Israel and Sudan agreed to normalize ties in a U.S.-brokered deal on Friday, the White House said, ending decades of hostility as one of Africa’s largest countries joined a broader diplomatic realignment in the Middle East.

Israel and Sudan plan to begin economic relations

A US sale of advanced F-35 warplanes to Qatar could be possible despite Israel's objections to such a deal -- due to the Gulf state's links to Iran and Palestinian Hamas.

An Israeli cabinet minister on Sunday said, "This is a supposition that we must take into account," he said, arguing that the US administration "ultimately looks out for American interests," especially in the face of rival stealth jets on offer from Russia and China.

It was earlier reported that gas-rich Qatar had submitted a formal request to buy the F-35, a Lockheed Martin plane that has so far been supplied only to Israel in the region.&nbsp;

Israel, with which Washington consults on such sales, said it would be opposed.

Reuters also reported that should such a sale go ahead, Israel would demand "appropriate compensation" - an apparent reference to US defence assistance.

US officials have been open to selling the F-35 to the United Arab Emirates after it and Bahrain normalised relations with Israel on September 15.

Successive US administrations have since sought to preserve Israeli military superiority in the region.

There has been speculation in Israeli media that the Trump administration could hold out the F-35 as an inducement for Qatar to normalise ties with Israel.

(with inputs)

A US sale of advanced F-35 warplanes to Qatar could be possible despite Israel's objections to such a deal -- due to the Gulf state's links to Iran and Palestinian Hamas.

A US sale of advanced F-35 warplanes to Qatar could be possible despite Israel's objections to such a deal -- due to the Gulf state's links to Iran and Palestinian Hamas. An Israeli cabinet minister on Sunday said, "This is a supposition that we must take into account," he said, arguing that the US administration "ultimately looks out for American interests," especially in the face of rival stealth jets on offer from Russia and China. It was earlier reported that gas-rich Qatar had submitted a formal request to buy the F-35, a Lockheed Martin plane that has so far been supplied only to Israel in the region. Israel, with which Washington consults on such sales, said it would be opposed. Reuters also reported that should such a sale go ahead, Israel would demand "appropriate compensation" - an apparent reference to US defence assistance. US officials have been open to selling the F-35 to the United Arab Emirates after it and Bahrain normalised relations with Israel on September 15. Successive US administrations have since sought to preserve Israeli military superiority in the region. There has been speculation in Israeli media that the Trump administration could hold out the F-35 as an inducement for Qatar to normalise ties with Israel. (with inputs)

Qatar might get F-35s despite Israel's objections

Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday described a US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal to normalise ties as "phoney" and accused Khartoum of paying a ransom in return for Washington removing it from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

The deal agreed on Friday marked the third Arab government after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to set aside hostilities with Israel in the last two months.

Also, US President Donald Trump announced on Monday he would take Sudan off the list once it had deposited $335 million it had pledged to pay in compensation. Khartoum has since placed the funds in a special escrow account for victims of al Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998.

"Pay enough ransom, close your eyes to the crimes against Palestinians, then you'll be taken off the so-called ‘terrorism' blacklist," the ministry tweeted in English. "Obviously, the list is as phoney as the US fight against terrorism. Shameful."

Trump had also said the Palestinians were wanting to do something but offered no proof.&nbsp;

Palestinian leaders have condemned recent Arab overtures to Israel as a betrayal of their nationalist cause for statehood in Israeli-occupied territories. They have refused to engage with the Trump administration, seeing it as biased in favour of Israel.

In recent weeks the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to agree to formal relations with Israel, forged largely through shared fears of Iran.

The military and civilian leaders of Sudan's transitional government have been divided over how fast and how far to go in establishing ties with Israel.

A sticking point in the negotiations was Sudan's insistence that any announcement of Khartoum's delisting from terrorism designation not be explicitly linked to relations with Israel.

Sudan’s 1993 designation as a state sponsor of terrorism dates to its toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir and has made it difficult for the transitional government in Khartoum to access urgently needed debt relief and foreign financing.

Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday described a US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal to normalise ties as "phoney" and accused Khartoum of paying a ransom in return for Washington removing it from a list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Iran's foreign ministry on Saturday described a US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal to normalise ties as "phoney" and accused Khartoum of paying a ransom in return for Washington removing it from a list of state sponsors of terrorism. The deal agreed on Friday marked the third Arab government after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to set aside hostilities with Israel in the last two months. Also, US President Donald Trump announced on Monday he would take Sudan off the list once it had deposited $335 million it had pledged to pay in compensation. Khartoum has since placed the funds in a special escrow account for victims of al Qaeda attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. "Pay enough ransom, close your eyes to the crimes against Palestinians, then you'll be taken off the so-called ‘terrorism' blacklist," the ministry tweeted in English. "Obviously, the list is as phoney as the US fight against terrorism. Shameful." Trump had also said the Palestinians were wanting to do something but offered no proof. Palestinian leaders have condemned recent Arab overtures to Israel as a betrayal of their nationalist cause for statehood in Israeli-occupied territories. They have refused to engage with the Trump administration, seeing it as biased in favour of Israel. In recent weeks the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to agree to formal relations with Israel, forged largely through shared fears of Iran. The military and civilian leaders of Sudan's transitional government have been divided over how fast and how far to go in establishing ties with Israel. A sticking point in the negotiations was Sudan's insistence that any announcement of Khartoum's delisting from terrorism designation not be explicitly linked to relations with Israel. Sudan’s 1993 designation as a state sponsor of terrorism dates to its toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir and has made it difficult for the transitional government in Khartoum to access urgently needed debt relief and foreign financing.

US-brokered Sudan-Israel deal secured by 'ransom', Iran says

Israel, Sudan agree to normalize ties in U.S. brokered deal

Israel said on Friday it will not oppose U.S. sales of “specific weapons systems” to the United Arab Emirates, in an apparent reference to the F-35 warplanes sought by Abu Dhabi.

Israel will not oppose U.S. sale of F-35 to UAE

Palestinians condemn Israel-Sudan diplomatic ties

United States President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan would normalise relations with Israel. This is being seen as a new diplomatic coup for him days before US presidential election.

Trump announced the agreement by Sudan's year-old civilian-backed government moments after he formally moved to end the nation's designation of a state sponsor of terrorism, which was a major goal for Khartoum.

According to AFP, reporters were escorted into the Oval Office where Trump was on speakerphone with Sudan's leadership and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally of the embattled Republican president.

