Hundreds of Moroccan protesters expressed their displeasure&nbsp;against the peace deal that established ties between Israel and UAE, Bahrain. The protesters held demonstrations outside Moroccan Parliament in capital Rabat and even burnt a mock Israeli flag. They decried the "Arab normalisation" of ties with Israel.

Though UAE and Bahrain's peace deal (Abraham Accords) with Israel is believed to have been struck with Iran in mind, many in the Arab world have taken it to be a step against Palestinian interests.

Protesters in Morocco on Saturday criticised the "treacherous countries" and "their American and Zionist allies".

"We demand the criminalisation of any normalisation" with Israel, demonstrators shouted.

The step taken by UAE and Bahrain broke decades-long consensus among Arab countries that they would not establish relation with Israel until it had made peace with Palestinians.

Before the deals, the only Arab countries to establish relations with Israel were Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Interestingly, Morocco itself is widely believed to be the country next in line to normalise ties with Israel. Morocco is a strong US ally and already has trade and tourism relations with Israel. Morocco soldiers never fought on ground with Israel during the Arab-Isreali wars between 1948 and 1973. In fact, it is said that Moroccan intelligence aided Israel during 1967 war. 
&nbsp;

Hundreds of Moroccan protesters expressed their displeasure against the peace deal that established ties between Israel and UAE, Bahrain. The protesters held demonstrations outside Moroccan Parliament in capital Rabat and even burnt a mock Israeli flag.

Hundreds of Moroccan protesters expressed their displeasure against the peace deal that established ties between Israel and UAE, Bahrain. The protesters held demonstrations outside Moroccan Parliament in capital Rabat and even burnt a mock Israeli flag. They decried the "Arab normalisation" of ties with Israel. Though UAE and Bahrain's peace deal (Abraham Accords) with Israel is believed to have been struck with Iran in mind, many in the Arab world have taken it to be a step against Palestinian interests. Protesters in Morocco on Saturday criticised the "treacherous countries" and "their American and Zionist allies". "We demand the criminalisation of any normalisation" with Israel, demonstrators shouted. The step taken by UAE and Bahrain broke decades-long consensus among Arab countries that they would not establish relation with Israel until it had made peace with Palestinians. Before the deals, the only Arab countries to establish relations with Israel were Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Interestingly, Morocco itself is widely believed to be the country next in line to normalise ties with Israel. Morocco is a strong US ally and already has trade and tourism relations with Israel. Morocco soldiers never fought on ground with Israel during the Arab-Isreali wars between 1948 and 1973. In fact, it is said that Moroccan intelligence aided Israel during 1967 war.

Protest in Morocco against UAE and Bahrain's peace deal with Israel

The government is taking the extraordinary step after watching daily cases rise from five in late May to more than 4,000 this week.

Israel under 3 week lockdown during Jewish holiday

A historic deal was signed between Israel, UAE and Bahrain. The deal was more than 70 years in the making. Abraham Accords, the peace deal signed by Israel, Bahrain and UAE changes West Asian politics completely. The deal was sealed&nbsp;in August and signed yesterday.

US President Donald Trump has pulled off a big foreign policy win just weeks before US Presidential Elections. UAE and Bahrain, two Arab countries are now allies of Israel.

Arabs and Israel have fought for decades. Arabs backed Palestine and insisted that Israel-Palestine issue should be settled. This was their condition to give recognition to Israel as a country. The dispute has not been settled but Abraham Accords have been signed nonetheless.

More Arab countries are expected to normalise relations with Israel soon. Until now only Egypt and Jordan had ties with Israel.

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Trump is calling Abraham Accords 'The dawn of the new Middle East'. This peace deal is the most significant diplomatic achievement of Trump.

The Abraham Accords, named after the common patriarch of Jews, Muslims and Christians, is the beginning of Israel's rapprochement with Arab world.

Palestinians have called this a betrayal. In reality, support to Palestine has long been reduced to political symbolism. Arab countries have had covert dealings with Israel in past. 
&nbsp; 
The Abraham Accords paves the way&nbsp;for Israel and other signatories to set up embassies, open travel routes and sign business deals.

It's a big win for Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu too. Israel celebrated the deal by projecting flags of all four countries on the old city walls in Jerusalem. Netanyahu called the deal 'A Path to Peace'

Big Shift in West Asia

US is orchestrating a big shift in West Asia. Both UAE and Bahrain are allies of Saudi Arabia. Both countries will benefit a lot from the deal. UAE, while projecting an image that it has taken care of Palestinian interests while signing the deal, can now access advanced American weaponry like F-35 jets. Similarly, Bahrain can now have access to high tech Israeli weapons.&nbsp;

But here's the real deal.

By signing Abraham Accords, a stronger alliance against Iran is taking shape in West Asia. Trump has even said that five more countries may recognise Israel.

What does this mean?

It means that Israel-Palestine conflict no longer dictates terms of engagement in West Asia. It's not about Jews versus Arab anymore. It's now sectarian, Shia versus Sunni. 
&nbsp; 
Iran is on one side, and Sunni states in the gulf alongside Israel are on the other side.

Iran can count on Turkey for support. Pakistan does not back the deal but it is indebted to the Saudis.

What will happen next?

Israel is now recognised by Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and UAE. Next in line are these countries.

Saudi Arabia:&nbsp;This is a strong possibility. Saudi Arabia is already co-operating with Israel against Iran. It is also said that Bahrain signed the deal only after nod from the Saudis. But Saudi Arabia itself signing the deal would be a major development.

Oman: Oman congratulated Israel and UAE on their agreement. It has often played the role of interlocutor between Israel and Arab world.

Beyond West Asia, names of countries like Sudan and Morocco are also doing rounds.

&nbsp; 
What happens to Palestine?

Palestinians are angry and they are protesting. They say that agreement should not be called a peace deal as it has no representation from Palestine.

A historic deal was signed between Israel, UAE and Bahrain. The deal was more than 70 years in the making. Abraham Accords, the peace deal signed by Israel, Bahrain and UAE changes West Asian politics completely.

