypt and Bahrain praised the UAE. The President of Egypt Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said he welcomed the joint statement issued by the United States, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel. He later tweeted: « I followed with great interest the joint statement of the brotherly United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the State of Israel on the agreement to halt Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories and on taking steps to achieve peace in the Middle East. » The Kingdom of Bahrain expressed ‘its sincere congratulations to the UAE and its wise leadership for announcing with the United States of America and Israel an agreement halting the annexation of the Palestinian territories, as a step towards the achievement of peace in the Middle East.’ The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, « The Kingdom of Bahrain commends the sincere diplomatic efforts made by the UAE and stresses that this historic step will contribute to the consolidation of stability and peace in the region. » « It hails, at the same time, the great efforts made by the United States of America to reach this deal, in continuation of US efforts to strengthen the foundations of world security, stability and peace and looks forward to more efforts to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. » In Israel there were mixed reactions to the announcement.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: « Together we can bring a wonderful future. It is an incomparably exciting moment. I have the great privilege to make the third peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country, the UAE. » There was criticism however from a number of quarters, particularly settlers about the decision not to proceed with annexation of the West Bank, at least for now. Mr Netanyahu described the suspension as ‘temporary.’ He said negotiations resulting in the formalisation of relations were done in secret because Iran would have liked to have sabotaged them. The agreement has been named the Abraham accord. Mr Trump jokingly said he wanted it named the Donald J. Trump Accord. Regardless Mr Trump will forever be identified with the UAE-Israel accord, similarly to Jimmy Carter’s Israel-Egyptian pact, and the Bill Clinton brokered Israel-Jordan deal. On the other side of the fence the Palestinians have reacted with anger and dismay. The Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki announced on Wednesday night that it was recalling its ambassador to the UAE. « Israel has annexed the United Arab Emirates instead of annexing the West Bank, » a senior Palestinian official told The Jerusalem Post. « This is a very dangerous development that requires a response not only from the Palestinians but the whole Arab world. The agreement was in violation of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, which states that the Arab countries would establish normal relations with Israel only « in the context of a comprehensive peace and a full Israeli withdrawal from all the territories occupied since 1967, » the officials said. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement it was a « betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa and the Palestinian cause. » Asked by Reuters if the Palestinians were aware of the agreement in advance, long-time activist and Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi replied: « No. We were blindsided…. It is a complete sell-out. » In Gaza, Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, said: « Normalisation is a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause and it serves only the Israeli occupation. » President Trump however said he saw the UAE move as the first of many. « Everybody said this would be impossible, » the president told a press briefing on Wednesday. « Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates’ lead, » he said. Following is the full, unedited transcript of the briefing provided by the White House: Just a few moments ago, I hosted a very special call with two friends – Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates – where they agreed to finalize a historical peace agreement. Everybody said this would be impossible. And, as you know, Mohammed is one of the great leaders of the Middle East. After 49 years, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations. They will exchange embassies and ambassadors, and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas, including tourism, education, healthcare, trade, and security. This is a truly historic moment. Not since the Israel-Jordan peace treaty was signed more than 25 years ago has so much progress been made towards peace in the Middle East.