"We are expanding their circle of peace so rapidly with your leadership," Netanyahu was heard saying.

Trump said: "There are many, many more coming."

"Sudan and Israel have agreed to the normalisation of relations -- another major step toward building peace in the Middle East with another nation joining the Abraham Accords" that involve Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, Trump aide Judd Deere wrote on Twitter.

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed an accord at the White House last month to normalise relations with Israel but Sudan is arguably more significant as an Arab nation that has been at war with Israel.

 
Trump had announced his plan to delist Sudan on Monday through Twitter. But in the days before he formally took the move, Israel sent a delegation to Khartoum to discuss normalisation.

Trump, who is trailing in the polls ahead of the November 3 vote, has used his leverage over Sudan to press for recognition of Israel.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope on Wednesday that Sudan would "promptly" recognise the Jewish state -- a major cause for Trump's evangelical Christian base.

As part of the deal to get off the terror blacklist, the White House said that Sudan's transitional government had deposited $335 million to compensate survivors and family members of anti-US attacks that took place when former dictator Omar al-Bashir welcomed Al-Qaeda.

&nbsp;

United States President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan would normalise relations with Israel. This is being seen as a new diplomatic coup for him days before US presidential election.

United States President Donald Trump announced Friday that Sudan would normalise relations with Israel. This is being seen as a new diplomatic coup for him days before US presidential election. Trump announced the agreement by Sudan's year-old civilian-backed government moments after he formally moved to end the nation's designation of a state sponsor of terrorism, which was a major goal for Khartoum. According to AFP, reporters were escorted into the Oval Office where Trump was on speakerphone with Sudan's leadership and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a close ally of the embattled Republican president. "We are expanding their circle of peace so rapidly with your leadership," Netanyahu was heard saying. Trump said: "There are many, many more coming." "Sudan and Israel have agreed to the normalisation of relations -- another major step toward building peace in the Middle East with another nation joining the Abraham Accords" that involve Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, Trump aide Judd Deere wrote on Twitter. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed an accord at the White House last month to normalise relations with Israel but Sudan is arguably more significant as an Arab nation that has been at war with Israel. Trump had announced his plan to delist Sudan on Monday through Twitter. But in the days before he formally took the move, Israel sent a delegation to Khartoum to discuss normalisation. Trump, who is trailing in the polls ahead of the November 3 vote, has used his leverage over Sudan to press for recognition of Israel. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo voiced hope on Wednesday that Sudan would "promptly" recognise the Jewish state -- a major cause for Trump's evangelical Christian base. As part of the deal to get off the terror blacklist, the White House said that Sudan's transitional government had deposited $335 million to compensate survivors and family members of anti-US attacks that took place when former dictator Omar al-Bashir welcomed Al-Qaeda.

Sudan to normalise relations with Israel, Trump announces

Israel discovered a new cross-border tunnel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that its military said extended "dozens of metres underground" and into Israeli territory.

The military said its engineers discovered the tunnel using underground sensors attached to a concrete barrier that, once completed, will run 65 kilometres (40 miles) around Gaza.

Palestinians have used underground tunnels to smuggle in all manner of commercial goods to Gaza, as well as to bring in weapons for militants from the Strip`s ruling Hamas group and other factions.

Militants have also used the tunnels to launch attacks inside Israel, which maintains a land and sea blockade of Gaza, citing threats from Hamas.

The new tunnel originates in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, extending across the Israeli border before terminating underground before reaching the barrier, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said.

He added: "We have not seen an exit point from the tunnel. So you could deduce from that that the aim was not for the terrorists to emerge from that location, but rather further inside Israel."

Conricus said the military had not yet determined who had built the tunnel, but that it holds "Hamas responsible for everything emanating from the Gaza Strip".

A Hamas spokesman declined comment.

Israel and Hamas last fought a large-scale war in 2014 and have engaged in dozens of smaller cross-border skirmishes since. Hamas and other Gaza militants have defended the tunnels as part of what they call their preparation for fighting.

Conricus said the military would "neutralise" the tunnel in the coming days. The military has discovered around 20 tunnels since the 2014 war, he added.

Israel discovered a new cross-border tunnel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that its military said extended "dozens of metres underground" and into Israeli territory.

Israel discovered a new cross-border tunnel from the Gaza Strip on Tuesday that its military said extended "dozens of metres underground" and into Israeli territory. The military said its engineers discovered the tunnel using underground sensors attached to a concrete barrier that, once completed, will run 65 kilometres (40 miles) around Gaza. Palestinians have used underground tunnels to smuggle in all manner of commercial goods to Gaza, as well as to bring in weapons for militants from the Strip`s ruling Hamas group and other factions. Militants have also used the tunnels to launch attacks inside Israel, which maintains a land and sea blockade of Gaza, citing threats from Hamas. The new tunnel originates in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, extending across the Israeli border before terminating underground before reaching the barrier, military spokesman Jonathan Conricus said. He added: "We have not seen an exit point from the tunnel. So you could deduce from that that the aim was not for the terrorists to emerge from that location, but rather further inside Israel." Conricus said the military had not yet determined who had built the tunnel, but that it holds "Hamas responsible for everything emanating from the Gaza Strip". A Hamas spokesman declined comment. Israel and Hamas last fought a large-scale war in 2014 and have engaged in dozens of smaller cross-border skirmishes since. Hamas and other Gaza militants have defended the tunnels as part of what they call their preparation for fighting. Conricus said the military would "neutralise" the tunnel in the coming days. The military has discovered around 20 tunnels since the 2014 war, he added.

Israel uncovers tunnel from Gaza, military says holds Hamas responsible

A group of United Arab Emirates officials became the first Gulf Arab delegation ever to visit in Israel on Tuesday, cementing a normalisation deal in an occasion that Israel and US&nbsp;officials described as historic but the Palestinians called "shameful".

The UAE and Gulf neighbour Bahrain became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to establish formal ties with Israel despite ongoing differences over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The deals, forged largely over shared fears of Iran, were brokered by US&nbsp;President Donald Trump ahead of next month's US&nbsp;presidential election.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/israel-bahrain-formalise-diplomatic-ties-336286" hreflang="en">Israel, Bahrain formalise diplomatic ties</a>

"We are making history in a way that will stand for generations," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in welcoming Emirati Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq al-Mari and Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid al-Tayer.

They were accompanied by US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other American officials on the flight from Abu Dhabi to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. The visiting party was restricted to the airport because of concerns over COVID-19.