A historic deal was signed between Israel, UAE and Bahrain. The deal was more than 70 years in the making. Abraham Accords, the peace deal signed by Israel, Bahrain and UAE changes West Asian politics completely. The deal was sealed in August and signed yesterday. US President Donald Trump has pulled off a big foreign policy win just weeks before US Presidential Elections. UAE and Bahrain, two Arab countries are now allies of Israel. Arabs and Israel have fought for decades. Arabs backed Palestine and insisted that Israel-Palestine issue should be settled. This was their condition to give recognition to Israel as a country. The dispute has not been settled but Abraham Accords have been signed nonetheless. More Arab countries are expected to normalise relations with Israel soon. Until now only Egypt and Jordan had ties with Israel. × Trump is calling Abraham Accords 'The dawn of the new Middle East'. This peace deal is the most significant diplomatic achievement of Trump. The Abraham Accords, named after the common patriarch of Jews, Muslims and Christians, is the beginning of Israel's rapprochement with Arab world. Palestinians have called this a betrayal. In reality, support to Palestine has long been reduced to political symbolism. Arab countries have had covert dealings with Israel in past. The Abraham Accords paves the way for Israel and other signatories to set up embassies, open travel routes and sign business deals. It's a big win for Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu too. Israel celebrated the deal by projecting flags of all four countries on the old city walls in Jerusalem. Netanyahu called the deal 'A Path to Peace' Big Shift in West Asia US is orchestrating a big shift in West Asia. Both UAE and Bahrain are allies of Saudi Arabia. Both countries will benefit a lot from the deal. UAE, while projecting an image that it has taken care of Palestinian interests while signing the deal, can now access advanced American weaponry like F-35 jets. Similarly, Bahrain can now have access to high tech Israeli weapons. But here's the real deal. By signing Abraham Accords, a stronger alliance against Iran is taking shape in West Asia. Trump has even said that five more countries may recognise Israel. What does this mean? It means that Israel-Palestine conflict no longer dictates terms of engagement in West Asia. It's not about Jews versus Arab anymore. It's now sectarian, Shia versus Sunni. Iran is on one side, and Sunni states in the gulf alongside Israel are on the other side. Iran can count on Turkey for support. Pakistan does not back the deal but it is indebted to the Saudis. What will happen next? Israel is now recognised by Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and UAE. Next in line are these countries. Saudi Arabia: This is a strong possibility. Saudi Arabia is already co-operating with Israel against Iran. It is also said that Bahrain signed the deal only after nod from the Saudis. But Saudi Arabia itself signing the deal would be a major development. Oman: Oman congratulated Israel and UAE on their agreement. It has often played the role of interlocutor between Israel and Arab world. Beyond West Asia, names of countries like Sudan and Morocco are also doing rounds. What happens to Palestine? Palestinians are angry and they are protesting. They say that agreement should not be called a peace deal as it has no representation from Palestine.

Abraham Accords: USA orchestrates huge change in West Asia

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?

The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on September 15 became the latest Arab states to break a long-standing taboo when they signed the agreements towards normalising relations with Israel in a strategic realignment of Middle Eastern countries against Iran. US President Donald Trump hosted a White House ceremony. Watch report.

Israel-UAE Deal: Trump hosts the leaders of West Asia

Militants in Gaza launched rockets into Israel and Israeli aircraft hit targets in the Palestinian enclave in an explosive backdrop to the signing of pacts for formal ties between Israel and two Gulf Arab countries.

At least two injured as Gaza fires rockets into Israel

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli delegation landed in the United States on September 15, ahead of a ceremony to sign agreements normalizing ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Fineprint: Netanyahu lands in Washington DC for UAE, Bahrain Deals

Benjamin Netanyahu arrived on Monday in Washington ahead of a signing ceremony for the UAE-Israel peace deal.

UAE and Bahrain normalise ties with Israel

The winds of normalisation are gaining speed in West Asia. After United Arab Emirates, Bahrain has normalised its ties with Israel. Israel has effectively made two peace agreements with two different Arab countries in less than a month, a historic feat. It seems that more Arab nations will follow suit and make peace with Israel.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/netanyahu-sees-direct-israel-bahrain-flights-after-normalisation-deal-327243" hreflang="en">Netanyahu sees direct Israel-Bahrain flights after normalisation deal</a>

The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently in Washington DC to attend a lavish White House ceremony to mark the establishment of full relations with UAE and Bahrain. The foreign ministers of the two countries are expected to join him.<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-saudi-arabia-normalise-ties-with-israel-327579/embed" style="width: 100%; max-width: 560px;" width="560"></iframe>

They will be signing a normalisation agreement which is being called “The Abraham Accord”. This will be Israel's third and fourth such peace treaty with Arab states. Israel signed a similar deal with Egypt in 1979, and one with Jordan in 1994. Which countries could be next in line?

Oman

A good bet is Oman, for it congratulated Israel and UAE on their agreement. In the past, Oman has played the role of interlocutor between Israel and the Arab world several times.

In 2018, Oman's late sultan Gaboos hosted Netanyahu for his first visit to the gulf in over two decades. In 2019, Netanyahu met Oman's foreign minister Yusuf Bin Alwai at the Warsaw conference.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/bahrain-partner-to-crimes-of-israel-says-iran-after-peace-agreement-327000" hreflang="en">Bahrain partner to 'crimes' of Israel, says Iran after peace agreement</a>

The new sultan also views Israel as an attractive partner in diversifying his country's economy. Just last month, the US State secretary met with sultan Haitham Bin Tariq in Muscat. Reports say that along with US, the sultan is deftly engineering a foreign policy that will accommodate Israel.

Muscat's position on the Palestine conflict, much like other Arab states has always been driven by economic and security interests. Oman has maintained secret diplomatic ties with Israel for years.

Morocco

Following Oman could be Morocco. Morocco too has often acted as a mediator between the east and west. It is said to maintain a “special relationship” with Israel.

Some 3,000 Jews live in Morocco, the largest such community in the Arab world. Besides this, the North African country's economic ties with Israel have been steadily growing.

In January this year, Morocco received three Israeli drones as part of a 48 million dollar arms deal. And in recent weeks, the Moroccan leadership has praised the Trump administration's peace plan.

Saudi Arabia 

Saudi Arabia could also recognise Israel, which will be a huge development.

The Sheikhdom has been taking small but symbolic steps. First, it opened its airspace for all commercial flights between UAE and Israel. A significant step that not only cuts down on the flying time, but the animosity between the two sides.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/fresh-protests-break-out-in-israel-against-nethanyahus-poor-handling-of-coronavirus-327123" hreflang="en">Fresh protests break out in Israel against Nethanyahu's poor handling of coronavirus</a>

But the biggest development - The Imam of Mecca's grand mosque being accused of justifying normalisation of ties. A recent sermon at the grand mosque has caused quite a stir in the kingdom and on social media, and is being seen as a prelude to Saudi Arabia recognising Israel.

The Saudis are the de-facto leaders of the Islamic world. They are the guardians of islam's holiest sites - Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia runs the risk of inflaming Muslim sentiments by recognising a Jewish state. The kingdom's decision will be met with disdain by Islamic leaders &amp; their followers around the world.

What about Netanyahu?

Benjamin Netanyahu is set to sign the peace accord at the White House, but will it be enough to save his political career?

Despite such tremendous foreign policy breakthroughs, his own citizens are unhappy with him.

As Netanyahu departed for Washington DC, he was greeted by hundreds of demonstrators outside the Ben Gurion airport. These protesters called for Netanyahu's resignation.

They want him sacked for his alleged graft offences and his failure to manage the COVID-19 crisis.

There's growing resentment within the political establishment as well. Yaakov Litzman, Israel's former health minister and the current housing minister has resigned - a decision in protest of the Israeli government's decision to impose a general lockdown during the upcoming holiday period.

