Emphasizing the cooperative role of the I2U2 summit, Israel's ambassador to India Naor Gilon has said that the grouping is "not against anyone,” adding that “it's for our people and for making the world a better place".

The grouping of India, Israel, UAE &amp; US held its first summit level meeting last week with two key projects being announced. Both projects, one on food projects and one on renewal energy will be undertaken in India.

Speaking to WION’s Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Gilon said I2U2 or West Asian Quad is a "very, very positive initiative that will help, change the reality and cooperation and friendships in the region.".

The grouping first met at the foreign ministers level last year during EAM Jaishankar's Israel visit and since then has taken off significantly. Full interview.

&nbsp;

WION: How do you see the I2U2 summit happening and the role of Israel in this major West Asian quad

Naor Gilon: I think it's a very important and interesting imitative in the sense that none of the 4 countries involved, India, Israel, United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE). They have no common border, but they only have common values and interests, and we are going to unite together and work together to implement these values and interests. It is not against anyone, it's for our people, for making the world a better place. There are two projects we will work together to implement, one in the field of food security, food corridors in India and another one is clean tech, and clean energy, also in India. With the implementation of technologies, funding from different actors including Israel. So, I think, it's a very very positive initiative that will help, change the reality and cooperation and friendships in the region.

&nbsp;

WION: Do you think it's because of the Abraham accords that this grouping has emerged.

Naor Gilon: Of course, there is no doubt that the basis of everything for the big change we are seeing in the middle east is the Abraham accords. Without the Abraham accords, we would not see for example the UAE not joining it with such enthusiasm. I think&nbsp;the Abraham accords, is really huge change for the middle east, because although we had very important peace accords with important Neighbours like Jordan and Egypt, but these were based on land problems, land swaps etc. But now we are doing peace with countries that are far away from Israel and really don't have an issue with Israel as well.&nbsp;Morrocco, Bahrain, UAE, and this is a change. I must say, probably, we have to thank Iran also because the fear of Iran for these countries undoubtfully is one of the elements that is uniting them, pushing them to be closer to Israel, which is considered the biggest opponent, I guess, of the Iranian behaviour, destabilizing, supporting terrorism. I think they deserve a lot of credit for the Abraham accords, and then I2U2, which is really a continuation of that.

&nbsp;

WION: How does India benefit or is central to I2U2?

Naor Gilon: I think the first two&nbsp;projects are in India. Their collaboration on high technology&nbsp;and health is very important. US, Israel, and UAE are there, so it's a good neighbourhood partnership, and brings abilities in different fields on the table, be it technology be it financial, be it both. It is a huge opportunity also for India.

Emphasizing the cooperative role of the I2U2 summit, Israel's ambassador to India Naor Gilon has said that the grouping is "not against anyone,” adding that “it's for our people and for making the world a better place".

Emphasizing the cooperative role of the I2U2 summit, Israel's ambassador to India Naor Gilon has said that the grouping is "not against anyone,” adding that “it's for our people and for making the world a better place". The grouping of India, Israel, UAE & US held its first summit level meeting last week with two key projects being announced. Both projects, one on food projects and one on renewal energy will be undertaken in India. Speaking to WION’s Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, envoy Gilon said I2U2 or West Asian Quad is a "very, very positive initiative that will help, change the reality and cooperation and friendships in the region.". The grouping first met at the foreign ministers level last year during EAM Jaishankar's Israel visit and since then has taken off significantly. Full interview. WION: How do you see the I2U2 summit happening and the role of Israel in this major West Asian quad Naor Gilon: I think it's a very important and interesting imitative in the sense that none of the 4 countries involved, India, Israel, United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE). They have no common border, but they only have common values and interests, and we are going to unite together and work together to implement these values and interests. It is not against anyone, it's for our people, for making the world a better place. There are two projects we will work together to implement, one in the field of food security, food corridors in India and another one is clean tech, and clean energy, also in India. With the implementation of technologies, funding from different actors including Israel. So, I think, it's a very very positive initiative that will help, change the reality and cooperation and friendships in the region. WION: Do you think it's because of the Abraham accords that this grouping has emerged. Naor Gilon: Of course, there is no doubt that the basis of everything for the big change we are seeing in the middle east is the Abraham accords. Without the Abraham accords, we would not see for example the UAE not joining it with such enthusiasm. I think the Abraham accords, is really huge change for the middle east, because although we had very important peace accords with important Neighbours like Jordan and Egypt, but these were based on land problems, land swaps etc. But now we are doing peace with countries that are far away from Israel and really don't have an issue with Israel as well. Morrocco, Bahrain, UAE, and this is a change. I must say, probably, we have to thank Iran also because the fear of Iran for these countries undoubtfully is one of the elements that is uniting them, pushing them to be closer to Israel, which is considered the biggest opponent, I guess, of the Iranian behaviour, destabilizing, supporting terrorism. I think they deserve a lot of credit for the Abraham accords, and then I2U2, which is really a continuation of that. WION: How does India benefit or is central to I2U2? Naor Gilon: I think the first two projects are in India. Their collaboration on high technology and health is very important. US, Israel, and UAE are there, so it's a good neighbourhood partnership, and brings abilities in different fields on the table, be it technology be it financial, be it both. It is a huge opportunity also for India.

I2U2 summit is not against anyone, says Israel envoy Naor Gilon

Israel is all set to host top diplomats of the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in a “historic” two-day summit from Sunday, the foreign ministry said on Friday.

The summit is historic considering the fact that Israel and these Arab countries used to be at loggerheads with each other for decades, and how it is has been normalised post the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, which was brokered by the US

“At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, this upcoming Sunday and Monday... a historic diplomatic summit will be held in Israel," it said in a statement on Friday.

A series of diplomatic meetings would be attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco, it said.

The United Arab Emirates forged diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 under a series of US-brokered deals known as the Abraham Accords. Bahrain and Morocco followed suit, while Sudan also agreed to normalise ties with Israel although it has yet to finalise a deal.

Morocco even signed a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation on Friday, according to the Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee.

The agreements — reached under former US president Donald Trump — broke with decades of Arab consensus that there would be no relations with Israel while the Palestinian question remains unresolved.

But the Arab countries said they were motivated by the economic benefits of ties with Israel, reports AFP.

The upcoming talks come against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has sparked wider security concerns and sent oil and food prices soaring.

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel is all set to host top diplomats of the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in a “historic” two-day summit from Sunday, the foreign ministry said on Friday.

