Skip to content

UAE-Israel Deal: Emergence of New Middle East

Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan

The land of unlimited holy prophecies has now once again tried to hold “deracinated” spirits of perpetual enmity, hatred, disharmony and destruction to give a chance to peaceful co-existence, socio-economic prosperity, tolerance and sustainable regional security through “Abraham Accord”.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) has now announced US-brokered deal with Israel to fully “normalize” their diplomatic relations and termed its historic, peace oriented, best strategy to cater the interest of Palestinians and above all securing regional peace. UAE is the only third Arab country to normalize ties with Israel. According to foreign office of Pakistan a US-brokered between the UAE and Israel to fully normalise their diplomatic relations could have far-reaching implications but stressed that its future approach on the issue would be guided by how Palestinians’ rights are upheld. It re-ensured its abiding commitment to the full realisation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people including their right to self-determination, while peace and stability in the Middle East are also Islamabad’s key priority.

The statement further elaborated government of Pakistan’s principle stance towards a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions as well as international law.

The deal ensures Israel pledge to suspend its planned annexation of Palestinian lands which is welcomed by European and some pro-Western Arab governments as a boost for hopes of peace. However, the Palestinian leadership rejected the deal as a “betrayal” of their cause, saying they would withdraw their ambassador from the Emirates.

The agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, came in a joint call between Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a joint statement, the US expressed its commitment to Middle East security in addition to further developing military cooperation with the UAE. US president through a tweet termed it “huge” breakthrough and peace agreement. He further labeled it a “significant” step towards peace in the Middle East
The joint statement hopes that this historic diplomatic breakthrough will “promote” peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders, and courage of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will un-tap great potential in the region.

Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohamed tweeted that this agreement was struck to stop further Israeli “annexation” of Palestinian territories. Both countries have also agreed to cooperation and setting a “road map” towards establishing a bilateral relationship.

Leaders of the UAE pledged that this agreement did not change the UAE’s view of the peace process. They assured that the Arab plan of a negotiated two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state will remain intact.

Israel will attend the delayed 2020 Expo next year and has an office at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi.
Other Gulf nations, including Qatar and Oman, have ties with Israel, but Jordan and Egypt have full diplomatic ties with Israel after peace agreements in 1994 and 1979.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation termed it a major breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations that opened new horizons for peace and stability in the region”.
Dr Anwar Gargash the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs labeled it as “strategic important” by securing the Israel’s commitment to halting the annexation of Palestinian territories in order to sustain efforts to achieve a two-state solution. He termed decisive freeze of the annexation of Palestinian territories as a significant diplomatic achievement which will enable it to play a direct and constructive role in enhancing the region’s security and stability.

Dr Gargas chalked out UAE policy calling for a return to direct negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians for reaching a “permanent” and “sustainable” solution to this conflict. He highlighted UAE’s “positive” and “participatory” role in the previous regional and international efforts aimed at reaching a solution to this conflict reflected the UAE’s “multidimensional” approach to sensitive regional issues.

He appreciated key role played by the US, affirming its continued commitment to the Arab Peace Initiative (API) and the rights of the Palestinian people to establish a Palestinian “state” with East Jerusalem as its capital.
On the hand, there is hue and cry in Tehran and its regional sanctuaries and Istanbul on the issuance of joint statement about UAE-Israel deal. Irony of the affairs depicts that Turkey has full diplomatic ties with Israel since 1949.

UAE through its diversified but integrated “holistic” policies has been pursuing spirits of “communal” harmony, tolerance, peace, co-existence, greater socio-economic prosperity, unconditional “humanitarian” assistance and above all regional “security” since its inception. Its people’s “friendly” policies and “peace” oriented initiatives has been striving to achieve durable peace and harmony in the country, region and beyond. It has now become “beacon” of stability, progress and moderation in the GCC, MENA and the world too.

Being prominent regional expert of UAE & GCC I termed it as “historic”, “innovative”, “result” & “peace” oriented and “significant” in terms of greater regional harmony, socio-economic integration and geopolitical stability. I submit that it will initiate lots of “Confidence Building Measures (CBMs)” or Confidence-Security Building Measures (CSBMs) in the tempestuous region and especially between the UAE and Israel.

I hope that Israel’s “annexation plan” will be immediately stopped and amended to a “befitting proposition” accordingly. Rights of Palestinians and the risk of violent escalation among regional neighbours will be drastically reduced. I expect that gradually but surely this agreement will materialize the “dreams” of a two-state solution. It is expected this deal will “open” a vista of various bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, telecoms, security, healthcare, culture, the establishment of embassies and other areas of “mutual benefit.

Prophet Abrahm changed the course of ancient history and patronized course of true humanity, love and peace. Modern power politics stresses the need to have rational approach towards emerging geopolitical and geostrategic trends instead of impractical rotary of clergy and inappropriate response of national political parties

Leave a Reply