Israel normalizes relations with some Gulf States, Sudan & Morocco [#288]

[FreakCricket]

Oh god no, I gather British Pakistanis wont be holidaying in Dubai anymore

Who tf Vacations at dubai anyways isn't it just a layover place, I judge people who primarly go to dubai from this far for vacation only!

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Turkey slams UAE's 'hypocritical behaviour'

Turkey condemned the UAE for normalising ties with Israel as a "hypocritical" betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

"While betraying the Palestinian cause to serve its narrow interests, the UAE is trying to present this as a kind of act of self-sacrifice for Palestine. History and the conscience of the people living in the region will not forget and never forgive this hypocritical behaviour," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Irony is that Turkey is Israel’s 7th largest trading partner at $1.7 billion in 2019, and largest one to do so in that region <a href="https://t.co/EcnYx9HDPs">https://t.co/EcnYx9HDPs</a></p>— Mohammad Taqi (@mazdaki) <a href="https://twitter.com/mazdaki/status/1294242403604471808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Typical ‘Noora kushti’.

 

[Savak]

People in Pakistan should actually first research on how the Palestinians and Arabs in general consider Pakistanis before blindly giving out blanket solidarity with the Palestinians statements

 

[the Great Khan]

Who tf Vacations at dubai anyways isn't it just a layover place, I judge people who primarly go to dubai from this far for vacation only!

where I live, every Muslim i run into goes to dubai..i have been a couple of times in the past but I would never go with my family for like a ten day holiday. Its the lazy Muslims holiday..those that lack any interest in culture or sights..if you want food and shopping go to Dubai.

 

[the Great Khan]

People in Pakistan should actually first research on how the Palestinians and Arabs in general consider Pakistanis before blindly giving out blanket solidarity with the Palestinians statements

their feelings towards us are irrelevant. they are guarding the third kibla, hence our interest. Also the linkages to Pakistans core ideology and kashmir..its bigger than just the people..

 

[CricketCartoons]

Having diplomatic relations doesn't mean being friends.

 

[The Viper]

Palestinians unanimously reject UAE-Israel deal

Spoiler

Gaza City - Palestinians reacted with shock and dismay after US President Donald Trump unveiled an agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel to normalise ties.

The deal pledges full normalisation of relationships between the two countries in the areas of security, tourism, technology and trade in return for suspending Israel's annexation plans in the West Bank.

Both the Palestinian leadership and public were caught by surprise when the announcement came on Thursday.

"We absolutely had no prior knowledge of this agreement," Ahmed Majdalani, the Palestinian Authority's (PA) minister of social affairs, told Al Jazeera. "The timing and speed of reaching this agreement were surprising, especially that it came at a critical moment in the Palestinian struggle."

Former PA minister Munib al-Masri noted Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who ruled Abu Dhabi for more than 30 years before his death in 2004, had always been a strong supporter of the Palestinians.

"The late Sheikh Zayed was a dear brother to me, I knew how much he was proud of his support for Palestine… I never imagined that in my lifetime I would see the day in which the UAE would simply sell the Palestinians out for the sake of normalisation," al-Masri said. "It's very shameful. I can't believe it until now."

Other Palestinian officials said though the news came abruptly, it was not much of a surprise.

"We were not surprised that much because the Emirati army was never on the borders ready to fight Israel," said Mustafa al-Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative and member of the PA parliament.

"We've been seeing recent strange moves by the UAE such as sending direct flights to Israel, and there were leaks of secret accords between the two in terms of scientific and economic cooperation. It is clear that these were preliminary steps to absorb yesterday's shock."

Rejecting the agreement

The PA and all Palestinian factions, including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad, issued official statements denouncing the UAE-Israel agreement. Palestinian leaders who spoke to Al Jazeera called it a "stab in the back".

"We already knew that there has been normalisation going under the table, but to formalise and legalise it that way at this critical moment is shocking. It's a stab in our back and the back of all Arab nations," said Majida al-Masri, former PA minister of social affairs.

Al-Barghouti emphasised the deal "doesn't introduce any change or progress, it's far from being genuine peace".

"This is an attempt to enforce the 'deal of the century' that aims to liquidate Palestinian national rights, it represents a denial of Palestinian, Arab and Islamic rights," he said.

Palestinian leaders said the deal was "a free gift to Israel" and was made to help the re-election of Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The UAE's position, in terms of its timing and essence, can only be understood as giving Israel leverage for free," said Wasel Abu Yousef, member of the PLO's Executive Committee and leader of the Palestine Liberation Front. "There's no reasonable justification for it except that it gives more power to the occupation and increases its crimes against the Palestinians."