Israel is all set to host top diplomats of the United States, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco in a “historic” two-day summit from Sunday, the foreign ministry said on Friday. The summit is historic considering the fact that Israel and these Arab countries used to be at loggerheads with each other for decades, and how it is has been normalised post the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, which was brokered by the US “At the invitation of Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, this upcoming Sunday and Monday... a historic diplomatic summit will be held in Israel," it said in a statement on Friday. A series of diplomatic meetings would be attended by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterparts from the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco, it said. The United Arab Emirates forged diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 under a series of US-brokered deals known as the Abraham Accords. Bahrain and Morocco followed suit, while Sudan also agreed to normalise ties with Israel although it has yet to finalise a deal. Morocco even signed a memorandum of understanding on military cooperation on Friday, according to the Israeli army’s Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee. The agreements — reached under former US president Donald Trump — broke with decades of Arab consensus that there would be no relations with Israel while the Palestinian question remains unresolved. But the Arab countries said they were motivated by the economic benefits of ties with Israel, reports AFP. The upcoming talks come against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has sparked wider security concerns and sent oil and food prices soaring. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel to host US, UEA, Bharain and Morocco diplomats for three-day ‘historic' summit

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Bahrain's Crown Prince during his first visit to the Gulf state. Both leaders discussed enhancing links in a variety of sectors between the two nations after the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020.

Israeli PM Naftali Bennett meets Bahrain's Crown Prince on landmark visit

Israel has outlawed six prominent Palestinian human rights groups by declaring them terrorist organisations. The move has cast a shadow on Prime Minister Bennett's government and the future of the Abraham accord in West Asia.

Israel outlaws six Palestinian human right groups, alleging terrorism

The United States is working to expand normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords, and hopes restoring such ties can be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, senior State Department officials said on Tuesday.

In a briefing with reporters previewing US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meetings on Wednesday with his Israeli and Emirati counterparts, officials repeated that the Abraham Accords were not a substitute for the two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-uae-ministers-in-us-as-biden-seeks-to-expand-normalisation-420266">&nbsp;Israel, UAE ministers in US as Biden seeks to expand normalisation&nbsp;</a>

"We continue to welcome the economic cooperation between Israel and all countries in the region. We hope that normalisation can be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli-Palestinian tracks," a senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity said.

Blinken will first meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan separately at the State Department on Wednesday. He will then host a trilateral meeting with both of them, the first of its kind.

The leaders of Israel, the UAE and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords at the White House last September. The following month, Israel and Sudan announced they would normalize relations, and Morocco established diplomatic ties with Israel in December, after US&nbsp;President Joe Biden defeated his predecessor Donald Trump in the election.

Palestinian officials said they felt betrayed by their Arab brethren for reaching deals with Israel without first demanding progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state. Until last year, only two Arab states - Egypt and Jordan - had forged full ties with Israel.

The US&nbsp;officials did not say precisely how Washington aimed to use the normalisation agreements as a tool to make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Also Read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-judges-approval-of-quiet-jewish-prayer-at-al-aqsa-stirs-anger-419092">&nbsp;Israeli judge's approval of 'quiet' Jewish prayer at Al-Aqsa stirs anger</a>

"Biden administration has started out with a clear commitment to the two-state solution. We continue on with that commitment. We seek to advance as we can, when we can, as best we can," one of the US&nbsp;officials said.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, a nationalist atop a cross-partisan coalition, opposes Palestinian statehood.

The three countries will also be setting up two new working groups at the meeting, US&nbsp;officials said, with one group focusing on religious coexistence and the other on water and energy issues.

"These working groups will seek to realise that promise to link up to important US&nbsp;partners in the region and find new ways to solve old problems together, in Israel and the UAE but also across the region," one of the US&nbsp;officials said.

The United States is working to expand normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords, and hopes restoring such ties can be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, senior State Department officials said on Tuesday.

The United States is working to expand normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords, and hopes restoring such ties can be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli and Palestinian conflict, senior State Department officials said on Tuesday. In a briefing with reporters previewing US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's meetings on Wednesday with his Israeli and Emirati counterparts, officials repeated that the Abraham Accords were not a substitute for the two-state solution between Israelis and Palestinians. Also Read | Israel, UAE ministers in US as Biden seeks to expand normalisation "We continue to welcome the economic cooperation between Israel and all countries in the region. We hope that normalisation can be leveraged to advance progress on the Israeli-Palestinian tracks," a senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity said. Blinken will first meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan separately at the State Department on Wednesday. He will then host a trilateral meeting with both of them, the first of its kind. The leaders of Israel, the UAE and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords at the White House last September. The following month, Israel and Sudan announced they would normalize relations, and Morocco established diplomatic ties with Israel in December, after US President Joe Biden defeated his predecessor Donald Trump in the election. Palestinian officials said they felt betrayed by their Arab brethren for reaching deals with Israel without first demanding progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state. Until last year, only two Arab states - Egypt and Jordan - had forged full ties with Israel. The US officials did not say precisely how Washington aimed to use the normalisation agreements as a tool to make progress on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Also Read | Israeli judge's approval of 'quiet' Jewish prayer at Al-Aqsa stirs anger "Biden administration has started out with a clear commitment to the two-state solution. We continue on with that commitment. We seek to advance as we can, when we can, as best we can," one of the US officials said. Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, a nationalist atop a cross-partisan coalition, opposes Palestinian statehood. The three countries will also be setting up two new working groups at the meeting, US officials said, with one group focusing on religious coexistence and the other on water and energy issues. "These working groups will seek to realise that promise to link up to important US partners in the region and find new ways to solve old problems together, in Israel and the UAE but also across the region," one of the US officials said.

US hopes Abraham Accords will help Israeli-Palestinian issue: Officials

Talking about the shift in relationships in West Asia at the WION Global Summit's session titled Peace Deals and the Shifting Sands of West Asia, Emirati news editor&nbsp; Ibrahim Shukralla, said he hopes Israel would not resume the annexation plan, as it would affect the peace plans.

Highlighting the significance of the Abraham Accords, Shukralla said, "I think it's definitely going to boost the chances and it's providing more diplomatic tools, more policy options. We are talking about a fresh dialogue now. So, we have all these things on negotiating table that were not existing before. This is what UAE has been saying after the accords."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-global-summit-ibrahim-shukrallas-remarks-372850">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-global-summit-ibrahim-shukrallas-remarks-372850/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He also talked about the profitability of the Abraham Accords. "If we are going to use the old methods with an old mentality which always failed...how would this gain progress if you are going to use the same thing every single time? I think the Abraham Accords was a historic &nbsp;event and obviously, the UAE and Palestine will always be the cornerstone of the UAE's foreign policy and &nbsp;I am sure foreign policy of most of the Arab states."

Talking about the relationship with Israel, he said, "I see the profitability of the Abraham Accords for all the countries that normalise ties with Israel. During COVID, 13,000 Israelis tourists visited the UAE."

About how this has been a big win for the whole region, he said dozens of MoUs have been signed between the two countries. Bilateral trade between Dubai and Israel in five months has been nearly $270 million, he pointed out.