"I think that the visit of such a high level delegation from the UAE... will show our peoples, the region and the entire world the benefit of having friendly, peaceful and normal exchanges," Netanyahu said.

Four agreements were signed - on the promotion and protection of investments, cooperation in science and innovation, civil aviation and visa exemptions.

Tayer said the deals offered "great opportunities" to "achieve prosperity for both our economies, and our people".

Citing discussions on taxation and financial relations, he said there had already been significant progress and added: "We look forward to welcoming you to the UAE in the near future."

PALESTINIAN ANGER

Washington and its allies have said the deals would foster regional peace and stability. But they have prompted anger from the Palestinians.

Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization said Tuesday's UAE visit came amid Israeli settlement expansion and was "shameful".

"The bilateral agreements that were announced today and the delegations that come and go, all of that offers the occupation strength to escalate its aggression and its crimes against the Palestinian people and increases its intransigence and arrogance," he said in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In Gaza, Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamist group Hamas, said: "Such a visit will only encourage the occupation to pursue the gradual annexation of West Bank lands."

Mnuchin, the most senior US&nbsp;official to attend, called it an "historic occasion," adding: "With greater economic prosperity comes stronger security."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uae-government-delegation-heads-to-israel-for-first-official-visit-336627" hreflang="en">UAE government delegation heads to Israel for first official visit</a>

Reflecting a realignment of regional powers concerned about Iran, he added that Israel, the UAE and USA "share a similar outlook regarding threats and opportunities in the region."

Another US&nbsp;official in attendance, International Development Finance Corporation head Adam Boehler, said the three countries would set up a fund, initially projected to raise $3 billion, to encourage private-sector investment and regional cooperation.

He said he envisaged funding to enable the modernisation of Israeli-operated checkpoints for Palestinians. Israel says the checkpoints are vital for its security, while Palestinians complain that they hamper their ability to live and work.

The US officials had on Sunday joined an Israeli delegation to Bahrain for a signing ceremony to formalise ties.

The agreements signed on Tuesday followed several commercial deals signed by Israel and the UAE since mid-August.

"These agreements are of strategic and regional importance, will increase investment, trade and strengthen economic ties between the countries," said Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the Emirati delegation had submitted a request to open an embassy in Tel Aviv and said it expected Israel to open an embassy in Abu Dhabi soon.

A group of United Arab Emirates officials became the first Gulf Arab delegation ever to visit in Israel on Tuesday, cementing a normalisation deal in an occasion that Israel and US officials described as historic but the Palestinians called "shameful".

A group of United Arab Emirates officials became the first Gulf Arab delegation ever to visit in Israel on Tuesday, cementing a normalisation deal in an occasion that Israel and US officials described as historic but the Palestinians called "shameful". The UAE and Gulf neighbour Bahrain became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to establish formal ties with Israel despite ongoing differences over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The deals, forged largely over shared fears of Iran, were brokered by US President Donald Trump ahead of next month's US presidential election. Also read: Israel, Bahrain formalise diplomatic ties "We are making history in a way that will stand for generations," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in welcoming Emirati Economy Minister Abdullah bin Touq al-Mari and Minister of State for Financial Affairs Obaid Humaid al-Tayer. They were accompanied by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and other American officials on the flight from Abu Dhabi to Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. The visiting party was restricted to the airport because of concerns over COVID-19. "I think that the visit of such a high level delegation from the UAE... will show our peoples, the region and the entire world the benefit of having friendly, peaceful and normal exchanges," Netanyahu said. Four agreements were signed - on the promotion and protection of investments, cooperation in science and innovation, civil aviation and visa exemptions. Tayer said the deals offered "great opportunities" to "achieve prosperity for both our economies, and our people". Citing discussions on taxation and financial relations, he said there had already been significant progress and added: "We look forward to welcoming you to the UAE in the near future." PALESTINIAN ANGER Washington and its allies have said the deals would foster regional peace and stability. But they have prompted anger from the Palestinians. Wasel Abu Youssef, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization said Tuesday's UAE visit came amid Israeli settlement expansion and was "shameful". "The bilateral agreements that were announced today and the delegations that come and go, all of that offers the occupation strength to escalate its aggression and its crimes against the Palestinian people and increases its intransigence and arrogance," he said in Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In Gaza, Hazem Qassem, a spokesman for the Islamist group Hamas, said: "Such a visit will only encourage the occupation to pursue the gradual annexation of West Bank lands." Mnuchin, the most senior US official to attend, called it an "historic occasion," adding: "With greater economic prosperity comes stronger security." Also read: UAE government delegation heads to Israel for first official visit Reflecting a realignment of regional powers concerned about Iran, he added that Israel, the UAE and USA "share a similar outlook regarding threats and opportunities in the region." Another US official in attendance, International Development Finance Corporation head Adam Boehler, said the three countries would set up a fund, initially projected to raise $3 billion, to encourage private-sector investment and regional cooperation. He said he envisaged funding to enable the modernisation of Israeli-operated checkpoints for Palestinians. Israel says the checkpoints are vital for its security, while Palestinians complain that they hamper their ability to live and work. The US officials had on Sunday joined an Israeli delegation to Bahrain for a signing ceremony to formalise ties. The agreements signed on Tuesday followed several commercial deals signed by Israel and the UAE since mid-August. "These agreements are of strategic and regional importance, will increase investment, trade and strengthen economic ties between the countries," said Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz. Israel's Foreign Ministry said the Emirati delegation had submitted a request to open an embassy in Tel Aviv and said it expected Israel to open an embassy in Abu Dhabi soon.

Israel says UAE visit 'making history' - Palestinians call it 'shameful'

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 and Bahrain will officially establish diplomatic relations Sunday at a ceremony in Manama. The two states had earlier reached a US-brokered normalisation deal last month.&nbsp;

An Israeli delegation led by National Security Council chief Meir Ben Sabbat took off from Tel Aviv for a one-day trip to Manama to oversee Israel and Bahrain formalising the agreement they signed at the White House on September 15. &nbsp;

They will ink a "joint communique" that is the establishment of full diplomatic relations.

After a ceremony scheduled for Sunday evening, Israel and Bahrain will be free to open embassies in each other's countries.&nbsp;

An Israeli embassy in Manama is scheduled to open in the coming months.

Before takeoff, Israeli delegation chief Shabbat said the aim was "to translate into practical plans and concrete agreements the peace declaration that was signed on the White House lawn".&nbsp;

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and President Donald Trump's special assistant for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz, landed in Tel Aviv before joining the Israeli delegation flight to Manama.