The winds of normalisation are gaining speed in West Asia. After United Arab Emirates, Bahrain has normalised its ties with Israel. Israel has effectively made two peace agreements with two different Arab countries in less than a month, a historic feat.

The winds of normalisation are gaining speed in West Asia. After United Arab Emirates, Bahrain has normalised its ties with Israel. Israel has effectively made two peace agreements with two different Arab countries in less than a month, a historic feat. It seems that more Arab nations will follow suit and make peace with Israel. Also read: Netanyahu sees direct Israel-Bahrain flights after normalisation deal The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently in Washington DC to attend a lavish White House ceremony to mark the establishment of full relations with UAE and Bahrain. The foreign ministers of the two countries are expected to join him. They will be signing a normalisation agreement which is being called “The Abraham Accord”. This will be Israel's third and fourth such peace treaty with Arab states. Israel signed a similar deal with Egypt in 1979, and one with Jordan in 1994. Which countries could be next in line? Oman A good bet is Oman, for it congratulated Israel and UAE on their agreement. In the past, Oman has played the role of interlocutor between Israel and the Arab world several times. In 2018, Oman's late sultan Gaboos hosted Netanyahu for his first visit to the gulf in over two decades. In 2019, Netanyahu met Oman's foreign minister Yusuf Bin Alwai at the Warsaw conference. Also read: Bahrain partner to 'crimes' of Israel, says Iran after peace agreement The new sultan also views Israel as an attractive partner in diversifying his country's economy. Just last month, the US State secretary met with sultan Haitham Bin Tariq in Muscat. Reports say that along with US, the sultan is deftly engineering a foreign policy that will accommodate Israel. Muscat's position on the Palestine conflict, much like other Arab states has always been driven by economic and security interests. Oman has maintained secret diplomatic ties with Israel for years. Morocco Following Oman could be Morocco. Morocco too has often acted as a mediator between the east and west. It is said to maintain a “special relationship” with Israel. Some 3,000 Jews live in Morocco, the largest such community in the Arab world. Besides this, the North African country's economic ties with Israel have been steadily growing. In January this year, Morocco received three Israeli drones as part of a 48 million dollar arms deal. And in recent weeks, the Moroccan leadership has praised the Trump administration's peace plan. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia could also recognise Israel, which will be a huge development. The Sheikhdom has been taking small but symbolic steps. First, it opened its airspace for all commercial flights between UAE and Israel. A significant step that not only cuts down on the flying time, but the animosity between the two sides. Also read: Fresh protests break out in Israel against Nethanyahu's poor handling of coronavirus But the biggest development - The Imam of Mecca's grand mosque being accused of justifying normalisation of ties. A recent sermon at the grand mosque has caused quite a stir in the kingdom and on social media, and is being seen as a prelude to Saudi Arabia recognising Israel. The Saudis are the de-facto leaders of the Islamic world. They are the guardians of islam's holiest sites - Mecca and Medina. Saudi Arabia runs the risk of inflaming Muslim sentiments by recognising a Jewish state. The kingdom's decision will be met with disdain by Islamic leaders & their followers around the world. What about Netanyahu? Benjamin Netanyahu is set to sign the peace accord at the White House, but will it be enough to save his political career? Despite such tremendous foreign policy breakthroughs, his own citizens are unhappy with him. As Netanyahu departed for Washington DC, he was greeted by hundreds of demonstrators outside the Ben Gurion airport. These protesters called for Netanyahu's resignation. They want him sacked for his alleged graft offences and his failure to manage the COVID-19 crisis. There's growing resentment within the political establishment as well. Yaakov Litzman, Israel's former health minister and the current housing minister has resigned - a decision in protest of the Israeli government's decision to impose a general lockdown during the upcoming holiday period.

Will other Arab countries follow suit to normalise ties with Israel?

Supermodel Bar Rafaeli was sentenced to nine months of community service by an Israeli Court on Sunday. Her mother received 16 months of jail time for tax evasion. 
 
The 35-year-old model and her mother were convicted in July on offenses of evading paying taxes on income nearing $10 million. 
 
Rafaeli was potted at the Tel Aviv courthouse in a beige T-shirt and wearing a light blue surgical face mask. She was accompanied by her father, Raffi, her mother, Zipi, and lawyers. 
 
Rafaeli and her mother were also ordered to pay a $1.5 million additionally to the millions of back taxes owed to the state. 
 
The prolonged case has considerably damaged Rafaeli's well-crafted public image as the informal ambassador of the country. The parents have been accused of downplaying her ties with Israel.

The model though still remains a popular face on TV in the country with her faces dominating billboards across the country. She even hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. 
 
The case, in fact, centers around Rafeli and her choice of residence during the time she was travelling the world for work and had a lengthy romantic relationship with Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio. 
 
The Israeli tax law determines residency primarily upon whether the person spent most of the calendar year in the country. The model stated she hadn't stayed in the country and therefore did not declare her income in certain years. 
 
Her claim though was rejected by the prosecutors and she was charged for providing incorrect tax information. Refaeli's indictment said she earned some $7.2 million between the years 2009-2012 while claiming to reside overseas to avoid paying Israeli taxes on her income. 
 
Earlier, an Israeli court had ruled that Refaeli’s relationship with DiCaprio did not qualify as a “family unit,” and therefore she could not claim his US residence as her own residence to avoid paying the full taxes she owed.

Supermodel Bar Rafaeli was sentenced to nine months of community service by an Israeli Court on Sunday. Her mother received 16 months of jail time for tax evasion.

Supermodel Bar Rafaeli was sentenced to nine months of community service by an Israeli Court on Sunday. Her mother received 16 months of jail time for tax evasion. The 35-year-old model and her mother were convicted in July on offenses of evading paying taxes on income nearing $10 million. Rafaeli was potted at the Tel Aviv courthouse in a beige T-shirt and wearing a light blue surgical face mask. She was accompanied by her father, Raffi, her mother, Zipi, and lawyers. Rafaeli and her mother were also ordered to pay a $1.5 million additionally to the millions of back taxes owed to the state. The prolonged case has considerably damaged Rafaeli's well-crafted public image as the informal ambassador of the country. The parents have been accused of downplaying her ties with Israel. The model though still remains a popular face on TV in the country with her faces dominating billboards across the country. She even hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. The case, in fact, centers around Rafeli and her choice of residence during the time she was travelling the world for work and had a lengthy romantic relationship with Hollywood actor Leonardo Di Caprio. The Israeli tax law determines residency primarily upon whether the person spent most of the calendar year in the country. The model stated she hadn't stayed in the country and therefore did not declare her income in certain years. Her claim though was rejected by the prosecutors and she was charged for providing incorrect tax information. Refaeli's indictment said she earned some $7.2 million between the years 2009-2012 while claiming to reside overseas to avoid paying Israeli taxes on her income. Earlier, an Israeli court had ruled that Refaeli’s relationship with DiCaprio did not qualify as a “family unit,” and therefore she could not claim his US residence as her own residence to avoid paying the full taxes she owed.