Shukralla also highlighted examples of Morocco's Sahara being recognised by the US — which has been regarded as a national security matter. He also added the example of the US lifting sanctions from Sudan.

Talking about the shift in relationships in West Asia at the WION Global Summit's session titled Peace Deals and the Shifting Sands of West Asia, Emirati news editor Ibrahim Shukralla, said he hopes Israel would not resume the annexation plan, as it would affect the peace plans.

Talking about the shift in relationships in West Asia at the WION Global Summit's session titled Peace Deals and the Shifting Sands of West Asia, Emirati news editor Ibrahim Shukralla, said he hopes Israel would not resume the annexation plan, as it would affect the peace plans. Highlighting the significance of the Abraham Accords, Shukralla said, "I think it's definitely going to boost the chances and it's providing more diplomatic tools, more policy options. We are talking about a fresh dialogue now. So, we have all these things on negotiating table that were not existing before. This is what UAE has been saying after the accords." Watch | He also talked about the profitability of the Abraham Accords. "If we are going to use the old methods with an old mentality which always failed...how would this gain progress if you are going to use the same thing every single time? I think the Abraham Accords was a historic event and obviously, the UAE and Palestine will always be the cornerstone of the UAE's foreign policy and I am sure foreign policy of most of the Arab states." Talking about the relationship with Israel, he said, "I see the profitability of the Abraham Accords for all the countries that normalise ties with Israel. During COVID, 13,000 Israelis tourists visited the UAE." About how this has been a big win for the whole region, he said dozens of MoUs have been signed between the two countries. Bilateral trade between Dubai and Israel in five months has been nearly $270 million, he pointed out. Shukralla also highlighted examples of Morocco's Sahara being recognised by the US — which has been regarded as a national security matter. He also added the example of the US lifting sanctions from Sudan.

'A big win for the region': Ibrahim Shukralla comments on Abraham Accords at WION Global Summit

EDGE,&nbsp;the United Arab Emirates' state-owned weapons maker, on Thursday announced a&nbsp;strategic agreement with Israel Aerospace to develop anti-drone tech.

Israel&nbsp;and the UAE formalised relations last year, brought closer by commercial interests and concern over Iran.

State-owned IA, a major&nbsp;Israeli defence firm, said in a statement that the companies will develop a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System "tailored to the UAE market, with wider-ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netanyahu-says-he-postponed-uae-visit-due-to-jordan-overflight-lag-369726" hreflang="en">Netanyahu says he postponed UAE visit due to Jordan overflight lag</a>

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which recently stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, has in the past threatened to launch strikes on the UAE.

The UAE had been Riyadh's main partner in the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the group, but a senior Emirati official said in February that it had ended its military involvement in Yemen last October.

The war has been in a military stalemate for years and in 2019 the UAE scaled down its presence in Yemen following attacks that year on tankers in Gulf waters, including off its shores.

The UAE already has an advanced anti-missile interception system, the US&nbsp;Terminal High Altitude Area Defences (THAAD).

EDGE, tasked with supplying advanced weapons to the UAE armed forces, is focused on developing drones, unmanned vehicles, smart weapons and electronic warfare equipment rather than conventional weaponry.

EDGE, the United Arab Emirates' state-owned weapons maker, on Thursday announced a strategic agreement with Israel Aerospace to develop anti-drone tech. Israel and the UAE formalised relations last year, brought closer by commercial interests and concern over Iran.

EDGE, the United Arab Emirates' state-owned weapons maker, on Thursday announced a strategic agreement with Israel Aerospace to develop anti-drone tech. Israel and the UAE formalised relations last year, brought closer by commercial interests and concern over Iran. State-owned IA, a major Israeli defence firm, said in a statement that the companies will develop a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System "tailored to the UAE market, with wider-ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond". Also read| Netanyahu says he postponed UAE visit due to Jordan overflight lag Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement, which recently stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, has in the past threatened to launch strikes on the UAE. The UAE had been Riyadh's main partner in the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the group, but a senior Emirati official said in February that it had ended its military involvement in Yemen last October. The war has been in a military stalemate for years and in 2019 the UAE scaled down its presence in Yemen following attacks that year on tankers in Gulf waters, including off its shores. The UAE already has an advanced anti-missile interception system, the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defences (THAAD). EDGE, tasked with supplying advanced weapons to the UAE armed forces, is focused on developing drones, unmanned vehicles, smart weapons and electronic warfare equipment rather than conventional weaponry.

UAE weapons maker announces strategic agreement with Israel Aerospace to develop anti-drone tech

Five reasons why Donald Trump should not be considered as a useless president

US President&nbsp;Donald Trump announced on Thursday that&nbsp;Morocco is the latest Arab state to recognise Israel.

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Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1337067073051238400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Calling it a ''historic breakthrough'', Trump said ''Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!''

As part of the agreement, Trump changed the longstanding US&nbsp;policy and recognised Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Western Sahara is a desert region where a decades-old territorial dispute has pitted Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a breakaway movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the territory.

The White House said Trump and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI had agreed in a conversation that Morocco would resume diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel and expand economic and cultural cooperation to advance regional stability.

As his time in office winds down, Trump said Israel and Morocco would restore diplomatic and other relations, including the immediate reopening of liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv and the eventual opening of embassies. US&nbsp;officials said it would also include joint overflight rights for airlines.

The Republican took to social networking site Twitter and said ''Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!''

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Today, I signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1337067019385057290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Earlier,&nbsp;Morocco’s constitution recognised&nbsp;the country’s Jewish heritage and permitted&nbsp;Israelis to visit the country, but&nbsp;the two countries did not have formal diplomatic relations.

It comes after&nbsp;a high-profile Moroccan security delegation visited Israel and agreed to cooperate with the Jewish state on a series of issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Morocco is the fourth Arab nation to recognise Israel as the administration seeks to expand its Abraham Accords framework, which began over the summer with an agreement between the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates.

Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit and administration officials have also been trying to bring Saudi Arabia into the grouping.

Much of the momentum behind the deal-making has been to present a united front against Iran and roll back its regional influence.

Palestinians have been critical of the normalization deals, saying Arab countries have set back the cause of peace by abandoning a longstanding demand that Israel gives up land for a Palestinian state before it can receive recognition.

With Trump due to leave office on Jan. 20, the Morocco deal could be among the last his team, led by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US&nbsp;envoy Avi Berkowitz, will negotiate before giving way to President-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration.

Kushner told reporters on a conference call it was inevitable that Saudi Arabia would eventually strike a similar deal with Israel.

Washington had supported a 1991 ceasefire between Morocco and Western Sahara's Polisario Front independence movement that called for a referendum to resolve the issue. Last month, after a border incident, the Polisario pulled out of that deal and announced a return to armed struggle.

The Trump White House has tried to get Saudi Arabia to sign on to a normalisation deal with Israel, believing if the Saudis agreed other Arab nations would follow, but the Saudis have signaled they are not ready.

