Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement
Abraham Accords Peace Agreement: Treaty of Peace, Diplomatic Relations and Full Normalization Between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel
SignedSeptember 15, 2020 (2020-09-15)
LocationThe White House, Washington, D.C., US
EffectiveJanuary 5, 2021 (2021-01-05)
ConditionEffective upon ratification by both parties
Mediators
Signatories
Parties
RatifiersIsraeli cabinet, October 12, 2020
UAE Council of Ministers, October 19, 2020
LanguageEnglish

The Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement, officially the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement: Treaty of Peace, Diplomatic Relations and Full Normalization Between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel,[1] was initially agreed to in a joint statement by the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on August 13, 2020, officially referred to as the Abraham Accords.[2][lower-alpha 1] The UAE thus became the third Arab country, after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994, to agree to formally normalize its relationship with Israel,[3][4][5] as well as the first Persian Gulf country to do so.[6][7] Concurrently, Israel agreed to suspend plans for annexing parts of the West Bank.[6][8] The agreement normalized what had long been informal but robust foreign relations between the two countries.[9][10] The agreement was signed at the White House on September 15, 2020.[11] It was approved unanimously by the Israeli cabinet on October 12[12] and was ratified by the Knesset on October 15.[13] The UAE parliament and cabinet ratified the agreement on October 19. The agreement went into effect on January 5, 2021.[14]

On August 16, 2020, the UAE for the first time established telephone links to Israel by unblocking direct dialling to Israel's +972 country code.[15] The first direct commercial flight from Israel to the UAE took place on August 31, 2020,[16] and the first ship carrying cargo from the United Arab Emirates to Israel entered the Port of Haifa on October 12.[17]

Background

Location of Israel (green) and the UAE (orange) within the Middle East

As early as 1971, the year in which the UAE became an independent country, the first president of the UAE Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan had referred to Israel as "the enemy".[18] The UAE and the United States had a strategic relationship since the 1990 Gulf War, growing to a significant US Air Force presence at Al Dhafra Air Base after the September 11 attacks.[19] In November 2015, Israel announced that it would open a diplomatic office in the UAE, which would be the first time in more than a decade that Israel had an official presence in the Persian Gulf.[20]

In the months leading up to the agreement, Israel had been working in secret with the UAE to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. European news media reported that Mossad had discreetly obtained health equipment from the Gulf states.[21][22] Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, reported at the end of June 2020 that the two countries were in cooperation to fight the coronavirus and that the head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, had traveled numerous times to the UAE. However, the UAE appeared to downplay this a few hours later by revealing that it was merely an arrangement among private companies rather than at state level.[23]

The move also comes in the wake of the Trump administration's repudiation of the Iran nuclear deal and following persistent Israeli suspicions that the Iranian nuclear program includes a program to develop atomic bomb capacities, something which Tehran denies. Currently, Iran and Saudi Arabia are engaged in backing different factions in proxy wars from Syria to Yemen, with the UAE supporting the Saudi-led and US-sponsored coalition against the Iran-aligned forces.[24][25] In recent years, the countries' informal relations warmed considerably and they engaged in extensive unofficial cooperation based on their joint opposition to Iran's nuclear program and regional influence.[26]

The agreement represented a major policy reversal for Netanyahu, who had long pushed for increasing settlements in the occupied West Bank, with an objective of annexing the territory. Netanyahu faced political pressure to demonstrate flexibility, as three recent elections gave him only a plurality in a coalition government and he faced criminal prosecution in 2021. In 2019, the Trump administration reversed decades of American policy by declaring that the West Bank settlements did not violate international law, a decision that threatened the two-state solution that had long been seen as the key to lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Trump administration's Middle East policy, crafted by presidential senior advisor Jared Kushner and released in January 2020, approved Netanyahu's plan to annex existing settlements. After Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE ambassador to the United States, wrote a June 2020 opinion piece warning that annexation would threaten better relations between Israel and the Arab world, Kushner saw an opportunity and stepped in to facilitate talks. After negotiators had reached an agreement, Trump, Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed held a conference call immediately prior to a formal announcement.[21][9][27][28][29]

Agreement

US President Donald Trump announces to the media the agreement from the Oval Office at the White House, August 13, 2020

On August 13, 2020, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, announced the UAE's agreement to normalize relations with Israel saying that his country wanted to deal with the threats facing the two-state solution, specifically annexation of the Palestinian territories, and urging the Palestinians and Israelis to return to the negotiating table. He indicated that he did not think that there will be any embassy in Jerusalem until after there is a final agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis.[30] According to US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, "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."[31]

A joint statement issued by Trump, Netanyahu, and Zayed, read: "This historic 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."[24] The UAE said it would continue to support the Palestinian people and that the agreement would maintain the prospect of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine. Despite the agreement however, Netanyahu stated that Israel's sovereignty claim to the Jordan Valley was still on the agenda and only frozen for the time being.[24]

Zayed tweeted that the "UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship."[4]

Treaty

White House Abraham Accords signing ceremony on September 15, 2020

The treaty was signed on September 15, 2020. The treaty recognizes each state's sovereignty, obliges the two states to exchange ambassadors and conclude bilateral agreements on several topics including visa agreements, and will enter into force upon ratification.[32] The agreement was ratified by the Israeli government on October 12 and was ratified by the Knesset on October 15.

Reactions

  Israel and the UAE
  Support
  Oppose
  Neutral/Ambiguous
  No public position

Israel

Prime Minister Netanyahu said there was "no change" to his plans to annex parts of the West Bank if it was approved by the US, but added they were on temporary hold.[33] Before the agreement, the plan to annex 30% of the West Bank were already on hold due to a majority of Israelis and the government coalition partner Benny Gantz rejecting the plan. Hundreds of thousands of Israeli settlers live in the areas, in addition to Palestinians, which were under Israeli control in practice.[34]

Gantz thanked Trump, Netanyahu and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for making the peace deal happen, saying it showed an alliance between Middle Eastern nations that wanted stability and mutual cooperation. It also showed Israel's eternal desire for peace with neighboring countries per him, while also enhancing Israel's image on world stage and creating a better future for the region.[35] Netanyahu when questioned by reporters, admitted to keeping the negotiations with the UAE a secret from Blue and White due to the United States requesting him to do so.[36]

Foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the deal would pave the way for peace agreements with other nations and welcomed the suspension of unilateral annexation. Yesh Atid's chairman Yair Lapid welcomed the agreement as an "important step" for normalization with the UAE and said it showed mutual agreements are the path to be followed for Israel's relations with other nations, instead of unilateral steps like annexation. Israeli Labor Party leader Amir Peretz, too, shared the view and said Israel's development as well as safety lay in such agreements. He hoped for a similar agreement with Palestinians.[37]

Yamina's Naftali Bennett welcomed the deal but said it came at the cost of annexation which was tragic. His fellow MK Bezalel Smotrich dismissed the deal as insignificant and criticized Netanyahu for reviving prospect of a two-state solution. Likud MK and Netanyahu's chief rival in the party, Gideon Sa'ar, welcomed the deal but expressed that he will be more joyous with the annexation. Likud MKs Miri Regev and Yuli Edelstein meanwhile opposed the deal because of suspension of annexation.[37]

Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality Mayor Ron Huldai, congratulated Netanyahu on the "double achievement" of peace with the UAE and shelving of plans to annex parts of the West Bank.[38] Huldai also lit up the Tel Aviv City Hall with the flag of the UAE.[39]

The head of the Israeli settler group Yesha Council, David Elhayani, accused Netanyahu of "betraying" some of his most loyal supporters and having "deceived half a million residents of the area and hundreds of thousands of voters". Oded Revivi, the mayor of Efrat, a settlement of more than 9,000 residents south of Jerusalem, supported Netanyahu, arguing that "the Israeli agreement to postpone the application of Israeli law in the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria is a fair price [to pay]", and added it might change how settlements are viewed.[40] Beit El settlement's mayor Shai Alon and Shomron Regional Council chairman Yossi Dagan also criticized the deal.[37]

United States

Kelly Craft, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, celebrated the announcement, calling it "a huge win" for President Trump and for the world, saying that the diplomatic ties show "just how hungry for peace we all are in this world", and how Middle Eastern countries are all understanding the need "to stand firm against a regime that is the number one state sponsor of terrorism — Iran".[38]

Longtime New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, who has for decades written about international geopolitics and has been a frequent critic of Trump policies, hailed the agreement as "exactly what Trump said it was in his tweet: a 'HUGE breakthrough.'"[41]

Joe Biden, Trump's opponent in the 2020 US presidential election, praised the agreement as it "builds on the efforts of multiple administrations to foster a broader Arab–Israeli opening, including the efforts of the Obama–Biden administration to build on the Arab Peace Initiative".[42]

Jared Kushner, the primary Trump administration official involved in negotiating the agreement, stated while speaking to CBS News that the deal would make the Middle East more peaceful and hopeful, which would mean fewer American troops would need to be deployed in the region.[43] Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the deal was an important step toward stabilizing the region and was good for the whole world.[44]

Muslim world

Gulf states

The treaty was generally viewed with skepticism by Gulf residents outside the UAE, according to the International Business Times.[45] Emiratis who criticized the deal online were less numerous than those who supported it due to a crackdown against dissent, with many of those opposing the deal living outside the UAE. An open online signature campaign against the deal set up by the non-governmental organization UAE Anti-Normalisation Association had received 1.7 million signatures as of September 17.[46]

Yousef Al Otaiba, the Emirati ambassador to the United States, issued a statement on August 13 extolling the agreement as "a win for diplomacy and for the region", adding how it "lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change".[7][47]

Kuwait's long-standing position on the issue[48] became prominent after the announcement.[49] A joint statement was issued the day of the announcement by seven movements in the Assembly comprising Liberals, Shi'ites, Islamists, and Arabists, among other blocs who condemned the treaty.[50] 41 MPs (out of 50) signed a letter opposing normalization the day parliament was reconvened, and a stand was organised in front of the Palestinian embassy in Kuwait City.[51] Several NGOs also issued similar statements.[52]

Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, condemned Kuwait's position. However, his condemnation was widely shared online as a positive, according to Al Jazeera.[53] The government of Kuwait itself however remained silent on the deal. 37 Kuwaiti MPs called upon it on August 18 to condemn the agreement.[54] Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas had reported two days earlier that the Kuwaiti government's position was unchanged regarding Israel, citing anonymous government sources.[55]

In Bahrain, which was the first Gulf Arab country to comment publicly in support of the deal as a step toward peace,[38] fear of government crackdown prevented activists from voicing their criticism.[45] On August 26, King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa explained to visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that the Gulf state is committed to the creation of a Palestinian state, implicitly rejecting the normalization of ties with Israel.[56] The country however later agreed to normalization of ties with Israel, which was announced by US President Donald Trump on September 12.[57]

The government of Oman publicly supported the agreement (which it termed "historic").[58] The Grand Mufti of Oman, Ahmed bin Hamad al-Khalili, indirectly criticized the treaty.[59] Iraqi government spokesman Ahmed Mulla Talal said Iraq will not interfere in sovereign matters of other countries, but its laws did not allow normalization of relations with Israel.[60]

Despite the lack of official response at first, the hashtag "Normalisation Is Treason" started trending after the announcement, particularly among young Saudi activists.[45] On August 19, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said the deal could be seen as positive, but his country will not normalize relations until peace is signed with the Palestinians, hopefully within the framework of the Arab Peace Initiative.[61]

On August 21, in an apparent response to Trump, who on August 19 said he expected Saudi Arabia to join the accord, Prince Turki bin Faisal Al Saud wrote that the price for normalizing relations with Israel is the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. He added that any Arab country that wants to follow the UAE's footsteps should demand a higher price for peace from Israel in future.[62]

Palestine

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) official Hanan Ashrawi lambasted the agreement, writing on Twitter that "Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it's been doing to Palestine illegally and persistently since the beginning of the occupation."[6] Fatah accused the UAE of "flouting its national, religious and humanitarian duties" toward the Palestinian people, while Hamas said it was a "treacherous stab in the back of the Palestinian people"[6] and claimed the agreement was a "free reward" for Israeli "crimes and violations against the Palestinian people".[40]

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, senior advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas, read an official statement in which the Palestinian leadership rejected the agreement, terming it a betrayal against Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa and the Palestinians.[63] The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) recalled its ambassador from Abu Dhabi.[64][65] Palestinian leaders also stated that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh called Abbas and rejected the deal, something which Reuters called a "rare show of unity".[66]

Other leaders and factions including the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine unanimously rejected the agreement according to Al Jazeera. Palestinian National Initiative's leader Mustafa Barghouti said they were not surprised because of the UAE's recent moves and the fact that the Emiratis never tried to fight Israel. He added that this might encourage other nations to ignore the Palestinian issue. Palestinian Liberation Front leader Wasel Abu Yousef said that the agreement only gave Israel more leverage for its occupation. PNA's minister of social affairs Ahmed Majdalani said they did not know about the deal in advance and the UAE was deceiving others, while unilaterally changing the Arab world's approach to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[67]

Ordinary Palestinians took to social media to protest the deal and some also insulted the UAE. Meanwhile, Fatah Central Committee member Abbas Zaki called the agreement a breach of Arab consensus on how to deal with the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. He accused the UAE of betraying the Arabs and the Palestinians, before urging the PNA to withdraw its ambassador from the UAE and also asked the Arab League to cancel the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.[68]

Late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's widow Suha Arafat however apologised to the UAE on Instagram for reactions of Palestinians to the deal, stating that she regretted that the flag of the United Arab Emirates was harmed by protestors in the West Bank and photos of the UAE's Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan were burnt, adding that those were not the values of Palestinian people. She asked the younger generation of Palestine to read about how the UAE had supported them in the past. The apology was praised by the Emirati media, however met with criticism from Palestinian officials.[69]