Normalising de facto annexation

Israel, UAE announce normalisation of relations with US help (2:25)
Although, Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed said the agreement "was reached to stop further Israeli annexation", Palestinians saw little credibility to this claim.

"The UAE is trying to deceive and mislead the public by repackaging this shameful agreement as a service to the Palestinians and claiming that it halts annexation, but that's merely throwing dust in the eyes," Majdalani said.

Al-Masri said annexation was "already going nowhere because the entire world was standing against it".

"So using annexation as a pretext is an exploitation of Palestinians to cover up what's been done here," al-Masri said. "But neither the UAE nor other countries are entitled to speak in the name of Palestinians.

"The format of the agreement implicitly approves of Israel's annexation of Jerusalem. It only opposes 'further annexation' while approving what's been annexed already."

Palestinian leaders argued the agreement will not stop Israel from extending sovereignty to the West Bank.

"Instead of de jure annexation, Israel is furthering its creeping annexation. It's accelerating and increasing its aggression on the ground in terms of settlement construction, home demolitions and what's happening in the Ibrahimi and Al-Aqsa mosques, and in lands that fall in area C," said al-Masri.

Palestinians noted that Netanyahu had kept the door open to annexation and merely said it was temporarily delayed.

"Netanyahu responded directly to this point and said that annexation is still on the agenda," al-Masri said. "This is a slap in the face of the UAE - to prove them wrong and embarrass them."

Breaching Arab positions

Al-Barghouti called the agreement "a divergence from the Arab peace initiative" and "a stab in the back of Arab positions".

"It even contradicts the interests of the Emirati people themselves and goes against the historic position of the UAE's previous rulers such as Sheikh Zaid," he said.

Majdalani said the deal aims to reshape the Arab approach to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. "It allows Netanyahu to say that he can achieve peace in return for peace with the Arabs without withdrawing from any territories."

Al-Barghouti said he fears the agreement will give a pretext to countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom - which welcomed the deal - to look away from the situation.

"But we're surprised that Arab governments like Bahrain and others would openly express support for this deal. Did they forget the Palestinian people and their rights? Did they forget Jerusalem and Islam?" he said.

Added Abu Yousef: "The world should see Israel's accelerated and increased crimes on the ground in the occupied territories, not just the threat of annexation."

'Struggle will continue'
Despite the disappointment, Palestinians emphasised Thursday's announcement will not affect their determination to end the occupation.

"Our sacrifices that we gave in confronting this occupation will not go to waste, we will strongly hold on to our rights and principles, supported by all the free people of the world," said Abu Yousef.

Majdalani the Palestinian leadership was looking a ways to respond. "We took an immediate decision to recall our ambassador to Abu Dhabi and we're currently having all options on the table to consider."

Palestinian officials urged the Arab world and international community to act. "The best response to the deal can only come from fellow Arab nations," al-Masri noted.

Abu Yousef said the PLO "calls on Arab states to issue a unified position against the UAE's decision, so that there wouldn't be space for other Arab countries to follow its lead in weakening Arab positions and support to the Palestinians".

He said the UN's International Criminal Court (ICC), which may soon announce an investigation into Israeli actions in occupied Palestine, must now act.

"The international community, particularly international organisations like the UN, are now urged more than ever to take responsibility in stopping these crimes and empowering our people. Hence, we call on the ICC to expedite its ruling on holding the occupation accountable," Abu Yousef said.

Al-Masri concluded: "We still have hope on the Arab people, including the Emirati people who unfortunately cannot express their mind due to terrible state repression. The Arab public still rejects such normalisation."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...y-reject-uae-israel-deal-200814115311669.html

 

[PetroDollars]

where I live, every Muslim i run into goes to dubai..i have been a couple of times in the past but I would never go with my family for like a ten day holiday. Its the lazy Muslims holiday..those that lack any interest in culture or sights..if you want food and shopping go to Dubai.

The appeal of Dubai for muslims is that they grew up in western countries watching there goray friends eat McDs, Five guys, Whoopers, INnOUTs, KFCs now they can live that dream in dubai while being halal and smoke some shisha and pretend they are on holiday,.

 

[Mamoon]

The lack of knowledge on this subject amazes me.

Pakistan will never recognise Israel, as it's an illegal occupying state which since it's illegitimate birth has been involved in state terrorism. I love the Pakistani passport as it mentions Israel as a no go nation.

Some need to study basic history, the UAE, Saudi etc are rulled by Dictators. The same clowns who rant about democracy, hate communism, dictators etc are now happy with a dictatorship making friends with a terrorist state. lol.

You love it so much that you prefer the UK passport over the Pakistani one.

 

[topspin]

That's the typical ex muslim narrative you're trying to push. It shouldn't matter if the UAE made the morally corrupt decision to throw the Palestinians under the bus.