One more Middle East breakthrough is possible. Last week Kushner and his team traveled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar seeking an end to a three-year rift between Doha and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

A tentative deal has been reached on this front but it was far from clear whether a final agreement to end a blockade of Qatar will be sealed. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt have maintained a diplomatic, trade, and travel embargo on Qatar since mid-2017.

While Biden is expected to move US&nbsp;foreign policy away from Trump's "America First" posture, he has indicated he will continue the pursuit of what Trump calls "the Abraham Accords" between Israel and Arab and Muslim nations.

The news broke as Jews marked the first night of the Hanukkah festival of lights, commemorating the 2nd century BC victory of Judah Maccabee and his followers in a revolt in Judea against armies of the Seleucid Empire and the ensuing restoration of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Morocco is the latest Arab state to recognise Israel. Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that Morocco is the latest Arab state to recognise Israel. Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020 × Calling it a ''historic breakthrough'', Trump said ''Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to full diplomatic relations – a massive breakthrough for peace in the Middle East!'' As part of the agreement, Trump changed the longstanding US policy and recognised Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara. Western Sahara is a desert region where a decades-old territorial dispute has pitted Morocco against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, a breakaway movement that seeks to establish an independent state in the territory. The White House said Trump and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI had agreed in a conversation that Morocco would resume diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel and expand economic and cultural cooperation to advance regional stability. As his time in office winds down, Trump said Israel and Morocco would restore diplomatic and other relations, including the immediate reopening of liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv and the eventual opening of embassies. US officials said it would also include joint overflight rights for airlines. The Republican took to social networking site Twitter and said ''Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity!'' Today, I signed a proclamation recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara. Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal is the ONLY basis for a just and lasting solution for enduring peace and prosperity! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2020 × Earlier, Morocco’s constitution recognised the country’s Jewish heritage and permitted Israelis to visit the country, but the two countries did not have formal diplomatic relations. It comes after a high-profile Moroccan security delegation visited Israel and agreed to cooperate with the Jewish state on a series of issues. Morocco is the fourth Arab nation to recognise Israel as the administration seeks to expand its Abraham Accords framework, which began over the summer with an agreement between the Jewish state and the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain and Sudan have followed suit and administration officials have also been trying to bring Saudi Arabia into the grouping. Much of the momentum behind the deal-making has been to present a united front against Iran and roll back its regional influence. Palestinians have been critical of the normalization deals, saying Arab countries have set back the cause of peace by abandoning a longstanding demand that Israel gives up land for a Palestinian state before it can receive recognition. With Trump due to leave office on Jan. 20, the Morocco deal could be among the last his team, led by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US envoy Avi Berkowitz, will negotiate before giving way to President-elect Joe Biden's incoming administration. Kushner told reporters on a conference call it was inevitable that Saudi Arabia would eventually strike a similar deal with Israel. Washington had supported a 1991 ceasefire between Morocco and Western Sahara's Polisario Front independence movement that called for a referendum to resolve the issue. Last month, after a border incident, the Polisario pulled out of that deal and announced a return to armed struggle. The Trump White House has tried to get Saudi Arabia to sign on to a normalisation deal with Israel, believing if the Saudis agreed other Arab nations would follow, but the Saudis have signaled they are not ready. One more Middle East breakthrough is possible. Last week Kushner and his team traveled to Saudi Arabia and Qatar seeking an end to a three-year rift between Doha and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. A tentative deal has been reached on this front but it was far from clear whether a final agreement to end a blockade of Qatar will be sealed. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt have maintained a diplomatic, trade, and travel embargo on Qatar since mid-2017. While Biden is expected to move US foreign policy away from Trump's "America First" posture, he has indicated he will continue the pursuit of what Trump calls "the Abraham Accords" between Israel and Arab and Muslim nations. The news broke as Jews marked the first night of the Hanukkah festival of lights, commemorating the 2nd century BC victory of Judah Maccabee and his followers in a revolt in Judea against armies of the Seleucid Empire and the ensuing restoration of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem.

Donald Trump announces Morocco latest Arab state to recognise Israel

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared&nbsp;Kushner&nbsp;and his team are headed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week in a bid for further diplomatic deals in the region before leaving the White House, according to media reports Sunday.

Kushner's visit to the Middle Eastern countries&nbsp;would focus on resolving a dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led alliance, the Wall Street Journal reported, but a number of issues could be on the agenda.

His trip comes days after the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran's chief&nbsp;nuclear scientist blamed Israel, heightening tensions in the region.&nbsp;Western and Israeli governments believe Fakhrizadeh was the architect of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-local-media-says-chief-nuclear-scientist-shot-with-remote-controlled-machine-gun-made-in-israel-346427" hreflang="en">Iran: Local media says nuclear chief shot with remote-controlled machine gun</a>

The clock is also ticking on Trump's time in office, with President-elect Joe Biden due to be sworn in on January 20.

Kushner&nbsp;has sought various deals in the region and has developed a relationship with Saudi Arabia's divisive de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

A senior administration official said on Sunday that&nbsp;Kushner&nbsp;is to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi city of Neom, and the emir of Qatar in that country in the coming days.&nbsp;

Kushner&nbsp;will be joined by Middle East envoys Avi Berkowitz and Brian Hook and Adam Boehler, chief executive of the US&nbsp;International Development Finance Corporation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-secretly-plotting-potential-2024-presidential-run-345951">Donald Trump secretly plotting potential 2024 presidential run</a>

Kushner&nbsp;and his team helped negotiate normalization deals between Israel and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan since August. The official said they would like to advance more such agreements before President Donald Trump hands power to President-elect Joe Biden on January&nbsp;20.

US&nbsp;officials believe enticing Saudi Arabia into a deal with Israel would prompt other Arab nations to follow suit. But the Saudis do not appear to be on the brink of reaching such a landmark deal and officials in recent weeks have been focusing on other countries, with concern about Iran's regional influence a uniting factor.

Days before the killing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Saudi Arabia and met with bin Salman, an Israeli official said, in what was the first publicly confirmed visit by an Israeli leader. Israeli media said they were joined by US&nbsp;Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

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The historic meeting underlined how opposition to Tehran is bringing about a strategic realignment of countries in the Middle East. Bin Salman and Netanyahu fear Biden will adopt policies on Iran similar to those adopted during Barack Obama's US&nbsp;presidency which strained Washington's ties with its traditional regional allies.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-wants-to-rejoin-iran-nuclear-deal-but-it-wont-be-easy-343936">Biden wants to rejoin Iran nuclear deal, but it won’t be easy</a>

Biden has said he will rejoin the international nuclear pact with Iran that Trump quit in 2018 - and work with allies to strengthen its terms - if Tehran first resumes strict compliance.

