President Trump on Thursday announced a “Historic Peace Agreement” between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, saying with the helped of the United States, the two Middle East nations have agreed to “full normalization of relations.”
“This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region,” according to the joint statement released after the three leaders — Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed spoke Thursday morning.
As a result of the “diplomatic breakthrough” and at the request of President Trump, “Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty” over areas outlined in the Trump administration’s Mideast peace plan, and will “focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.”
The announcement marks the UAE the first Arab Gulf state and the third Arab country after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994 to have active diplomatic ties to Israel.
“The historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region,” the statement read. “All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.”
Joint Statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates pic.twitter.com/oVyjLxf0jd
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020
Delegations from the United States, the UAE, and Israel are expected to meet in the coming weeks to “sign bilateral agreements” regarding investment, direct flights along with tourism, security, telecommunications, energy, and the establishment of reciprocal embassies. The two countries also includes a “joint cooperation on vaccines for COVID-19,” that will “immediately expand and accelerate the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus.”
“Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations,” the statement reads.
“Along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region,” the statement continues, “as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination.”
In brief remarks from the Oval Office, Trump said the peace deal was “a truly historic moment” and will be called “Abraham Accord,” named for the “father of all three great faiths.”
The president said he expects other Arab nations to follow moves by the UAE.
“Now that the ice has been broken, I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates’ lead and normalize relations with Israel,” Trump said. “We are already discussing this with other nations. With very powerful, very good nations and people that want to see peace in the Middle East. So you will probably see others of these.”
Netanyahu tweeted an Israeli flag with a short message in Hebrew: “Historic Day.”
President Trump’s Middle East plan served as a basis for today’s historic
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) August 13, 2020
peace announcement. Israel and the UAE are two of the most advanced countries in the world.
The Crown Prince on Twitter in both Arabic and English said “an agreement was reached” with Israel halting annexation and an establishment of a “bilateral relationship.”
“During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories. The UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship.”
٢/٢ ..و اتخاذ خطوات من شأنها إحلال السلام في الشرق الأوسط كما أثمن جهود القائمين علي هذا الاتفاق من أجل تحقيق الازدهار و الاستقرار لمنطقتنا.
— Abdelfattah Elsisi (@AlsisiOfficial) August 13, 2020
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed the deal on normalizing ties that includes an Israeli agreement to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands.
“I followed with interest and appreciation the joint statement between the United States, United Arab Emirates, and Israel to halt the Israeli annexation of Palestinian lands and taking steps to bring peace in the Middle East,” Sisi said on Twitter. “I value the efforts of those in charge of the deal to achieve prosperity and stability for our region.”
45ArabBenjamin NetanyahuIsraelOval OfficePeace DealPresident TrumpUAEUnited Arab EmiratesWhite HouseWhite House News
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