In addition to the joint communique establishing diplomatic ties, Israel and Bahrain are expected to sign six to eight memorandums of understanding, a government statement said.&nbsp;

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the third and fourth Arab states to agree to normalise ties with Israel, following Egypt's peace deal with Israel in 1979 and a 1994 pact with Jordan.&nbsp;

The deal outraged the Palestinians, who have called on Arab states to maintain unity against Israel.&nbsp;They condemned the Gulf agreements with Israel as "a stab in the back" for their aspirations to establish an independent state of their own.

Israel's right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that more Mideast states want ties with Israel as priorities have shifted, arguing that countries now value lucrative trade opportunities above the Palestinian conflict.&nbsp;

Key player Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow its allies Bahrain and the UAE in establishing diplomatic relations without a resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Israel and Bahrain will officially establish diplomatic relations Sunday at a ceremony in Manama. The two states had earlier reached a US-brokered normalisation deal last month.

Israel and Bahrain will officially establish diplomatic relations Sunday at a ceremony in Manama. The two states had earlier reached a US-brokered normalisation deal last month. An Israeli delegation led by National Security Council chief Meir Ben Sabbat took off from Tel Aviv for a one-day trip to Manama to oversee Israel and Bahrain formalising the agreement they signed at the White House on September 15. They will ink a "joint communique" that is the establishment of full diplomatic relations. After a ceremony scheduled for Sunday evening, Israel and Bahrain will be free to open embassies in each other's countries. An Israeli embassy in Manama is scheduled to open in the coming months. Before takeoff, Israeli delegation chief Shabbat said the aim was "to translate into practical plans and concrete agreements the peace declaration that was signed on the White House lawn". US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and President Donald Trump's special assistant for international negotiations, Avi Berkowitz, landed in Tel Aviv before joining the Israeli delegation flight to Manama. In addition to the joint communique establishing diplomatic ties, Israel and Bahrain are expected to sign six to eight memorandums of understanding, a government statement said. The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain became the third and fourth Arab states to agree to normalise ties with Israel, following Egypt's peace deal with Israel in 1979 and a 1994 pact with Jordan. The deal outraged the Palestinians, who have called on Arab states to maintain unity against Israel. They condemned the Gulf agreements with Israel as "a stab in the back" for their aspirations to establish an independent state of their own. Israel's right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists that more Mideast states want ties with Israel as priorities have shifted, arguing that countries now value lucrative trade opportunities above the Palestinian conflict. Key player Saudi Arabia has said it will not follow its allies Bahrain and the UAE in establishing diplomatic relations without a resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Israel and Bahrain to formalise diplomatic ties

The US & Israeli delegations have landed in Bahrain to move forward on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.

Historic flight from Israel to Bahrain; Ceremony to mark the formalisation of ties

Watch this week's West Asia Post as Ghadi Francis talks to Ali Hamdan, an adviser to the Lebanese Parliament Speaker for more on the Lebanon-Israel maritime talks. Also on the show, we explore how autocrats are hijacking mega sporting events to expand their soft power? For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post - Episode 3

The race for the White House has reached Israel. Both, Democratic Party and Republican Party are trying hard to attract dual-nationality American-Israelis, many of whom are registered in swing states such as Florida and Pennsylvania. As a result, posters in Hebrew have suddenly started appearing in Tel Aviv.

This week, posters saying 'You have to thank Trump' in Hebrew were seen on minibuses in Tel Aviv.

Like Republicans, Democrats are trying to woo voters in Israel as well. Democrats have &nbsp;arranged a 40% discount with the courier service DHL for voters whose home states require overseas ballots to be sent by mail.&nbsp;

There are no reliable statistics on American-Israelis` political leanings, but Marc Zell, chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, estimated there were 25,000-30,000 eligible Florida voters in the country.

"That could be the deciding factor in that state`s contest," he said, pointing to George W. Bush`s narrow Florida victory in 2000, which handed him the election. He was quoted by Reuters.

US President Donald Trump has had a big influence in Israel as he delighted many by his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israeli capital and moving US embassy there from Tel Aviv.

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Joe Biden`s supporters have sent election postcards to Israeli Democrats and independents from swing states, where, they say, around half of American-Israeli Democrats are registered.

"Trump has used Israel as a partisan football to serve his own constituencies, like Christian Evangelicals," Democrats Abroad Israel chair Heather Stone told Reuters.

Biden, she said, was "a long-time friend of Israel who will help keep alive" the vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Biden or Trump?

The parties` estimates of the number of eligible dual citizens resident in Israel range from 100,000 to 300,000. Some experts who track the information said it was likely to be more than 250,000.

Half a dozen American-Israeli voters interviewed by Reuters identified the coronavirus crisis, economic policy and candidates` stands on Israel as guiding their decisions.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-trumps-coronavirus-optimism-continues-as-joe-biden-says-prez-did-nothing-335685">US election 2020: Trump's coronavirus optimism continues as Joe Biden says Prez did 'nothing'</a>

One New York voter, Hezi Kugler, said he was voting for Biden to bring "a return to decency and a restoration of integrity" at the highest level of government.

"Trump has done some things that are good for Israeli interests, but his lack of global leadership has created an enormous vacuum in the region that is generally bad for Israel," said Kugler, 62, an energy industry professional in Tel Aviv.

In the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, Republican David Wiener said Trump was the right choice because he approached thorny Middle East conflicts "from a business perspective".

Last month, Trump hosted a White House ceremony in which Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed deals to establish formal relations.

"Gulf countries see Israel as an opportunity to expand their industries ... Trump took advantage of that with the UAE," said Wiener, 39, an aerospace engineer registered in Pennsylvania.

Palestinian outreach

Although the election is most visible in Israel, there are also many Palestinians eligible to vote.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has encouraged voting by both sides, hosting Facebook live events with Arabic subtitles geared towards residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza.

For Democrats Abroad, Stone said she was working with Palestinian activists in East Jerusalem and in the Palestinian diaspora to get out the vote.

One East Jerusalem activist, Kefah Abukhdeir, said Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza face multiple barriers to sending votes abroad, including unreliable postal services that she called "practically non-existent".

"We haven`t had much luck turning out voters here," she said.

In Gaza, where an estimated 300 American-Palestinians live, Kamal Abusharia said he hoped to vote for the first time since the early 1990s in part due to anger towards Trump.