Sorry but what does his religious views have to do with his view on Israel/Palestine?

You'll find plenty of non-Muslims (including ex-Muslims) who do not approve of Israel's occupation of Palestine.

 

[topspin]

So much is made off the Israeli tech industry. I work in tech. I make sonars for submarines. One project we used a single board computer from an Israeli company. It was crap. Israel is way behind USA, China, Korea and Europe. Obviously when compare with third world then it looks like a tech gaint.

What about Intel CPUs?

Having said I prefer AMD Ryzen.

 

[topspin]

It's time for Pakistan to follow suit. If we can trade with China, we can at least have diplomatic relations with Israel.

 

[KingKhanWC]

You love it so much that you prefer the UK passport over the Pakistani one.

I have both. In the UK we speak out against Israel and many times have the UK government held back in the Zionists favour, Syria being one. We have a lot of Muslims in powerful political poistions now, more than can be said of your RSS friends in the UK.

Not sure why you cant accept what YOU have written and what I have written. You want India to bomb children in Pakistan, I want India and Israel to stop murdering children. You prefer blood of innocents , regardles of your passport.

For all I know you could be sitting in Mumbai eating Dhal, nobody has confirmed your Pakistani and your posts suggest you're not or a traitor, which is it?

 

[KingKhanWC]

It's time for Pakistan to follow suit. If we can trade with China, we can at least have diplomatic relations with Israel.

China isnt persecuting anyone based on race or religion. China helped Pak get nukes, Israel tried to stop Pak. Both couldnt be any further apart as people, nations or potential allies of Pak. Jews will never accept Pakistanis as friends, not sure why you think they would?

 

[Firebat]

UAE-Israel deal creates momentum for Israel-Palestine talks: Spain

MADRID (Reuters) - A deal making the United Arab Emirates the third Arab state to forge ties with Israel should provide momentum to seek a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine, Spain’s foreign minister said on Friday.

Welcoming the normalisation of relations, the role played by the United States, and the temporary suspension of further annexation of Palestinian territories, Arancha Gonzalez Laya said it provided a new opportunity to seek peace.

“What we think is important now is to use this context to give an impulse to the negotiations between Israel and Palestine, in accordance with the U.N. resolutions seeking a two-state solution, two states living in peace in security next to each other,” she told Reuters in an interview.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...or-israel-palestine-talks-spain-idUSKCN25A2MQ

 

[Firebat]

As UAE hails Israel accord, silence from Saudi Arabia

DUBAI/RIYADH (Reuters) - As media and people in the United Arab Emirates hailed the Gulf state’s deal to normalise relations with Israel as a diplomatic victory that helps the Palestinians, silence reigned in Saudi Arabia, longtime figurehead of regional policy towards Israel.

Analysts see the surprise UAE-Israel agreement announced on Thursday as a strategic boost for the UAE’s regional and global standing that could put it ahead of its powerful Saudi neighbour and ally, especially in critical relations with Washington.

Saudi Arabia is the Gulf’s largest economy and the world’s biggest oil exporter, but the UAE has in recent years become increasingly assertive in its own foreign policy, especially in regional hot spots such as Libya, Sudan and Yemen.

In July last year the UAE said it was withdrawing its troops from Yemen where it had jointly with Saudi Arabia led a Western-backed coalition fighting the Iran-aligned Houthis since 2015.

The accord was a rare triumph for U.S. President Donald Trump in Middle East diplomacy ahead of his Nov. 3 re-election bid. But, should he be defeated by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, the UAE could gain an advantage over Riyadh in relations with the United States.

“The move positions the UAE nicely should Biden win, as it will help smooth things over with (the U.S.) Congress and, by doing so, leave Saudi Arabia outflanked and more exposed than ever before,” said Neil Quilliam, associate fellow with Chatham House and managing director of Azure Strategy.

“This must be the real concern for the Saudi leadership right now - and the lead calculation on how to respond to the UAE-Israel move.”

Last year Congress passed legislation to block sales of some weapons to Saudi Arabia and the UAE in an attempt to pressure the Gulf states over civilian casualties in the Yemen war. The legislation was vetoed by President Donald Trump.

While there has been no official comment from the Saudis on the UAE-Israel pact so far, Twitter users in the kingdom shared pictures of the late King Faisal, who during the October 1973 Arab-Israeli war led an oil embargo that aimed to punish the United States and other countries for their support of Israel.

Users shared a quote from one of Faisal’s speeches: “If all Arabs agreed to accept the existence of Israel and dividing Palestine, we will never join them.”

