Trump brokers Israel-uae peace deal
Boost for Trump as he brokers diplomatic breakthrough that normalises relations
DONALD TRUMP last night called on Muslim and Arab nations to embrace peace with Israel as he announced a deal that will see the UAE normalise relations with the Jewish state.
“Huge breakthrough. Historic peace agreement between our two great friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates,” the president announced on Twitter after a phone call with his Israeli and Emirati counterparts. Under the deal, Israel will suspend plans to annex swathes of the West Bank in return for a full diplomatic relationship with the UAE and around a dozen treaties on tourism and trade.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said it was an “historic day” for his country, while the UAE’S ambassador in Washington hailed “a win for diplomacy and for the region”.
It means that the UAE will become the first Gulf state to establish a full diplomatic relationship with Israel. Establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and US allies in the region, in particular Saudi Arabia, is a key part of Mr Trump’s Middle East strategy.
Though the announcement was unexpected, it is the culmination of a long effort by the UAE to establish a closer economic relationship with Israel.
When asked about the long-term impact of the deal, Mr Trump replied: “I’ve kept us out of war.”
DONALD TRUMP, the US president, last night hailed a massive diplomatic coup as Israel agreed to normalise relations with the United Arab Emirates in return for suspending its controversial annexation plans.
The historic deal, which will make the UAE the first Gulf state to establish full diplomatic relationships with Israel, was overseen by the White House and gives the president a major boost ahead of November’s election.
Mr Trump unveiled the news yesterday with a tweet that said: “Huge breakthrough today. Historic peace agreement between our two great friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates.”
The president also called on “more Arab and Muslim countries” to follow the UAE in normalising ties with Israel, suggesting that talks could soon be underway with other key Arab states.
The news was swiftly followed by a joint statement from Mr Trump, Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Emirati premier Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
“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,” the statement said.
Under the terms of the deal, Israel and the UAE will sign treaties on a plethora of key issues, including tourism, flights, technology, healthcare and the environment.
In return, Mr Netanyahu has agreed to suspend his long-standing ambition of annexing up to 30 per cent of the West Bank, which is claimed by the Palestinians as their own land.
The plan to apply sovereignty, which was envisaged as part of Mr Trump’s peace deal for the Middle East, provoked an outcry from the Arab world and warnings from key Israeli allies, including Britain.
However, a senior Israeli official told local media that the government had not abandoned annexation altogether. “The Trump administration asked to temporarily suspend the announcement in order to first implement the historic peace agreement with the UAE,” the official said.
Last night Emirati officials appeared to be under the impression that the deal would stop any further annexation, rather than postpone it.
The agreement is the third Israel-arab peace deal since Israel declared independence in 1948, following accords with Egypt and Jordan.
The delay to annexation will come at a cost to the Palestinians and their longterm ambitions of establishing their own state. This is because the deal has undermined one of their key demands, which was that no Arab nation should normalise relations with Israel until after the creation of a Palestinian state.
Palestinian leaders reacted with anger to the deal. Hanan Ashrawi, of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, said: “Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it’s been doing to Palestine illegally [and] persistently since the beginning of the occupation.”
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said that his administration rejected and denounced what he described as a “betrayal” of the Palestinian cause.
The UAE deal hints at a major shift in the attitude of Arab nations towards Israel, which traditionally regard the Jewish state as a key enemy. It could be followed by a similar accord with Saudi Arabia, which shares Israel and America’s strong opposition to Iran and has been looking to improve relations.
Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, hailed “an historic step,” saying the UK welcomed both the normalisation of relations and the suspension of the annexation plan, which “would have been counterproductive to securing peace in the region”.
US national security adviser Robert O’brien said Mr Trump “should be a frontrunner for the Nobel Peace Prize” because of the agreement.
It was also welcomed by Abdel Fattah Al-sisi, the president of Egypt.
Donald Trump’s foreign policy moves are often received with cynicism, as pure showmanship. Just three months away from the presidential election, however, he has a certifiable win to put in his advertisements. Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced a historic peace deal yesterday – only the third between Israel and an Arab nation since 1979. The price is significant: Israel has promised to suspend its annexation of territory in the West Bank, allowing the UAE to declare a diplomatic victory. Israel, meanwhile, gets to normalise relations with a Gulf nation for the first time, offering a counterweight to Iranian influence. Mr Trump’s personal role was recognised in the agreement.
The President’s goal is to reduce significantly America’s military role in the Middle East, and his method is to forge a grand anti-iranian coalition that can hold the line when the United States is gone. Critics have mocked his ambitions and his highly personal style of diplomacy; the role of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, was regarded as inappropriate. But if the President does take a significant step towards establishing a new order in the region, the White House will be vindicated.
The key point of contention remains the future of the Palestinian people; the President believes, with typical self-confidence, that he can resolve it. Many presidents tried. All failed. But for the time being, Mr Trump’s opponents have to recognise this development for the victory that it is, because any diplomatic win in the Middle East is a win for the world.
Iran, meanwhile, must be nervous. Mr Trump also walked away from the nuclear deal; the anti-tehran coalition is taking hold. This cruel dictatorship has earned its isolation.