But he held out little hope that Biden would reverse all of Trump`s pro-Israeli moves were he to win.

"I don`t think that Biden would work to (return) the embassy (to Tel Aviv) or put the issue of Palestinian refugees back on the table," he said.

The race for the White House has reached Israel. Both, Democratic Party and Republican Party are trying hard to attract dual-nationality American-Israelis, many of whom are registered in swing states such as Florida and Pennsylvania.

The race for the White House has reached Israel. Both, Democratic Party and Republican Party are trying hard to attract dual-nationality American-Israelis, many of whom are registered in swing states such as Florida and Pennsylvania. As a result, posters in Hebrew have suddenly started appearing in Tel Aviv. This week, posters saying 'You have to thank Trump' in Hebrew were seen on minibuses in Tel Aviv. Like Republicans, Democrats are trying to woo voters in Israel as well. Democrats have arranged a 40% discount with the courier service DHL for voters whose home states require overseas ballots to be sent by mail. There are no reliable statistics on American-Israelis` political leanings, but Marc Zell, chairman of Republicans Overseas Israel, estimated there were 25,000-30,000 eligible Florida voters in the country. "That could be the deciding factor in that state`s contest," he said, pointing to George W. Bush`s narrow Florida victory in 2000, which handed him the election. He was quoted by Reuters. US President Donald Trump has had a big influence in Israel as he delighted many by his decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israeli capital and moving US embassy there from Tel Aviv. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Joe Biden`s supporters have sent election postcards to Israeli Democrats and independents from swing states, where, they say, around half of American-Israeli Democrats are registered. "Trump has used Israel as a partisan football to serve his own constituencies, like Christian Evangelicals," Democrats Abroad Israel chair Heather Stone told Reuters. Biden, she said, was "a long-time friend of Israel who will help keep alive" the vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Biden or Trump? The parties` estimates of the number of eligible dual citizens resident in Israel range from 100,000 to 300,000. Some experts who track the information said it was likely to be more than 250,000. Half a dozen American-Israeli voters interviewed by Reuters identified the coronavirus crisis, economic policy and candidates` stands on Israel as guiding their decisions. Also Read | US election 2020: Trump's coronavirus optimism continues as Joe Biden says Prez did 'nothing' One New York voter, Hezi Kugler, said he was voting for Biden to bring "a return to decency and a restoration of integrity" at the highest level of government. "Trump has done some things that are good for Israeli interests, but his lack of global leadership has created an enormous vacuum in the region that is generally bad for Israel," said Kugler, 62, an energy industry professional in Tel Aviv. In the Israeli city of Beit Shemesh, Republican David Wiener said Trump was the right choice because he approached thorny Middle East conflicts "from a business perspective". Last month, Trump hosted a White House ceremony in which Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed deals to establish formal relations. "Gulf countries see Israel as an opportunity to expand their industries ... Trump took advantage of that with the UAE," said Wiener, 39, an aerospace engineer registered in Pennsylvania. Palestinian outreach Although the election is most visible in Israel, there are also many Palestinians eligible to vote. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has encouraged voting by both sides, hosting Facebook live events with Arabic subtitles geared towards residents of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza. For Democrats Abroad, Stone said she was working with Palestinian activists in East Jerusalem and in the Palestinian diaspora to get out the vote. One East Jerusalem activist, Kefah Abukhdeir, said Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza face multiple barriers to sending votes abroad, including unreliable postal services that she called "practically non-existent". "We haven`t had much luck turning out voters here," she said. In Gaza, where an estimated 300 American-Palestinians live, Kamal Abusharia said he hoped to vote for the first time since the early 1990s in part due to anger towards Trump. But he held out little hope that Biden would reverse all of Trump`s pro-Israeli moves were he to win. "I don`t think that Biden would work to (return) the embassy (to Tel Aviv) or put the issue of Palestinian refugees back on the table," he said.

US Elections 2020 fever reaches streets of Tel Aviv

Israel approved more than 1,300 new settler homes in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday in the first such go-ahead since it suspended annexation plans in the territory.

Israel approves first new settler homes since suspending annexation

Long-time foes Lebanon and Israel met briefly on Wednesday for unprecedented talks on their disputed maritime border, but broke up after barely an hour and agreed to meet again in two weeks.

Your Story: Lebanon, Israel hold talks on disputed maritime border

Long-time foes Lebanon and Israel met briefly on Wednesday for unprecedented talks on their disputed maritime border, but broke up after barely an hour and agreed to meet again in two weeks.

The talks were mediated by the United States, which has pushed for negotiations to resolve the argument over potentially gas-rich Mediterranean waters.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-trump-defying-mideast-truisms-produced-breakthroughs-and-backfires-334656">Also read|&nbsp;For Trump, defying Mideast truisms produced breakthroughs and backfires</a>

Two Lebanese military helicopters were seen bringing the Lebanese delegation to the meeting. The Lebanese team was expected to be led by a military officer, and the Israeli side by the director general of its energy ministry.

Agreement to hold the talks was announced weeks after the United States stepped up pressure on allies of Lebanon`s Iran-backed Hezbollah, imposing sanctions on senior politician from its main Shi`ite ally, the Amal party.

Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, says the talks are not a sign of peace-making with its long-time enemy. Israel`s energy minister has also said expectations should be realistic.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-west-asia-post-lebanon-israel-border-conflict-an-exclusive-ground-report-from-the-blue-line-334491">Also read|&nbsp;The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line</a>

The talks come after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to establish full relations with Israel, under U.S.-brokered deals which realign some of Washington`s closest Middle East allies against Iran.

Wednesday`s meeting was hosted by the United Nations, which has monitored the land boundary since Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000 and ended a 22-year occupation. The next talks will be held on Oct 28.

Hours before the first meeting, Hezbollah and Amal criticised the Lebanese delegation in its current form, calling for changing the team to ensure it includes only military officials.