Spoiler

“GULF IS AGAINST NORMALISATION”
On Thursday morning, the Arabic hashtag “Gulfis_Against_Normalisation” was trending in third place in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia, a close U.S. ally, has been ruled by 84-year-old King Salman since 2015. He has overseen bold changes at home and abroad led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, or MbS as he is widely referred to, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler and next in line to the throne.

Both Saudi Arabia and Israel view Iran as the major threat to the Middle East. Increased tension between Tehran and Riyadh has fuelled speculation that shared interests may push the Saudis and Israel to work together, and there have been signs in recent years of some thawing between the two.

However, King Salman’s position as custodian of Islam’s holiest sites makes it harder or the kingdom to take the same step as the UAE while the status of Jerusalem remains unresolved and an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal remains elusive.

“To do so would risk losing public support at a time of significant economic crisis and would give a boon to Iran at such a delicate time,” said Quilliam.

Palestinians seek a state on land occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war, with East Jerusalem, also captured then by Israel, as their capital. Israel deems Jerusalem to be its eternal, indivisible capital.

Israel agreed as part of the accord with the UAE to suspend plans to annex parts of the occupied territories, but Palestinians said they were blindsided by the announcement and rejected it, calling it a “betrayal”.

The UAE-Israel deal appeared at odds with a 2002 Arab League peace proposal, moribund for many years, that would have required Israel to withdraw from all occupied territories in exchange for normal relations with Arab states.

White House adviser Jared Kushner hinted on Thursday that other Arab states would follow the UAE’s path. Bahrain, a close Saudi ally, and Oman, which hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2018, have both released statements in support of the UAE opening to Israel.

There has been no official comment from Kuwait, nor from Qatar, which has been in a sharp political dispute with the Saudis, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt for three years.

“Everyone in the UAE is so happy and satisfied with the decision...The negativity you see is only coming from outside,” said Emirati Twitter user Hassan Sajwani, who describes himself as an Emirati writer on current affairs and counter-terrorism with over 60,000 followers.

He tweeted a flag of Israel with a heart emoji and wrote “Visit Israel”.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ccord-silence-from-saudi-arabia-idUSKCN25A1M2

 

[ahmedzee]

Say whatever you have to, if Sheikh Zayed Bin Nahyan Al Sultan was alive, he would not have done this deal. His sons are sore losers.

 

[Pakpak]

Users shared a quote from one of Faisal’s speeches: “If all Arabs agreed to accept the existence of Israel and dividing Palestine, we will never join them.”

A stupid quote. If Israel agreed to a Palestinian state there should be recognition. Israel is a brutal apartheid state, but its not going anywhere. Its a nuclear power and the Arabs had their chance in 67 and absolutely bottled it.

 

[Pakpak]

Sorry but what does his religious views have to do with his view on Israel/Palestine?

You'll find plenty of non-Muslims (including ex-Muslims) who do not approve of Israel's occupation of Palestine.

+1.

Everyone sane accepts Israel's occupation has been a disgrace but by pretending to ignore they don't exist has not bought any solution. A carrot policy of recognition with a two state wouldn't be bad or unreasonable.

 

[Giannis]

It's time for Pakistan to follow suit. If we can trade with China, we can at least have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Not even comparable. Al Quds is the Holy land and China is not Israel or the west, they are extremely pro-Pakistan, they aren't the ones spreading anti-Pakistan propaganda.

 

[Mamoon]

I have both. In the UK we speak out against Israel and many times have the UK government held back in the Zionists favour, Syria being one. We have a lot of Muslims in powerful political poistions now, more than can be said of your RSS friends in the UK.

Not sure why you cant accept what YOU have written and what I have written. You want India to bomb children in Pakistan, I want India and Israel to stop murdering children. You prefer blood of innocents , regardles of your passport.

For all I know you could be sitting in Mumbai eating Dhal, nobody has confirmed your Pakistani and your posts suggest you're not or a traitor, which is it?

You support and pay money to a football club that recognizes Israel and doesn’t give a toss about the Palestinian cause. Your views on the issue do not have an ounce of credibility and are completely hypocritical.

And ask the mods about my location. Maybe they should make you a mod for a day so that you can see that I am more a Pakistani than you can ever wish to be while sitting in the UK and showing patriotism over the Internet.

 

[moghul]

Forget about religion and ummah thing, on purely human right bases, Israel should be punished not rewarded. Israel is South Africa of apartheid days.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Not even comparable. Al Quds is the Holy land and China is not Israel or the west, they are extremely pro-Pakistan, they aren't the ones spreading anti-Pakistan propaganda.

China are a hundred times worse than Israel, they are treating millions of your muslim brothers like caged animals and preventing them from a basic human right like practising their religion.

Why do you all keep lying to yourselves?

 

[Giannis]

China are a hundred times worse than Israel, they are treating millions of your muslim brothers like caged animals and preventing them from a basic human right like practising their religion.

