Two more countries could join the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in recognizing Israel’s sovereignty, a top Israeli official said Sunday.
Reuters reports that Israel’s intelligence minister, Eli Cohen, told a state radio station that Bahrain and Oman could soon follow the UAE in signing agreements recognizing Israel’s right to exist, a point of contention for a number of Arab nations in the Middle East and North Africa.
“In the wake of this agreement, additional agreements will be reached, both with more Gulf countries and with Muslim countries in Africa,” Cohen said of the Israel-UAE agreement, according to Reuters.
“I think Bahrain and Oman are definitely on the agenda. In addition, in my opinion, there is a chance that there will already be a peace treaty in the coming year with additional countries in Africa, of which he is the master, Sudan, “he added.
The Government of Kuwait announced in its own statement that its position regarding Israel would not change; Kuwait, along with other countries in the region, have called for Palestine to be recognized as an independent state.
Last week, a formal agreement was made with US broker to normalize diplomatic relations between the Israeli government and the UAE. The agreement is the first of its kind since the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty.
The widely popular deal marks a major victory in the arena of diplomacy Middle East, with both President Trump
Donald John Trump’s leadership over Trump merges in new national poll Biden finds barriers in bidding to forge ties with US allies. Cheney calls Snowden ‘unconscious’ after Trump says he considers it MORE and presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden
Joe BidenBiden’s leadership over Trump merges in new national interview Biden fights obstacles in bid to remove ties with US allies Trump ‘failure’ on COVID-19 will be central message of Biden convention MORE take credit for the foundations of the deal.
“This deal is a key step in building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East,” President Trump told reporters at a news conference last Thursday. “Now that the ice has broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries to follow the lead of the United Arab Emirates.”
“The meeting between Israel and the Arab states builds on the efforts of several administrations to promote a wider Arab-Israeli opening, including the efforts of the Obama-Biden administration to build on the Arab Peace Initiative,” he said. former vice president in his own statement.
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