Supermodel Bar Rafaeli sentenced to 9 months of community jail by Israeli court

Thousands of Israelis marched towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Central Jerusalem asking him to step down from his position.

Israel: Protesters surround Netanyahu's house, demand resignation

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington just after midnight Sunday, to attend a Tuesday ceremony at the White House

Israel: PM Netanyahu flies to Washington to sign historic peace deals

Thousands of Israelis protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem over his alleged corruption and the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Protests in Israel over COVID crisis: Unemployment spikes to over 20%

Bahraini opposition groups have said they reject a decision by the Gulf state to normalise relations with Israel, with a leading Shi`ite cleric on Sunday calling on the people of the region to resist.

Cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, living in Iran, said he was against normalisation between Arab countries and Israel, in a statement published by dissolved Bahraini opposition party al-Wefaq, a group close to Qassim.

The accords struck between Israel and the UAE last month, and between Israel and Bahrain on Friday, go against the will of the people, he said.

"There is a great divergence between the rulers and the ruled in thought, mind, aims and interests. Governments are experiencing a psychological defeat and want to impose it on the people, and the people have to resist this defeat," Qassim said.

A group of Bahraini political and civil society associations, including the Bahrain Bar Association, on Sunday voiced their opposition to the deal in a joint statement.

"What results from normalisation will not enjoy popular backing, in line with what generations of Bahrainis have been brought up on in terms of adherence to the Palestinian cause," the statement said.

The head of Bahrain`s highest court ordered judiciary employees not to criticise government policy or express opinions harming national unity, al-Bilad newspaper reported on Sunday.

Bahrain`s foreign minister said that Palestinian rights remained a priority for the kingdom.

Bahrainis have previously criticised their government`s engagements with Israel, including last June`s conference in Manama to launch a U.S.-led $50 billion economic formula for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Parliament last April joined social media calls to stop Israeli business and government officials attending an international entrepreneurship conference. The delegation did not attend.

Bahrain has had a Jewish population for decades, although emigration means it is small today.

A television period drama released this year by a Gulf network about the trials of a Jewish midwife in a multi-religious community took inspiration from real-life Jewish midwife Umm Jan who lived in Bahrain.

Ebrahim Noonoo, the head of Bahrain`s Jewish community, said the agreement would enable Israelis to come to Bahrain to visit its synagogue and cemetery, where family members may be buried.

"With this understanding comes new and open ideas that help us in finding solutions for any problems between Jews and Muslims," he said.

Bahraini worker Ali Abdallah said he hoped the deal would help regional peace and stability and would facilitate all Muslims being able to pray at Jerusalem`s Al-Aqsa mosque.

Bahraini opposition groups have said they reject a decision by the Gulf state to normalise relations with Israel, with a leading Shi`ite cleric on Sunday calling on the people of the region to resist.

Bahraini opposition groups have said they reject a decision by the Gulf state to normalise relations with Israel, with a leading Shi`ite cleric on Sunday calling on the people of the region to resist. Cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, living in Iran, said he was against normalisation between Arab countries and Israel, in a statement published by dissolved Bahraini opposition party al-Wefaq, a group close to Qassim. The accords struck between Israel and the UAE last month, and between Israel and Bahrain on Friday, go against the will of the people, he said. "There is a great divergence between the rulers and the ruled in thought, mind, aims and interests. Governments are experiencing a psychological defeat and want to impose it on the people, and the people have to resist this defeat," Qassim said. A group of Bahraini political and civil society associations, including the Bahrain Bar Association, on Sunday voiced their opposition to the deal in a joint statement. "What results from normalisation will not enjoy popular backing, in line with what generations of Bahrainis have been brought up on in terms of adherence to the Palestinian cause," the statement said. The head of Bahrain`s highest court ordered judiciary employees not to criticise government policy or express opinions harming national unity, al-Bilad newspaper reported on Sunday. Bahrain`s foreign minister said that Palestinian rights remained a priority for the kingdom. Bahrainis have previously criticised their government`s engagements with Israel, including last June`s conference in Manama to launch a U.S.-led $50 billion economic formula for Israeli-Palestinian peace. Parliament last April joined social media calls to stop Israeli business and government officials attending an international entrepreneurship conference. The delegation did not attend. Bahrain has had a Jewish population for decades, although emigration means it is small today. A television period drama released this year by a Gulf network about the trials of a Jewish midwife in a multi-religious community took inspiration from real-life Jewish midwife Umm Jan who lived in Bahrain. Ebrahim Noonoo, the head of Bahrain`s Jewish community, said the agreement would enable Israelis to come to Bahrain to visit its synagogue and cemetery, where family members may be buried. "With this understanding comes new and open ideas that help us in finding solutions for any problems between Jews and Muslims," he said. Bahraini worker Ali Abdallah said he hoped the deal would help regional peace and stability and would facilitate all Muslims being able to pray at Jerusalem`s Al-Aqsa mosque.

Bahrain opposition rejects Israel normalisation, calls for resistance

The United Arab Emirates’ bold recognition of Israel, earning it valuable brownie points in the West, has come at a cost: a blow to its efforts to earn religious soft power in the Muslim world.

The setback raises questions about the UAE’s strategy of co-opting prominent Muslim scholars with financial incentives to project the Gulf state as a model of tolerance that seeks to promote a moderate interpretation of Islam in a global competition for religious soft power with Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.

The UAE attempt to reap religious support for its opening to Israel encountered blowback when a statement by the Abu Dhabi-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies — one of several UAE-backed groups created to counter similar Qatari institutions and give the UAE effort religious cachet — sparked protests and resignations.

Members of the Forum’s board complained that the statement had been issued without a discussion in the Forum’s board of trustees. The board includes former Jordanian Islamic chief justice and minister of endowments Ahmad Hilayel and Abdullah Al-Maatouq, a Kuwaiti royal court advisor and former religious affairs minister and United Nations envoy.

Hamza Yusuf, the Forum’s vice president and a popular American Islamic scholar who heads Zaytuna College — the United States’ first accredited Muslim undergraduate college — distanced himself from the statement, asserting that he did “not engage in or endorse geopolitical strategies or treaties” and that his “allegiance is and has always been with the oppressed peoples of Palestine, whether Muslim, Christian or otherwise.”

Similarly, while announcing her resignation from the Forum’s board, prominent American Muslim activist Aisha al-Adawiya, founder of the human rights group Women in Islam, said that there had been “no agreement on any kind of support for the UAE’s deal with Israel.”

So did Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem. Mr Hussein banned Muslims from the UAE from visiting and praying at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site.

However, the statement issued by Abdullah Bin Bayyah, a Mauritanian politician, religious scholar, and the head of the Forum and president of the Emirati Fatwa Council, took a different tone.

