Israel's Enormous Accomplishment

 

Dear JCCP/CBT family,
 
Like many of you, I learned this morning that Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached an historic agreement to set up full diplomatic relations between the two countries. What wonderful news!
 
Although I like to think that I follow the news from Israel carefully, and have both read and seen evidence of growing ties and cooperation between Israel and the gulf Arab states, this news was a surprise, and a welcome one at that.  Egypt established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1979. Jordan did the same in 1994. Today’s news, according to the leading Israeli newspaper Times of Israel, marks Israel’s biggest diplomatic achievement in over 25 years. According to the editor of Times of Israel David Horovitz, who was the guest speaker at our 2016 Harold Lerman Fund for Israel Education and Engagement event “it constitutes a major step in Israel’s core effort to cement and normalize its presence in this complex, challenging, constantly shifting neighborhood.”
 
Time will tell what the establishment of diplomatic relations will actually mean. Will it mirror the cold peace that Israel has with Jordan, or does this raise the possibility of a new era throughout the region? But for now, all who love Israel must rejoice in this tremendous achievement, and hope that this development will be followed by similar positive developments in the future.
 
Please see below for the full text of the joint statement that was issued earlier today heralding this event.
 
Shabbat Shalom,
 
Rabbi Arthur Weiner
 
 
*     *     *
 
Joint Statement of the United States,
the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates
 
President Donald J. Trump, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates spoke today and agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
 
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. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.
 
Delegations from Israel and the United Arab Emirates will meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit.  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 outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world. The United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are confident that additional diplomatic breakthroughs with other nations are possible, and will work together to achieve this goal.
 
The United Arab Emirates and Israel will immediately expand and accelerate cooperation regarding the treatment of and the development of a vaccine for the coronavirus. Working together, these efforts will help save Muslim, Jewish, and Christian lives throughout the region.
 
This normalization of relations and peaceful diplomacy will bring together two of America’s most reliable and capable regional partners.  Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation.  Along with the United States, Israel and the United Arab Emirates share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security coordination.  Today’s agreement will lead to better lives for the peoples of the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the region.
 
The United States and Israel recall with gratitude the appearance of the United Arab Emirates at the White House reception held on January 28, 2020, at which President Trump presented his Vision for Peace, and express their appreciation for United Arab Emirates’ related supportive statements. The parties will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  As set forth in the Vision for Peace, all Muslims who come in peace may visit and pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque, and Jerusalem’s other holy sites should remain open for peaceful worshippers of all faiths.
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu and Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan express their deep appreciation to President Trump for his dedication to peace in the region and to the pragmatic and unique approach he has taken to achieve it.
 
 
 

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