Iran

Iran's Tasnim News Agency said the Israel–UAE deal was "shameful".[70] The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the deal as a "dangerous" stab in the back of Palestinians and Muslims, terming it a "shameful" act of "strategic stupidity" by the UAE and Israel that would only serve to strengthen the "Axis of Resistance" in the Middle East. It added that the Palestinians and people of the world would never forgive the UAE, while also warning it against Israel interfering in the Gulf.[71]

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned the UAE that it will face dangerous repercussions for the deal. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani termed the agreement a "huge mistake" and warned the UAE against permitting Israel to have a secure presence in the Gulf. Foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called it a betrayal against Arab and non-Arab countries in the Middle East. A group of protesters numbering fewer than 100 gathered in front of the embassy of the UAE in Tehran on August 15, chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel". The protesters also burnt the flag of Israel.[72] The conservative newspaper Kayhan, whose editor-in-chief is appointed by the Supreme Leader of Iran, warned that the agreement had turned the UAE into a "legitimate, easy target".[73]

The UAE's Foreign Ministry summoned Iran's chargé d'affaires on August 16 and criticized Rouhani's speech as "unacceptable and inflammatory" which could impact the security scenario of the Gulf. It also stated that protecting the Emirati embassy in Tehran was Iran's duty.[74] Gulf Cooperation Council's secretary-general Nayef bin Falah Al-Hajraf also condemned Iran's threats and told it to not interfere in affairs of other countries, adding that the GCC stood by the UAE against any threats to the country.[75]

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian armed forces Mohammad Bagheri meanwhile said that their strategy toward the UAE would now shift and the UAE would be held responsible in case of an attack on Iran through the Persian Gulf.[76] Foreign Minister Zarif said on August 24 that the UAE could not buy security from Israel, which itself was not safe. He added that cooperation between countries in the Persian Gulf was the only way to security.[77] Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei warned the UAE on August 26 that it will be held responsible for any threat to their country by Israel and stated that it should keep a watch on anti-Iranian activities by Israel inside it.[78]

The Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on September 1 accused the UAE with betraying the Islamic world, the Arab countries and Palestine. Khamenei stated that the normalization will be only temporary, but the UAE will forever have to bear the shame regarding the deal. He accused it of working against the interests of the Muslim world along with Israel and Kushner, hoping the country will soon repent for what it did.[79]

Turkey

The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the agreement, saying history and the people of the Middle East would neither forgive nor forget what the UAE did, and that it was a violation of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. It called the UAE's behavior hypocritical and added that the Palestinians were correct in rejecting the agreement.[80] President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan later stated that Turkey was considering suspending or cutting off diplomatic relations with the UAE in retaliation, as well as recalling its ambassador from Abu Dhabi.[80]

Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın also expressed concerns regarding the deal to the US National Security Advisor Robert C. O'Brien.[81] The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly Mustafa Şentop condemned the deal, calling it "disgraceful" and a betrayal of the Palestinian cause.[82]

Pakistan

Rallies and demonstrations were held in many cities across Pakistan to condemn the agreement between the UAE and Israel.[83]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs cautiously reacted and in a press statement termed the Israel–UAE deal is having "far-reaching implications, and that Pakistan's approach will be guided by our evaluation of how Palestinians' rights and aspirations are upheld and how regional peace, security and stability are preserved".[84]

The News International reported that Pakistan will give stance on the Israel–UAE agreement after consultations and after examining pros and cons of the development on Pakistan's national interests. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi avoided making comments on the sensitive subject.[85]

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on August 18 that Pakistan will never recognize Israel until a Palestinian state is created no matter what another country does, a statement in line with the vision of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He added that one needs to think of the injustices suffered by Palestinians before trying to normalize relations with Israel.[86]

Others

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed the deal, saying that he praises the parties' efforts to "achieve prosperity and stabilization in our region". He also personally congratulated Emirate of Abu Dhabi's crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the deal.[87]

Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said the agreement should be followed up by Israel abandoning any plan to annex parts of the West Bank and if the deal could lead to its withdrawal from Palestinian territories, it would move the Middle East closer to peace. Otherwise, it would only exacerbate the Arab–Israeli conflict.[88]

Malaysia said the deal was a sovereign right of the UAE, but it will continue to support Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territories.[89]

Mauritania, a member of the Arab League, said in a statement that it trusts the "wisdom and good judgment" of the United Arab Emirates leadership and highlighted the "absolute sovereignty and complete independence in conducting its relations and assessing the positions it takes in accordance with its national interest and the interests of Arabs and Muslims".[90]

Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah called the deal a betrayal against Islam, Arabism, Jerusalem and the Palestinians. He accused the UAE of doing a favor for Trump in view of the upcoming presidential election in the United States.[91] Lebanese President Michel Aoun, whose Free Patriotic Movement party is an ally of Hezbollah, in contrast said Lebanon would be open to peace with Israel if their mutual problems were resolved and the UAE had the right to normalize its relations with Israel since it was a sovereign nation.[92]

In Yemen, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, leader of the Houthi movement's Supreme Revolutionary Committee, criticized the deal as treason against the Palestinians and the cause of pan-Arabism.[66] Yemen's Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hadhrami opposed the deal, saying the country will continue supporting the Palestinians and their rights.[93] Presidential advisor Abdulmalik Al-Mekhlafi criticized the deal, claiming it was opposed by all Arab nations and was against Arabism.[94] Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam said the deal was a provocation against Arab and Islamic nations, and it also showed that countries like the UAE involved in the Yemeni Civil War were trying to fulfil Israel's agenda.[95]

The Government of National Accord of Libya condemned the deal as an "unsurprising betrayal from the UAE".[96] The spokesman for Sudan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Haidar Sadig was fired for making comments off his own accord wherein he called the deal a "brave and bold step", while claiming there were secret contacts between Sudan and Israel.[97] Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok told Pompeo on August 25 that his transitional government had "no mandate" to establish relations with Israel and such a thing could only be decided after election of a democratic government.[98]

Bouthaina Shaaban, political and media advisor to the Syrian President, criticized the deal in her comments that appeared in Al-Watan newspaper, saying secret relations between the UAE and Israel existed for decades but now they revealed it publicly. She stated that there was nothing new in the deal and regretted that the Gulf nations were hostile to Iran, but want peace with Israel that detests the history of Arabs and forcibly takes Palestinian land.[99]

The Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia criticized the agreement and stated it stood in solidarity with the Palestinian cause.[100] Protests were held by scores of people outside the embassy of the UAE in Tunis, with people burning Israeli flags and photos of President of the United Arab Emirates Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan while supporting the Palestinian cause for independence.[101] President of Tunisia Kais Saied later said that Tunisia would not interfere in the deal nor oppose it, but it stood with the Palestinians.[102]

Prime Minister of Morocco Saadeddine Othmani said that the country rejected any normalization of relations with Israel, which would only embolden it to increase its repression of Palestinians.[103] Hundreds of people held protests against both the UAE and Bahrain's peace deal with Israel on September 20 and burned an Israeli flag. The protesters called the two countries "treacherous" while also criticizing the United States and "Zionist allies". They also called for any normalization with Israel to be criminalized.[104] However, in December 2020, Morocco and Israel agreed to normalize relations.[105]

