Israel – UAE | Historic meeting between the two leaders

Defence Redefined

Published on 14/12/2021 at 14:15

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Monday in Abu Dhabi with United Arab Emirates strongman Mohammed bin Zayed, a historic meeting that marks a “new reality” in the region.

Trade relations were the focus of talks on the second day of a visit by Bennett, the first head of the Israeli government to an Arab Gulf monarchy. The visit came as the Jewish state pushed for sanctions against Iran, its sworn enemy, and key Emirati economic partner.

Bennett was received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in his private palace, where they talked for more than four hours, according to Israeli officials. Mohammed bin Zayed “expressed the hope that this visit will contribute to positive developments in (bilateral) cooperation,” according to the official Emirates news agency WAM.

The two men discussed “ways to work together” in “investment, economy, trade, and development, mainly in agriculture, food security, renewable energy, high technology and health,” according to WAM.

Speaking to WAM, Bennett spoke of a “new reality” in the region. In a video released by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office at the end of his visit, Bennett welcomed the “direct, thorough and relevant talks on our two countries, our region, our economy, our technologies and what we can do together.”

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“I return to Israel very optimistic that this relationship (with the Emirates) can be an example of how we can make peace here in the Middle East,” he added.

Bennett’s visit to Abu Dhabi took place more than a year after the signing of an agreement to normalize relations between the two countries on September 15, 2020. Bahrain had signed a similar agreement on the same day and the two countries became its first Arab monarchies of the Gulf that publicly normalized their relations with Israel.  

Since then, the Emirates and the Jewish state have concluded trade agreements in various fields. “The Emirati people are interested in Bennett’s experience in high technology and business, as well as in Israeli innovation in general,” said a source inside the Israeli delegation. Beyond the economy, the issue of Iran’s nuclear program raises common concerns in Israel and its new Gulf partners.

Source: CNA

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