UAE Embassy opens in TA, marking ‘paradigm for peace’
Emirati ambassador: This is a base to continue in our new partnership
the united arab emirates opened its embassy to israel in the tel aviv stock exchange (tase) building on wednesday, marking a new phase in the growing relations between the countries.
“this embassy is not just a hub for diplomats, but a base to continue in our new partnership,” uae ambassador mohamed al Khaja said. “it marks a new paradigm for peace and a model for a new collaborative approach for conflict resolution.”
the uae and israel announced they were making peace and normalizing relations last august, in what was called the abraham accords, and Bahrain, sudan and morocco followed soon after. israel opened an embassy in abu dhabi and a consulate in dubai last month when Foreign minister yair lapid visited the uae.
the tase was crowded with excited guests for the embassy opening, among them president isaac herzog and former foreign minister Gabi ashkenazi. lapid was in quarantine because one of his aides had tested positive for covid-19.
al Khaja met herzog at his car on a narrow central tel aviv street, outside the stock exchange building, where passers-by watched proceedings from across the street.
the ambassador escorted the president to flagpoles set up outside, where the ambassador raised the emirati flag as his country’s anthem played.
at the end of the ceremony, al Khaja opened the day’s tase trading.
in his remarks, al Khaja touted the planned cooperation between universities, hospitals and researchers in israel and the uae, as well as the agreements the countries signed in the areas of economics, air travel and agriculture, and said they are “just the beginning.”
“in the post-covid world, those who innovate will lead,” the ambassador said. “the uae and israel are innovative