Our deal with Israel is a first step towards Palestinian statehood

Since its founding in 1971, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been a forward-looking nation which strives to achieve the best outcomes for its people. In this context, the UAE has sought to establish itself as a beacon of stability, progress and moderation in an otherwise difficult region. And perhaps most importantly, we are fundamental believers in peace.

This is the basis upon which we sought to secure a landmark deal with Israel. The agreement immediately puts an end to Israel’s plans for the annexation of Palestinian lands, while also putting our two countries on a path towards full diplomatic normalisation. It represents a significant step forward for the region, where the rights of Palestinians are respected and the risk of violent escalation among regional neighbours is reduced. And it revives hope for a two-state solution. We eagerly anticipate the day when we can see a sovereign and independent Palestinian state alongside the state of Israel. It will not be a straightforward process. But progress has never been achieved without someone taking a first step.

Since Israel’s inception, Arab nations have taken the position of refusing to recognise it because its establishment took place at the expense of Arab inhabitants of that land. But as the world has witnessed, this stance has yet to achieve any concrete progress or benefits for the Palestinian people. Indeed, over the years, several Arab states have realised that making peace with Israel, and ensuring that our Israeli neighbours feel secure in the region, is the best way to guarantee the rights of the Palestinian people, while also bringing benefits for the region as a whole. The UAE is now joining their number.

But this is not an entirely new step. The UAE and Israel have worked together before, most recently in the fight against Covid-19. We are a country that constantly looks towards the future. We recently launched the Arab world’s first mission to Mars. We have demonstrated an exemplary response to the ongoing pandemic. In light of this philosophy, we see peace and dialogue as the means to achieve a safer and stronger Middle East.

But this new agreement will by no means preclude our support of the Palestinian cause in line with the Arab consensus. There will be no embassy in Jerusalem until Jerusalem is also the capital of the future Palestinian state. We will continue to steadfastly defend the Palestinian right to statehood and dignity. And indeed, any and all progress on the matter must derive from direct dialogue between Palestine and Israel themselves. But this new deal will allow us to push ever harder for such an outcome.

We in the UAE are proud of this progress and look forward to the achievement of a more secure future for the Palestinian people, to the growth of our new partnership with Israel, and to the betterment of the region as a whole.