The president Thursday in the Oval office, announced that leaders of the two middle eastern countries have agreed to “full normalization of relations.” He tweeted a joint statement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed.
The statement said that the “diplomatic breakthrough” was at “the request of President Trump,” and that Israel will “suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.”
The statement further reads: “This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.”
Delegations from Israel and the UAE are expected to meet in the coming weeks to “sign bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, the establishment of reciprocal embassies, and other areas of mutual benefit.” “Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations,” the statement also read.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said he had a call with Israel and the United Arab Emirates. He said Israel and the UAE will “begin cooperation across the board,” along with exchanging embassies and ambassadors. The president said he expected other countries to follow the UAE’s lead on this effort to cooperate with Israel going forward.
He said the historic peace deal will be called the “Abraham Accord.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman who was present at the briefing, explained the reason behind the name of the accord. “No person better symbolizes the potential for unity of these three great faiths[than Abraham].”
The president joked that he “wanted to call it the Donald J. Trump accord,” drawing some laughs in the room.
In his remarks at the briefing, senior adviser and son-in-law to the president Jared Kushner said the president “tries to unite people focusing on common interest as opposed to common grievances.”
Secretary of state Mike Pompeo tweeted: "Today is an historic day. After vigorous diplomatic outreach by President @realDonaldTrump, Israeli Prime Minister @netanyahu and Emirati Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed have signed an agreement to fully normalize relations between their two great nations. The United States congratulates Israel and the Emirates for this remarkable achievement, which is a significant step forward for peace in the Middle East. Blessed are the peacemakers. Mabruk and Mazal Tov."
Israel’s ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer hailed the agreement in a tweet: "A great day for peace! Israel commends the courage of MBZ for the historic decision of the UAE to join Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994) in making peace with Israel. Israel deeply appreciates all @POTUS Trump has done to make this breakthrough possible. More to come!"
The historic deal marks the first such agreement between Israel and a Gulf Arab state and third such agreement with a middle eastern nation. Israel already has peace agreements with its neighbors Jordan and Egypt.
The historic deal is another win for the Trump administration after his decisions to move the US embassy to Jerusalem and recorgnize Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights.