The agreement between Israel and the U.A.E. to establish diplomatic relations announced by President Donald Trump yesterday , which suspends Israeli annexation of the West Bank settlements and allows Arab visits to Islamic holy sites in Israel, will be signed in about three weeks, Trump said, with Benjamin Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed travelling to Washington. While Netanyahu was effusive about the deal, bin Zayed tweeted: “An agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories. The U.A.E. and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship.” While the settlers complained, Netanyahu said that he was still fully committed to moving ahead with annexation, but that it had to be done “in full coordination with the U.S. administration.”
Officials from Israel and the U.A.E. will be meeting to work out details on security, economic investment, reciprocal embassies, direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, and joint work on a coronavirus vaccine, reports say.
Other initial reactions:
The Palestinian Authority recalled its Ambassador to the U.A.E., and the U.A.E. Ambassador was “immediately summoned” by Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki. Hamas leader Ismael Haniyeh spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, both denouncing the agreement as a betrayal of Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause.
