Historic Israel flight lands in UAE after US plays matchmaker
A Star of David-adorned El Al plane has flown from Israel to the United Arab Emirates, carrying a high-ranking American and Israeli delegation to Abu Dhabi in the first- ever direct commercial passenger flight between the two countries.
The Israeli flag carrier’ s flight marked the implementation of the historic Us-bro - kered deal to normalise relations between the two nations and solidifies the long-clandestine ties between them that have evolved over years of shared enmity toward Iran.
With the US as matchmaker, Israel and the UAE agreed earlier this month to work toward normalisation, which would make the UAE the third Arab nation to have full relations with Israel, after Egypt and Jordan.
Unlike those two nations, Israel has never fought a war against the UAE and hopes to have much-warmer relations.
The American delegation included President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jar ed Kushn er, as well as national security adviser Robert O’brien, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and envoy for Iran Brian Hook.
Israel was represented by national security adviser Meir Ben-shabbat and the director generals of several ministries, who were to meet with their Emirati counterparts.
Up on arrival, Mr Kushner said he came with greetings from Mr Trump. He called the visit “historic” and expressed hope this “will be the first of many” such flights.
“On the plane we asked the pilots to fly faster because there is great urgency between the people of both countries to breakdown old barriers, to get to know each other, to form new and hopefully very deep friendships,” he said.
“While this peace was forged by its leaders, it’s overw helmingly desired by the people.”
State television in Abu Dhabi broke into its broadcast to show the aircraft on the tarmac and aired the comments of all officials, including Mr Ben-shabbat.
The El Al flight, numbered LY 971 as a gesture to the UAE’S international calling code number, flew into Saudi Arabian airspace shortly after take-off and later passed over the capital Riyadh. That marked another historic first for Israel and at least an acquiescence by the kingdom for the UAE’S move.
“They were very gracious to allow us to fly over their airspace, which they’ve never done before, for an Israe - li commercial plane. And so this, again, is another historic breakthrough,” Mr Kushner said.
Saudi King Sal man, along with other Gulf Arab leaders to varying degrees, maintain their boycotts of Is rael in support of Palestinians obtaining an independent state.