Trump has just announced a historic peace deal between Israel and the UAE:
HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020
UPDATE: Here is the official announcement:
Here’s more from the AP:
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United Arab Emirates and Israel have agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.
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.
Trump tweeted a statement from the countries, acknowledging the deal. He then told reporters in the Oval Office that it was “a truly historic moment.”
“Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates,” he said.
The recognition grants a rare diplomatic win to Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition while efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians have made no headway.
A joint statement from the U.S., the UAE and Israel was issued immediately after Trump’s tweet. It said delegations would meet in the coming weeks to sign deals on direct flights, security, telecommunications, energy, tourism and health care. The two countries also will partner on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
“Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economics will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation and forging closer people-to-people relations,” said the statement by Trump, Netanyahu and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day-to-day ruler of the UAE. It said the leaders had a three-way call discussing the deal.
Newsers on Twitter are agreeing that this is a big deal:
The deal Trump is announcing, btw the UAE and Israel, seems to be the first of its kind since Jordan recognized Israel in 1994.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) August 13, 2020
Israel and UAE normalizing relations.
Understatement to call this a big deal.
A new geopolitics of the region. Palestine issue no longer a priority for Gulf States. And very bad news for Iran. https://t.co/yJcOVV2dNA
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) August 13, 2020
Breaking :
UAE & Israel reach full normalisation of ties and sign peace treaty. Trump makes announcement, Netanyahu expected to make public statement in the hour
If true this is massive news.
— David Collier (@mishtal) August 13, 2020
According to Mark Knoller, Trump expects other Arab nations to follow:
Pres Trump summons press pool to the Oval Office to announce that Israel and the UAE have agreed to a peace agreement. He spoke to leaders of both countries and says they will exchange ambassadors and open embassies in each others country. Expects other Arab nations to follow.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 13, 2020
Trump also praised Jared Kushner for his role in the agreement:
Pres Trump joked about naming the Israel-UAE peace agreement the "Donald J. Trump Accord," but said the press wouldn't understand. He lavished praise on his son-in-law and advisor Jared Kushner for his role in arranging the agreement.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) August 13, 2020