In break with past, UAE and Bahrain sign U.S.-brokered deals with Israel

[webfact]

In break with past, UAE and Bahrain sign U.S.-brokered deals with Israel

By Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick

 

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks prior to signing the Abraham Accords, normalizing relations between Israel and some of its Middle East neighbors in a strategic realignment of Middle Eastern countries against Iran, as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani applaud at the White House in Washington, U.S., September 15, 2020. REUTERS/Tom Brenner

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed agreements on Tuesday to normalize ties with Israel, becoming the first Arab states in a quarter century to break a longstanding taboo, in a strategic realignment of Middle East countries against Iran.

 

U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the White House ceremony, capping a dramatic month when first the UAE and then Bahrain agreed to reverse decades of ill will without a resolution of Israel's dispute with the Palestinians.

 

In front of a crowd of several hundred people on the White House lawn, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed accords with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani.

 

The deals, denounced by the Palestinians, make them the third and fourth Arab states to take such steps to normalize relations since Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

 

Meeting Netanyahu earlier in the Oval Office, Trump said, "We'll have at least five or six countries coming along very quickly" to forge their own accords with Israel.

 

Later Trump told reporters a third Gulf Arab state, Saudi Arabia, would strike an agreement with Israel "at the right time." The Saudi cabinet stressed in a statement the need for a "just and comprehensive solution" to the Palestinian issue.

 

Saudi Arabia is the biggest Gulf Arab power. Its king is custodian of Islam's holiest sites and rules the world's largest oil exporter. Despite its own reluctance, the kingdom's quiet acquiescence to the agreements was seen as crucial.

 

'CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY'

The ceremony provided Trump with valuable imagery as he tries to hold on to power in a Nov. 3 presidential election. Flags of the United States, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain were in abundance.

 

"We're here this afternoon to change the course of history," Trump said from the White House balcony.

 

Trump called the deals "a major stride in which people of all faiths and backgrounds live together in peace and prosperity" and declared that the three Middle East countries "are going to work together, they are friends."

 

The back-to-back agreements mark an improbable diplomatic victory for Trump. He has spent his presidency forecasting deals on such intractable problems as North Korea's nuclear program only to find achievements elusive.

 

Bringing Israel, the UAE and Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran's rising influence in the region and development of ballistic missiles. Iran criticized both deals.

 

All three of the Middle East leaders hailed the agreements and Trump's role in glowing terms, with Netanyahu saying it gave hope to "all the people of Abraham."

 

But the UAE and Bahraini officials both sought to reassure the Palestinians that their countries were not abandoning them or their quest for statehood in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, despite the Palestinian leadership having decried the deals as a betrayal of their cause.

 

In a sign that regional strife is sure to continue while the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains unresolved, Palestinian militants fired rockets from Gaza into Israel during the ceremony, the Israeli military said.

 

Israel's Magen David Adom ambulance service said paramedics treated two men for light injuries from flying glass in Ashdod, and four others suffered shock.

 

"This is not peace, this is surrender in return for the continuation of the aggression," read a tweet posted on the Twitter account of the Palestine Liberation Organization. "There will be no peace before Palestine is free."

 

One of Saudi Arabia's leading clerics called this month for Muslims to avoid "passionate emotions and fiery enthusiasm" towards Jews. It was a marked change in tone from Abdulrahman al-Sudais, who has shed tears preaching about Palestinians in the past. Adam Reed reports.

 

TRUMP'S EVANGELICAL SUPPORT

With Trump seeking four more years, the accords could help shore up support among pro-Israel Christian evangelical voters, an important part of his political base.

 

Another target of the White House plans, in addition to Saudi Arabia, is Oman, whose leader spoke with Trump last week. Oman sent its ambassador to Tuesday's ceremony, a senior U.S. official said. No Saudi representative attended.

 

Meeting the Emirati foreign minister before the ceremony, Trump thanked the UAE for being first in the Gulf to agree to ties with Israel and left little doubt the Iran issue was overhanging the event.

 

Trump predicted that Iran, under heavy U.S. sanctions, would want to reach a deal with Washington, which has been trying to get it to renegotiate an international nuclear accord. Tehran shows no sign of budging.

 

Netanyahu faces criticism at home of his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and a corruption trial on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust that have led to frequent street protests.

 

Netanyahu denies any wrongdoing and describes his trial as a leftist political witch-hunt aimed at unseating a popular right-wing leader.

