Historic turning point in the Middle East: Tel Aviv renounces the West Bank for UAE ties

Last updated on March 2nd, 2023 at 05:57 am

Israel has agreed to suspend its annexation project in the West Bank to have balanced relations with the United Arab Emirates. At the request of President Donald Trump, with the support of the UAE, Israel will suspend the declaration of sovereignty over the areas indicated in the US peace plan. And it will focus its efforts on expanding its ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world. A joint statement affirmed, adding that the three countries are confident that further diplomatic turns with other nations are possible.

Crown Prince of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, took twitter to say: “During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories”. Mohammed Bin Zayed explained that the UAE and Israel also agreed to co-operate and set a road map towards establishing a bilateral relationship. “Huge breakthrough today! Historic peace agreement between two of our great friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.” Donald Trump said, announcing on Twitter the agreement between the two countries to stop the annexation of occupied lands pursued by the Palestinians for their future state. Netanyahu also retweeted Trump’s announcement, adding “a historic day.”

The Tel Aviv municipality building lights up with the UAE flag following the announcement. The joint statement also indicates that delegations from Israel and the UAE will meet in the coming weeks to work on bilateral agreements, including the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other projects of mutual interest. The UAE economy will witness more prosperity after this step, in particular as the decision on relations with Israel restored hope among Gulf and Arab investors in the Covid-19 era.  Relations between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv also represent an opportunity for all Arab countries in terms of human development, science, food security, trade, and investment.

Stop Israel annexation plans mean re-launch the peace process and better living conditions for Palestinians, injects hope in millions of Palestinian and Arab youths for a future of peace as Arab people can no longer bear the tragedies, losses, and wars. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed’s initiative to reach a peace deal with Israel, by halting the annexation of Palestinian territories, has provided more time for opportunities for peace that could be achieved through a two-state solution, the UAE’ Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Anwar Gargash, commented on his official Twitter page on Friday, adding that the initiative is a realistic approach that the UAE has been fully transparent in.

The deal confirms the US trust in UAE as strategically in the region. Neighboring countries have always requested the intervention of Abu Dhabi to find a solution in the annexation project of the Palestinian territories, and this is what the UAE did, as it put an end to this conflict that lasted for more than sixty years. The UAE policy is well known for its objectivity, impartiality, and standing at the same distance from several sides. The role the UAE diplomacy has played in reaching the deal is clear evidence of wisdom. The UAE is aware of its geographical location and size among the countries of the region and does not seek to play a protagonist role. The UAE leadership did not interfere in the sovereignty of other countries as Turkey does in Libya, Syria, and Iraq. But all of the UAE foreign political moves are consistent with Arab consensus towards the Palestinian cause.

The position of Abu Dhabi is transparent. It officially supports the two-state solution through negotiations and dialogue rejecting violence and unilateral measures. That stems from the original Arab constants established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan towards the Palestinian cause. Stopping Netanyahu expansion over the West Bank is a message that there is no choice but to end the Arab-Israeli conflict and grant the Palestinian people their rights. Jerusalem will remain the eternal capital of Palestine, and nobody can negotiate over that, but stopping the annexation is a golden opportunity for the world to improve security relations, combat terrorism, and aggression from all parties.

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