Long-time foes Lebanon and Israel met briefly on Wednesday for unprecedented talks on their disputed maritime border, but broke up after barely an hour and agreed to meet again in two weeks. The talks were mediated by the United States, which has pushed for negotiations to resolve the argument over potentially gas-rich Mediterranean waters. Also read| For Trump, defying Mideast truisms produced breakthroughs and backfires Two Lebanese military helicopters were seen bringing the Lebanese delegation to the meeting. The Lebanese team was expected to be led by a military officer, and the Israeli side by the director general of its energy ministry. Agreement to hold the talks was announced weeks after the United States stepped up pressure on allies of Lebanon`s Iran-backed Hezbollah, imposing sanctions on senior politician from its main Shi`ite ally, the Amal party. Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, says the talks are not a sign of peace-making with its long-time enemy. Israel`s energy minister has also said expectations should be realistic. Also read| The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line The talks come after the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain agreed to establish full relations with Israel, under U.S.-brokered deals which realign some of Washington`s closest Middle East allies against Iran. Wednesday`s meeting was hosted by the United Nations, which has monitored the land boundary since Israel withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000 and ended a 22-year occupation. The next talks will be held on Oct 28. Hours before the first meeting, Hezbollah and Amal criticised the Lebanese delegation in its current form, calling for changing the team to ensure it includes only military officials.

Lebanon, Israel hold talks on disputed maritime border

Thousands of Israelis have once again demonstrated to demand Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation, saying he is unfit to rule while on trial for corruption charges and accusing him of mismanaging the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Israel: Thousands protest against PM Netanyahu despite lockdown

Watch this week's West Asia Post as Ghadi Francis takes you to the heart of a border conflict between Israel and Lebanon. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post: Lebanon-Israel Border Conflict, An Exclusive Ground Report from the Blue Line

Eight-year-old Inbar likes to cool off in her small backyard pool in Israel with her favourite swimming buddy - her pet python. The 11-foot yellow serpent, named Belle, is one of her family's many pets, living happily together on an animal sanctuary in an agricultural community in southern Israel.

Israeli girl makes a splash with her pet snake

The 11-foot yellow snake, named Belle, is one of Inbar family's many pets, living happily together in an animal sanctuary in an agricultural community in southern Israel.

Meet 8-yr-old Inbar's python pet Belle from Israel

The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Israel will visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin when they hold their "historic" first meeting in the German capital on Tuesday.

Israel's Gabi Ashkenazi and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan will hold their first face-to-face talks after their countries, once long-time foes, signed in mid-September a US-brokered deal to normalise relations.

"It is a great honour that the Israeli and Emirati foreign ministers picked Berlin as the site for their historic first meeting," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.

"The most important currency in diplomacy is trust and I am personally thankful to both my colleagues that they are placing this trust in Germany."

Bahrain and the UAE became the first Arab nations to establish relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

For the Mideast, the deals dubbed the Abraham Accords mark a distinct shift in a decades-old status quo where Arab countries have tried to maintain unity against Israel over its treatment of the stateless Palestinians.

The visit by Sheikh Abdullah to the Holocaust Memorial would also be a highly symbolic step, marking the shift in attitudes in the Arab world towards Israel and Jews.

The monument is a vast undulating labyrinth of more than 2,700 grey concrete blocks spread over an area equivalent to three football fields. It commemorates the slaughter of six million Jews by Adolf Hitler's Nazi&nbsp;regime.

Political conflicts have led to fierce tensions between Islam and Judaism and Holocaust denial is rampant in many Arab countries.

Maas called the agreement between Israel and the UAE as the "first good news in the Middle East for a long time -- and a chance for new movement in the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians".

"This opportunity must be seized," he said, voicing the readiness of the European Union to help.

The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Israel will visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin when they hold their "historic" first meeting in the German capital on Tuesday.

The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Israel will visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin when they hold their "historic" first meeting in the German capital on Tuesday. Israel's Gabi Ashkenazi and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan will hold their first face-to-face talks after their countries, once long-time foes, signed in mid-September a US-brokered deal to normalise relations. "It is a great honour that the Israeli and Emirati foreign ministers picked Berlin as the site for their historic first meeting," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. "The most important currency in diplomacy is trust and I am personally thankful to both my colleagues that they are placing this trust in Germany." Bahrain and the UAE became the first Arab nations to establish relations with Israel since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. For the Mideast, the deals dubbed the Abraham Accords mark a distinct shift in a decades-old status quo where Arab countries have tried to maintain unity against Israel over its treatment of the stateless Palestinians. The visit by Sheikh Abdullah to the Holocaust Memorial would also be a highly symbolic step, marking the shift in attitudes in the Arab world towards Israel and Jews. The monument is a vast undulating labyrinth of more than 2,700 grey concrete blocks spread over an area equivalent to three football fields. It commemorates the slaughter of six million Jews by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. Political conflicts have led to fierce tensions between Islam and Judaism and Holocaust denial is rampant in many Arab countries. Maas called the agreement between Israel and the UAE as the "first good news in the Middle East for a long time -- and a chance for new movement in the dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians". "This opportunity must be seized," he said, voicing the readiness of the European Union to help.

UAE, Israel foreign ministers to hold first talks in Berlin

Africa has become the battlefield for global powers. China, India, US, EU, Israel are fighting it out in the continent. Who is winning? and What's it in for Africa. WION's Palki Sharma tells you all about the race for Africa.

Gravitas Plus: The race for Africa

September 28th marked 20 years since the start of Palestine's second Intifada. On The West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis takes a look at the history of this mass uprising and what it means for Palestinians in 2020.

THE WEST ASIA POST | A look at Palestine's second intifada

Watch this week's West Asia Post as we talk about Lebanon's growing economic crisis with an exclusive ground report from Beirut. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post ; Episode 1

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said that his country will hold UN-mediated talks with Israel over their disputed land and maritime borders.

Lebanon and Israel border dispute: First Israeli-Lebanese talks in 30 years | World News

Lebanon to hold talks with Israel on disputed border issue. The talks will be mediated by the United Nations on the disputed land and maritime borders.

Lebanon to hold talks with Israel on disputed border issue

Should you be protesting in the middle of a pandemic? Israel has passed a new law limiting protests during the lockdown. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

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COVID-19 Pandemic: Israel passes new law to restrict protests

A close read of the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel suggests that the Jewish state has won far more than diplomatic recognition. It won acknowledgement of its claim to historic Jewish rights. By the same token, the UAE has received a significant boost to project itself as a leader in inter-faith dialogue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed walked away from this month’s White House signing ceremony with more than just an agreement to establish diplomatic relations.

Included in the agreement are references that are key to foundational Israeli arguments asserting the right of the Jewish people to a state on what was once predominantly Arab land rather than simple recognition of the fact that the Jewish state exists.

Recognition of Jewish rights has long been a demand put forward by Mr. Netanyahu.

