Trump hails deal for Israel and UAE to open ties to STOP plan to annex Palestinian territory

PRESIDENT Donald Trump has hailed a deal for Israel and the United Arab Emirates to open ties to stop a plan to annex Palestinian territory.

Trump said the UAE and Israel have reached an agreement to establish full diplomatic ties.

The joint statement of the United States, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates was shared by Trump on Twitter Thursday morning.

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel, the Associated Press reported.

“HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!,” Trump wrote in another tweet.

Trump also told reporters at the White House that it was “a truly historic moment.”

He said: “Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates.”

The joint statement, released by the White House, explained that delegations would meet within the upcoming weeks to sign deals on direct flights, security, telecommunications, energy, tourism and health care.

It read: “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.”

The two countries will also work on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

“As a result of this diplomatic breakthrough and at the request of President Trump with the support of the United Arab Emirates, Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim World,” another part of the statement said.

“This normalization of relations and peaceful diplomacy will bring together two of America’s most reliable and capable regional partners.

“Israel and the United Arab Emirates will join with the United States to launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand diplomatic, trade, and security cooperation.”

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praised the deal in a statement.

“This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world’s most forward leaning, technologically advanced states, and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region,” he said.

“It also illustrates their commitment to confronting common threats, as small — but strong — nations.

“Blessed are the peacemakers. Mabruk and Mazal Tov.”

More to follow…

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