Praising “the wisdom of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,” the statement asserted that normalization of relations with the Jewish state had “stopped Israel from extending its sovereignty over Palestinian lands” and as a means to “promote peace and stability across the world.”

Mr Bin Bayyah’s defence of the statement reflected the UAE’s definition of moderate Islam as one that is state-controlled and preaches absolute obedience to the ruler. He insisted that “international relations and treaties are among the initiatives that fall within the policy-making purview of the ruler.”

Despite longstanding relations with Abu Dhabi’s ruling Al-Nahyan family, Mr Bin Bayyah was long aligned with their nemesis as vice president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and the European Council for Fatwa and Research, that was established to provide guidance to European Muslims through the dissemination of religious opinions.

The two groups were headed and founded by Qatar-based Yusuf al-Qaradawi, one of the world’s most prominent living Islamic scholars who is widely viewed as a spiritual guide of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Qatari support of the Brotherhood is the main driver of the more than three-year-old UAE-Saudi-led diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state. The Emirates and the kingdom earlier designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

Members of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, including Crown Prince Mohammed and his foreign minister, Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, began courting Mr Bin Bayyah in early 2013.

They invited the cleric to the Emirates the same month that Egyptian President and Muslim Brother Mohammed Morsi – the post-2011 revolt democratically elected head of state -- was toppled by a UAE-backed military coup.

In a letter Mr Bin Bayyah sent three months later to the IUMS, he announced that he was resigning from the group. He wrote: “the humble role I am attempting to undertake towards reform and reconciliation (among Muslims) requires a discourse that does not sit well with my position at the International Union of Muslim Scholars.”

Mr Bin Bayyah wrote his letter after the IUMS had bitterly denounced the Egyptian coup and condemned the subsequent brutal repression of the Brotherhood and he published it to demonstrate to Emirati leaders that he had ended his association with Qatari-supported Islamic groups.

The courting of Mr Bin Bayyah emanated from Prince Mohammed’s realisation that he needed religious soft power to justify the UAE’s wielding of hard power that started with the Egyptian coup and expanded with military interventions in Yemen and Libya.

The emergence in recent years of Mr Bin Bayyah – a celebrated Islamic jurist whom Islam scholar Usamaa Al-Azami dubbed “counter‐revolutionary Islam’s most important scholar” – as the religious face of the UAE coincided with the 93-year-old Mr Qaradawi’s withdrawal from public life.

The backlash sparked by Mr Bin Bayyah’s statement highlights the Achilles heel, at least in the Muslim world, of the UAE’s religious soft power ploy.

“The counter‐revolutionary Islamic political thought that is being developed and promoted by Bin Bayyah and the UAE suffers from certain fundamental structural problems that mean its very existence is precariously predicated on the persistence of autocratic patronage,” Mr Al-Azami asserted.&nbsp;

“Its lack of independence means that it is not the organic product of a relatively unencumbered engagement with political modernity that might be possible in freer societies than counter‐revolutionary Gulf autocracies,” he added.

Mr Al Azami’s criticism goes to the heart of the debate, particularly in Turkey and Indonesia, on Islam’s ability to recontextualize itself and break away from the shackles of outdated concepts and traditions without being freed from control by states that seek to impose a self-serving vision of the faith.

Expressed more bluntly, Yahya Birt, a scholar of British Islam and a convert to the faith, who has researched UAE-backed clerics, argued that there is a discrepancy between how they project their sponsors abroad and the reality on the ground.

“The extracted price of government patronage is high for ulema (religious scholars) in the Middle East. Generally speaking, they have to openly support or maintain silence about autocracy at home, while speaking of democracy, pluralism, and minority rights to Western audiences,” Mr Birt said.

The backlash to the support of the UAE recognition of Israel by the Forum and Mr. Bin Bayyah suggests a serious flaw in the Gulf state’s approach to religious soft power: It targets first and foremost Western corridors of power rather than the Muslim community at large.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

The United Arab Emirates’ bold recognition of Israel, earning it valuable brownie points in the West, has come at a cost: a blow to its efforts to earn religious soft power in the Muslim world.

The United Arab Emirates’ bold recognition of Israel, earning it valuable brownie points in the West, has come at a cost: a blow to its efforts to earn religious soft power in the Muslim world. The setback raises questions about the UAE’s strategy of co-opting prominent Muslim scholars with financial incentives to project the Gulf state as a model of tolerance that seeks to promote a moderate interpretation of Islam in a global competition for religious soft power with Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia. The UAE attempt to reap religious support for its opening to Israel encountered blowback when a statement by the Abu Dhabi-based Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies — one of several UAE-backed groups created to counter similar Qatari institutions and give the UAE effort religious cachet — sparked protests and resignations. Members of the Forum’s board complained that the statement had been issued without a discussion in the Forum’s board of trustees. The board includes former Jordanian Islamic chief justice and minister of endowments Ahmad Hilayel and Abdullah Al-Maatouq, a Kuwaiti royal court advisor and former religious affairs minister and United Nations envoy. Hamza Yusuf, the Forum’s vice president and a popular American Islamic scholar who heads Zaytuna College — the United States’ first accredited Muslim undergraduate college — distanced himself from the statement, asserting that he did “not engage in or endorse geopolitical strategies or treaties” and that his “allegiance is and has always been with the oppressed peoples of Palestine, whether Muslim, Christian or otherwise.” Similarly, while announcing her resignation from the Forum’s board, prominent American Muslim activist Aisha al-Adawiya, founder of the human rights group Women in Islam, said that there had been “no agreement on any kind of support for the UAE’s deal with Israel.” So did Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem. Mr Hussein banned Muslims from the UAE from visiting and praying at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. However, the statement issued by Abdullah Bin Bayyah, a Mauritanian politician, religious scholar, and the head of the Forum and president of the Emirati Fatwa Council, took a different tone. Praising “the wisdom of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,” the statement asserted that normalization of relations with the Jewish state had “stopped Israel from extending its sovereignty over Palestinian lands” and as a means to “promote peace and stability across the world.” Mr Bin Bayyah’s defence of the statement reflected the UAE’s definition of moderate Islam as one that is state-controlled and preaches absolute obedience to the ruler. He insisted that “international relations and treaties are among the initiatives that fall within the policy-making purview of the ruler.” Despite longstanding relations with Abu Dhabi’s ruling Al-Nahyan family, Mr Bin Bayyah was long aligned with their nemesis as vice president of the International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS) and the European Council for Fatwa and Research, that was established to provide guidance to European Muslims through the dissemination of religious opinions. The two groups were headed and founded by Qatar-based Yusuf al-Qaradawi, one of the world’s most prominent living Islamic scholars who is widely viewed as a spiritual guide of the Muslim Brotherhood. Qatari support of the Brotherhood is the main driver of the more than three-year-old UAE-Saudi-led diplomatic and economic boycott of the Gulf state. The Emirates and the kingdom earlier designated the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Members of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, including Crown Prince Mohammed and his foreign minister, Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, began courting Mr Bin Bayyah in early 2013. They invited the cleric to the Emirates the same month that Egyptian President and Muslim Brother Mohammed Morsi – the post-2011 revolt democratically elected head of state -- was toppled by a UAE-backed military coup. In a letter Mr Bin Bayyah sent three months later to the IUMS, he announced that he was resigning from the group. He wrote: “the humble role I am attempting to undertake towards reform and reconciliation (among Muslims) requires a discourse that does not sit well with my position at the International Union of Muslim Scholars.” Mr Bin Bayyah wrote his letter after the IUMS had bitterly denounced the Egyptian coup and condemned the subsequent brutal repression of the Brotherhood and he published it to demonstrate to Emirati leaders that he had ended his association with Qatari-supported Islamic groups. The courting of Mr Bin Bayyah emanated from Prince Mohammed’s realisation that he needed religious soft power to justify the UAE’s wielding of hard power that started with the Egyptian coup and expanded with military interventions in Yemen and Libya. The emergence in recent years of Mr Bin Bayyah – a celebrated Islamic jurist whom Islam scholar Usamaa Al-Azami dubbed “counter‐revolutionary Islam’s most important scholar” – as the religious face of the UAE coincided with the 93-year-old Mr Qaradawi’s withdrawal from public life. The backlash sparked by Mr Bin Bayyah’s statement highlights the Achilles heel, at least in the Muslim world, of the UAE’s religious soft power ploy. “The counter‐revolutionary Islamic political thought that is being developed and promoted by Bin Bayyah and the UAE suffers from certain fundamental structural problems that mean its very existence is precariously predicated on the persistence of autocratic patronage,” Mr Al-Azami asserted. “Its lack of independence means that it is not the organic product of a relatively unencumbered engagement with political modernity that might be possible in freer societies than counter‐revolutionary Gulf autocracies,” he added. Mr Al Azami’s criticism goes to the heart of the debate, particularly in Turkey and Indonesia, on Islam’s ability to recontextualize itself and break away from the shackles of outdated concepts and traditions without being freed from control by states that seek to impose a self-serving vision of the faith. Expressed more bluntly, Yahya Birt, a scholar of British Islam and a convert to the faith, who has researched UAE-backed clerics, argued that there is a discrepancy between how they project their sponsors abroad and the reality on the ground. “The extracted price of government patronage is high for ulema (religious scholars) in the Middle East. Generally speaking, they have to openly support or maintain silence about autocracy at home, while speaking of democracy, pluralism, and minority rights to Western audiences,” Mr Birt said. The backlash to the support of the UAE recognition of Israel by the Forum and Mr. Bin Bayyah suggests a serious flaw in the Gulf state’s approach to religious soft power: It targets first and foremost Western corridors of power rather than the Muslim community at large. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

