* You can read full text as follows.
202011AbrahamAccordEnglish.pdf (maeda1.jp)
(Arabic Version)
Nov, 2020
1. Political and diplomatic issues
UAE lifted the Israeli boycott
on August 30. In Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House, a worship facility for
the three major monotheistic religions of the Jewish synagogue, Christian
church and Islamic mosque, had been constructed last year[1].
On September 3, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) announced that it would
open an office in the UAE[2].
Now Jews in US can do business freely with the wealthy Arabs in UAE and neighboring
oil-producing countries.
On September 24, the energy
ministers of both countries discussed business cooperation on energy and
infrastructure[3]. On October 6, foreign
ministers of two countries met in Berlin, Germany on the occasion of the
ceremony to commemorate the unification of East and West Germany[4].
The peace agreement Abraham Accord was officially ratified by Israel on October
12[5]
and by the UAE on October 19[6]
respectively.
2. Communication and transportation
Immediately after the announcement of peace agreement, a telephone line was opened between the two countries on August 17[7]. On August 31st, an Israeli Airline flew to Abu Dhabi from Tel Aviv. Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the US President and Son-in-law of President Trump, landed on Abu Dhabi Airport with the Israeli delegation[8].
When Jewish Kushner visited the
Middle East in June 2019, he presented the Peace of Prosperity plan aimed to
the economic development in the Middle East. However, the plan was too much in
favor of Israel to accept by Arab countries. They rejected the plan immediately[9].
Kushner had to be off the front stage of Middle Eastern diplomacy for a while. He
once again appeared on the stage showing the bilateral treaty between Israel
and the UAE. It was his tactic to divide the Arab countries individually.
Bahrain and Sudan followed the UAE. There seems to be no doubt that the
Kushner’s diplomacy gave President Trump points for the re-election. It was a
diplomatic success for President Trump.
On September 4, it was
announced that cargo flights would start between Tel Aviv and Dubai. Israeli
Airlines would carry agricultural and high-tech products on its Boeing 747[10].
On October 19, the first passenger flight to Tel Aviv departed from Abu Dhabi
Airport[11].
Two governments mutually agreed to operate 28 passenger flights a week and 10 cargo
flights[12].
Global aviation demand is declining due to COVID-19. It is unclear how much
demand for passenger and cargo flights between the UAE and Israel is.
(cont’d)
By Areha Kazuya
E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com
[1] UAE to open synagogue
2019/9/22 Kuwait Times
[2] American
Jewish Committee to open office in UAE
2020/9/3
Khaleej Times
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/american-jewish-committee-to-open-office-in-uae
[3] UAE,
Israel discuss energy, infrastructure cooperation
2020/9/24
Arab News
[4] ‘Historic’ moment as UAE and Israeli foreign ministers meet for first
time
2020/10/6
Arab News
[5] UAE and
Israel leaders hold post-accord phone talks
2020/10/13
Arab News
[6] UAE
ratifies peace signing agreement with Israel
2020/10/19
Arab News
[7] UAE and
Israel open phone link, sign research deal
2020/8/17
Khaleej Times
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/region/uae-and-israel-open-phone-link-sign-research-deal
[8] US-Israeli
delegation lands in Abu Dhabi on historic flight
2020/8/31
Arab News
[9] Kushner:
Door still open to Palestinians despite Bahrain boycott
2019/6/28
Arab News
[10] Israel’s
El Al announces cargo flight to Dubai
2020/9/3
Arab News
[11] First
Emirati passenger flight lands in Israel
2020/10/19
Arab News
[12] Israel,
UAE to sign agreement for 28 weekly flights
2020/10/18
Arab News