Why do you all keep lying to yourselves?

and what's your source, only western news sources right (including Al Jaz)? Palestine's situation is verified from all sides - east, west - Muslim and nonMuslim. China is comparable to India, they're both treating our Uighur and Kashmiri Muslim brothers and sisters as caged animals, only thing is India is far worse.

 

[Varun]

and what's your source, only western news sources right (including Al Jaz)? Palestine's situation is verified from all sides - east, west - Muslim and nonMuslim. China is comparable to India, they're both treating our Uighur and Kashmiri Muslim brothers and sisters as caged animals, only thing is India is far worse.

So why do you have full diplomatic relations with India then?

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday reiterated its commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Palestine dispute, but said its position on normalisation with Israel would depend on how Palestinian interests would be best served and security in the Middle East is preserved.

“Pakistan’s approach will be guided by our evaluation of how Palestinians’ rights and aspirations are upheld and how regional peace, sec*urity and stability are preserved,” the Foreign Office said in its reaction to the trilateral US-UAE-Israeli agreement under which the UAE would fully normalise ties with Israel, details for which would be negotiated in their subsequent bilateral negotiations.

The UAE would be the third Arab country to normalise relations with Israel after Egypt and Jordan.

The Foreign Office maintained an ambivalent stance on the US-UAE-Israel accord, noting that it would have “far-reaching implications”.

The statement instead of clarifying Pakistani position left more questions especially with regards to normalisation with Israel.

The trilateral statement had said that following the agreement on normalisation with the UAE, Israel would focus “on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world”.

Govt offers ambiguous reaction to UAE-Israel accord

Pakistan does not officially recognise Israel though there have been multiple reports in the past of secret contacts between the officials of the two countries. Islamabad’s longstanding position on the issue of formalising ties with Israel has been that it could happen only after Tel Aviv reaches a peace agreement with the Palestinians.

Those who closely follow Pakistan’s foreign policy found the language of the statement a bit vague. Initially the goalpost for such a thing to happen was the realisation of a viable and independent State of Palestine based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al Sharif as its capital. The latest statement, meanwhile, links it to upholding of Palestinian rights and preservation of regional peace.

“Pakistan has an abiding commitment to the full realisation of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to self-determination. Peace and stability in the Middle East region is also Pakistan’s key priority,” the FO said.

“For a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, Pakistan has consistently supported a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant UN and OIC resolutions as well as international law,” it added.

There was no explanation in the statement about the government’s view about peace in Middle East. The official position so far has been that enduring peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without a just resolution of the Palestine dispute.

The US-UAE-Israel joint statement had said “this historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region”.

Pakistani position on the dispute closely follows that of its Arab allies. The stance of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government on the dispute and issue of ties with Israel has been much more flexible than that of past governments. Islam*abad earlier this year did not reject Deal of the Cen*tury proposed by President Trump despite its categorical rejection by the Pales*tinians. Moreover, a debate on ties with Israel has been allowed to simmer on for a couple of years now.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1574495/palestinian-rights-peace-dear-to-pakistan-fo

 

[MenInG]

DUBAI: As the United Arab Emirates defended its bombshell move to establish relations with Israel, Turkey and Iran condemned the decision while Saudi Arabia conspicuously kept quiet on Friday.

Turkish president said his country could suspend diplomatic ties with the UAE over the move while Iran described the decision as a “strategic stupidity”.

“I gave an order to the foreign minister. I said we could suspend diplomatic relations with the Abu Dhabi administration or withdraw our ambassador,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told reporters.

In a deal announced on Thursday by the US, Israel pledged to suspend its planned annexation of Palestinian lands in exchange for a normalisation of ties with the UAE.

The Palestinian Authority on Thursday announced the “immediate” recall of its ambassador to the UAE in protest at the deal.

President Erdogan is a strong advocate of Palestinian rights and has frequently criticised Israeli policies in the West Bank.

Saudi Arabia keeps quiet as Emirati minister defends move

“History will not forget those who betray the Palestinian people and sell out the Palestinian cause,” Mr Erdogan’s spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, tweeted on Friday.

“Turkey will continue to stand by the Palestinian people.” The Turkish foreign ministry earlier described the UAE-Israel deal as a hypocritical betrayal of the Palestinian cause.

Ties between the UAE and Turkey have been strained for a long time, and have especially deteriorated over the conflict in Libya where the two countries support opposing sides.

For its part, Tehran termed the move “an act of strategic stupidity” that would only strengthen the Iran-backed “axis of resistance”.

“The oppressed people of Palestine and all the free nations of the world will never forgive the normalising of relations with the criminal Israeli occupation regime and the complicity in its crimes,” a foreign ministry statement said.

