Israel and United Arab Emirates Launch Diplomatic Relations In ‘Historic Breakthrough’

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed that Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to establish full diplomatic relations in a “historic diplomatic breakthrough.”

“Israel and the United Arab Emirates will fully normalize their diplomatic relations,” Trump said Thursday about the U.S. brokered deal. “They will exchange embassies and ambassadors and begin cooperation across the board and on a broad range of areas including tourism, education, healthcare, trade, and security.”

The president made the announcement surrounded by aides in the Oval Office. In a joint statement, Trump, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the UAE’s ruler, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said that the “historic diplomatic breakthrough would advance peace in the Middle East region.”

The agreement required Israel to halt its controversial plan to annex West Bank land sought by the Palestinians. However, friends and foes agreed that the deal delivered a critical foreign policy victory to President Donald Trump as he seeks re-election in November.

Commentators said it also reflected the changing Middle East in which shared concerns about archenemy Iran have largely overtaken traditional Arab support for the Palestinians.

“This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world’s most forward-leaning, technologically advanced states. And reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in separate remarks Thursday. “It also illustrates their commitment to confronting common threats, as small — but strong — nations.”

However, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounts to “treason,” and should be reversed. The accord makes the UAE the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full diplomatic ties with Israel.

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