 

In a nod to the coronavirus, the White House encouraged but did not require participants to wear masks. It was left to the leaders whether to shake hands, and they did not do so in public. Most people in the crowd did not wear masks.

 

Some differences remain despite warming ties. Trump said on Tuesday he would have no problem selling advanced stealth F-35 fighter jets to the UAE, which for years has sought to obtain them. Israel, which has the F-35, objects to such a sale.

 

Frustrated by the Palestinians' refusal to take part in Trump's Middle East peace initiative, the White House has sought to bypass them in hopes they will see the deals with the UAE and Bahrain as incentives, even leverage, for peace talks.

 

Speaking to Fox News hours before the ceremony, Trump predicted the Palestinians would eventually forge peace with Israel or else be "left out in the cold."

 

The Palestinian leadership has long accused Trump of pro-Israel bias and denounced the Arab rapprochement with Israel, even though Netanyahu agreed, in return for normalization with the UAE, to suspend a plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

 

Although Israeli-Palestinian negotiations broke down in 2014, some Gulf Arab states and several other Arab countries have long had quiet, informal contacts with Israel.

 

(Reporting By Steve Holland and Matt Spetalnick, additional reporting by Dan Williams, Aziz El Yakoubi and Maha El Dahan, Doina Chiacu, Stephen Farrell, Jeffrey Heller, Ali Sawafta, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Nayera Abdallah Editing by Howard Goller)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-16

 

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[Jack Mountain]

Who will be the first to be stabbed in the back?

[Tug]

26 minutes ago, Jack Mountain said:

Who will be the first to be stabbed in the back?

I don’t know but with the Palestinians left out the capital moved to Jerusalem so who knows 

[ezzra]

Words to the wise, don't be surprise if very soon other arab countries will follow suits, as championing the Palestinian cause has lost it's luster and the need for US protection coupled with Israel technologies and know how and top it up with the fear of menacing Iran and shia domination in the region has made those countries to change alliances for better and more secured future...

[pegman]

Back room deal made by a couple of Arab absolute dictators. Neither of their country's people's would vote for it if put to them. 

[bodga]

Good , the  only sensible  option

[TopDeadSenter]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Trump called the deals "a major stride in which people of all faiths and backgrounds live together in peace and prosperity" and declared that the three Middle East countries "are going to work together, they are friends."

Does not sound very divisive to me. Quite the opposite in fact. I wonder what quality Trump had that allowed him to succeed in brokering peace in this turbulent region? A region where career politicians and their shadowy backers have failed to calm for so long it started to look an impossible task. At any rate it is fortuitous timing for the President. 

[Scott]

Off-topic, troll post reported and removed.  

 

[heybuz]

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Does not sound very divisive to me. Quite the opposite in fact. I wonder what quality Trump had that allowed him to succeed in brokering peace in this turbulent region? A region where career politicians and their shadowy backers have failed to calm for so long it started to look an impossible task. At any rate it is fortuitous timing for the President. 

Apparently arms sales to these countries were linked to the deal.

[EVENKEEL]

1 hour ago, pegman said:

Back room deal made by a couple of Arab absolute dictators. Neither of their country's people's would vote for it if put to them. 

Have you ever been to Bahrain or Dubai? These are smart and educated people.

[Paul Henry]

Once Trump sells sophisticated and hi tech arms and equipment (especially aircraft and missiles) to the Arabs you can kiss any treaties goodbye.Its all about power balance for the Arabs and all about selling military equipment to Trump.

[TopDeadSenter]

12 minutes ago, Paul Henry said:

Once Trump sells sophisticated and hi tech arms and equipment (especially aircraft and missiles) to the Arabs you can kiss any treaties goodbye.Its all about power balance for the Arabs and all about selling military equipment to Trump.

You guys have proof that Trump is selling aircraft and missiles to the Arabs? I thought Trump was in the hospitality business mainly, never knew he owned weapon manufacturers(and yes I do relalise that Boeing,Honeywell,Lockheed Martin etc are US companies and do export weaponry and related tech- which is not your claim!). Where does he get all the time to make evil deals while achieving all this incredible peace around the world? Or is it another fallacious and defamatory smear against the President?

Edited September 16, 2020 by TopDeadSenter

[saminoz]

2 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

Does not sound very divisive to me. Quite the opposite in fact. I wonder what quality Trump had that allowed him to succeed in brokering peace in this turbulent region? A region where career politicians and their shadowy backers have failed to calm for so long it started to look an impossible task. At any rate it is fortuitous timing for the President. 

