Under the Abraham Accord, the UAE and Israel agree to establish diplomatic relations through bilateral agreements and multi-sector ties, brokered by the US.
Abraham Accord signed at the White House
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation led the UAE’s delegation at the White House signing the Abraham Accord with US President Donald Trump, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. agreeing to normalise relations with Israel.
“This day is a pivot of history. It heralds a new dawn of peace. For thousands of years, the Jewish people have prayed for peace. For decades, the Jewish state has prayed for peace. The people of Israel well know the price of war.”
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
“After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East. Congratulations to the people of Israel, the people of the United Arab Emirates, and the people of the Kingdom of Bahrain. God Bless You All!”
Donald Trump, President of the USA
What makes the Abraham Accord a big deal is it marks a new era for peace and stability in the Middle East. Prior to the treaty, the Middle East didn’t recognize Israel as a country due to escalating political tensions with Palestine. Thanks to today’s historical diplomatic breakthrough today, the following years will witness both the UAE and Israel join forces and collaborate in building economic, cultural, industrial and key-sector ties. Not to mention the Coronavirus vaccine, the two countries already working to create a vaccine.
Photograph credit: The White House
Bahrain agrees to stabilise relations with Israel too, five more countries to follow suit
After the UAE, Bahrain announced establishing relations with Israel too, with Foreign Minister Al Zayani signing the Abraham Accord.
Donald Trump also hinted an additional five countries are willing to normalise relations with Israel, claiming “we’re very far down the road.”
Photograph credit: The White House
Abraham Accord signed in English, Arabic and Hebrew
President Trump and Foreign Ministers Sheikh Abdullah and Al-Zayani were seen in all smiles posing with the Abraham Accord officially signed in English, Arabic and Hebrew. While the agreements and information on the treaty isn’t revealed yet, it is expected to be released soon.
UAE’s support for Palestine remains
While the Abraham Accord paves the way for building relations between with Israel, the UAE also reaffirms its support for Palestine. Since 1994, the UAE gave away $2.104 billion (AED 7.7b) in financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority, in addition to $828.2 million(AED 3b) donated to the United Nations Relief And Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine Refugees in the Near East since 2013 and relief projects in numerous regions of Palestine
What’s more, the UAE recently established the “Emirati-Palestinian Friendship Club” in a bid to enhance Emirati-Palestinian ties. Sheikh Abdullah calls relations between the UAE and Palestine as “solid and will never change.”
“UAE’s stance will remain supportive of the Arab stand calling for establishing an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital. We will continue to support the Palestinian cause based on our historic stance that stems from a deeply rooted, unshakable belief that will never change as a result of any considerations.”
His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
You can read the joint statement by the UAE, the US and Israel here.
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(Featured photograph credit: The White House)
