Israel due to release 39 Palestinian detainees

Nov 24, 2023 ·

In a potentially landmark move, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced it will normalize ties with Israel, marking the first such agreement between an Arab nation and the Jewish state. Abraham Accords, as the deal is being called, was brokered by US President Donald Trump's administration and signed at a ceremony in Washington DC.

The UAE, which is home to large expatriate communities of Jews, Christians and Muslims, said its decision was based on a desire for peace in the region, rather than politics. The deal will see the two countries exchange embassies, open direct flights, share intelligence and expand cultural and scientific cooperation.

Israel, which had long sought normalization with other majority-Muslim nations, welcomed the move as a "momentous day" and a "dawn of new Middle East". It also said it would suspend its plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank, in line with promises made by the Trump administration.

The Palestinians, who have been struggling for their own state since 1948, condemned the deal as "a betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause" and said normalizing ties with Israel was "unacceptable".

Still, analysts say the agreement may set a precedent for further agreements and could ultimately benefit the Palestinians. It could also create an opportunity to bring about a more comprehensive peace settlement between Israel and the Arab world.

For now, the agreement marks the first time an Arab country has agreed to full diplomatic ties with Israel - a move that could reshape the political landscape of the Middle East. It will be seen as a major win for US foreign policy, and could bring further stability and prosperity to the region.