Tehran warned against Israeli interference in the Gulf and said the UAE should “accept responsibility for all the consequences” of the agreement.

The UAE-Israel agreement comes after Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held rare talks with his Emirati counterpart last week, raising hopes for a mending of their ties.

The UAE had downgraded its relations with Iran in January 2016 amid a spike in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Islamic republic.

UAE stance

An Emirati minister said the deal was designed to “shake up” the impasse over the Palestinian problem and serve his country’s interests.

Omar Saif Ghobash, assistant Minister for Culture and Public Diplomacy, said: “I think we’ve demonstrated that we are able to enter a very staid and tired situation and to shake things up, and we look forward to seeing positive developments coming out of this real engagement,” he said in an interview.

The deal, announced by US President Donald Trump on Thursday, is only the third such accord Israel has struck with an Arab country, and raises the prospect of similar deals with other pro-Western Gulf states.

But regional power Saudi Arabia, whose own efforts to induce Israel to withdraw from occupied territories have been effectively sidelined by the United Arab Emirates move, has remained conspicuously silent.

“We didn’t consult with anybody, we didn’t inform anybody, and as a sovereign state we don’t feel that we have the obligation to do that,” Ghobash said, asked if long-time ally Riyadh was consulted in advance.

“We are in the process now of informing our friends and partners and others in the region as to why we took the step” but “it’s to be expected that not everybody will ... applaud or comment”.

“We have taken the decision as a sovereign state with our own interests and our own calculations in mind.”

The establishment of ties with Israel comes after years of quiet rapprochement, including the hosting of athletes and ministers from the Jewish state.

Apart from the diplomatic implications, there are obvious economic benefits.

The UAE, rich in oil and with big ambitions in space and technology, will be able to do business openly with Israel, which will have access to the modern cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi as they attract talent and investment.

“We as a country are very globally connected and we do find that the connections are incredibly lucrative and contribute to our GDP,” Ghobash said, in an unusually candid assessment.

“We are driven by pragmatic considerations.”

https://www.dawn.com/news/1574492/erdogan-says-turkey-could-suspend-diplomatic-ties-with-uae

 

[MenInG]

Occupied East Jerusalem - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) decision to normalise ties with Israel did not surprise Saeed Ibrahim, an 83-year-old Palestinian living in East Jerusalem. For Ibrahim, it was just the latest betrayal of the Palestinian cause by Arab states.

"It all began with Anwar Sadat's visit to al-Quds. It is Egypt who opened the door," he said, referring to the former Egyptian president's visit to Israel in 1977.

"Before that, no one dared to say peace with Israel."

Sadat's visit, the first by an Arab leader to Israel, resulted in normalising of ties between Cairo and Israel. Jordan followed decades later, signing a peace treaty and establishing diplomatic relations in 1994.

The rest of the Arab states held out. That is, until now.

For years, Palestinians have known about the existence of relations, albeit discreet, between the UAE and Israel. Still, they did not see an announcement of formal ties between the two countries coming this soon.

The move is just the latest blow to the Palestinian cause by the United States since Donald Trump took office in 2016. It comes on the back of a US decision in 2017 to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the unveiling of this year's so-called "Middle East Peace Plan" that resulted in Israel declaring plans to annex large parts of the occupied West Bank.

That the UAE-Israel agreement temporarily holds Israel off from declaring sovereignty over its illegal settlements in the West Bank - from a Palestinian perspective - is little justification for the rapprochement.

The UAE decision "was coming" regardless of Israel's annexation plans, according to Saeb Erekat, the chief Palestinian negotiator. This "decision is at the expense of the legitimate Palestinian national rights," he told the Palestinian news agency Wafa on Friday.

Israel, UAE announce normalisation of relations with US help

Meanwhile, Hamas, the group that controls the Gaza Strip, condemned the Emirati recognition of Israel as a "cowardly" and "desperate attempt to influence the struggle to defeat the occupation and the fulfilment of the national rights".

Following Friday's noon prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a group of Palestinians raised the Palestinian flag along with large photos of Mohmmed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and de facto ruler of the UAE, with the word "traitor" written underneath.

Palestinians have for years been troubled by signs of closer ties between Israel and countries in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, as well as other Muslim-majority nations, such as Sudan in Africa.

And for many, the normalising of ties between Israel and the UAE signal the crumbling of a long-held mantra by the Palestinian leadership that only peace with the Palestinians can usher in peace between Israel and the rest of the Arab and Muslim world.

"The card that was in the hands of Mahmoud Abbas that there are fifty-seven Arab and Islamic countries to do peace with [if Israel agrees to a two-state solution] has now fallen," said Muhammad Abdel-Qader, a Palestinian resident of Jerusalem.