In Somaliland, Bashe Awil Omar, envoy to Kenya, welcomed the normalization between the two countries. Stating that it "emphasizes eternal aspiration of reaching peace with neighbors" and it being a key example of how bilateral cooperation is paramount to regional stability.[106][107]

Europe

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson lauded the agreement as a pathway to achieving peace in the Middle East and also praised suspension of annexation of areas in the West Bank. British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab voiced similar sentiments, adding that it was time for direct dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians, while the latter stated that it created an opportunity for resuming the talks. The Shadow Foreign Secretary Lisa Nandy called it an important first step and said that the Labour Party hoped that it would lead towards permanent suspension of annexation plans, which can lead towards peace between Israelis and Palestinians.[108]

European Union

A European Commission spokeswoman said the deal was an important for both Israel and the UAE, in addition to ensuring their stability. Italy meanwhile hoped that it would usher in peace and stability in the Middle East. It also called Israel's suspension of annexation of parts of the West Bank positive and hoped it will restart talks with Palestinians for a two-state solution.[109] Spain expressed similar sentiments and said it welcomed the deal.[110] German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas called up Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi to congratulate him.[111] French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian welcomed the deal and suspension of annexation.[108] France and Germany saw the agreement as keeping hopes up for a two-state solution.[34]

Belgium's foreign minister Philippe Goffin said he welcomed the deal as a step toward a peaceful Middle East and added that the suspension of annexation plans must be followed up with the two-state solution.[112] High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell hailed the deal as benefiting both nations and being important for stability in the Middle East. He also called suspension of annexation plans positive and stated that the European Union hoped for a two-state solution.[113] Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide hailed the deal as a positive development and said Norway welcomed any move that led toward peace in the Middle East.[114]

Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulated both nations and called it a victory for diplomacy, hoping it brought peace to the region.[115] Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Netanyahu during a call.[116] Other nations including Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania and Kosovo hailed the deal too.[117][118][119] Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it an "exceptional diplomatic breakthrough" which could change the Middle East's future, hoping it will bring peace and improve lives of people of the Middle East, and congratulated both countries.[120] Polish Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz discussed the deal with the UAE's foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in a phone call and congratulated him for it, saying cooperation was necessary for resolving the Middle East's problems. He also welcomed the suspension of Israeli annexation plans and hoped Israeli–Palestinian dialogue would resume.[121]

Russia

The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement in which it stressed that as a member of the United Nations Security Council and the Quartet on the Middle East, it supported the two-state solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. It noted that the agreement suspended annexation of parts of the West Bank, which it termed as an important element of the deal, stating annexation plans were a major hindrance to resuming Israeli–Palestinian dialogue.[122] Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call with Netanyahu on August 24, said he hoped that the accord would increase the stability and security of the Middle East.[123]

Luxembourg

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn in contrast doubted that the agreement would bring stability to the region, stating there will be no stability without a two-state solution, and said the UAE had let the Palestinians down with the agreement.[124] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs later issued a statement from him in which he stated that he was not being critical of the peace deal, but highlighting that it was important for Arab, especially Gulf states, to support a Palestinian statehood in line with the two-state solution.[125]

Others

South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation expressed regret that the agreement was struck without any consultation with Palestinians, even though the deal was related to their future, and noted the agreement does not guarantee a permanent suspension of annexation of parts of the West Bank.[126]

India welcomed the agreement saying that both nations are its allies and it has always supported peace and prosperity in Western Asia. Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar earlier stated that the UAE's foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had called him to discuss the agreement.[127]

China stated that it was pleased with attempts to decrease hostilities in the Middle East through the deal and hoped it would restart the Israeli–Palestinian dialogue, adding that it will continue to support the Palestinian people.[128] South Korea welcomed the deal, adding it hoped it contributed to peace and stability in the region.[129]

The Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs released a statement welcoming the agreement, hoping that it will contribute to peace and security in the Middle East.[130]

Costa Rica said it was a historic step which help in peace and resolving the problems of the region. Foreign Minister Rodolfo Solano Quirós said it received the news with joy as both nations were its allies and looked to continue working with them in the future.[131] Japan's Foreign Ministry welcomed the deal and added it was the first step toward bringing peace as well as stability.[132] Brazil expressed similar sentiments.[133]

Canada's Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne welcomed the deal as a positive and historic step towards a peaceful and secure Middle East, adding Canada was gladdened by suspension of annexation plans.[134] Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne called the accord as well as suspension of annexation important and welcomed it.[135]

United Nations

UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed "any initiative that can promote peace and security in the Middle East region".[136] Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres' spokesman, praised the deal, stating that it suspended "Israeli annexation plans over parts of the occupied West Bank" which Guterres had repeatedly called for, and stated that "peace in the Middle East is more important than ever".[137]

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov welcomed the deal too, adding that it would stop Israel's annexation plans which the UN has repeatedly called for to be stopped and hoped it will restart dialogue between Israel and Palestinians.[137]

Aftermath

On August 16, 2020, Israel and the UAE inaugurated direct telephone services.[15] The Emirati company APEX National Investment and Israel's Tera Group signed an agreement to partner in research on COVID-19, making it the first business deal signed between companies of the two nations since normalization of ties.[138] The director of the Mossad Yossi Cohen arrived in the UAE on August 18 to discuss security cooperation, regional developments as well as issues that concerned both countries with the National Security Advisor Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This marked the first visit of an Israeli official since the announcement of the deal.[139] The UAE formally ended its boycott of Israel on August 29.[140]

On August 17, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said that Israel was working to start direct flights to the UAE using Saudi Arabia's airspace.[141] Netanyahu's office and other officials later denied reports of approving the United States' sales of F-35 warplanes to the UAE following the deal.[142] Emirati foreign minister Anwar Gargash said in an interview with the Atlantic Council that the peace deal should remove any obstructions in acquiring the jets, though any sale would take years to negotiate and deliver and the UAE had not made a new request for them after the deal.[143]

Robert O'Brien, Jared Kushner and delegation of Israeli officials headed by Meir Ben-Shabbat in Abu Dhabi on August 31, 2020

An El Al spokesman announced on August 28 that the company will operate El Al 971, the first ever commercial flight between Israel and the UAE, flying from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport towards Abu Dhabi.[144] Saudi Arabia allowed use of its airspace for the airplane to fly directly towards the UAE and it landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport. The flight carried a delegation of American and Israeli officials which included Jared Kushner, Robert C. O'Brien and Israeli national security advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat. The airplane had the word "peace" painted in Hebrew, Arabic and English languages painted above its cockpit window and received a red carpet welcome.[145][146] Both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain later permanently opened their airspace for flights between Israel and the UAE.[147][148]

On September 3, El Al announced that it would operate weekly indirect cargo flights to the UAE through the Belgian city of Liège, with the first one scheduled for September 16, carrying agricultural and high-tech equipment.[149] On September 10, Israir became the first airline company to announce a direct flight route between Israel and the UAE. The company stated that the flights will travel between the Ben Gurion Airport and the Abu Dhabi International Airport, taking three-and-a-half hours to reach their destination.[150] The first cargo ship from the UAE entered Israel at the Port of Haifa on October 12, with the ship MCS Paris scheduled to arrive at the port on a weekly basis.[17]

Habtoor Hospitality became the first Emirati hotel group to start serving kosher food as part of its menu, partnering with Elli's Kosher Kitchen for its making.[151] Abu Dhabi Department of Culture & Tourism issued a note to Abu Dhabi hotels, recommending they serve kosher food in menus as well as outlets. The Orthodox Union was selected to certify kosher food.[152] The Emirati airlines Emirates' catering service Emirates Flight Catering announced on September 17, that it will establish a facility to produce kosher food called "Kosher Arabia" in partnership with CCL Holdings.[153] The UAE's first kosher-certified restaurant called "Armani/Kaf" opened in Armani Hotel Dubai on September 17, located in Burj Khalifa.[154]

On September 9, the Arab League refused to condemn the UAE's decision to normalize with Israel after several countries objected to the submitted Palestinian draft resolution. Nevertheless, secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said, "The goal all our Arab countries seek, without exception, is to end the occupation and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital." Gheit confirmed rejection of any accords presented on an international stage, which negatively impacted Palestinian rights or the status of Jerusalem.[155]

On September 22, United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper assured Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz during his visit to Washington that Israel's military edge will be protected, a sentiment earlier echoed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, who, following President Donald Trump saying that he personally had no problem with selling F-35s to the UAE, warned that any such decision would be scrutinized by the United States Congress.[156][157]

While the two countries had long-maintained de facto recognition in areas of business including the diamond trade[158] and high tech industries including artificial intelligence[159] and defence,[160] the accord opened the door to a much wider range of economic cooperation, including formal investments. Abu Dhabi Investment Office opened its first overseas branch in Israel.[161] And on October 13, Dubai-based NY Koen Group has announced its intention to purchase Israir.[162][163][164]

Analysis

According to Hannu Juusola at the University of Helsinki, the agreement meant that Palestinians would think that the UAE put its own interests before those of the Palestinians, who had always assumed that Arab countries would not sign peace treaties with Israel before the rights of Palestinians had been guaranteed.[34]

Lisa Goldman, co-founder of +972 Magazine, stated that Netanyahu "never intended to annex" parts of the West Bank, but the UAE is "claiming a diplomatic victory in exchange for what's probably a lot of very valuable security cooperation from Israel. All on the backs of Palestinians, as usual."[110]

Amira Hass wrote that the agreement is the product of ongoing neglect by the Palestinian National Authority of relations with the UAE. According to Hass, diplomatic relations were severed by the PLO in 2012, in repudiation of the UAE's good relations with Mohammed Dahlan, the political enemy of the PLO's chairman, Mahmoud Abbas. The PNA's animosity toward the UAE continued to June 2020, when the PLO rejected aid sent by the UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic, on the grounds that it was sent without prior agreement and through an Israeli airport. Hass depicts a PLO more concerned with internal politics than with governance, contributing to an economic decline and strained foreign relations.[165]

On August 16, 2020, the Financial Times editorial board wrote that the accord, rather than delivering peace, is likely to exacerbate Palestinians' sense of hopelessness and produce more problems in the future as the Israeli and US governments have "shown no interest in a fair resolution of the Palestinian–Israeli conflict".[166]

The New York Times regarded the accord as a timely foreign policy breakthrough for President Donald Trump in the context of the November 2020 presidential election, where opinion polling had him trailing his presidential challenger Joe Biden amidst pronounced social unrest in the United States and an economic downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]

Deutsche Welle's journalist Kersten Knipp stated that the Palestinians were looking for new allies post the deals of the UAE and Bahrain with Israel, however allying with Iran and Turkey could upset the European Union member states. As such, they were eyeing Russia and Qatar to give support for their cause. Both the countries have some level of contact with Israel.[167]

The Times of Israel's Middle East analyst Avi Issacharoff called it an earthquake for Palestinians, and stated that while the Palestinians are not going anywhere, the PNA might be.[168]

Amos Yadlin and Assaf Orion wrote that the Emirates chose normalization in an effort to improve relations with the United States and pro-Western countries, given the recent deterioration in ties between the UAE and Iran, as well as the country's close ties to China and Russia.[169]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ There is a separate short undated statement headed "The Abraham Accords Declaration": signed by all 4 parties while the agreement between the UAE and Israel contains the following statement "Reaffirming the 'Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates' (the 'Abraham Accords'), dated 13 August 2020".

