The ruler of the United Arab Emirates issued a decree on Saturday formally ending the country’s boycott of Israel amid a US-brokered deal to normalize relations between the two countries.
The state-run WAM news agency said the move was made on the orders of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Emirates’ leader.
#Emirati Dissidents Form Political Movement to Protest #Normalization Deal with #Israel https://t.co/ZuwrT7dk6q via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/VIAojudYtZ
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) August 24, 2020
WAM said the new decree allows Israelis and Israeli firms to do business in the UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula. It also allows for the purchase and trade of Israeli goods.
“The decree of the new law comes within the UAE’s efforts to expand diplomatic and commercial cooperation with Israel,” WAM said. It lays out “a roadmap toward launching joint cooperation, leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.”
#Palestinians in the #WestBank Protest #Israel– #UAE #Normalization Agreement https://t.co/lvSMdgSnj1 via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/nso3CEMTUh
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) August 25, 2020
On Monday, the first direct commercial flight by Israel’s flagship carrier El Al is expected in Abu Dhabi, carrying a delegation of US and Israeli officials for historic talks about the normalisation agreement.
US officials said their delegation will be headed by President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner and will include national security adviser Robert O’Brien, Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz and envoy for Iran Brian Hook, administration officials said.
In Blow to #US Efforts, #Morocco Says No to #Normalization with #Israel https://t.co/doFV30s49X via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/hsPRtgKcFi
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) August 27, 2020
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, meanwhile, announced that his national security adviser, Meir Ben-Shabbat, would lead Israel’s delegation. A number of Israeli government ministries will also send representatives, including the directors of the foreign and defense ministries and the national aviation authority, he said.
Netanyahu said the talks would “advance peace and normalization” with the UAE and would focus on flights and tourism, trade, business, energy, security and health, including the coronavirus pandemic.
#Bahrain Rejects #US Push for #Normalization Deal with #Israel https://t.co/MiqBnz82n4 via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/4l1aCMePxr
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) August 29, 2020
On August 13, Israel and the UAE have reached a deal that is expected to lead to “full normalization of relations” between the Arab nation and Israel in an agreement that US President Donald Trump reportedly helped broker.
The agreement is considered a severe blow to Palestinian efforts aimed at isolating Israel regionally and internationally until it ends its military occupation and apartheid-like system in occupied Palestine.
(Palestine Chronicle, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Social Media)
