The ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lifted an economic boycott against Israel, allowing trade and financial agreements between the countries to be another important step towards normal relations.
U.S. to open ties between Israel and UAE The brokerage deal was announced on 13 August Gust. It will have to stop its controversial plan to annex the West Bank land demanded by Israel and the Palestinians.
The UAE government-run WAM news agency said the boycott was ordered by UAE leader Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The WAM said the new decree allows Israeli and Israeli companies to trade in the UAE, a union of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. It also allows for the purchase and trade of Israeli goods.
The new law comes as part of the UAE’s efforts to boost diplomatic and trade cooperation with Israel, the WAMA said.
It “sets out guidelines for initiating joint cooperation, advancing bilateral relations by stimulating economic development and encouraging technological innovation”.
On Monday, Israel’s main carrier Al Al’s first direct commercial flight is expected to take place in Abu Dhabi, with American and Israeli officials including President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Saturday’s announcement formally repealed the UAE’s 1972 law on books, following the creation of the emirate.
That law reflects the widely held stance by Arab countries at the time that Israel would be recognized only after the Palestinians achieved their own independent statehood.
Criticized by Palestinian groups after the announcement of the UAE-Israel agreement, the groups said it was doing nothing for the Palestinian cause and disregarding the rights of the Palestinian people.
Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip, condemned the deal, saying it was a “treacherous attack from behind.”
“This agreement does not fully serve the Palestinian cause, it serves as a Zionist narrative. This agreement promotes business. [Israel] “To continue to deny the rights of our Palestinian people, and to continue its crimes against our people,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qasim said in a statement.
The Fatah movement said the UAE was imposing “its national, religious and humanitarian duties” on the Palestinian cause.
Hanan Ashrawa, a member of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), said Israel had been rewarded for not disclosing illegally and persistently what it was doing to the Palestinians since the occupation began.
The UAE is currently the third Arab nation to have diplomatic relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.
In recent years, the UAE has held quiet negotiations with Israel and granted Israelis a second passport in the country for trade and negotiations.
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