UAE recognition of Israel dents Emirati religious soft power

Palestinians in Gaza burnt pictures of Israeli, U.S., Bahraini and United Arab Emirates leaders on Saturday in protest over the two Gulf countries` moves to normalize ties with Israel.

Bahrain on Friday joined the UAE in agreeing to normalize relations with Israel, a move forged partly through shared fears of Iran but one that could leave the Palestinians further isolated.

The Gaza protest, attended by a few dozen, was organized by the ruling Islamist group Hamas.

"We have to fight the virus of normalization and block all its paths before it succeeds, to prevent it from spreading," said Hamas official Maher al-Holy.

Demonstrators set fire to pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bahrain`s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the UAE`s Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayhan.

While the United States, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain hail the diplomatic moves as a major step toward Middle East peace and stability, the Palestinians see it as a betrayal.

They fear a weakening of a longstanding pan-Arab position that calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab countries.

Despite a deep political rift going back to 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority has limited rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and his Hamas rivals have been united against the Gulf states` move.

In the West Bank, the Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, said the diplomatic push will not achieve peace if the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not resolved first.

"The Bahraini, Israeli, American agreement to normalize relations is now part of a bigger package in the region, it isn`t about peace, it is not about relations between countries. We are witnessing an alliance, a military alliance being created in the region," Erekat told Reuters.

Iran meanwhile said on Saturday that Bahrain`s move meant it would be complicit in Israeli policies that threatened regional security, Iranian state TV reported.

Palestinians in Gaza burnt pictures of Israeli, U.S., Bahraini and United Arab Emirates leaders on Saturday in protest over the two Gulf countries` moves to normalize ties with Israel.

Palestinians in Gaza burnt pictures of Israeli, U.S., Bahraini and United Arab Emirates leaders on Saturday in protest over the two Gulf countries` moves to normalize ties with Israel. Bahrain on Friday joined the UAE in agreeing to normalize relations with Israel, a move forged partly through shared fears of Iran but one that could leave the Palestinians further isolated. The Gaza protest, attended by a few dozen, was organized by the ruling Islamist group Hamas. "We have to fight the virus of normalization and block all its paths before it succeeds, to prevent it from spreading," said Hamas official Maher al-Holy. Demonstrators set fire to pictures of U.S. President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bahrain`s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the UAE`s Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nayhan. While the United States, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain hail the diplomatic moves as a major step toward Middle East peace and stability, the Palestinians see it as a betrayal. They fear a weakening of a longstanding pan-Arab position that calls for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory and acceptance of Palestinian statehood in return for normal relations with Arab countries. Despite a deep political rift going back to 2007, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose Palestinian Authority has limited rule in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and his Hamas rivals have been united against the Gulf states` move. In the West Bank, the Secretary General of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Saeb Erekat, said the diplomatic push will not achieve peace if the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not resolved first. "The Bahraini, Israeli, American agreement to normalize relations is now part of a bigger package in the region, it isn`t about peace, it is not about relations between countries. We are witnessing an alliance, a military alliance being created in the region," Erekat told Reuters. Iran meanwhile said on Saturday that Bahrain`s move meant it would be complicit in Israeli policies that threatened regional security, Iranian state TV reported.

Palestinians rally against Bahrain-Israel normalisation

Bahrain has joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalise relations with Israel, US President Donald Trump said on Friday. This is being seen as&nbsp;a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.

Trump tweeted out the news after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said.

"Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!" he wrote.

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Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1304464923469193217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A joint statement issued by the three leaders said they had agreed on "establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain."

"This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East. Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region," the joint statement said.

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Joint Statement of the United States, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Israel <a href="https://t.co/xMquRkGtpM">pic.twitter.com/xMquRkGtpM</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1304464848831631361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The statement said Bahrain accepted Trump's invitation to join Israel and the UAE at the signing ceremony. It said Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani of Bahrain will be signing a "historic Declaration of Peace" at the event.

The parties "will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to enable the Palestinian people to realize their full potential," the joint statement said.

