New York: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel signed a peace deal that marked the Emirates as the third Arab nation to diplomatically recognise the Jewish state, after Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994). In an agreement brokered by the United States, the Arab nation got assured by the Israeli government that it would renounce its plans for annexing the West Bank, the most cherished territory desired by the Palestine.
The deal between Israel and the UAE intended to fully normalise relations follows a history of peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians and their Arab allies that have failed to overcome decades of distrust and violence. Most Arab nations, including the UAE, have not recognised Israel or had formal diplomatic or economic relations with it because of what they regard as Israel’s thwarting of Palestinians’ aspirations for a state of their own. President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority, which seeks a two-state solution, has lashed out against the deal as a “betrayal” by the UAE.
A ‘huge mistake,’ says Iranian President
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has called the deal a ‘huge mistake.’ “The Emirate rulers think that if they approach America and the Zionist regime, their security will improve and their economy will grow,” Rouhani was quoted as saying by Al Jazeera. “But this is totally wrong.” The Iranian leader said the deal was a “betrayal of the Palestinian cause”. The Iranian foreign ministry denounced the deal as an act of “strategic stupidity from Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv”. South Africa also expressed concern over the deal.
Bahrain and Oman may follow UAE
Bahrain and Oman could be the next Gulf countries to follow the UAE in formalising ties with Israel, Israel’s intelligence minister was quoted as saying. “In the wake of this agreement (with the UAE) will come additional agreements, both with more Gulf countries and with Muslim countries in Africa,” Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen said. “I think that Bahrain and Oman are definitely on the agenda. In addition, in my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them, Sudan,” he said.
Both Bahrain and Oman praised the UAE-Israel accord, although neither have commented on their own prospects for normalised relations. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Omani and Sudanese leaders in the past two years.
Telephone service begins
Telephone service between the UAE and Israel has begun following the normalisation of relations. Emirati officials acknowledged that Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had called his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi. Israeli Communications Minister Yoaz Handel issued a statement “congratulating the United Arab Emirates on removing the blocks.” “Many economic opportunities will open now, and these trust-building steps are an important step toward advancing states’ interests,” Handel said.