What peace?!!

When have either the UAE or Bahrain been in a shooting war with Israel in the last 50 years?

This so-called agreement is totally worthless and designed to boost Trump's ego and, somehow, his re-election chances, not that his idiot supporters could even place any of the countries on a world map!

This is nothing but lipstick on a pig.

[mrmicbkktxl]

4 hours ago, pegman said:

Back room deal made by a couple of Arab absolute dictators. Neither of their country's people's would vote for it if put to them. 

But they all against Iran

[Morch]

5 hours ago, Jack Mountain said:

Who will be the first to be stabbed in the back?

 

How do you mean "backstab"?

[Morch]

4 hours ago, Tug said:

I don’t know but with the Palestinians left out the capital moved to Jerusalem so who knows 

 

How do you mean "the capital moved to Jerusalem"? Israel always had Jerusalem as it's capital. You might be referring to the USA Embassy move sham (they are still operating mainly from the 'old' embassy and consulate, in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, respectively).

[Morch]

4 hours ago, pegman said:

Back room deal made by a couple of Arab absolute dictators. Neither of their country's people's would vote for it if put to them. 

 

But, obviously, no such comments out of you regarding Palestinians neither being asked for their opinions nor voting on issues. Both Palestinian leaderships are repressive, and the people do not have much of a say on policy etc.

 

Kinda doubt you know the minds and views of either country's people on this matter.

[Morch]

2 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

Once Trump sells sophisticated and hi tech arms and equipment (especially aircraft and missiles) to the Arabs you can kiss any treaties goodbye.Its all about power balance for the Arabs and all about selling military equipment to Trump.

 

Do you have anything to support this assertions with? Did these countries turn on the USA after previous arms deals were signed? Even the "power balance" comment is out of context, as the crux is that the new power balance is vs. Iran, rather than vs. Israel.

[Morch]

2 hours ago, TopDeadSenter said:

You guys have proof that Trump is selling aircraft and missiles to the Arabs? I thought Trump was in the hospitality business mainly, never knew he owned weapon manufacturers(and yes I do relalise that Boeing,Honeywell,Lockheed Martin etc are US companies and do export weaponry and related tech- which is not your claim!). Where does he get all the time to make evil deals while achieving all this incredible peace around the world? Or is it another fallacious and defamatory smear against the President?

 

I doubt you weren't aware all such arms sales are subject to Federal approval, and involve a multitude of hoops to go through. It's not like any of these firms can decide to sell high grade arms on its own accord. Doesn't work this way.

 

Also -

 

Quote

US President Donald Trump said he would have “no problem” selling F-35 fighter jets to the United Arab Emirates, despite objections from Israel.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/trump-says-he-would-have-no-problem-selling-f-35-jets-uae-despite-israel-b447851.html

 

 

Trump not doing things personally doesn't stop you from adulating and congratulating him on such grounds as 'defeating ISIS', 'dealing with the Corona crisis', 'putting down the riots' and whatnot. I'm aware that expecting consistency from some is futile.

Edited September 16, 2020 by Morch

[Eric Loh]

The alliance is simply to give themselves protection from Iranian attack and perhaps more trade. Really nothing to further the Palestine solution. No way a win for peace in the Middle East. 

[Morch]

1 hour ago, saminoz said:

What peace?!!

When have either the UAE or Bahrain been in a shooting war with Israel in the last 50 years?

This so-called agreement is totally worthless and designed to boost Trump's ego and, somehow, his re-election chances, not that his idiot supporters could even place any of the countries on a world map!

This is nothing but lipstick on a pig.

 

It is true these aren't really peace agreements, no matter what they are labeled as. But as for the being worthless, I'll have to disagree.

 

For starters, even from the POV presented, they are obviously worthwhile for Trump, if they gain him some extra support. I'm hardly a Trump fan, but I can acknowledge the timing is very good for his campaign.

 

As for the agreements themselves, their value is less in the material issues involved, more to do with the conceptual change they represent. It's quite a shift, and if it will include other regional players it would be very significant.

 

Something playing in Trump's favor does not automatically imply it's objectively worthless.

[Morch]

12 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

The alliance is simply to give themselves protection from Iranian attack and perhaps more trade. Really nothing to further the Palestine solution. No way a win for peace in the Middle East. 

