Israel's President travels to the Emirates on a "historic visit"
A historic new step in relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel. Israel's President Isaac Herzog has travelled to the United Arab Emirates for a two-day official visit after receiving an invitation from Emirati Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan.
This visit has become a historic meeting, loaded with great symbolism, as it is the first time an Israeli president has travelled to the Emirates. This visit is one of the clearest images of the good functioning and close cooperation that exists between different Arab countries with Israel, as a result of the Abraham Accords reached during Donald Trump's presidency. These pacts have marked a before and after in diplomatic relations in the Middle East.
The visit comes at a time of tension in the region as the US seeks to reach a new nuclear deal with Iran, Israel's bitter enemy.
In addition to meeting with bin Zayed, Herzog has also met with Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, a meeting that promises to strengthen foreign policy and cooperation between the two countries.
The Israeli president will also visit various Emirati officials, including the country's prime minister, the defence minister and the representative of the Jewish community, according to the daily Haaretz. The visit with the latter further demonstrates the desire of both the UAE and Israel to continue to build cultural as well as political ties between religions in an exercise to build bridges between cultures.
Herzog, via his Twitter account, reported his "enthusiasm for the visit" and described it as "historic", as well as stressing that "this visit brings the news of peace between peoples and for the whole of the Middle East". In the same tweet, he took the opportunity to thank the Emirati prince for his invitation, stressing the important peaceful symbolism that the meeting between the two leaders carries.
Minutes before setting off on his trip, Herzog stressed that he brings with him "a message of peace for the whole region", and emphasised that "peace brings prosperity, progress and growth for the benefit of peoples".
He also declared that he 'wishes Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed well' and that he is grateful for 'his courage and bold leadership, forging a peace agreement with Israel and sending the message that peace is the only alternative'.
As the Israeli president himself emphasised, this trip sends a message to the world that the various Arab countries and Israel are intent on forging relations that will bring about the strengthening of the Middle East and peace. Despite the rifts and historical rivalries in the region, the understanding between the two, as well as the mutual rapprochement, brings with it a hopeful discourse that opens a new chapter in the region, full of pacifism, respect and mutual understanding.
