The stage is being prepared for the historic signing of an agreement to establish bilateral relations between UAE and Israel. Donald Trump wants to hold the ceremony in Washington before the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks to show it as his achievement before the presidential elections.
This week the first direct flight between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi took off crossing over Saudi airspace. Onboard was the Israeli National Security Adviser along with Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner. He wants other Arab countries to recognise Israel but Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are in no hurry. They have stated that recognition of Israel will only be considered after the creation of an independent Palestine state.
Israel is in a powerful position and probably the strongest it has ever been in decades. The UAE deal was made on the condition of not annexing occupied West Bank settlements but Israel claims those plans have been deferred. Although Saudi Arabia has claimed to support the Palestinians, it has not rebuked its Gulf ally and has allowed all transition flights between UAE and Israel over its airspace.
The Palestinians have been shuttered from all this process frustrating Mahmood Abbas who said that no one has the right to talk on behalf of Palestine. This has also led Palestinian factions such as Fatah and Hamas to show rare unity and call for comprehensive dialogue. The Palestinians have denounced the peace deal saying it does not serve their interests and wants commitment on the Arab peace initiative.
Soon the UAE and Israel may been establish diplomatic embassies and hoist their flags on each other’s territory. The conflict doesn’t end with the mere recognition of Israel but rather a two-state solution that includes an independent Palestinian state. This is the policy of many countries but the viewpoint is heard in Washington and the issue has been placed on the sidelines.
It is imperative that Arab countries have a united stance on the UAE-Israel deal. The OIC, which is not concerned about Kashmir, should convene a session on Palestine to deliberate on the way forward. A decades-old conflict cannot be resolved without the Palestinians having their own state. The issue will keep festering and therefore it is in everyone’s interest, including Israel, if there is a just settlement.
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