UAE’s ambassador to the U.S. praises “overwhelming positive reaction” to Trump announcement of UAE-Israel peace deal.
By Yakir Benzion, United With Israel
The United Arab Emirate’s ambassador in Washington says the peace deal between his country and Israel has received support from the United Nations and dozens of countries around the world as well as bipartisan support from politicians in the United States.
“We are encouraged by the overwhelming positive reaction from the United Nations and more than 40 other countries around the world [so far],” Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba told the Emirates News Agency, WAM.
“They similarly view this accord as a breakthrough for peace and a framework to create even more positive change for the Middle East region,” Al Otaiba said.
“We were also pleased with the overwhelming support in the United States. Both the Trump White House and the Biden campaign welcomed the announcement, as did more than 140 Members of Congress from both parties, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell,” he added.
Al Otaiba noted that prominent American foreign policy and national security experts also praised the accord, including Dennis Ross, who was former president Obama’s peace negotiator, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro, and top opinion columnists David Ignatius of the Washington Post and Thomas Friedman of the New York Times.
Asked about reports on more Arab nations following the UAE’s footsteps in this regard, the ambassador said, “I am not in a position to speak about what other countries will do. However, I am hopeful that the UAE-Israel peace accord will be seen as a framework to create positive change for the Middle East region…
“Many experts noted that this could provide an opportunity for the Palestinians and Israelis to restart meaningful discussions.”
“Improved relations among the region’s most advanced economies and dynamic societies will support economic growth and prosperity, spur technological innovation and entrepreneurship, and build greater understanding between our cultures,” Al Otaiba concluded.
‘We Look Forward to Welcoming Israelis’
In an article Al Otaiba wrote exclusively for Ynet, published Friday, the diplomat celebrated the promising future, saying that “near-term plans include talks on air travel, telecommunications and shipping; collaboration on health, water and food security, climate change, technology and energy; cultural and educational exchanges; and ministerial-level visits.
“An exchange of ambassadors and diplomatic missions will follow,” he stated.
Furthermore, “Our two governments also will start work on reciprocal visa access for tourists, students and businesspeople. With direct flights, our world-leading airlines will offer quick access to the UAE and beyond to virtually every major destination on earth.
“And as we make progress against the coronavirus, we look forward to welcoming Israelis to visit their pavilion and more than 100 others at the World Expo in Dubai next October.”