The Abraham Accord: United Arab Emirates/Israel
"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." "As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty [over areas of the West Bank as envisioned in a U.S. plan announced in January]." "This 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." Joint statement of Israel/UAE accord
"[The] full and official peace [with the U.A.E. will lead to co-operation in many spheres between the countries and a] wonderful future [for citizens of both nations]." "There is no change in my plan to apply our sovereignty to Judea and Samaria [West Bank] in full co-ordination with the U.S. I'm committed to it. That hasn't changed." "I remind you that I was the one who put the issue of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria on the table. This issue remains on the table." Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu
"Is it perfect? Nothing is perfect in a very difficult region. But I think we used our political chips right." Anwar Gargash, top Emirati official
"I don't think anything was written in stone. We are opening a door. We are hoping the Israelis will see the benefits to this step." "I would assume that this is political manoeuvring within a very complex political society." Omar Ghobash, U.A.E. assistant minister for culture and public diplomacy
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| Benjamin Netanyahu and Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan brokered the agreement with US help Reuters, Getty Images |
According to the historical accord for full diplomacy between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, normalization will now proceed with a broad new relationship ensuing to reshape Middle East politics. The focus will no longer be fixed on the 'Palestinian' issue, and it has not been for quite some time now. That focus is now turned fully on the Arab states and Israel managing the threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran, a non-Arab, Shiite nation amongst the Sunni majority of the Middle East. Iran's plan to command and control the Middle East has alarmed its Arab neighbours, creating a gradual shift toward and recognition of, the Jewish state whose presence is finally acknowledged as permanent.
Israel's planned annexation of areas of Biblical Judea and Samaria, which the international community speaks of as the 'occupied West Bank' where Jewish settlements are housed is to be placed in abeyance. The politics of the Middle East are slow to change, but change they will, with three Arab states now formally at peace with Israel; Egypt, Jordan and the U.A.E.. With, presumably, more to follow. The new accord is indeed historic, a breakthrough to achieve peace, all too long in arriving. An accord, unsurprisingly, which finds no favour with the Palestinian Authority, nor obviously, with Hamas.
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| The Israeli settlement of Maale Adumim, Israel's largest, with a view of the Jerusalem skyline in the background. Under the deal, Israel has agreed to temporarily suspend applying sovereignty to areas of the West Bank that it has been discussing annexing. (Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty Images) |
Both Fatah, with and of the Palestinian Authority, and the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza, speak to their charters which aim for the destruction of Israel from its heritage endowments. The Palestinian Authority speaks of this monumental move closer to universal peace, as a "stab in the back" to their cause. Their cause being, to reject the very 'normalization' that the U.A.E. has just signed on to. U.S. President Trump, whose envoys helped to broker the agreement, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates".
An exchange of ambassadors and embassies is anticipated shortly. The Abraham Accord unites, in the words of President Trump : "Two of America's closest and most capable partners in the region", representing "a significant step towards building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Middle East". The U.A.E. stated it remains committed to helping the Palestinians realize their independent state, with the accord maintaining the viability of a two-state solution.
The Palestinians? The accord represents a "betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa [mosque] and the Palestinian cause", according to spokesman Abu Rudeineh, outside President Mahmoud Abbas's Ramallah headquarters. "We were blindsided ... It is a complete sell-out", stated Palestinian negotiator Hanan Ashrawi. "Normalization is a stab in the back of the Palestinian cause and it serves only the Israeli occupation", added Fawz Barhoum, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza.
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| Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a deal on Thursday that will lead to a full normalization of diplomatic relations. (Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters, Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press) |
Labels: Arab States, Israel, Middle East, Palestinians, Peace Agreement
posted by Pieface @ Saturday, August 15, 2020
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