A Concession for the Greater Good: Kushner's UAE Plan
By Carolina Beirne, 8/26/2020
On August 13th 2020, President Donald Trump took to Twitter to announce the following, “HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!” The announcement took the Arab world by storm; since the country’s inception in 1948, Israel had only established formal diplomatic relations with Jordan and Israel. Many nations in the region have refused to recognise the country as a legitimate state, hoping for the formation of a Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip, despite the fact that these regions are under Israeli control. Many schools throughout the Middle East have omitted it from both history and geography lessons, even redacting Israel from atlases and maps.
Until recently, this had been the case in the United Arab Emirates, a federal elective constitutional monarchy on the Arabian Gulf, governed by the hereditary royal Al Nahyan family. A few days before Trump’s announcement, The United Arab Emirates signed the Abraham Accord, agreeing to normalise relations with Israel, and consequently providing other Arab nations a precedent to follow suit. The accord allows all communication to be standardised, including tourism, direct flights, scientific cooperation, business relations, and eventually ambassadorial diplomatic ties. However, the Emiratis are seemingly unlikely to establish an embassy in Jerusalem. Another vital aspect that this document publicises, though not explicitly laid out, is the enhanced cooperation in security affairs against regional threats, particularly the proxies of Iran.
Until recently, this had been the case in the United Arab Emirates, a federal elective constitutional monarchy on the Arabian Gulf, governed by the hereditary royal Al Nahyan family. A few days before Trump’s announcement, The United Arab Emirates signed the Abraham Accord, agreeing to normalise relations with Israel, and consequently providing other Arab nations a precedent to follow suit. The accord allows all communication to be standardised, including tourism, direct flights, scientific cooperation, business relations, and eventually ambassadorial diplomatic ties. However, the Emiratis are seemingly unlikely to establish an embassy in Jerusalem. Another vital aspect that this document publicises, though not explicitly laid out, is the enhanced cooperation in security affairs against regional threats, particularly the proxies of Iran.
The Israeli Flag (L) and the UAE Flag; Image Credit IYPF
The accord is beneficial to both parties. For Israel, it has been a long-standing goal to establish ties with Arab countries, for both increased Middle Eastern acceptance as well as the chance to expand commercial relations internationally. The public, particularly Israeli media, has praised Netanyahu for the deal, which is favoured by the government since the Prime Minister has been the subject of political fire for both his mishandling of the COVID-19 outbreak and his outstanding indictments for corruption. For the UAE, the development of ties with Israel has allowed the Emirates to bargain with Israeli to halt their proposed further annexation of Palestine. Moreover, the Emirate’s deepened alignment with America could grant them access to new U.S. weaponry including drones and potentially F-35 combat planes, which were previously off-limits. These claims are founded by the fact that Egypt received American arms following their own peace deal with Israel.
This deal is therefore also notable in terms of Emerati-American relations, which had been tarnished since both nations had supported different sides in the Yemen conflict. The pandemic is also a driving force behind the deal, providing an opportunity to collaborate on health care and associated technology with Israel, which leader in both fields. In fact, shortly after the deal’s announcement, the UAE based company APEX National Investment agreed to conduct research into the Coronavirus with TeraGroup, an Israeli organization. Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance,’ with the aim to promote the nation’s multiculturalism, and the country’s first official Synagogue is under construction on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. This move is unprecedented, as traditionally practitioners of the Jewish faith in the UAE were not welcomed due to their association with Israel
Many Western countries, who tend to lean on the pro-Israel side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, appear to welcome the deal. “Look, at the end of the day, it’s an inevitability right? No Israeli has ever killed an Emirati, right? There’s not that hatred between the people,” says President Donald Trump’s senior advisor, Jared Kushner, on the matter. Where, in fact, this is not entirely true. Although there has never been direct military conflict between the two nations, the people of the United Arab Emirates are greatly critical of the country’s deal with Israel. However, their opinions are suppressed by the monarchy’s denial of free speech. The solidarity between the people of the UAE and their Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine runs deep, and the majority of citizens morally object to the agreement. 88.52% of the UAE’s population is comprised of expatriates; according to the 2009 census, 1.57% of such are of Palestinian background. This accord is leaving the Palestinian community within the Emirates feeling neglected. For decades, Israel and their defence forces have devastated Palestine, killing their friends and family, and ultimately been the preeminant reason that so many Palestinians have fled their country. Palestinians in the UAE are legally required to sit silently as the country they view as a safe-haven has now aligned themselves with their oppressor.