Kuwait is seen as critical in any effort to resolve a three-year rift between Qatar and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain have imposed an air, naval and land embargo on Qatar since June 2017 over their insistence Doha is too close to Iran and radical Islamist groups. Qatar denies the charges.

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner and his team are headed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week in a bid for further diplomatic deals in the region before leaving the White House, according to media reports Sunday.

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner and his team are headed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar this week in a bid for further diplomatic deals in the region before leaving the White House, according to media reports Sunday. Kushner's visit to the Middle Eastern countries would focus on resolving a dispute between Qatar and a Saudi-led alliance, the Wall Street Journal reported, but a number of issues could be on the agenda. His trip comes days after the assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran's chief nuclear scientist blamed Israel, heightening tensions in the region. Western and Israeli governments believe Fakhrizadeh was the architect of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program. Also read| Iran: Local media says nuclear chief shot with remote-controlled machine gun The clock is also ticking on Trump's time in office, with President-elect Joe Biden due to be sworn in on January 20. Kushner has sought various deals in the region and has developed a relationship with Saudi Arabia's divisive de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. A senior administration official said on Sunday that Kushner is to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Saudi city of Neom, and the emir of Qatar in that country in the coming days. Kushner will be joined by Middle East envoys Avi Berkowitz and Brian Hook and Adam Boehler, chief executive of the US International Development Finance Corporation. Also read: Donald Trump secretly plotting potential 2024 presidential run Kushner and his team helped negotiate normalization deals between Israel and Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Sudan since August. The official said they would like to advance more such agreements before President Donald Trump hands power to President-elect Joe Biden on January 20. US officials believe enticing Saudi Arabia into a deal with Israel would prompt other Arab nations to follow suit. But the Saudis do not appear to be on the brink of reaching such a landmark deal and officials in recent weeks have been focusing on other countries, with concern about Iran's regional influence a uniting factor. Days before the killing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu travelled to Saudi Arabia and met with bin Salman, an Israeli official said, in what was the first publicly confirmed visit by an Israeli leader. Israeli media said they were joined by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. × The historic meeting underlined how opposition to Tehran is bringing about a strategic realignment of countries in the Middle East. Bin Salman and Netanyahu fear Biden will adopt policies on Iran similar to those adopted during Barack Obama's US presidency which strained Washington's ties with its traditional regional allies. Also read| Biden wants to rejoin Iran nuclear deal, but it won’t be easy Biden has said he will rejoin the international nuclear pact with Iran that Trump quit in 2018 - and work with allies to strengthen its terms - if Tehran first resumes strict compliance. Kuwait is seen as critical in any effort to resolve a three-year rift between Qatar and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain have imposed an air, naval and land embargo on Qatar since June 2017 over their insistence Doha is too close to Iran and radical Islamist groups. Qatar denies the charges.

Donald Trump's senior aide Jared Kushner headed to Saudi Arabia, Qatar

The Palestinians are counting on a Trump defeat on Tuesday. They don’t even want to think about Plan B.

An end to the Trump administration would give the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, a face-saving chance to reverse a self-inflicted economic hardship that has been punishing his people for months.

Fearing Israeli annexation of West Bank land the Palestinians have counted on for a future state, Abbas, in a bitter protest, stopped accepting transfers of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes that Israel collects on the Palestinian Authority’s behalf. That forced painful salary cuts for tens of thousands of civil servants.

But former Vice President Joe Biden has made clear that he opposes Israeli annexation of land Palestinians want for a future state, and Israel has said it would not proceed without U.S. support. So a Biden victory would provide Abbas with “a ladder to climb down from the tree,” said Jehad Harb, a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah. He could declare annexation dead and go back to accepting the tax transfers.

Isolated diplomatically and running out of money, plagued by old internal ideological divisions and by new threats like the coronavirus, the Palestinians are looking to Tuesday’s election more desperate than ever for a change in Washington. At the same time, senior members of Abbas’ Fatah party are increasingly looking ahead to his eventual exit from the stage and positioning themselves to try to succeed him.

Above all, Abbas, 84, and his lieutenants are counting on a President Biden to shelve the Trump administration’s lopsidedly pro-Israel plan for resolving the conflict. They are expecting a return to U.S. support for a two-state solution that Palestinians would consider viable. They are hoping for a thaw with the White House and wishing for the reinstatement of at least some financial aid.

Rolling back other moves by Trump, however, would be more complicated, like reopening a Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington. And Biden has already ruled out undoing Trump’s move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

Should Trump win a second term, the Palestinians see no good options.

In a second term, Trump administration officials have vowed to press to make their Mideast plan, which contemplates Israeli annexation of much of the West Bank, a basis for resolving the decades-old conflict.

And they have promised to complete more normalization deals for Israel with Arab countries like those with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, which shredded the decades-old Arab solidarity that had underpinned the Palestinian national strategy: No recognition of Israel before the creation of a Palestinian state.

But if Abbas is anxiously waiting to see whether Trump leaves office, nearly everyone around him is looking ahead to the day after Abbas makes his own exit. Senior members of his party are throwing elbows at one another while courting publicity for their own efforts at diplomacy, technocratic governance or popular protest.

“The ship is sinking, and everyone is fighting over the first-class cabin,” said Ghaith al-Omari, a former adviser to Abbas.

People around Abbas say he has even become fearful that the United States, Israel and their newly emboldened allies in the Arab world might plot to engineer his replacement — a concern rekindled by a recent interview with Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former Saudi spy chief and diplomat, on Saudi state television.

“With those people,” Bandar said, referring to the Palestinian leadership, “it’s hard to trust them or to think you can do something to serve Palestine in their presence.”

Ultimately, many analysts say, Abbas may have to eat crow and reengage the Trump administration, ideally with some sort of face-saving diplomatic cover like the intervention of a multilateral institution.

For now, though, he has tried to create at least the appearance of other options.

Suddenly something of an outcast among his traditional Arab allies in Egypt and the Gulf, he sought to send them a message — albeit one that few have accepted at face value — by flirting with Turkey and Qatar, bitter regional and ideological rivals of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Abbas revived the idea of reconciling with Hamas, the militant Islamic group that rules the Gaza Strip. And he promised to call new elections in both the West Bank and Gaza as a way to reunify the Palestinians, renew his legitimacy and hamper any effort to oust him.

But few see these as serious options. Abbas is deeply mistrustful of Hamas, which is allied with Turkey and Qatar, and fearful that it could win control of the West Bank in new elections.

“Hot air,” said Mouin Rabbani, an expert on Palestinian politics, describing what he thought the end result of Abbas’ unity and elections bid would be.

Difficult as it may be to believe now, Abbas was quite optimistic about the Trump administration in its first few months, when the new president surprised many in the region by expressing interest in settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once and for all.

But those hopes were quickly dashed, and the administration’s treatment of the Palestinians became a growing nightmare of aid cuts, affronts and insults.

Upending long-standing U.S. positions on Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, settlements and other highly contentious aspects of the conflict, the administration seemed to go out of its way to take Israel’s side and undercut the Palestinians — infuriating Abbas, weakening his authority and isolating him diplomatically.

But even if Biden is elected, it will be difficult to undo much of what Trump has done.

Allowing the reopening of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s diplomatic mission in Washington or restoring much of the aid to projects that directly benefited the Palestinian Authority would require Biden to overcome a number of legal obstacles, some of which might require congressional approval.

And reestablishing the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, which until 2019 functioned as the U.S. diplomatic mission to the Palestinians, would require Israel’s permission — something it may not be too quick to grant in a city that Trump himself formally recognized as Israel’s capital.

“These are all possible, but they would require heavy political lifting,” said Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace and an expert on the role of Congress in the region.

What Abbas may wish for most — that Biden would prioritize the Palestinian cause, pressure Israel to make concessions and even move the U.S. Embassy back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem — seems highly unlikely at best.

Biden has made clear he has many higher priorities, beginning with the coronavirus pandemic. He has signaled that he does not want to clash with the Israeli government.

“The idea that everything will go back to the way it was before is somewhat of a fairy tale,” Rabbani said.

None of Abbas’ would-be successors are articulating a bold change in strategy either. But such ideas do exist outside of the Palestinian leadership.

Some Palestinians support renewed efforts to revive negotiations with Israel. Others want the Palestinian Authority to dissolve itself, forcing Israel to take responsibility for their lives and absorb the heavy financial and societal costs of a full-blown, direct military occupation, even in densely populated West Bank cities where Palestinians now generally govern themselves.

And fully 26% of Palestinians in the West Bank, according to a new poll, favor a return to an armed struggle against Israel.

A smaller but growing number of activists have tried to build interest in a peaceful protest movement.

Still, with Israeli politics moving rightward, many on the West Bank see little reason for optimism.

Khalil al-Arda, 52, a member of the municipal council in the village of Arraba, near Jenin, said he feared the status quo would never improve.

“I feel like we’re in a very dark tunnel with no light at the end,” he said.

The Palestinians are counting on a Trump defeat on Tuesday. They don’t even want to think about Plan B. An end to the Trump administration would give the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, a face-saving chance to reverse a self-inflicted economic hardship that has been punishing his people for months.

The Palestinians are counting on a Trump defeat on Tuesday. They don’t even want to think about Plan B. An end to the Trump administration would give the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, a face-saving chance to reverse a self-inflicted economic hardship that has been punishing his people for months. Fearing Israeli annexation of West Bank land the Palestinians have counted on for a future state, Abbas, in a bitter protest, stopped accepting transfers of hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes that Israel collects on the Palestinian Authority’s behalf. That forced painful salary cuts for tens of thousands of civil servants. But former Vice President Joe Biden has made clear that he opposes Israeli annexation of land Palestinians want for a future state, and Israel has said it would not proceed without U.S. support. So a Biden victory would provide Abbas with “a ladder to climb down from the tree,” said Jehad Harb, a Palestinian political analyst in Ramallah. He could declare annexation dead and go back to accepting the tax transfers. Isolated diplomatically and running out of money, plagued by old internal ideological divisions and by new threats like the coronavirus, the Palestinians are looking to Tuesday’s election more desperate than ever for a change in Washington. At the same time, senior members of Abbas’ Fatah party are increasingly looking ahead to his eventual exit from the stage and positioning themselves to try to succeed him. Above all, Abbas, 84, and his lieutenants are counting on a President Biden to shelve the Trump administration’s lopsidedly pro-Israel plan for resolving the conflict. They are expecting a return to U.S. support for a two-state solution that Palestinians would consider viable. They are hoping for a thaw with the White House and wishing for the reinstatement of at least some financial aid. Rolling back other moves by Trump, however, would be more complicated, like reopening a Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington. And Biden has already ruled out undoing Trump’s move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Should Trump win a second term, the Palestinians see no good options. In a second term, Trump administration officials have vowed to press to make their Mideast plan, which contemplates Israeli annexation of much of the West Bank, a basis for resolving the decades-old conflict. And they have promised to complete more normalization deals for Israel with Arab countries like those with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan, which shredded the decades-old Arab solidarity that had underpinned the Palestinian national strategy: No recognition of Israel before the creation of a Palestinian state. But if Abbas is anxiously waiting to see whether Trump leaves office, nearly everyone around him is looking ahead to the day after Abbas makes his own exit. Senior members of his party are throwing elbows at one another while courting publicity for their own efforts at diplomacy, technocratic governance or popular protest. “The ship is sinking, and everyone is fighting over the first-class cabin,” said Ghaith al-Omari, a former adviser to Abbas. People around Abbas say he has even become fearful that the United States, Israel and their newly emboldened allies in the Arab world might plot to engineer his replacement — a concern rekindled by a recent interview with Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the former Saudi spy chief and diplomat, on Saudi state television. “With those people,” Bandar said, referring to the Palestinian leadership, “it’s hard to trust them or to think you can do something to serve Palestine in their presence.” Ultimately, many analysts say, Abbas may have to eat crow and reengage the Trump administration, ideally with some sort of face-saving diplomatic cover like the intervention of a multilateral institution. For now, though, he has tried to create at least the appearance of other options. Suddenly something of an outcast among his traditional Arab allies in Egypt and the Gulf, he sought to send them a message — albeit one that few have accepted at face value — by flirting with Turkey and Qatar, bitter regional and ideological rivals of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt. Abbas revived the idea of reconciling with Hamas, the militant Islamic group that rules the Gaza Strip. And he promised to call new elections in both the West Bank and Gaza as a way to reunify the Palestinians, renew his legitimacy and hamper any effort to oust him. But few see these as serious options. Abbas is deeply mistrustful of Hamas, which is allied with Turkey and Qatar, and fearful that it could win control of the West Bank in new elections. “Hot air,” said Mouin Rabbani, an expert on Palestinian politics, describing what he thought the end result of Abbas’ unity and elections bid would be. Difficult as it may be to believe now, Abbas was quite optimistic about the Trump administration in its first few months, when the new president surprised many in the region by expressing interest in settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict once and for all. But those hopes were quickly dashed, and the administration’s treatment of the Palestinians became a growing nightmare of aid cuts, affronts and insults. Upending long-standing U.S. positions on Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, settlements and other highly contentious aspects of the conflict, the administration seemed to go out of its way to take Israel’s side and undercut the Palestinians — infuriating Abbas, weakening his authority and isolating him diplomatically. But even if Biden is elected, it will be difficult to undo much of what Trump has done. Allowing the reopening of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s diplomatic mission in Washington or restoring much of the aid to projects that directly benefited the Palestinian Authority would require Biden to overcome a number of legal obstacles, some of which might require congressional approval. And reestablishing the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, which until 2019 functioned as the U.S. diplomatic mission to the Palestinians, would require Israel’s permission — something it may not be too quick to grant in a city that Trump himself formally recognized as Israel’s capital. “These are all possible, but they would require heavy political lifting,” said Lara Friedman, president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace and an expert on the role of Congress in the region. What Abbas may wish for most — that Biden would prioritize the Palestinian cause, pressure Israel to make concessions and even move the U.S. Embassy back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem — seems highly unlikely at best. Biden has made clear he has many higher priorities, beginning with the coronavirus pandemic. He has signaled that he does not want to clash with the Israeli government. “The idea that everything will go back to the way it was before is somewhat of a fairy tale,” Rabbani said. None of Abbas’ would-be successors are articulating a bold change in strategy either. But such ideas do exist outside of the Palestinian leadership. Some Palestinians support renewed efforts to revive negotiations with Israel. Others want the Palestinian Authority to dissolve itself, forcing Israel to take responsibility for their lives and absorb the heavy financial and societal costs of a full-blown, direct military occupation, even in densely populated West Bank cities where Palestinians now generally govern themselves. And fully 26% of Palestinians in the West Bank, according to a new poll, favor a return to an armed struggle against Israel. A smaller but growing number of activists have tried to build interest in a peaceful protest movement. Still, with Israeli politics moving rightward, many on the West Bank see little reason for optimism. Khalil al-Arda, 52, a member of the municipal council in the village of Arraba, near Jenin, said he feared the status quo would never improve. “I feel like we’re in a very dark tunnel with no light at the end,” he said.

