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Saturday, January 9, 2021

Israeli-UAE relations rapidly deepening with Abraham Accord (4)

 * You can read full text as follows.

202011AbrahamAccordEnglish.pdf (maeda1.jp)


(Japanese Version)

(Arabic Version)

Nov, 2020

4. Medical care, education and entertainment

 

Prior to the announcement of the peace agreement, the most urgent joint work had been launched in medical care in June[1]. It was the research project on countermeasures against COVID-19. A memorandum of understanding on the use of AI (artificial intelligence) was also signed between Mohamed Bin Zayed University in UAE and Weizmann Institute in Israel[2]. In media industry, the Abu Dhabi Film Commission (ADFC) and the Israel Film Fund (IFF) have agreed to cooperate in the production of TV programs. They have plans to develop joint projects in four fields such as workshops and training, etc.[3]

 


 

UAE and Israel are rapidly deepening their alliances in a wide range of fields including politics, economy, education, and medical care. In addition, significant progress has been made between the United States and the UAE in the military field. The US lifted export ban on the F-35 stealth fighter to the UAE.

 

UAE decided to sign peace treaty with Israel according to the recommendation by the U.S. In the process of negotiations, the UAE strongly requested U.S. to sell its F-35 jet fighters in exchange for peace treaty with Israel. The F-35, which has stealth capabilities that is difficult for the enemy to detect, is the state-of-the-art weapon. Currently only five countries including Japan and Israel own this jet fighter. Israel, whose top priority is to maintain a military advantage in the Middle East, has been reluctant to export the F-35 from the U.S. to UAE. Israel was afraid that it would upset the military balance of the region. But UAE eagerly requested the F-35 to enforce defense power against Iran confronting across the Persian Gulf. After long behind-the-scenes negotiations, U.S. President Trump finally decided to sell F-35s to the UAE and notified Congress[4].

 

Postscript: Saudi Crown Prince seems to be impatient over the UAE

 

Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman (MbS), who is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, must be very impatient for the UAE-Israel peace agreement. Bahrain has followed the UAE, while Kuwait has remained supportive of Palestine. Oman has good relationship with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu had visited Oman during the reign of late Sultan Qaboos. The GCC is split into several factions over Israel.

 

MbS has been overconfident that Saudi Arabia could unconditionally suppress other GCC countries in all fields of diplomacy, economy and military. He had to intend to lead the GCC in diplomacy by showing off his close relationship with Jared Kushner, Senior Advisor to the US President. However, King Salman is sticking to the two-country peace initiative that promise Palestinian independence. The initiative was launched by former King Abdullah[5]. Recent media shows that MbS is being suppressed by his father. In addition to the delay of the progress of Vision 2030, MbS seems to be deeply impatient on both domestic affairs and diplomacy.

 

End

 

By Areha Kazuya

E-mail: Arehakazuya1@gmail.com

 



[1] UAE and Israeli companies sign deal to tackle COVID-19

2020/6/25 Arab News

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1695391/business-economy

[2] UAE, Israeli educational institutions sign artificial intelligence MoU

2020/9/13 Arab News

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1733786/middle-east

[3] UAE, Israeli film industries sign deal on TV production collaboration

2020/9/21 Khaleej Times

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/generalUAE,-Israeli-film-industries-sign-deal-on-TV-production-collaboration-1

[4] US seeks to sell F-35 fighter jets to UAE as reward for Israel accord

2020/10/30 Khaleej Times

https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/americas/us-seeks-to-sell-f-35-fighter-jets-to-uae-as-reward-for-israel-accord

[5] Saudi Arabia says it stands by Palestinians, supports efforts for just solution

2020/9/15 Arab News

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1735086/saudi-arabia

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