In talks with the Palestinians as well as the building of relations with Arab states over the years, the Israeli leader asserted that mere diplomatic acceptance of Israel’s existence was not good enough. And yet, that was the basis of earlier peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan as well as Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasser Arafat’s 1988 recognition of Israel and the subsequent 1993 Oslo accords.

From the outset, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been as much a dispute about control of land as one of perceived rights.

Recognition of Jewish rights in Palestine bolsters Israeli assertions that its claims to territory occupied during the 1967 Middle East are legitimate rather than a land grab resulting from military conquest.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/controversial-israeli-soccer-club-may-be-litmus-test-for-uae-soft-power-ploy-329150">Controversial Israeli soccer club may be litmus test for UAE soft power ploy</a>

To be clear, it does not by definition endorse annexation, but it constitutes Arab acceptance of Israel’s position that any compromise between Israelis and Palestinians, a sine qua non for a resolution of their dispute, would involve mediation of claims that are historically and morally on par.

Arabs in the past have projected solutions as the need to address Palestinian rights while accepting Israel’s existence.

The agreement did not explicitly recognize Jewish rights, but enabled Israel to interpret the deal as doing so by stating that “Arab and Jewish peoples are descendants of a common ancestor, Abraham.”

The text of the agreement suggests that the reference was primarily related to allow the UAE to boost its efforts to project itself as a leader of inter-faith dialogue and a moderate interpretation of Islam – a pillar of the country’s well-funded soft power campaign that paints the Emirates as a militarily capable, forward-looking, religiously tolerant and technologically savvy, cutting edge state.

The interpretation of the phrasing as recognition of Jewish rights may have been an unintended consequence or icing on Israel’s cake.

It was a bonus that David Makovsky of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy -- widely viewed as leaning towards Israel -- was quick to point out. Mr. Makovsky noted that the reference implied that “both (Arabs and Jews are) indigenous to the Middle East.”

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/credit-where-it-is-due-trump-deserves-praise-for-west-asia-peace-deal-328186">Credit where it is due: Trump deserves praise for West Asia peace deal</a>

Mr. Makovsky suggested that the phrasing “is important because it clearly refutes longstanding allegations in the Arab world that Zionism is alien to the region.”

It puts past to Arab and Palestinian arguments that the long-touted two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was one of dividing up land claimed by two parties driven by facts on the ground rather than consideration of legal and moral claims.

This is not just of esoteric significance. It bolsters Israel’s long-standing rejection of Palestinian insistence on the right of refugees, including those who left during the 1948 war, to return to their homes and lands in what is now Israel.

Israel’s reading of the agreement as endorsement of its assertion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about equally valid rights is likely to be interpreted differently on both sides of Israel’s right-left divide.

The country’s weakened left will see it as highlighting the need for territorial compromise. Significant segments of the Israeli right will view it as validation of its belief dating back to the period prior to the 1948 creation of Israel that the clash of Jewish and Palestinian rights is irreconcilable. That is a view that has historically also resonated among elements of the labor movement.

That may be what makes the UAE-Israel deal truly historic.

The icing on the UAE’s cake, beyond the significant geopolitical, military, security, technological and economic benefits of the agreement, is the stress on inter-faith dialogue.

Under the agreement, the UAE and Israel “undertake to foster mutual understanding, respect, co-existence, and a culture of peace between their societies in the spirit of their common ancestor, Abraham, and the new era of peace and friendly relations ushered in by this Treaty, including by cultivating people-to-people programs, (and) interfaith dialogue…”

The UAE, like Saudi Arabia, one of its multiple autocratic religious soft power rivals, has gone in recent years to great lengths to cultivate ties to Jewish and Evangelist communities and to position itself as a sponsor of an inter-faith dialogue in which Islam is represented by Muslim scholars who preach absolute obedience to the ruler and reject endorsement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its an interpretation of the faith intended to ensure regime survival and counter-allegations of violations of human rights in the UAE.

The signing of a Document on Human Fraternity by the imam of the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque in Cairo, Ahmed El-Tayeb, and Pope Francis I during his 2019 visit to the UAE, the first by a head of the Vatican to the Gulf, served to offer an alternative to the Universal Declaration that allows the Emirates to pick and choose which rights it accepts.

The emphasis on inter-faith dialogue is bolstered and conditioned by the agreement’s implicit condemnation of political Islam, a key driver of UAE policy that is shared by Israel.

The agreement rejects “political manipulation of religions and…interpretations made by religious groups who, in the course of history, have taken advantage of the power of religious sentiment…in a way that has nothing to do with the truth of religion.”

Omar Ghobash, UAE Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, speaking in a US-UAE Council webinar, noted that one driver for the conclusion of the agreement was “what happened around the so-called Arab Spring and then the rise of vicious groups like ISIS, let alone Al Qaeda.”

Mr. Ghobash was referring to the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the autocratic leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen as well as the rise of the Islamic State in the aftermath of the uprisings, which was a product of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq rather than the rebellions.

He projected the agreement as part of the UAE’s institutionalization of its values.

“There is a distortion that has taken place over the last few decades…represented by groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS … There is a recurring theme in conversations with my leaders and that is that Islam has been hijacked by these groups. The reality is that in taking Islam back, you need to free it from those constraints. You free it by presenting a different expression of Islam,” Mr. Ghobash said.

Critics suggest that the agreement’s formalization of Israeli support for the UAE’s propagation of a state-controlled Islam fails to tackle a core issue: the need to address religious concepts that are either outdated or outmoded or require reconceptualization and reinterpretation.

Those concepts legitimized decades of Muslim demonization of Israel as well as Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims.

The UAE took a first major step to address the issue by distributing to schools barely two weeks after the announcement of the establishment of diplomatic relations textbooks that cite the agreement with Israel as an expression of fundamental Islamic and Emirati values.

However, the ultimate litmus test of the UAE’s effort to shape moderate Islam will be if and when it loosens the state’s grip on religion and allows for free-flowing, credible theological debate in which scholars tackle problematic religious concepts that have served their purpose but are out of place in a modern, forward-looking society.

(Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. He is also a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

A close read of the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel suggests that the Jewish state has won far more than diplomatic recognition. It won acknowledgement of its claim to historic Jewish rights.