There is speculation, however, that the decision of the UAE to enter into this agreement with Israel is a tactical move by the Emirates to not only strengthen their alliance with the United States, but to be given more available access to Palestine. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the people of Palestine have been struggling. The Israeli Defence Forces have been bombing Gaza – a mostly Palestinian area – continuously, and only allowing them approximately 4 hours of working electricity today to operate all medical establishments. Thus generating casualties by injuring the people and ensuring they have no way to receive treatment. This rumour of the UAE’s motives to provide further aid to the people of Palestine is catalysed by the events of May 19th 2020. On this day, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in the capital of Abu Dhabi, marked the first commercial flight to depart from the UAE and touch down in Israel. It carried 16 tons of medical supplies to support Palestine in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Although Israeli media painted it as friendly cooperation between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi, the two countries seemed to show no other affiliation. Therefore it appeared to be a move by the UAE to aid Palestinians. Allegedly, this deal of cooperation is, therefore, a stepping stone into increased aide to the Palestinians from the Gulf country.
However, whatever the reason, Palestinians elsewhere in the world are broadcasting their disdain for the UAE’s decision on a global scale. A video was circulating the internet in the days following the announcement, which shows a photo of President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayan, being spat on, stepped on and eventually burned by a group of Palestinian men. This essentially sums up the public perception, but the political repercussions of the accord are also vast. The leadership of Palestine rejected the “surprising” revelation, calling it, “an assault on the Palestinian people and an abandonment of the rights of the Palestinians and the holy sites.” The Palestinian leaders call upon the Emirates to withdraw from the “disgraceful declaration” due to its inherent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and pleaded other countries of the region to not follow with the UAE’s decisions. The diplomatic relations between the two nations are also now in jeopardy, considering that Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine, has recalled his ambassador to the UAE.
There is also speculation that other undisclosed Arab nations are also likely to become signatories to the agreement. According to Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen, The Kingdom of Bahrain and Sudan are likely to follow, though this is not confirmed. In Bahrain, King Hamad has overseen steps which could point to these rumours being confirmed, such as allowing Israeli officials to attend security meetings within the region and the meeting between both the Israeli and Bahraini foreign ministers. Moreover, Netanyahu and the late Sultan Qaboos of Oman met in late 2018, potentially making Oman a candidate to sign the accord, though the recent coronation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq could potentially slow these chances as he consolidates his power. According to other sources, such as the Council of Foreign Relations, Morocco could also be in talks regarding the accord.
In conclusion, this deal is equally as controversial as it is revolutionary. Although the United Arab Emirates is being criticized for abandoning the Palestinian people and breaking an unspoken agreement of Arab disdain for the State of Israel, it is a step into the easing the tension in an increasingly polarised world.