Some blame the Palestinian Authority for the present-day situation.

"After the Palestinian leadership gave legitimacy to Israel and colonialism, the recognition [of Israel] by others is just a matter of detail, " 63-year-old Yousef Sharqawi, a former Fatah member told Al Jazeera.

He was referring to the Oslo Accords signed between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in 1993, in which both sides pledged to sign a permanent deal within five years providing for two states for the two peoples.

"We have recognised Israel in exchange for a superficial authority, the Palestinian people must change the status quo whatever the cost may be," said Sharqawi.

'We reject this conspiracy': Israelis and Palestinians react to UAE deal

Recent events and the long standstill at resolving the Palestinian issue is giving momentum to the long-held demand for reforming the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). Hamas which has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007 is the largest Palestinian faction outside the PLO umbrella.

"Palestinians have a bigger problem than the issue of the UAE declaring the normalisation of relations with Israel," said George As'ad, a Palestinian entrepreneur.

"As Palestinians, we haven't had real Arab support for the Palestinian cause," he said. "So [the announcement of formal ties now] doesn't hurt because under the table they had been normal."

The fundamental issue, he said, was an "antiquated PLO".

"It's the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people but it is not really completely representative because there are lots of parties effective on the ground but are not represented" he added.

The trilateral announcement, which came ahead of the US presidential election is believed to serve Trump's re-election chances and ease pressure from Israeli far-right groups on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after his West Bank annexation pledge was put on hold.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...-normalising-ties-israel-200814180547098.html

 

[Giannis]

So why do you have full diplomatic relations with India then?

Is this a serious question?? Only the Indian side of kashmir is occupied but the rest of India is not claimed by Pakistan thus India is not occupied land whereas the entire state of Israel is based over what we consider occupied Palestine. Ideally I wouldn't want us to have to any relations with India and as of right now I don't think we can even call them "full diplomatic relations" considering our Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers haven't even met in several years and diplomatic relations were downgraded more than a few times in the recent past.

 

[saeedhk]

Erdogan is the most hypocritical leader on the planet. Humay Ertugral dekhata hai aur apnay mulk may prostitution legal karta hai!

 

[Firebat]

Iran's president says Emirates made 'huge mistake' in Israel deal

(Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has made a “huge mistake” in reaching a deal toward normalizing ties with Israel, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech on Saturday.

He warned the Gulf state against allowing Israel to have a “foothold in the region.” The UAE-Israel agreement, announced on Thursday, is seen as a strategic boost for the UAE’s regional and global standing.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ade-huge-mistake-in-israel-deal-idUSKCN25B0BE

 

[LongHorn]

What I find interesting is Indians normally dont comment on Arab issues

But all over twitter and FB, every heavily commented post on this matter is submerged with comments from Indians pointing out how they are supporting UAE and Israel, and how Pakistan is bad

 

[Uzi]

What I find interesting is Indians normally dont comment on Arab issues

But all over twitter and FB, every heavily commented post on this matter is submerged with comments from Indians pointing out how they are supporting UAE and Israel, and how Pakistan is bad

Indians will be Indians I suppose.

The Indians on social media are true ambassadors for their country, just like CJ is here. CJ is a legend here and always wears his heart on his sleeve. The fiercest of keyboard warriors.

 

[James]

Countries do not have friends, they only have interests.... but no doubt about it, this is a sellout move from the UAE and will further reduce the chances of there ever being a long-term diplomatic solution in Israel. Israel as it stands will be a country in a constant state of war and attempted illegal expansionism until it collapses.

 

[topspin]

China are a hundred times worse than Israel, they are treating millions of your muslim brothers like caged animals and preventing them from a basic human right like practising their religion.

Why do you all keep lying to yourselves?

Well said. This is the result of the pro-China narrative shoved in the throats of a nation filled with gullible illiterates.

 

[topspin]

China isnt persecuting anyone based on race or religion. China helped Pak get nukes, Israel tried to stop Pak. Both couldnt be any further apart as people, nations or potential allies of Pak. Jews will never accept Pakistanis as friends, not sure why you think they would?

This couldn't be any further from the truth. They are persecuting the Uighuyrs (a race in China) and at least a million Muslims (who follow Islam as their religion). The Chinese are 100 times worse than Israel and India combined.

China is no friend of Pakistan, they have interests in Pakistan. In fact it wouldn't be unreasonable to say they own Pakistan if you look at CPEC and how much influence over our policies.

It's not about friendship with Israel. It's obvious what's going to happen in future. The rest of the Arab countries will follow UAE and also go on to hold full diplomatic ties with Israel. Saudis will probably be next.