A close read of the agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel suggests that the Jewish state has won far more than diplomatic recognition. It won acknowledgement of its claim to historic Jewish rights. By the same token, the UAE has received a significant boost to project itself as a leader in inter-faith dialogue. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed walked away from this month’s White House signing ceremony with more than just an agreement to establish diplomatic relations. Included in the agreement are references that are key to foundational Israeli arguments asserting the right of the Jewish people to a state on what was once predominantly Arab land rather than simple recognition of the fact that the Jewish state exists. Recognition of Jewish rights has long been a demand put forward by Mr. Netanyahu. In talks with the Palestinians as well as the building of relations with Arab states over the years, the Israeli leader asserted that mere diplomatic acceptance of Israel’s existence was not good enough. And yet, that was the basis of earlier peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan as well as Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Yasser Arafat’s 1988 recognition of Israel and the subsequent 1993 Oslo accords. From the outset, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been as much a dispute about control of land as one of perceived rights. Recognition of Jewish rights in Palestine bolsters Israeli assertions that its claims to territory occupied during the 1967 Middle East are legitimate rather than a land grab resulting from military conquest. Also Read | Controversial Israeli soccer club may be litmus test for UAE soft power ploy To be clear, it does not by definition endorse annexation, but it constitutes Arab acceptance of Israel’s position that any compromise between Israelis and Palestinians, a sine qua non for a resolution of their dispute, would involve mediation of claims that are historically and morally on par. Arabs in the past have projected solutions as the need to address Palestinian rights while accepting Israel’s existence. The agreement did not explicitly recognize Jewish rights, but enabled Israel to interpret the deal as doing so by stating that “Arab and Jewish peoples are descendants of a common ancestor, Abraham.” The text of the agreement suggests that the reference was primarily related to allow the UAE to boost its efforts to project itself as a leader of inter-faith dialogue and a moderate interpretation of Islam – a pillar of the country’s well-funded soft power campaign that paints the Emirates as a militarily capable, forward-looking, religiously tolerant and technologically savvy, cutting edge state. The interpretation of the phrasing as recognition of Jewish rights may have been an unintended consequence or icing on Israel’s cake. It was a bonus that David Makovsky of The Washington Institute for Near East Policy -- widely viewed as leaning towards Israel -- was quick to point out. Mr. Makovsky noted that the reference implied that “both (Arabs and Jews are) indigenous to the Middle East.” Also Read | Credit where it is due: Trump deserves praise for West Asia peace deal Mr. Makovsky suggested that the phrasing “is important because it clearly refutes longstanding allegations in the Arab world that Zionism is alien to the region.” It puts past to Arab and Palestinian arguments that the long-touted two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was one of dividing up land claimed by two parties driven by facts on the ground rather than consideration of legal and moral claims. This is not just of esoteric significance. It bolsters Israel’s long-standing rejection of Palestinian insistence on the right of refugees, including those who left during the 1948 war, to return to their homes and lands in what is now Israel. Israel’s reading of the agreement as endorsement of its assertion that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is about equally valid rights is likely to be interpreted differently on both sides of Israel’s right-left divide. The country’s weakened left will see it as highlighting the need for territorial compromise. Significant segments of the Israeli right will view it as validation of its belief dating back to the period prior to the 1948 creation of Israel that the clash of Jewish and Palestinian rights is irreconcilable. That is a view that has historically also resonated among elements of the labor movement. That may be what makes the UAE-Israel deal truly historic. The icing on the UAE’s cake, beyond the significant geopolitical, military, security, technological and economic benefits of the agreement, is the stress on inter-faith dialogue. Under the agreement, the UAE and Israel “undertake to foster mutual understanding, respect, co-existence, and a culture of peace between their societies in the spirit of their common ancestor, Abraham, and the new era of peace and friendly relations ushered in by this Treaty, including by cultivating people-to-people programs, (and) interfaith dialogue…” The UAE, like Saudi Arabia, one of its multiple autocratic religious soft power rivals, has gone in recent years to great lengths to cultivate ties to Jewish and Evangelist communities and to position itself as a sponsor of an inter-faith dialogue in which Islam is represented by Muslim scholars who preach absolute obedience to the ruler and reject endorsement of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Its an interpretation of the faith intended to ensure regime survival and counter-allegations of violations of human rights in the UAE. The signing of a Document on Human Fraternity by the imam of the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque in Cairo, Ahmed El-Tayeb, and Pope Francis I during his 2019 visit to the UAE, the first by a head of the Vatican to the Gulf, served to offer an alternative to the Universal Declaration that allows the Emirates to pick and choose which rights it accepts. The emphasis on inter-faith dialogue is bolstered and conditioned by the agreement’s implicit condemnation of political Islam, a key driver of UAE policy that is shared by Israel. The agreement rejects “political manipulation of religions and…interpretations made by religious groups who, in the course of history, have taken advantage of the power of religious sentiment…in a way that has nothing to do with the truth of religion.” Omar Ghobash, UAE Assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, speaking in a US-UAE Council webinar, noted that one driver for the conclusion of the agreement was “what happened around the so-called Arab Spring and then the rise of vicious groups like ISIS, let alone Al Qaeda.” Mr. Ghobash was referring to the 2011 popular Arab revolts that toppled the autocratic leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and Yemen as well as the rise of the Islamic State in the aftermath of the uprisings, which was a product of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq rather than the rebellions. He projected the agreement as part of the UAE’s institutionalization of its values. “There is a distortion that has taken place over the last few decades…represented by groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS … There is a recurring theme in conversations with my leaders and that is that Islam has been hijacked by these groups. The reality is that in taking Islam back, you need to free it from those constraints. You free it by presenting a different expression of Islam,” Mr. Ghobash said. Critics suggest that the agreement’s formalization of Israeli support for the UAE’s propagation of a state-controlled Islam fails to tackle a core issue: the need to address religious concepts that are either outdated or outmoded or require reconceptualization and reinterpretation. Those concepts legitimized decades of Muslim demonization of Israel as well as Jews, Christians, and other non-Muslims. The UAE took a first major step to address the issue by distributing to schools barely two weeks after the announcement of the establishment of diplomatic relations textbooks that cite the agreement with Israel as an expression of fundamental Islamic and Emirati values. However, the ultimate litmus test of the UAE’s effort to shape moderate Islam will be if and when it loosens the state’s grip on religion and allows for free-flowing, credible theological debate in which scholars tackle problematic religious concepts that have served their purpose but are out of place in a modern, forward-looking society. (Dr James M Dorsey is an award-winning journalist and a senior fellow at Nanyang Technological University’s S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. He is also a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Middle East Institute and co-director of the University of Wuerzburg’s Institute of Fan Culture.) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The UAE-Israel deal’s historicity is in the fine print

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