The 13 August announcement that Israel and the U.A.E. intend to normalize relations by signing a historic agreement in September with the U.S. makes the U.A.E. the third country after Egypt and Jordan to make peace with Israel. However, it must be said that yesterday’s announcement and the agreement to be signed portend many more dramatic developments and in areas much broader than peacemaking. This agreement will unlock a new era of formal cooperation between Arabs and Israelis in business, trade and commerce, defense and security, medicine, science, research and development, cultural advancement, and religious tolerance.
The Abraham Accord, as this agreement is being officially named, is receiving wide-spread positive reaction. Countries in the Middle East region and more broadly around the world are acknowledging the incredible importance and historic nature of this new development. While the Palestinians, as expected, are reacting in a negative manner, there are signs that the accords between Israel and the U.A.E. will offer yet another chance for serious negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. The accords are being widely accepted in Israel, giving Prime Minister Netanyahu a political boost, but tamping down support of any immediate annexation steps. As expected, Turkey and Iran are the lone regional holdouts decrying the agreement as detrimental to the peace process. In the U.S., the fact that the Biden Campaign reacted immediately and positively to yesterday’s announcement means that there is broad political support for it and importantly that it and other steps that might come in the next few months in the U.S.-U.A.E. relationship will transcend any possible change in Administrations.
A compilation of key press reports and opinion pieces of the last 24 hours is included below:
Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates
13 August 2020
White House
President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today and agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. For the full story, please follow this link.
Video: President Trump Announces Israel-UAE ‘Abraham Accord’ Peace Deal
13 August 2020
i24News
To watch the full video, please follow this link.
Freeze on annexation of Palestinian territories a significant diplomatic achievement: Anwar Gargash
13 August 2020
Emirates News Agency – WAM
Dr. Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said in a statement following a three-way telephone conversation between His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; U.S. President Donald Trump, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. For the full story, please follow this link.
PM Netanyahu’s Announcement on the Peace Treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates
13 August 2020
Prime Minister’s Office
Today we usher in a new era of peace between Israel and the Arab world. I just came from an historic virtual conference between myself, President Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed of the United Arab Emirates. We announced the establishment of a full and formal peace between Israel and the UAE. It includes the mutual opening of embassies, direct flights and many, many other bilateral agreements. For the full story, please follow this link.
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba Statement Regarding Announcement Between Israel and United Arab Emirates
13 August 2020
U.A.E. Embassy in Washington D.C.
Today’s announcement is a significant advance for the region and for diplomacy. It immediately stops annexation and the potential of violent escalation. It maintains the viability of a two-state solution as endorsed by the Arab League and international community. It creates new dynamics and possibilities in the peace process. It bolsters the stability of Jordan. For the full story, please follow this link.
Biden praises Israel-UAE deal as building on ‘efforts of multiple administrations’
By Tal Axelrod
13 August 2020
The Hill
Former Vice President Joe Biden hailed the announcement of a deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to establish formal diplomatic ties, saying the move was the culmination of “efforts of multiple administrations.” For the full story, please follow this link.
Video: National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien on ‘very courageous’ deal between Israel and UAE
13 August 2020
PBS
As announced Thursday by the Trump administration, Israel and the United Arab Emirates will begin normalized relations, opening embassies and signing agreements on trade and technology. National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien joins Judy Woodruff to discuss the “remarkable accomplishment,” what comes next for the Middle East and how the U.S. is combating foreign election interference. To watch the full video, please follow this link.
Opinion: The Israel-UAE agreement is a key step for peace and sends a crucial message to Palestinians
By Dennis Ross
13 August 2020
Washington Post
We don’t hear many good news stories out of the Middle East, particularly recently, in the midst of the despair over Beirut, regional conflicts and the ravages of covid-19. But on Thursday there was a hopeful development: President Trump announced a historic peace agreement that will normalize relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. For the full story, please follow this link.
Netanyahu Drops Troubled Annexation Plan for Diplomatic Gain
In an abrupt reversal, Israel’s prime minister “suspended” a promise to annex part of the West Bank in exchange for a historic opening with the U.A.E.
By David M. Halbfinger
13 August 2020
New York Times
For the past 16 months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel had doggedly pursued a right-wing dream that he saw as securing his legacy: annexing West Bank territory that the Palestinians counted on for a future state, potentially dealing a death blow to a two-state solution. For the full story, please follow this link.
Israel-U.A.E. Pact Sealed After Months of Furtive Talks Among Envoys Trusted by Their Leaders
Deal was finalized on a call among President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
By Michael C. Bender and Dion Nissenbaum
13 August 2002
Wall Street Journal
The pact establishing formal diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates was finalized Thursday morning on a call among President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, U.S. officials said. For the full story, please follow this link.