The United Arab Emirates last month agreed to normalise ties with Israel under a US-brokered deal. That deal is scheduled to be signed on September 15 at a White House ceremony hosted by Trump and attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

The easing of relations with Israel comes amid a backdrop of shared fears about the threat of Iran to the region.

The Trump administration has tried to coax other Sunni Arab countries to engage with Israel. The most powerful of those, Saudi Arabia, has signaled it is not ready.

Bahrain, a small island state, is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the site of the US Navy's regional headquarters. Riyadh in 2011 sent troops to Bahrain to help quell an uprising and, alongside Kuwait and the UAE, in 2018 offered Bahrain a $10 billion economic bailout.

Friday's deal makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel since exchanging embassies with Egypt and Jordan decades ago.

Last week, Bahrain said it would allow flights between Israel and the UAE to use its airspace. This followed a Saudi decision to allow an Israeli commercial airliner to fly over it on the way to the UAE.

(with inputs from agencies)

Bahrain has joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalise relations with Israel, US President Donald Trump said on Friday. This is being seen as a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.

Bahrain has joined the United Arab Emirates in striking an agreement to normalise relations with Israel, US President Donald Trump said on Friday. This is being seen as a dramatic move aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East. Trump tweeted out the news after he spoke by phone to both Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the White House said. "Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days!" he wrote. Another HISTORIC breakthrough today! Our two GREAT friends Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain agree to a Peace Deal – the second Arab country to make peace with Israel in 30 days! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2020 × A joint statement issued by the three leaders said they had agreed on "establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain." "This is a historic breakthrough to further peace in the Middle East. Opening direct dialogue and ties between these two dynamic societies and advanced economies will continue the positive transformation of the Middle East and increase stability, security, and prosperity in the region," the joint statement said. Joint Statement of the United States, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the State of Israel pic.twitter.com/xMquRkGtpM — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 11, 2020 × The statement said Bahrain accepted Trump's invitation to join Israel and the UAE at the signing ceremony. It said Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani of Bahrain will be signing a "historic Declaration of Peace" at the event. The parties "will continue their efforts in this regard to achieve a just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to enable the Palestinian people to realize their full potential," the joint statement said. The United Arab Emirates last month agreed to normalise ties with Israel under a US-brokered deal. That deal is scheduled to be signed on September 15 at a White House ceremony hosted by Trump and attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan. The easing of relations with Israel comes amid a backdrop of shared fears about the threat of Iran to the region. The Trump administration has tried to coax other Sunni Arab countries to engage with Israel. The most powerful of those, Saudi Arabia, has signaled it is not ready. Bahrain, a small island state, is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and the site of the US Navy's regional headquarters. Riyadh in 2011 sent troops to Bahrain to help quell an uprising and, alongside Kuwait and the UAE, in 2018 offered Bahrain a $10 billion economic bailout. Friday's deal makes Bahrain the fourth Arab country to reach such an agreement with Israel since exchanging embassies with Egypt and Jordan decades ago. Last week, Bahrain said it would allow flights between Israel and the UAE to use its airspace. This followed a Saudi decision to allow an Israeli commercial airliner to fly over it on the way to the UAE. (with inputs from agencies)

Bahrain joins UAE in normalising ties with Israel, Trump announces

May Tager and Anastasia Bandarenka wave Israeli and Emirati national flags during Fix nightwear shoot in the desert outside of Dubai.

Israel-UAE celebrate expanding ties with fashion shoot

Encouraging the United States' efforts to establish peace in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has told US President Donald Trump that they wanted a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue based on kingdom's Arab Peace Initiative, proposed in 2002, according to the state news agency.&nbsp;

In a telephonic conservation with Trump, Salman appreciated US peace initiatives, in a reference to Washington-brokered accord achieved last month, according to which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the third country to normalise relations with Israel.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/peace-must-be-achieved-with-palestinians-then-all-things-possible-saudi-arabia-on-israel-321749">Peace must be achieved with Palestinians, then all things possible: Saudi Arabia on Israel</a>

Salman said Saudi seeks a fair and permanent solution for Palestine which is based on the based on the kingdom's peace initiatives proposed in 2002.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-emir-tells-kushner-two-state-solution-needed-to-end-palestine-israel-conflict-324831">Qatar Emir tells Kushner two-state solution needed to end Palestine-Israel conflict</a>

As per the 2002 proposal, Arab nations would normalise ties with Israel, if the Jewish nation withdraws from the territorial gains made in the 1967 war.&nbsp;

Despite not recognising Israel, Saudi Arabia this month said the kingdom would allow the use of its airspace to run flights between UAE and Israel.&nbsp;

Post the peace accord between UAE and Israel, no Arab state has hinted of a similar deal with the Jewish state.

Last month, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is seen as a major negotiator of the decades-old Arab crisis, met Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where they discussed the need to resume negotiations between Israel and Palestine.&nbsp;

(With Reuters inputs)

Encouraging the United States' efforts to establish peace in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has told US President Donald Trump that they wanted a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue based on kingdom's Arab Peace Initiative, proposed in 2002, according to the state news agency.

Encouraging the United States' efforts to establish peace in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has told US President Donald Trump that they wanted a fair and permanent solution to the Palestinian issue based on kingdom's Arab Peace Initiative, proposed in 2002, according to the state news agency. In a telephonic conservation with Trump, Salman appreciated US peace initiatives, in a reference to Washington-brokered accord achieved last month, according to which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became the third country to normalise relations with Israel. Also read | Peace must be achieved with Palestinians, then all things possible: Saudi Arabia on Israel Salman said Saudi seeks a fair and permanent solution for Palestine which is based on the based on the kingdom's peace initiatives proposed in 2002. Also read | Qatar Emir tells Kushner two-state solution needed to end Palestine-Israel conflict As per the 2002 proposal, Arab nations would normalise ties with Israel, if the Jewish nation withdraws from the territorial gains made in the 1967 war. Despite not recognising Israel, Saudi Arabia this month said the kingdom would allow the use of its airspace to run flights between UAE and Israel. Post the peace accord between UAE and Israel, no Arab state has hinted of a similar deal with the Jewish state. Last month, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, who is seen as a major negotiator of the decades-old Arab crisis, met Saudi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, where they discussed the need to resume negotiations between Israel and Palestine. (With Reuters inputs)

Want permanent, fair solution to Palestinian issue: Saudi King to Trump

During his visit to the United Arab Emirates, the White House Adviser Jared Kushner said that he is hoping other Arab nations would normalise their relations with Israel. So far no Arab country other than UAE has discussed any measures to normalise ties with Israel.

White House Adviser Kushner visited UAE on a diplomatic tour

Gaza's Islamist rulers Hamas said Monday they had reached a Qatari-mediated deal with Israel to end more than three weeks of cross-border attacks.

Changing geopolitics of West Asia

On August 30 in Jerusalem, US President Donald Trump's top adviser Jared Kushner held a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Together, they promised to pursue peace with the Arab world.&nbsp;“We will continue to pursue peace between Israel, the biblical homeland of the Jewish people and its Arab and muslim neighbours and i have never been more hopeful about peace”, said Jared Kushner

“We're all thrilled by the pace, the swift pace of normalisation between Israel and the UAE”, announced Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu.