References

  1. ↑ "READ: Full text of the Abraham Accords and agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates/Bahrain". CNN. September 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  2. ↑ Federico-O'Murchú, Seán (August 13, 2020). "Read the full statement by the US, Israel and UAE on normalizing Israel-UAE relations". CNN. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  3. ↑ El Dahan, Maha; Heller, Jeffrey; Holland, Steve (August 13, 2020). "Israel, UAE to normalize relations in shift in Mideast politics; West Bank annexations on hold". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020. Israel had signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, did not recognise Israel and had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it until now. It becomes the first Gulf Arab country to reach such a deal with the Jewish state.
  4. 1 2 Baker, Peter; Kershner, Isabel; Kirkpatrick, David D.; Bergman, Ronen (August 13, 2020). "Israel and United Arab Emirates Strike Major Diplomatic Agreement". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020. If fulfilled, the pact would make the Emirates only the third Arab country to have normal diplomatic relations with Israel along with Egypt, which signed a peace agreement in 1979, and Jordan, which signed a treaty in 1994.
  5. ↑ Smith, Saphora; Lederman, Josh (August 13, 2020). "Israel, United Arab Emirates agree full normalization of relations". NBC News. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020. Israel currently has peace deals with only two Arab countries — Egypt and Jordan — where it has fortified embassies. If Israel and the UAE go ahead and sign bilateral agreements, it would be the first time Israel has normalized relations with a Gulf state.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Israel, UAE announce normalisation of relations with US help". Al Jazeera. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Marcus, Jonathan (August 13, 2020). "Israel and UAE strike historic deal to normalise relations". BBC News. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Israel and United Arab Emirates strike historic peace accord". Financial Times. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  9. 1 2 Halbfinger, David M. (August 13, 2020). "Netanyahu Drops Troubled Annexation Plan for Diplomatic Gain". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  10. ↑ Hendrix, Steve (August 14, 2020). "Inside the secret-not-secret courtship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  11. ↑ Crowley, Michael (September 15, 2020). "Israel, U.A.E. and Bahrain Sign Accords, With an Eager Trump Playing Host". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
  12. ↑ Harkov, Lahav (October 12, 2020). "Cabinet authorizes Israel-UAE peace treaty". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 12, 2020.
  13. ↑ Hoffman, Gil; Lazaroff, Tovah (October 15, 2020). "Knesset approves Israel-UAE deal". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  14. ↑ Text of the agreement
  15. ↑ "Israel and UAE in historic direct flight following peace deal". BBC News. August 31, 2020. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  16. 1 2 "First maritime cargo shipment from UAE enters Haifa Port". The Jerusalem Post. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  17. ↑ Ulrichsen, Kristian Coates (September 2016). "Israel and the Arab Gulf States: Drivers and Directions of Change" (PDF). Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. p. 3. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  18. ↑ Pawlyk, Oriana (August 28, 2017). "Air Force Acknowledges Clandestine Base in UAE". Military.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  19. ↑ Hadid, Diaa (November 27, 2015). "Israel to Open Diplomatic Office in United Arab Emirates". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  20. 1 2 3 Baker, Peter; Kershner, Isabel; Kirkpatrick, David D.; Bergman, Ronen (August 13, 2020). "Israel and United Arab Emirates Strike Major Diplomatic Agreement". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  21. ↑ Bergman, Ronen (April 12, 2020). "Israel's Not-So-Secret Weapon in Coronavirus Fight: The Spies of Mossad". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  22. ↑ Bergman, Ronen; Hubbard, Ben (June 25, 2020). "Israel Announces Partnership with U.A.E., Which Throws Cold Water On It". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  23. 1 2 3 El Dahan, Maha; Heller, Jeffrey; Holland, Steve (August 13, 2020). "Israel, UAE to normalize relations in shift in Mideast politics; West Bank annexations on hold". Reuters. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  24. ↑ Stark, Alexandra (August 7, 2020). "Give Up on Proxy Wars in the Middle East". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  25. ↑ Entous, Adam (June 18, 2018). "Donald Trump's New World Order". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on June 11, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  26. ↑ Halbfinger, David M.; Hubbard, Ben (June 12, 2020). "Arab Envoy Warns Israelis That Annexation Threatens Warming Ties". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  27. ↑ Specia, Megan (January 29, 2020). "What to Know About Trump's Middle East Plan". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  28. ↑ Jakes, Lara; Halbfinger, David M. (November 18, 2019). "In Shift, U.S. Says Israeli Settlements in West Bank Do Not Violate International Law". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories would have eliminated hope for peace: UAE". Al-Masdar News. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  30. ↑ Gittleson, Ben (August 14, 2020). "Israel, UAE agree to normalize ties in what Trump calls 'historic' agreement". ABC News. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Abraham Accords Peace Agreement: Treaty of Peace, Diplomatic Relations and Full Normalization Between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2020 – via National Archives.
  32. ↑ Federman, Josef; Lee, Matthew; Gambrell, Jon (August 13, 2020). "UAE and Israel to establish full diplomatic ties". Associated Press. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  33. 1 2 3 Floman, Marcus (August 14, 2020). "Mellanösternexpert: "Avtalet mellan Förenade Arabemiraten och Israel ingen överraskning - länderna har länge varit på god fot med varandra"". Svenska Yle (in Swedish). Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  34. ↑ "Gantz: UAE peace deal emphasizes Israel's eternal aspiration for peace". The Jerusalem Post. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Blue and White kept in dark on UAE deal; Netanyahu: It was at request of US". The Times of Israel. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  36. 1 2 3 "Right slams halted annexation, settlers cry betrayal, as most pols laud UAE deal". The Times of Israel. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  37. 1 2 3 "The Latest: US envoy: UAE-Israel deal 'huge win' for Trump". WTOP-FM. Associated Press. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  38. ↑ "Lauding normalized ties, Tel Aviv city hall lights up with flags of Israel, UAE". The Times of Israel. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  39. 1 2 Gearan, Anne; Hendrix, Steve (August 13, 2020). "Trump announces historic peace agreement between Israel and United Arab Emirates". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  40. ↑ Beavers, Olivia (August 16, 2020). "Trump seeks to build campaign momentum with Middle East deal". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  41. ↑ Axelrod, Tal (August 13, 2020). "Biden praises Israel-UAE deal as building on 'efforts of multiple administrations'". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  42. ↑ "Kushner: Israel-UAE treaty a 'massive change' for the region". BBC News. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  43. ↑ "Israel-UAE Agreement Important Step for Middle East Stability, Says Pompeo". Asharq Al-Awsat. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  44. 1 2 3 El Massassi, Aziz (August 15, 2020). "In The Gulf, Normalisation With Israel Feels Anything But Normal". International Business Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  45. ↑ Allouche, Yasmina (September 17, 2020). "Charter against Bahrain-UAE-Israel normalisation deal signed by one million". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  46. ↑ "Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Statement Regarding Announcement Between Israel and United Arab Emirates" (Press release). Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on August 13, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  47. ↑ Parker, Tyler B. (August 18, 2020). "Why Kuwait Rejects Normalization With Israel". Fair Observer. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  48. ↑ Frantzman, Seth J. (August 19, 2020). "Kuwait's anti-Israel rhetoric in spotlight after UAE deal". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  49. ↑ Kosak, Cagri; Semiz, Muhammed (August 14, 2020). "Political groups across Mid East slam UAE-Israel deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  50. ↑ "الكويت.. تحركات برلمانية وشعبية لرفض التطبيع مع الاحتلال الإسرائيلي" (in Arabic). Al Jazeera. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  51. ↑ "الكويت.. 31 منظمة تدين التطبيع وتعتبره طعنة لفلسطين". Alkhaleej Online (in Arabic). August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  52. ↑ 🇰🇼بعد تصريح كوشنر بأن موقف الكويت المؤيد للفلسطينيين غير بناء.. حملة ثناء على موقف الكويت من التطبيع (in Arabic). Al Jazeera. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020 – via YouTube.