 

More countries in the ME having full relations not "a win for peace in the Middle East", says poster.

 

Defining peace in the Middle East as applying solely to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict being resolved, is not necessarily correct or helpful.

 

I don't think that the two agreements signed will actually help the Palestinians much, or that by themselves will contribute much to resolving the conflict. That said, it's not like not having these agreements in place had a different effect. While remaining skeptical, it is possible to assert the possibility of further connection and ties with Arab countries acting not to embolden Israel, but as driving it to carry on in a more cautious manner.

 

It may also act as a wake up call for the Palestinian side, with regard to both diminishing support and positions held. Again, skeptical as well on this manifesting itself anytime soon.

Edited September 16, 2020 by Morch

[Iron Tongue]

2 hours ago, saminoz said:

What peace?!!

When have either the UAE or Bahrain been in a shooting war with Israel in the last 50 years?

This so-called agreement is totally worthless and designed to boost Trump's ego and, somehow, his re-election chances, not that his idiot supporters could even place any of the countries on a world map!

This is nothing but lipstick on a pig.

Please, do explain how Arabs of the Gulf States benefit by conspiring to boost Trump's ego and his election prospects?  Especially when Trump has made the USA energy self-sufficient, and even a net exporter.  They do this by negotiating with Jared Kushner, who happens to be an orthodox jew?

 

Or, perhaps they are tired of supporting a Palestinean cause which, aside from always having their hands out, have made no effort to sit for a 2 state solution.  Unless attacked, Israel hasn't shown any desire to expand beyond their current land, have kept to all agreements, while an emboldened Iran is a real existential threat to every country in the Middle East.

[Morch]

5 minutes ago, Iron Tongue said:

Please, do explain how Arabs of the Gulf States benefit by conspiring to boost Trump's ego and his election prospects?  Especially when Trump has made the USA energy self-sufficient, and even a net exporter.  They do this by negotiating with Jared Kushner, who happens to be an orthodox jew?

 

Or, perhaps they are tired of supporting a Palestinean cause which, aside from always having their hands out, have made no effort to sit for a 2 state solution.  Unless attacked, Israel hasn't shown any desire to expand beyond their current land, have kept to all agreements, while an emboldened Iran is a real existential threat to every country in the Middle East.

 

The gain some measure of goodwill from Trump. Scratch my back, I scratch yours. They get arms they were wishing to buy for some time now. They get extra protection from Iran. They do not get censured for their move.

 

Also, yes - the Palestinian issue is not what it used to be. And with regard to the UAE, there are even more issues vs. Abbas's regime (relations severed a while back).

 

You are obviously uninformed when claiming Israel hasn't shown any desire to expand. Israel's very recent annexation effort was extensively covered, and shelving it is one of the core issues in this agreement. Also Israel did not keep to all agreement signed vs. the Palestinians, in the same way that the Palestinians did not always adhere to their commitments.

[Eric Loh]

17 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

More countries in the ME having full relations not "a win for peace in the Middle East", says poster.

 

Defining peace in the Middle East as applying solely to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict being resolved, is not necessarily correct or helpful.

 

I don't think that the two agreements signed will actually help the Palestinians much, or that by themselves will contribute much to resolving the conflict. That said, it's not like not having these agreements in place had a different effect. While remaining skeptical, it is possible to assert the possibility of further connection and ties with Arab countries acting not to embolden Israel, but as driving it to carry on in a more cautious manner.

 

It may also act as a wake up call for the Palestinian side, with regard to both diminishing support and positions held. Again, skeptical as well on this manifesting itself anytime soon.

We kind of expect the Palestine’s solution to be sidestepped when Trump unveiled his vision for Middle East peace standing next to Netanyahu. Gifted a long wishlist of Israel’s long-held demands while promising severe restrictions to Palestinians. 
 

What and who signed in this new alliances just confirmed that Palestine has once again being used as political football for those who have their own agenda. 
 

Arabs and Palestinians long for normal relations with Israel but only after the occupation has ended. When one party is a military power backed by the world’s mightiest military, peace must be reached through a just settlement, not unilateral action blatantly displayed by Israel. UAE and Bahrain simply emboldened Israel’s action. A country that serially violates human rights (UN Security Council Resolution 242), should not be rewarded with normal relationships even with tiny and not ‘involved’ Arab gulf countries. 
 