Palestinian leaders are banking on Biden win next week

This week, a cargo from Dubai arrived at Israel's Haifa, making headlines across the world. A few months, this journey by the MSC Paris would have been impossible. Are winds of change finally blowing in West Asia with the Abraham Accords?

The West Asia Post: New Dawn of Israeli-UAE Relations

Israel's cabinet on Tuesday authorised its peace treaty with United Arab Emirates after&nbsp;Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan spoke on the phone.

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During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we discussed strengthening bilateral ties and examined prospects for peace and the need for stability, cooperation and development in the region.
— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedBinZayed/status/1315570177556316162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The United States had brokered&nbsp;a "historic peace agreement" between the two countries called the 'Abraham Accord'.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-the-world-reacted-to-the-israel-uae-peace-agreement-320602">How the world reacted to the Israel-UAE peace agreement</a>

Netanyahu, for his part, told the Israeli cabinet that he had spoken at the weekend with his "friend" Sheikh Mohammed, who is crown prince of Abu Dhabi and effective ruler.

"I invited him to visit&nbsp;Israel, he invited me to visit Abu Dhabi, but before that we'll see here a delegation from the UAE, and another delegation of ours will go there," the prime minister said.

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Over the weekend, I spoke with my friend, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh <a href="https://twitter.com/MohamedBinZayed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MohamedBinZayed</a>. I invited him to visit Israel. He invited me to visit Abu Dhabi.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM/status/1315614663288254465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The normalisation deals signed the same day with both the United Arab Emirates and fellow Gulf state Bahrain "reflect the dramatic change in&nbsp;Israel's regional standing", he said.

In a sign of burgeoning Israel-UAE cooperation, a ship from the UAE docked on Monday at Israel's port of Haifa, carrying a cargo of 15 containers along a shipping line between India, the UAE, Israel and the United States.

While the normalisation accord has already inspired commercial deal-making with the Gulf's trade, finance, tourism and travel hub, Israeli officials have objected to the UAE's potential purchase of U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter jets in a separate side deal.

Israel is the only Middle East country flying the advanced warplane and has voiced concern its supply to other nations in the region could jeopardise its military edge.

Israel's cabinet on Tuesday authorised its peace treaty with United Arab Emirates after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan spoke on the phone.

Israel's cabinet on Tuesday authorised its peace treaty with United Arab Emirates after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the UAE's Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan spoke on the phone. During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, we discussed strengthening bilateral ties and examined prospects for peace and the need for stability, cooperation and development in the region. — محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) October 12, 2020 × The United States had brokered a "historic peace agreement" between the two countries called the 'Abraham Accord'. Also see: How the world reacted to the Israel-UAE peace agreement Netanyahu, for his part, told the Israeli cabinet that he had spoken at the weekend with his "friend" Sheikh Mohammed, who is crown prince of Abu Dhabi and effective ruler. "I invited him to visit Israel, he invited me to visit Abu Dhabi, but before that we'll see here a delegation from the UAE, and another delegation of ours will go there," the prime minister said. Over the weekend, I spoke with my friend, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh @MohamedBinZayed. I invited him to visit Israel. He invited me to visit Abu Dhabi. — PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) October 12, 2020 × The normalisation deals signed the same day with both the United Arab Emirates and fellow Gulf state Bahrain "reflect the dramatic change in Israel's regional standing", he said. In a sign of burgeoning Israel-UAE cooperation, a ship from the UAE docked on Monday at Israel's port of Haifa, carrying a cargo of 15 containers along a shipping line between India, the UAE, Israel and the United States. While the normalisation accord has already inspired commercial deal-making with the Gulf's trade, finance, tourism and travel hub, Israeli officials have objected to the UAE's potential purchase of U.S.-made F-35 stealth fighter jets in a separate side deal. Israel is the only Middle East country flying the advanced warplane and has voiced concern its supply to other nations in the region could jeopardise its military edge.

Israel's cabinet authorises peace treaty with United Arab Emirates

Will Trump's plan bring peace in West Asia? There is no doubt that this deal is a win-win for all parties involved. But what is the future of Palestine? And will this end the spiral of violence in the region?

Could it be that Trump's deal is not about the Israel- Palestine dispute at all, but is about taking on Iran?

Three decades ago, Israel established ties with an Arab neighbour. On Tuesday, it made two more friends in the south lawn of the White House - a historic event. After the signing of the Abraham Accord, brokered by the US, West Asia has re-aligned.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/will-they-or-wont-they-saudi-recognition-of-israel-is-the-64000-question-327888" hreflang="en">Will they or won’t they? Saudi recognition of Israel is the $64,000 question</a>

Israel, the chief benefactor of this new deal is promising peace. But the Palestinians are wary, for they believe that they are getting the short end of the stick. As leaders gathered in Washington, people in Ramallah took to the streets. They say the Abraham accord awards Israeli occupation.

The Arabs are trying to strike a balance, with the foreign minister of the UAE choosing his words carefully. He backed a two state solution, even when the phrase seems to be losing diplomatic currency.

