WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a historic deal on Thursday that will lead to a complete normalization of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern countries in an agreement that helped US President Donald Trump broker.
First White House adviser Jared Kushner listens as US President Donald Trump announces that Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a peace agreement that will lead to full normalization of diplomatic relations between the two Middle Eastern nations in an agreement that US President Donald Trump maker helps at White House in Washington, DC, August 13, 2020. REUTERS / Kevin Lamarque
Under the agreement, Israel has agreed to suspend the application of sovereignty over West Bank areas it has discussed over annexation, White House senior officials told Reuters.
The deal was the product of lengthy discussions between Israel, the UAE and the United States that accelerated recently, White House officials said.
The agreement was reached on Thursday in a phone call between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed of Abu Dhabi.
“ANY breakthrough today! “Historic peace agreement between our two BIG friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” Trump wrote on Twitter.
In the Oval Office of the White House, Trump said talks between the two leaders were sometimes exciting. He said similar deals are being discussed with other countries in the region. A signing ceremony with delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will be held in the White House in the coming weeks, Trump added.
“Everyone said this would be impossible,” Trump said. “After 49 years, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will completely normalize their diplomatic relations. They exchange embassies and ambassadors and begin cooperation across the border. ”
U.S. officials described the agreement, known as the Abraham Accords, as the first of its kind since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994. It also gives Trump a success in foreign policy, as he said on Nov. 3. Looking for elections. .
Netanyahu said in his first comment on the deal on Twitter that it “is a historic day for the state of Israel.”
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi said on Twitter that an agreement had been reached and that it would further stop the Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories.
“During a conversation with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to further stop the annexation of Israeli Palestinian territories. The UAE and Israel have also agreed to cooperate and establish a roadmap to establish a bilateral relationship, ”he said.
White House officials said Trump’s former adviser Jared Kushner, US ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the deal, as were Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House National Security Adviser House of Robert O’Brien.
A joint statement issued by the three nations said the three leaders “agreed with the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.”
“This historic diplomatic breakthrough will promote peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the courageous diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that the great potential in the region, ”the statement said.
Brian Hook, chief of the US Department of State for Iran, said the agreement was a “nightmare” for Iran in its fight against Israel in the region.
Trump said: “This deal is an important step in building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East. Now that the ice has broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries to follow the lead of the United Arab Emirates …. and normalize relations with Israel. ”
“We are already discussing this with other peoples, very powerful, very good peoples who want to see peace in the Middle East, so you will probably see others of these,” Trump added. “Things happen that I do not know about, but they are extremely positive.”
Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues, the statement said.
The two countries are soon expected to exchange ambassadors and embassies.
The statement said that “as a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will cease to declare sovereignty” over West Bank territories proposed in the US peace plan unveiled by Trump in January.
The agreement proposes that Muslims give greater access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in the Old City of Jerusalem by allowing them to fly from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv, White House officials said.
The joint statement said the United Arab Emirates and Israel would immediately expand and accelerate cooperation on the treatment and development of a vaccine for the new coronavirus amid the pandemic.
Report by Steve Holland; Edited by Will Dunham
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