Trump Affirms Role In Israel-UAE Normalization By Hosting Commitment Signing Events

Israel, UAE and US meeting in Abu Dhabi (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - President of the United States (US) Donald Trump emphasized his role in normalizing relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Trump will host a ceremony to sign a commitment to normalization between the two countries which will be held on Tuesday, September 15.

The news was conveyed by a senior White House official told Reuters. Israel and the UAE are also reported to have agreed to establish normal relations. Israel is also said to have agreed to suspend the annexation of the West Bank, which is an important part of the normalization deal.

The official who wished for anonymity also said Israeli Prime Minister (PM) Benjamin Netanyahu would be present at the signing ceremony. From the UAE, the delegation was given to Foreign Minister Sheikh Anbdullah bin Zayed al-Nayhan.

"I am proud to start next week in Washington. At the invitation of President Trump to take part in this historic ceremony at the White House, for the basis of the peace agreement between Israel and the United (Arab) Emirates," Netanyahu said, quoted Wednesday, September 9.

Trump and other administration officials expressed hope that Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries would follow the UAE's steps to normalize relations with Israel. It is also hoped that these agreements will encourage Palestine to join in the negotiations.

Trump's senior adviser, Jared Kushner and other top government officials accompanied the Israeli delegation on its first flight from Israel to the UAE. Meanwhile, the UAE plans to make its first official visit to Israel on September 22.

One country that has strongly criticized the Israel-UAE agreement is Iran. Iran's rejection of the agreement has made Israel, the US and the UAE increasingly reinforce the view that Iran is the main threat in the Middle East.

In August, Iran called normalizing relations between the UAE and Israel a dangerous move. The agreement is also considered very embarrassing. Iran also warned the UAE and Israel not to interfere with "political equality" in the Arab Gulf region.

"The UAE government and other counterparts should accept responsibility for all the consequences of this action," the Iranian Foreign Ministry said.

The UAE-Israel agreement is also known to have violated a major Middle East peace plan to resolve decades of conflict between Israel and Palestine. Trump proposed a peace plan between Israel and Palestine in January, which Israel is very fond of. However, this discourse has not developed significantly.

The leaders in Palestine initially called the deal a betrayal and "the stab behind the Palestinian cause." But now the Palestinians are trying to contain their criticism, according to a draft resolution ahead of the Arab League meeting in Cairo.

The UAE-Israel deal provides Netanyahu with diplomatic achievements. Previously, he was often criticized for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and the economy, conditions that even sparked protests for Netanyahu to immediately resign.

Although Netanyahu promised to continue to apply Israeli sovereignty to areas, including in Jewish settlements, Netanyahu said his side first needed a green light from the US.