 

 

[Morch]

17 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

We kind of expect the Palestine’s solution to be sidestepped when Trump unveiled his vision for Middle East peace standing next to Netanyahu. Gifted a long wishlist of Israel’s long-held demands while promising severe restrictions to Palestinians. 
 

What and who signed in this new alliances just confirmed that Palestine has once again being used as political football for those who have their own agenda. 
 

Arabs and Palestinians long for normal relations with Israel but only after the occupation has ended. When one party is a military power backed by the world’s mightiest military, peace must be reached through a just settlement, not unilateral action blatantly displayed by Israel. UAE and Bahrain simply emboldened Israel’s action. A country that serially violates human rights (UN Security Council Resolution 242), should not be rewarded with normal relationships even with tiny and not ‘involved’ Arab gulf countries. 
 

 

 

 

I don't know which "we" you think you represent.

 

The Palestinians (or rather, the Palestinian issue) being sidelined is also down to their own actions and choices. It cannot be totally laid on other parties. The often expressed sentiment that the Palestinians are not accountable for anything is preposterous.

 

The Palestinian issue and the Palestinians themselves being used for political purposes is nothing new. It isn't clear how they weren't used on past instances, when support was more forthcoming. Don't seem to recall it was much an issue for poster when it was applied the other way around. Indeed, there are even some posters who actively advocate the continuation of the current situation - obviously more in service of the 'struggle' narrative than having much to do with the Palestinians' lot.

 

Doubt that Arabs and Palestinians "long" for normal relations with Israel. More like being pragmatic, at best. If they actually "longed" for it, rather than having hopes of the problem going away, things would have been addressed decades ago.

 

Contrary to your claim there are now four Arab countries having full relations with Israel (Egypt, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain) and other having unofficial relations. All this with the occupation in place, rather than after it's ended.

 

Peace requires both parties being ready and willing. I'm not about to claim Israel is either, but the same is true regarding the Palestinian side. Laying on all the blame for failures on one of them is counterfactual.

 

Both Arab countries and the Palestinian violated and violate human rights and UN resolutions. Don't see you and others as mightily upset about it as when Israel's transgressions are brought up. If violations of human rights would be the sole criteria for maintaining relations, guess China (a country you regularly express support for) would be isolated. 

[wolf81]

7 hours ago, Jack Mountain said:

Who will be the first to be stabbed in the back?

I don't believe there will be much stabbing going on. Sure, the Palestinians are angry, but I have never seen them any other way.

 

In secret, Israel already had a deal with Saudi-Arabia to allow their military airplanes to fly over Saudi-Arabia. Mainly because Saudi-Arabia sees a benefit in Israel being able to control Iran's nuclear ambitions. It seems the Emirates and Bahrein have similar concerns on Iran which in part helped form this deal. 

https://apnews.com/483518e953ade2a1846f1e1e0b29a0e0

Personally I don't believe Iran is much of a threat ... but it's still good if relations between Israel and nearby Arab countries are normalised more. It'll be good for all in the end if these countries can work together. It'll be better for these countries to accept that Israel is here to stay and instead focus on improving trade and cooperations in other areas (technology, water management), so situations for everyone can improve. 

Edited September 16, 2020 by wolf81

[Morch]

22 minutes ago, wolf81 said:

I don't believe there will be much stabbing going on. Sure, the Palestinians are angry, but I have never seen them any other way.

 

In secret, Israel already had a deal with Saudi-Arabia to allow their military airplanes to fly over Saudi-Arabia. Mainly because Saudi-Arabia sees a benefit in Israel being able to control Iran's nuclear ambitions. It seems the Emirates and Bahrein have similar concerns on Iran which in part helped form this deal. 

https://apnews.com/483518e953ade2a1846f1e1e0b29a0e0

Personally I don't believe Iran is much of a threat ... but it's still good if relations between Israel and nearby Arab countries are normalised more. It'll be good for all in the end if these countries can work together. It'll be better for these countries to accept Israel now and improve trade and cooperations in other areas (technology, water management), so situations for everyone can improve. 

 

In regional context, Iran is definitely a threat, or at the very least, a challenge. Agree that globally it's not currently quite on par with real threats.

 

Normalization of relations and better ties between countries in the Middle East are a good thing. It's not like the rejectionist position did much for any of the parties involved. That said, this still doesn't address the main issue - Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.

[AndyFoxy]

Well done, President Trump.

[oompie69]

Population in these two countries together about 12000000. Iran population 83000000. Highly questionable whether this will change anything in the Middle East.