On August 31, the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv began preparations for some high profile check-ins and to make history.

"Today we are making history, today we are living history. Today is the first direct flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi ever”, said Ofir Gendelman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson to the Arab media.

First major step

Marking the first major step after the announcement of a peace deal, delegates from Israel and the US reached Abu Dhabi today.

After landing, Kushner said, “I prayed yesterday at the (western) wall that Muslims and Arabs from throughout the world will be watching this flight, recognising that we are all children of god, and that the future does not have to be pre-determined by the past”.

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The captain&nbsp;of an "Israeli el al airlines"&nbsp;greeted the passengers on this historic flight in three different languages.

“Ladies and gentleman shalom and welcome on board el al flight 971 from tel aviv to abu dhabi. This is captain Tal Becker speaking”, the captain announced.

“For the very first time Israeli registered, an Israeli registered aircraft, overflies (flies over) Saudi Arabia”, Becker added.

At around 4 pm Gulf Standard Time, the flight landed in Abu Dhabi. The delegates received a warm welcome from Emirati officials.

Jared Kushner made another statement calling for peace.&nbsp;“This three-hour flight has taken more than 70 years to make, it marks a new turning point in Israel's relations with the Arab world. There are big prizes for all three players”, he said.

“For Israel, this may lead to regional recognition of the Jewish state by other Arab countries. For the UAE, the sheikhdom's glittering finance hubs stand to benefit from west Asia's most prominent security superpower. And for America, Donald Trump a president under pressure will showcase a historic peace deal in West Asia”, he added.

On August 30 in Jerusalem, US President Donald Trump's top adviser Jared Kushner held a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Together, they promised to pursue peace with the Arab world.

On August 30 in Jerusalem, US President Donald Trump's top adviser Jared Kushner held a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Together, they promised to pursue peace with the Arab world. “We will continue to pursue peace between Israel, the biblical homeland of the Jewish people and its Arab and muslim neighbours and i have never been more hopeful about peace”, said Jared Kushner “We're all thrilled by the pace, the swift pace of normalisation between Israel and the UAE”, announced Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. On August 31, the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv began preparations for some high profile check-ins and to make history. "Today we are making history, today we are living history. Today is the first direct flight from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi ever”, said Ofir Gendelman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's spokesperson to the Arab media. First major step Marking the first major step after the announcement of a peace deal, delegates from Israel and the US reached Abu Dhabi today. After landing, Kushner said, “I prayed yesterday at the (western) wall that Muslims and Arabs from throughout the world will be watching this flight, recognising that we are all children of god, and that the future does not have to be pre-determined by the past”. × The captain of an "Israeli el al airlines" greeted the passengers on this historic flight in three different languages. “Ladies and gentleman shalom and welcome on board el al flight 971 from tel aviv to abu dhabi. This is captain Tal Becker speaking”, the captain announced. “For the very first time Israeli registered, an Israeli registered aircraft, overflies (flies over) Saudi Arabia”, Becker added. At around 4 pm Gulf Standard Time, the flight landed in Abu Dhabi. The delegates received a warm welcome from Emirati officials. Jared Kushner made another statement calling for peace. “This three-hour flight has taken more than 70 years to make, it marks a new turning point in Israel's relations with the Arab world. There are big prizes for all three players”, he said. “For Israel, this may lead to regional recognition of the Jewish state by other Arab countries. For the UAE, the sheikhdom's glittering finance hubs stand to benefit from west Asia's most prominent security superpower. And for America, Donald Trump a president under pressure will showcase a historic peace deal in West Asia”, he added.

First direct commercial flight from Israel to UAE makes history

Israel & U.A.E have created history once again. Weeks after they signed a historic peace deal, the first ever direct-flight between the two countries landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon.

Gravitas: Israel & U.A.E create history once again

Hamas says deal reached to end escalation of violence with Israel

Hamas and Israel strike deal to end Gaza escalation

Israel and Hamas agree to ease hostiles

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The first direct commercial flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with a US-Israeli delegation on board, after the two countries struck an accord to normalise ties.

Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and White House advisor, was on board Flight 971 of Israel's national carrier El Al as part of the delegation who were to meet with UAE officials.&nbsp;

The aircraft flew through Saudi Arabia's airspace, according to specialist website FlightRadar24 -- the first time El Al has publicly flown over the kingdom.

The word "peace" was written in Arabic, English and Hebrew on the cockpit of the plane of Israel's national carrier El Al that took off around 11:20 am (0820 GMT) and was expected to land in the Emirates in the afternoon.

"While this is a historic&nbsp;flight, we hope that it will start an even more historic journey in the Middle East and beyond," Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key architect of his Middle East policy, said before boarding.

"The future does not have to be predetermined by the past. This is a very hopeful time."

The&nbsp;flight&nbsp;number El Al 971 is a reference to the UAE's international dialling code, and the return&nbsp;flight, set to leave Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning, is El Al 972, matching Israel's dialling code.

The Israel-UAE agreement to normalise ties was announced by Trump on August 13, making the UAE the first Gulf country and only the third Arab nation to establish relations with Israel.

Unlike Egypt, which made peace with its former battlefield enemy in 1979, and Jordan, which followed in 1994, the UAE has never fought a war with Israel.

The first direct commercial flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with a US-Israeli delegation on board, after the two countries struck an accord to normalise ties.

The first direct commercial flight from Israel to the United Arab Emirates landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday, with a US-Israeli delegation on board, after the two countries struck an accord to normalise ties. Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and White House advisor, was on board Flight 971 of Israel's national carrier El Al as part of the delegation who were to meet with UAE officials. The aircraft flew through Saudi Arabia's airspace, according to specialist website FlightRadar24 -- the first time El Al has publicly flown over the kingdom. The word "peace" was written in Arabic, English and Hebrew on the cockpit of the plane of Israel's national carrier El Al that took off around 11:20 am (0820 GMT) and was expected to land in the Emirates in the afternoon. "While this is a historic flight, we hope that it will start an even more historic journey in the Middle East and beyond," Kushner, who is President Donald Trump's son-in-law and a key architect of his Middle East policy, said before boarding. "The future does not have to be predetermined by the past. This is a very hopeful time." The flight number El Al 971 is a reference to the UAE's international dialling code, and the return flight, set to leave Abu Dhabi on Tuesday morning, is El Al 972, matching Israel's dialling code. The Israel-UAE agreement to normalise ties was announced by Trump on August 13, making the UAE the first Gulf country and only the third Arab nation to establish relations with Israel. Unlike Egypt, which made peace with its former battlefield enemy in 1979, and Jordan, which followed in 1994, the UAE has never fought a war with Israel.

US-Israeli delegation lands in Abu Dhabi on historic flight

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