This deal is therefore also notable in terms of Emerati-American relations, which had been tarnished since both nations had supported different sides in the Yemen conflict. The pandemic is also a driving force behind the deal, providing an opportunity to collaborate on health care and associated technology with Israel, which leader in both fields. In fact, shortly after the deal’s announcement, the UAE based company APEX National Investment agreed to conduct research into the Coronavirus with TeraGroup, an Israeli organization. Furthermore, the United Arab Emirates declared 2019 as the ‘Year of Tolerance,’ with the aim to promote the nation’s multiculturalism, and the country’s first official Synagogue is under construction on Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi. This move is unprecedented, as traditionally practitioners of the Jewish faith in the UAE were not welcomed due to their association with Israel
Many Western countries, who tend to lean on the pro-Israel side of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, appear to welcome the deal. “Look, at the end of the day, it’s an inevitability right? No Israeli has ever killed an Emirati, right? There’s not that hatred between the people,” says President Donald Trump’s senior advisor, Jared Kushner, on the matter. Where, in fact, this is not entirely true. Although there has never been direct military conflict between the two nations, the people of the United Arab Emirates are greatly critical of the country’s deal with Israel. However, their opinions are suppressed by the monarchy’s denial of free speech. The solidarity between the people of the UAE and their Muslim brothers and sisters in Palestine runs deep, and the majority of citizens morally object to the agreement. 88.52% of the UAE’s population is comprised of expatriates; according to the 2009 census, 1.57% of such are of Palestinian background. This accord is leaving the Palestinian community within the Emirates feeling neglected. For decades, Israel and their defence forces have devastated Palestine, killing their friends and family, and ultimately been the preeminant reason that so many Palestinians have fled their country. Palestinians in the UAE are legally required to sit silently as the country they view as a safe-haven has now aligned themselves with their oppressor.
There is speculation, however, that the decision of the UAE to enter into this agreement with Israel is a tactical move by the Emirates to not only strengthen their alliance with the United States, but to be given more available access to Palestine. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the people of Palestine have been struggling. The Israeli Defence Forces have been bombing Gaza – a mostly Palestinian area – continuously, and only allowing them approximately 4 hours of working electricity today to operate all medical establishments. Thus generating casualties by injuring the people and ensuring they have no way to receive treatment. This rumour of the UAE’s motives to provide further aid to the people of Palestine is catalysed by the events of May 19th 2020. On this day, Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, based in the capital of Abu Dhabi, marked the first commercial flight to depart from the UAE and touch down in Israel. It carried 16 tons of medical supplies to support Palestine in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Although Israeli media painted it as friendly cooperation between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi, the two countries seemed to show no other affiliation. Therefore it appeared to be a move by the UAE to aid Palestinians. Allegedly, this deal of cooperation is, therefore, a stepping stone into increased aide to the Palestinians from the Gulf country.
However, whatever the reason, Palestinians elsewhere in the world are broadcasting their disdain for the UAE’s decision on a global scale. A video was circulating the internet in the days following the announcement, which shows a photo of President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nayan, being spat on, stepped on and eventually burned by a group of Palestinian men. This essentially sums up the public perception, but the political repercussions of the accord are also vast. The leadership of Palestine rejected the “surprising” revelation, calling it, “an assault on the Palestinian people and an abandonment of the rights of the Palestinians and the holy sites.” The Palestinian leaders call upon the Emirates to withdraw from the “disgraceful declaration” due to its inherent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and pleaded other countries of the region to not follow with the UAE’s decisions. The diplomatic relations between the two nations are also now in jeopardy, considering that Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine, has recalled his ambassador to the UAE.
There is also speculation that other undisclosed Arab nations are also likely to become signatories to the agreement. According to Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen, The Kingdom of Bahrain and Sudan are likely to follow, though this is not confirmed. In Bahrain, King Hamad has overseen steps which could point to these rumours being confirmed, such as allowing Israeli officials to attend security meetings within the region and the meeting between both the Israeli and Bahraini foreign ministers. Moreover, Netanyahu and the late Sultan Qaboos of Oman met in late 2018, potentially making Oman a candidate to sign the accord, though the recent coronation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq could potentially slow these chances as he consolidates his power. According to other sources, such as the Council of Foreign Relations, Morocco could also be in talks regarding the accord.
In conclusion, this deal is equally as controversial as it is revolutionary. Although the United Arab Emirates is being criticized for abandoning the Palestinian people and breaking an unspoken agreement of Arab disdain for the State of Israel, it is a step into the easing the tension in an increasingly polarised world.