UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash has welcomed the "encouraging reactions" to this announcement

The international community reacts to the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel

photo_camera GIUSEPPE CACACE - This photo taken on 14 August 2020 in Dubai shows the front pages of the UAE-based newspapers The National and Gulf News with their headlines reflecting the previous day's announcements

US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, agreed on Thursday to fully normalize relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, with the aim of promoting the establishment of peace in the Middle East region. This historic agreement - which will be signed at the White House in three weeks - has made the UAE the third Arab country, and the first in the Persian Gulf, to establish official relations with Tel Aviv. 

The Emirates considers this agreement "a victory" for diplomacy in the region, while Israel has defined this moment as "a historic day" for the two countries.  In the coming weeks, delegations from both countries will meet to sign a series of bilateral agreements in the areas of investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, health, culture, environment, as well as the establishment of reciprocal embassies, they said in an official statement. Also, both the Emirates and Israel have shown their willingness to open mutual embassies and exchange ambassadors. 

"The opening of direct links between two of the most advanced societies in the Middle East will transform the region by stimulating economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer relations between people," they stressed in a joint statement.  The Islamic Republic's influence in the region has caused a thaw in relations between the two nations in recent years, which has ended with the announcement of this agreement, which will bear the name of Abraham. 

AFP/ JACK GUEZ - El Ayuntamiento de la ciudad costera israelí de Tel Aviv se ilumina con los colores de la bandera nacional de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos el 13 de agosto de 2020

The intention now is to achieve this political breakthrough with other Arab nations. The international community has reacted to this historic agreement.  Israel, for example, has lit up the flag of the United Arab Emirates in the capital's town hall to celebrate this announcement. "Today begins a new era with the Arab world in the region." With these words, the Israeli Prime Minister celebrated this agreement, announced by the President of the United States, Donald Trump.  Since the announcement of the measure, the welcome reactions from the main capitals - who see this agreement as an opportunity to restart the Middle East peace process - have not ceased. 

United Arab Emirates 

The UAE Ambassador to the United States, Youssef al-Otaiba, has called this announcement "a victory" for diplomacy in the region. "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that reduces tensions and generates new energy for positive change," he said.  The Gulf country has stood firm on its position on the Palestinian question, as stated by the Crown Prince of Abu DHabi, Mohammed bin Zayed, who, through the social network Twitter, announced that "during a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop the Israeli annexation of the Palestinian territories". "The United Arab Emirates and Israel also agreed to cooperate and establish a roadmap towards the establishment of a bilateral relationship," he added. 

AFP/ KARIM SAHIB - El ministro de Estado de Asuntos Exteriores de los Emiratos Árabes Unidos, Anwar Gargash

UAE Foreign Minister Anwar Gargash has applauded the "encouraging reactions" to this announcement. Gargash said Friday that "the initiative of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi has raised the spectre of the annexation of Palestinian land. In addition, he stressed that the Emirate representative led the decision to conduct bilateral relations within a strategic vision "that combines political realism and a bold perspective of the future". This agreement is - according to the signatory parties - a testimony to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders. 

"The UAE seeks to build on previous regional and international efforts to reach a solution to this conflict in reflection of the UAE's multilateral approach to sensitive regional issues," he said in a statement issued following the three-way telephone conversation in which this agreement was announced. For his part, the UAE minister stressed the role of the United States in this process, explaining that, with this move, the American nation has "affirmed its continued commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative and the rights of the Palestinian people to establish a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

This document will promote - in agreement with the Minister - opportunities for cooperation in both sectors and will strengthen relations in the areas of economy, culture, science and technology. "In view of these developments, the United Arab Emirates urges a return to direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians as the only parties capable of reaching a permanent and sustainable solution to this conflict," concluded Anwar. 

Israel 

The Israeli authorities have also welcomed this agreement and said they hope it will open the way for other Arab countries in the region. The head of Defence and partner of coalition, Benny Gantz, has called on other Arab nations to "promote diplomatic relations in additional peace agreements.  "I applaud this important and significant agreement, first and foremost to (U.S.) President Donald Trump - a true friend of Israel - (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and (Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi) Mohammed Bin Zayed," Gantz said in a statement. 

AFP/AFP - Mapa de Oriente Medio que muestra los países que han establecido relaciones diplomáticas o han tenido una cooperación informal (económica, visitas, etc.) con Israel
Egypt 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has applauded efforts by the Emirates and Israel "to achieve prosperity and stability in the region.  "I followed with interest the joint statement between the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Israel to stop Israel's annexation of Palestinian land and take steps to bring peace to the Middle East," the Egyptian leader said on Twitter. "I appreciate the efforts of those in charge of the agreement to achieve prosperity and stability for our region," he added. 

Jordan

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi has said that Israel must commit itself to a "just and comprehensive solution that will end the occupation or the continuation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Safadi stressed that if Israel treats the agreement as an incentive to end the occupation and fulfill the Palestinian people's right to freedom and an independent, viable state with East Jerusalem as its capital, the region will move towards a just peace. 

PHOTO/DALATI&NOHRA - El ministro de Asuntos Exteriores de Jordania, Ayman Safadi

If the opposite happens, however, "the conflict will deepen and become a threat to the entire region".  The Jordanian minister has shown his support for any effort that will contribute to a just and comprehensive peace that will end the Israeli occupation and has announced that he "continues to work with his brothers and friends to achieve a just peace that will not be permanent if it is not accepted by the people. 

Bahrain

The Kingdom of Bahrain has congratulated the United Arab Emirates on being part of an agreement to stop the annexation of certain Palestinian territories. In a statement issued by the BNA agency, the nation praised the diplomatic efforts made by the UAE and stressed that this historic step would contribute to the consolidation of stability and peace in the region. 

Finally, Bahrain also expressed its gratitude to the United States for facilitating this agreement and for "strengthening the foundations of security, stability and peace in the world". They also said they "look forward" to any steps towards "reaching a just settlement and a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Oman

The official spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Oman has also shown his support for this announcement. "We hope that this decision will contribute to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East and in a manner that serves the aspirations of the peoples of the region," he said. This agreement will help "sustain the pillars of security and stability and advance the causes of progress and prosperity," they said. The Sultanate of Oman has expressed its support for the announcement, which it described as "historic," according to the country's news agency. 

United Kingdom, France and Germany  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also welcomed this agreement. "I had high hopes that the annexation would not take place in the West Bank and today's agreement to suspend those plans is a further step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East," he said on Twitter. 

AFP/ SAFIN HAMED - El ministro de Asuntos Exteriores francés Jean-Yves Le Drian

For his part, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian welcomed the normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. In a statement released Thursday, Le Drian said Israel's decision to suspend the annexation of certain areas of the West Bank is a positive step and stressed that this agreement has opened a new door to talks between Israelis and Palestinians. 

In Germany, Der Spiegel magazine described the agreement as a "great achievement and a diplomatic breakthrough" and noted its success in deterring Israel's attempts to annex parts of the West Bank.  

United Nations 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed "this agreement in the hope that it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resume meaningful negotiations that will make the two-state solution a reality in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements," Guterres spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a brief statement.

Dujarric said that this agreement "suspends Israel's plans on the annexation of parts of the occupied West Bank region", explaining that this measure "could close the door to resuming negotiations and would destroy the prospect of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution". "Peace in the Middle East is more important than ever, at a time when the region is facing the serious threat of COVID-19 and radicalization," he added.

AFP/FABRICE COFFRINI - El Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas Antonio Guterres
More reactions 

However, other regions such as Turkey or Iran have not been happy with this agreement. Ankara, for example, considers that "it is not credible to present the trilateral agreement (together with the United States) as a support to the Palestinian cause", as explained by the foreign minister in an official statement. 

Iran has warned in the same line that this pact "will result in a further strengthening of the Axis of Resistance in the region by promoting unity and solidarity against the Zionist regime". "The innocent blood spilled during the last seven decades of resistance to liberate the sacred land of Palestine will sooner or later catch up with those who betrayed the Palestinian cause," they have stressed in an official statement. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who last May declared the end of all agreements with Israel and the United States, has also joined this wave of criticism.  "The Palestinian leadership rejects and denounces the surprising trilateral announcement by the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the United States," said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, Abbas' senior adviser.

The United States 

The US president has concluded this agreement through the social network Twitter. "Great progress today! Historic peace agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates". This announcement - which will go forward like the Abraham Agreements - is a success for Trump's foreign policy, who is seeking re-election on November 3.

PHOTO/JOYCE N.BOGHOSIAN - El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, acompañado por altos funcionarios de la Casa Blanca, mientras hace una declaración en la Oficina Oval de la Casa Blanca para anunciar que los Emiratos Árabes Unidos e Israel han acordado establecer relaciones diplomáticas plenas

Several White House officials have reported that Trump's adviser Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz were deeply involved in negotiating the agreement, as were Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien. With this announcement, the Emirates has become the third Arab country to normalize relations with Israel, after the peace agreements signed by Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.​​​​​​​

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