First direct Israel- UAE flight touches down in Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — A Star of Davidadorned El Al plane flew from Israel to the United Arab Emirates on Monday, carrying a highranking American and Israeli delegation to Abu Dhabi in the first- ever direct commercial passenger flight between the two countries.

The flight marked the implementation of the historic U. S.brokered deal to normalize 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 U. S. as matchmaker, Israel and the Emirates agreed earlier this month to work toward normalization, 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 Jared Kushner and national security adviser Robert O’Brien. Israel was represented by national security adviser Meir Ben- Shabbat and other top officials.

At an airport ceremony in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Kushner called the visit a “historic breakthrough” and expressed hope this “will be the first of many” such flights.

“There is great urgency between the people of both countries to break down old barriers, to get to know each other, to form new and hopefully very deep friendships,” he said.

State television in Abu Dhabi broke into its broadcast to show the airplane on the tarmac and aired the comments of all officials, including Mr. Ben- Shabbat, who spoke in Arabic and Hebrew. No Emirati officials spoke at the ceremony.

“We came here in broad daylight and before the eyes of all in a plane bearing the flag of Israel, along with our American friends,” Mr. BenShabbat said. “Israel and the UAE have much in common. Our region is full of challenges and threats, but we have the strength and the ability to stand against them.”

The El Al flight, numbered LY971 after the UAE’s international calling code number, flew into Saudi airspace shortly after takeoff and later passed over the Saudi capital, Riyadh. That marked another historic first for Israel and signaled 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 Israeli commercial plane,”

Mr. Kushner said.

He said he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia after the visit. Mr. Kushner and other officials have said they hope more Arab nations will follow the UAE in establishing ties with Israel, even without a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Saudi King Mohammed bin Salman, along with other Gulf Arab leaders, maintain to varying degrees their boycotts of Israel in support of Palestinians obtaining an independent state. Any regular flights between Israel and the UAE would require Saudi clearance to be profitable. Otherwise the three- hour, 20minute flight would have taken more than seven hours.

The plane was decorated with the the words for peace in Arabic, Hebrew and English above the pilot’s window.

The Israeli delegation will stay in the capital, Abu Dhabi, for one night before returning home on El Al flight LY972, a reference to Israel’s international calling code.

Private jets have flown between the two nations as part of covert talks in the past, and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways flew cargo freighters to Israel before to deliver coronavirus aid to the Palestinians. But the high- profile flight Monday looked to place a solid stamp on the surprise Aug. 13 White House announcement of Israel and the UAE establishing ties.

Since then, the UAE’s ruler issued a decree formally ending the country’s decades- long boycott of Israel. Some Israeli firms have already signed deals with Emirati counterparts, and Monday’s visit is expected to usher in further business cooperation.