  53. ↑ Barakat, Mahmoud Mohamed (August 18, 2020). "37 Kuwaiti MPs call on gov't to reject UAE-Israel deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  54. ↑ Nehme, Dahlia; Hagagy, Ahmed (August 16, 2020). "Kuwait position towards Israel unchanged: Al-Qabas newspaper". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Bahrain rejects US push to normalise relations with Israel". Al Jazeera. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  56. ↑ Nahmias, Omri; Lazaroff, Tovah (September 12, 2020). "Bahrain agrees to normalize relations with Israel, Trump announces". The Jerusalem Post. Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  57. ↑ "Oman supports UAE decision to normalise ties with Israel". Reuters. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  58. ↑ "Two days after the Emirati normalization, the Mufti of the Sultanate of Oman: Do not compromise on Al-Aqsa if you are unable to liberate it". Al Jazeera. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020 – via Teller Report.
  59. ↑ Karaalp, Haydar (August 26, 2020). "Iraq: Laws prohibit normalization with Israel". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  60. ↑ Jordans, Frank; Batrawy, Aya (August 19, 2020). "Saudi Arabia Cautiously Welcomes UAE, Israel Normalization". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  61. ↑ "Saudi Price for Ties With Israel Is Palestinian State, Says Saudi Royal". Haaretz. Reuters. August 21, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  62. ↑ "Palestinian leader 'rejects and denounces' Israel-UAE deal: statement". Reuters. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  63. ↑ O'Connor, Tom (August 13, 2020). "Palestinians Recall UAE Ambassador, Call Deal With Israel 'Betrayal of Jerusalem'". Newsweek. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  64. ↑ "Palestinian Authority recalls its envoy to UAE". New Straits Times. Agence France-Presse. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  65. 1 2 Farrell, Stephen (August 13, 2020). "Israel hails UAE deal but Palestinians - and settlers - dismayed". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  66. ↑ Shehada, Muhammad; Mahmoud, Walid (August 14, 2020). "Palestinians unanimously reject UAE-Israel deal". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  67. ↑ Abu Toameh, Khaled (August 14, 2020). "Palestinians fume over Israel-UAE deal". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  68. ↑ "Suha Arafat apologises to UAE over Israel normalisation protests". The New Arab. August 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  69. ↑ "Iran news agency tied to Revolutionary Guards calls UAE-Israel deal 'shameful'". Reuters. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  70. ↑ "Iran: UAE-Israel deal a 'stab in the back' to Muslims". Al Jazeera. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  71. ↑ "Iran threatens 'dangerous future' for UAE after Israel deal". Associated Press. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  72. ↑ "Iran threatens to attack UAE over Israel deal". Arab News. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  73. ↑ "UAE summons Iranian diplomat over 'unacceptable' Rouhani speech". Al Jazeera. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  74. ↑ "GCC secretary-general denounces Iran's 'threats' against UAE". Arab News. August 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  75. ↑ "Iranian commander says Tehran's approach to UAE will change after Israel deal". Reuters. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  76. ↑ "Iran says UAE cannot be more secure through deal with Israel". Xinhua News Agency. August 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  77. ↑ "Iran gov't denounces UAE normalization deal with Israel, expresses security concerns". Xinhua News Agency. August 26, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  78. ↑ "Iran's Khamenei: UAE 'disgraced forever' by Israel deal". Reuters. September 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  79. 1 2 Butler, Daren; Gumrukcu, Tuvan (August 14, 2020). "Turkey may suspend ties with UAE over Israel deal, Erdogan says". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  80. ↑ Frantzman, Seth J. (August 15, 2020). "Iran, Turkey, Ben Rhodes, Tlaib united in criticism of UAE-Israel deal". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  81. ↑ Gonel, Guc; Orkan, Semra; Bozdogan, Kaan (August 16, 2020). "Turkish parliament's head condemns UAE-Israel deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  82. ↑ Latif, Aamir (August 16, 2020). "Pakistanis protest UAE-Israel deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  83. ↑ Latif, Aamir (August 14, 2020). "Pakistan cautiously reacts to UAE-Israel deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  84. ↑ Zaafir, Muhammad Saleh (August 14, 2020). "Pakistan to give stance on Israel-UAE agreement after consultations". The News International. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  85. ↑ "Pakistan will not recognise Israel: PM Khan". Al Jazeera. August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  86. ↑ Lewis, Aidan (August 13, 2020). "Egypt's Sisi welcomes UAE-Israel deal, halt to annexation of Palestinian lands". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  87. ↑ Al-Khalidi, Suleiman (August 13, 2020). "Jordan says Israel-UAE deal should prod Israel to accept Palestinian state". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  88. ↑ "Foreign minister: Malaysia firm on two-state solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict". Malay Mail. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  89. ↑ "Mauritania affirms support for UAE following Israel deal to normalize relations". Al Arabiya. Reuters. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  90. ↑ "Nasrallah: UAE betrayed Arabism, did Trump a 'personal favor,' with Israel deal". The Times of Israel. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  91. ↑ "Lebanon President Michel Aoun hedges over eventual peace with Israel in interview". Deccan Herald. Agence France-Presse. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  92. ↑ al-Samei, Mohamed (August 14, 2020). "Yemen supports Palestine amid UAE-Israel deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  93. ↑ "Advisor to Yemen president criticises UAE-Israel normalisation agreement". Debriefer. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  94. ↑ "World reacts to 'historic' Israel-UAE deal". Times of Malta. Agence France-Presse. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  95. ↑ Hanafi Ali, Khaled (August 18, 2020). "Implications of UAE-Israeli peace". Ahram Online. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 18, 2020.
  96. ↑ Amin, Mohammed (August 20, 2020). "Is Sudan backtracking on normalisation with Israel?". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  97. ↑ "Sudan PM: Government has 'no mandate' to normalise Israel ties". Al Jazeera. August 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  98. ↑ "Syria criticizes deal between UAE and Israeli regime". Prensa Latina. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  99. ↑ al-Thabti, Adel (August 18, 2020). "Tunisian parliament slams UAE-Israeli deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  100. ↑ Hammoudi, Alaa (August 18, 2020). "Tunisians protest UAE-Israel normalization deal". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  101. ↑ "Tunisia's position on Palestinian cause firm: President". Anadolu Agency. August 19, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  102. ↑ "UAE-Israel deal: Morocco officially rejects normalisation with Israel". Middle East Eye. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  103. ↑ "Protest in Morocco against UAE and Bahrain's peace deal with Israel". WION News. September 19, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  104. ↑ Holland, Steve (December 10, 2020). "Morocco joins other Arab nations agreeing to normalize Israel ties". Reuters. Archived from the original on December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  105. ↑ Ivudria, Godfrey (August 14, 2020). "Somaliland joins world in hailing Israel and UAE diplomatic deal". East African Business Week. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  106. ↑ Fenton-Harvey, Jonathan (September 22, 2020). "ANALYSIS - What do the Abraham Accords entail for the Middle East and North Africa?". Archived from the original on November 15, 2020.
  107. 1 2 "Britain and France welcome UAE-Israel deal". The National. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