A common regional front

Tuesday's deal is the first agreement between Israel and Arab states since 1994 when Israel established diplomatic ties with Jordan. A union of Israel, UAE, and Bahrain, alongside the US could be a move to contain Iran. With this deal, Israel has joined hands with the Gulf's Sunni Arab monarchies. Iran, on the other hand, is dominated by Shiites.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/two-rockets-fired-from-gaza-as-israel-uae-bahrain-sign-trump-brokered-accords-327792" hreflang="en">Two rockets fired from Gaza as Israel, UAE, Bahrain sign Trump-brokered accords</a>

With the Abraham accord, US President Donald Trump has managed to build a common regional front against Tehran. Trump's next move could be to add Saudi Arabia into this new alliance. The president has already promised to bring Riyadh onboard.

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Palestine doesn't get anything from this re-alignment, and has been demanding an end to the devastating 13-year-long blockade of Gaza.

And with new allies by his side, it doesn't look like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will concede even an inch of territory. Already, violence is on the rise in the disputed territories. Hours after the deal was signed, the Israeli military carried out a series of air raids on the Gaza strip. The Hamas is threatening to hit back at Israel. West Asia now has new challenges.&nbsp;

Will Trump's plan bring peace in West Asia? There is no doubt that this deal is a win-win for all parties involved. But what is the future of Palestine? And will this end the spiral of violence in the region?

Will Trump's plan bring peace in West Asia? There is no doubt that this deal is a win-win for all parties involved. But what is the future of Palestine? And will this end the spiral of violence in the region? Could it be that Trump's deal is not about the Israel- Palestine dispute at all, but is about taking on Iran? Three decades ago, Israel established ties with an Arab neighbour. On Tuesday, it made two more friends in the south lawn of the White House - a historic event. After the signing of the Abraham Accord, brokered by the US, West Asia has re-aligned. Also read: Will they or won’t they? Saudi recognition of Israel is the $64,000 question Israel, the chief benefactor of this new deal is promising peace. But the Palestinians are wary, for they believe that they are getting the short end of the stick. As leaders gathered in Washington, people in Ramallah took to the streets. They say the Abraham accord awards Israeli occupation. The Arabs are trying to strike a balance, with the foreign minister of the UAE choosing his words carefully. He backed a two state solution, even when the phrase seems to be losing diplomatic currency. A common regional front Tuesday's deal is the first agreement between Israel and Arab states since 1994 when Israel established diplomatic ties with Jordan. A union of Israel, UAE, and Bahrain, alongside the US could be a move to contain Iran. With this deal, Israel has joined hands with the Gulf's Sunni Arab monarchies. Iran, on the other hand, is dominated by Shiites. Also read: Two rockets fired from Gaza as Israel, UAE, Bahrain sign Trump-brokered accords With the Abraham accord, US President Donald Trump has managed to build a common regional front against Tehran. Trump's next move could be to add Saudi Arabia into this new alliance. The president has already promised to bring Riyadh onboard. × Palestine doesn't get anything from this re-alignment, and has been demanding an end to the devastating 13-year-long blockade of Gaza. And with new allies by his side, it doesn't look like Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will concede even an inch of territory. Already, violence is on the rise in the disputed territories. Hours after the deal was signed, the Israeli military carried out a series of air raids on the Gaza strip. The Hamas is threatening to hit back at Israel. West Asia now has new challenges.

Is the US-brokered Abraham Accord a regional front against Iran?

Just before the elections, Donald Trump has pulled off a big foreign policy win. Bahrain & the UAE have normalised ties with Israel. Palestine has called this a betrayal. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how the Abraham Accords is enabling a big shift in West Asia.

Gravitas: Trump's big foreign policy win is set to change West Asia

Is the Abraham Peace Accord a saviour for two stalling political careers? Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you how U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gain from the West Asia peace agreements.

Gravitas: How Trump gains from the West Asia peace deals

There is no doubt that the Abraham Accords is a win-win for all parties involved. But, it may not end the spiral of violence. Palki Sharma Upadhyay tells you what the agreement means for West Asia.

Gravitas: Can Trump's deal bring peace to West Asia?

Palestinian militants fired rockets from Gaza into Israel on Tuesday, the Israeli military said, at same time as Israel and two Gulf Arab states signed normalisation agreements at the White House in Washington.

Palestinians fire rockets into Israel during signing of normalisation agreements

US President Donald Trump, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, the foreign minister of Bahrain, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the Abraham Accord

A strategic realignment of West Asian countries | Historic Abraham accord signed

The President pointed out that these were the only two peace deals between Israel and the Arab States in more than a quarter of a century.

US President Donald Trump promises to protect Palestine

After almost 25 years, the 45th president of the united states has recreated history at the south lawn of the white house. UAE & Bahrain sign a historic peace deal with Israel.

Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign Abraham accord

US President Donald Trump while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE and Bahrain leaders hinted at more countries set to join peace deal with Israel.

Watch:

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"We're very far down the road with about five countries, five additional countries," Trump said, adding, "We'll have at least five or six countries coming along very quickly, we're already talking to them."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-no-problem-in-selling-f-35-fighters-to-uae-trump-327732">Also Read:&nbsp;I have no problem in selling F-35 fighters to UAE: Trump</a>

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, foreign ministers of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates had arrived on Tuesday at the White House to sign historic accords aimed at normalising ties with Israel.

"Historic day for peace in the Middle East," tweeted Trump ahead of the meeting, "more countries to follow!" wrote the US leader.

"We've had great talks with Saudi Arabia. I think their mind is very open," the US president added.&nbsp;

"We're here this afternoon to change the course of history," Trump said, adding," after decades of division and conflict we mark the dawn of a new Middle East."

"This day is a pivot of history, it heralds a new dawn of peace," Netanyahu said at the ceremony while asserting that the new peace momentum could end Arab-Israeli conflict "once and for all".

US President Donald Trump while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE and Bahrain leaders hinted at more countries set to join peace deal with Israel.

US President Donald Trump while hosting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UAE and Bahrain leaders hinted at more countries set to join peace deal with Israel. Watch: "We're very far down the road with about five countries, five additional countries," Trump said, adding, "We'll have at least five or six countries coming along very quickly, we're already talking to them." Also Read: I have no problem in selling F-35 fighters to UAE: Trump Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, foreign ministers of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates had arrived on Tuesday at the White House to sign historic accords aimed at normalising ties with Israel. "Historic day for peace in the Middle East," tweeted Trump ahead of the meeting, "more countries to follow!" wrote the US leader. "We've had great talks with Saudi Arabia. I think their mind is very open," the US president added. "We're here this afternoon to change the course of history," Trump said, adding," after decades of division and conflict we mark the dawn of a new Middle East." "This day is a pivot of history, it heralds a new dawn of peace," Netanyahu said at the ceremony while asserting that the new peace momentum could end Arab-Israeli conflict "once and for all".

Five or six countries coming along very quickly, says Trump on peace deal with Israel

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