  108. ↑ "EU, Italy welcome UAE-Israel deal to normalize ties". Saudi Gazette. Emirates News Agency. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  109. 1 2 "How the world reacted to UAE, Israel normalising diplomatic ties". Al Jazeera. August 15, 2020. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  110. ↑ "Iran, Turkey slam UAE over agreement with Israel". Deutsche Welle. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  111. ↑ Mohamed, Hatem (August 14, 2020). "Belgium welcomes normalisation of relations between UAE, Israel". Emirates News Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  112. ↑ Didili, Zoe (August 15, 2020). "EU's top diplomat welcomes Israel-UAE peace deal". New Europe. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  113. ↑ "Normalization between Israel and United Arab Emirats positive" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  114. ↑ Ismail, Esraa; Aamir, Mohd (August 17, 2020). "Greece welcomes UAE-Israel peace treaty". Emirates News Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  115. ↑ Levine, Cody (August 15, 2020). "Ukraine's Zelensky, Netanyahu talk coronavirus, trade". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  116. ↑ Meliza, Haradinaj [@MelizaHaradinaj] (August 13, 2020). "Welcome the Joint Statement btw #Israel & #UAE on full normalization of rels mediated by #UnitedStates. US leadership is crucial to achieve diplomatic breakthroughs that aim stability & peace around the world. #Kosovo-#Serbia final agreem. should also be brokered by US leadership" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020 – via Twitter.
  117. ↑ "EU's foreign policy chief Borrell welcomes Israeli-UAE normalization". i24 News. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  118. ↑ "Press release on the announcement on the normalization of relations between the State of Israel and the United Arab Emirates" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  119. ↑ "Bulgaria welcomes Israel – UAE peace deal". The Sofia Globe. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  120. ↑ "Foreign ministers of Poland and UAE held a phone conversation" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  121. ↑ "Moscow says UAE-Israel peace deal Is important for Israeli-Palestinian conflict settlement". United News of India. Sputnik. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  122. ↑ "Netanyahu and Putin discuss UAE deal, Israeli air strikes in Syria". The Times of Israel. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  123. ↑ Ahren, Raphael (August 16, 2020). "Luxembourg FM: UAE 'let down' the Palestinians with Israel deal". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  124. ↑ Lambert, Yannick (August 17, 2020). "Foreign minister clarifies after seeming break with EU on UAE-Israel deal". Luxembourg Times. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  125. ↑ "Regrettable that Palestinians weren't consulted: South Africa on UAE-Israel peace agreement". The New Indian Express. Press Trust of India. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  126. ↑ Roche, Elizabeth (August 14, 2020). "India welcomes Israel-UAE 'historic' agreement". Livemint. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  127. ↑ "China welcomes Israel-UAE accord to establish diplomatic ties". The Times of India. Press Trust of India. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  128. ↑ "S. Korea welcomes normalization of UAE-Israel ties". Yonhap News Agency. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  129. ↑ "Statement: On the Normalization of Relations Between the UAE and Israel" (Press release). Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  130. ↑ "Costa Rica welcomes normalisation of diplomatic relations between UAE, Israel". Sharjah News. August 17, 2020. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  131. ↑ "Japan Welcomes Israel-UAE Deal to Normalize Diplomatic Ties". Nippon.com. Jiji Press. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  132. ↑ "Normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  133. ↑ Sevunts, Levon (August 14, 2020). "Canada welcomes normalization of relations between Israel and U.A.E." Radio Canada International. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  134. ↑ "'Landmark' peace agreement between Israel, UAE". The Australian Jewish News. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  135. ↑ "World reacts to UAE's opening diplomatic ties with Israel". Arab News. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  136. 1 2 "UN welcomes UAE-Israel agreement". The National. August 14, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  137. ↑ Elbahrawy, Farah (August 16, 2020). "UAE, Israel Companies Sign First Deal After Breakthrough in Ties". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  138. ↑ "UAE National Security Adviser receives head of Mossad". The National. Emirates News Agency. August 18, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  139. ↑ "UAE formally ends Israel boycott amid US-brokered deal". Associated Press. August 29, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  140. ↑ Heller, Jeffrey (August 17, 2020). "Netanyahu says Israel preparing for direct flights to UAE over Saudi Arabia". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 2, 2020. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  141. ↑ Brennan, David (August 18, 2020). "Israel Denies It Gave Green Light for U.S. F-35 Jet Sale to UAE After Deal". Newsweek. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  142. ↑ "Israel deal should remove any hurdle to F-35 sale, UAE official says". Reuters. August 20, 2020. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  143. ↑ Ayyub, Rami (August 28, 2020). "El Al to fly Israel's first flight to UAE by commercial carrier". Reuters. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  144. ↑ Heller, Aron (August 31, 2020). "First direct Israel-UAE flight lands in Abu Dhabi amid deal". Associated Press. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  145. ↑ "Historic first flight from Israel to UAE lands in Abu Dhabi". The National. August 31, 2020. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  146. ↑ Ravid, Barak (September 2, 2020). "Saudi Arabia to allow all Israel-UAE flights to use its airspace". Axios. Archived from the original on September 4, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  147. ↑ "Bahrain to allow UAE-Israel flights to cross its airspace". Al Jazeera. September 4, 2020. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  148. ↑ "As ties normalize, El Al announces weekly air cargo service to Dubai". The Times of Israel. Agence France-Presse. September 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  149. ↑ "Israeli airline announces 1st direct flight route to UAE after peace deal". Xinhua News Agency. September 11, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  150. ↑ "These UAE hotels will start offering kosher food". Khaleej Times. September 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  151. ↑ Duncan, Gillian (September 10, 2020). "Kosher food to be served at Abu Dhabi hotel restaurants". The National. Archived from the original on September 28, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  152. ↑ "Emirates airline launches Kosher Arabia to produce meals for Jewish customers". Al Arabiya. Agence France-Presse. September 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  153. ↑ "First kosher restaurant opens in UAE". Khaleej Times. September 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  154. ↑ "Arab League: Ministers agree not to condemn UAE-Israel deal". Al Jazeera. September 9, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  155. ↑ Gould, Joe (September 15, 2020). "Trump: 'No problem' selling F-35 jets to UAE". Defense News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  156. ↑ "Pentagon head tells Gantz US will protect Israeli edge, as F-35 sale zooms ahead". The Times of Israel. September 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  157. ↑ Shnidman, Ronen (November 27, 2018). "Diamond Trade Binds Israel and the UAE Together". CTech by Calcalist. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  158. ↑ Heller, Aron (November 6, 2019). "Israeli robotics delegation to Dubai marks warming Gulf ties". Associated Press. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  159. ↑ "UAE-based intelligence firm said recruiting IDF veterans from elite cyber unit". The Times of Israel. October 18, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  160. ↑ Godinho, Varun (September 17, 2020). "Abu Dhabi Investment Office to open first international branch in Tel Aviv". Gulf Business. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  161. ↑ "Dubai-based company to bid for purchase of Israir Airlines". The Times of Israel. October 13, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  162. ↑ Raz-Chaimovitz, Michal (October 13, 2020). "Dubai-based NY Koen Group to bid for Israir". Globes. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  163. ↑ Somfalvi, Attila; Zomer, Navit (October 15, 2020). "איש העסקים היהודי ירכוש את ישראייר? "אולי נשנה את השם ל'ישרא-דובאי'"". Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  164. ↑ Hass, Amira (August 16, 2020). "Israel-UAE Normalization Deal Reveals Failure of Palestinian Diplomacy". Haaretz. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  165. ↑ "Israel's deal with UAE is a setback for wider peace". Financial Times. August 16, 2020. Archived from the original on August 16, 2020. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  166. ↑ Knipp, Kersten (September 18, 2020). "Palestinians seek new friends after Israel normalizes ties with Gulf monarchies". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  167. ↑ Issacharoff, Avi (October 30, 2020). "Israel-Arab accords an earthquake for Palestinians, who now pin hopes on Biden". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  168. ↑ Yadlin, Amos; Orion, Assaf (2020). "The UAE and Israel: Normalization over Annexation, and Denial of a Palestinian Veto". Institute for National Security Studies. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Wikiquote has quotations related to Israel–United Arab Emirates normalization agreement.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.