Eventually, Pakistan will also follow suit. We need to stop following what Arabs do who do not care about Pakistan. This was very much evident from our stance on Kashmir. I don't recall a single Arab state who even vouched for Pakistan on this. Heck, even Palestine was on India's side. There is a common delusion among Muslims that we are all part of an Ummah. There is no Ummah because everyone holds their interests for themselves and time Pakistan did the same.

Pakistan is in poor financial health, so we cannot afford to hold a hostile approach. If Pakistan can trade with a tech giant Israel it will be for the greater good of our economy.

 

[saeedhk]

The lack of knowledge on this subject amazes me.

Pakistan will never recognise Israel, as it's an illegal occupying state which since it's illegitimate birth has been involved in state terrorism. I love the Pakistani passport as it mentions Israel as a no go nation.

Some need to study basic history, the UAE, Saudi etc are rulled by Dictators. The same clowns who rant about democracy, hate communism, dictators etc are now happy with a dictatorship making friends with a terrorist state. lol.

But you hold a British passport?

 

[saeedhk]

You hate China because it's communist, yet you support Arab dicators and a nation which has oppressed people for decades, openly lol.

Read again! Where have I said I support Arab dictators?

 

[saeedhk]

China isnt persecuting anyone based on race or religion. China helped Pak get nukes, Israel tried to stop Pak. Both couldnt be any further apart as people, nations or potential allies of Pak. Jews will never accept Pakistanis as friends, not sure why you think they would?

As a Hong Konger, I can confirm that you are a 100% wrong about China not persecuting people based on their religion.

 

[Greenstorm]

All these Arab rulers cozying up to Israel will be stabbed in the back just like they are doing it with their own brethren. These sheiks have no idea what they are dealing with.

 

[Abdullah719]

In the Gulf, normalisation with Israel feels anything but normal

DUBAI: The shock announcement that the UAE and Israel are normalising relations has been applauded by allies and booed by rivals, but for many Gulf citizens there is deep unease over the embrace of a longtime enemy.

Palestinian leaders have cast the deal as a “betrayal”, a view shared by many in the capitals of the oil-rich region, even if the allegiance to that cause has faded somewhat among the younger generation.

After becoming the first Gulf country to establish ties with the Jewish state, the United Arab Emirates is being portrayed in the local media as the champion of peace in a divided region that needs to join forces against Iran.

Spoiler

“I’m planning a trip to Tel Aviv already,” a young Emirati who works in marketing said wryly. “How long will we live in conflict? The world is going through enough already, so let’s have some peace,” he told AFP.

“I trust the strategy and the wisdom of our leaders. What the UAE did was for the Palestinians in the first place,” he told AFP, in a country where political criticism is rarer than thunderstorms.

On Thursday, the UAE said the accord included an agreement to stop any further annexation of Palestinian territories, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu quickly insisted he had agreed only to delay, not to cancel, the plans.

‘Dagger in the back’

In the other five countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council – Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman – citizens are not convinced.

While diplomatic and business contacts with Israel have been growing in recent years, in the public arena the idea of official ties remains taboo.

On social networks, the hashtag “Normalisation is Treason” has been trending across the region in the past few days, particularly among young Saudi activists.

Riyadh, the leading Arab power and the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, has not yet made any comment on the move by the UAE, its close ally.

Although all eyes are on whether it will adopt the same policy, analysts say that although it has also been moving quietly closer to Israel in recent years, it will proceed with caution and wait to see the reaction in the Arab world.

Bahrain was the first Gulf state to welcome Thursday’s agreement, which the United States helped broker, but several opposition parties issued a joint statement rejecting “any normalisation with the Zionist entity”.

Bahrain, a staunch US ally in the region and – like Israel and the UAE – particularly hostile to Iran, is seen as the likely next candidate to establish ties with the Jewish state.

“Unfortunately, I would not be able to do anything but protest on social networks because of the security situation,” said one Bahraini man, referring to the authorities’ crackdown on critical voices.

“It is a betrayal, a stab in the back of the Palestinian brothers,” he told AFP, asking not to be identified.

’Not a real country’

Qatar, which did not respond to Thursday’s announcement, has since 2017 been out in the diplomatic cold with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, who accuse it of supporting Islamist movements and conniving with Iran.

Doha, which at the same time remains close to the US, denies the allegations.

It is also heavily involved in underwriting calm in the Gaza Strip, managing and funding welfare payments to the people of the impoverished coastal territory with Israel’s blessing.

“I don’t believe Israel is a real country,” one angry Qatari student told AFP, adding that meanwhile the Palestinians “are fighting for their land with rocks against tanks.”

Kuwait, another close US ally, has also been silent on the Israel deal. The rich emirate is the only country in the Gulf with a genuine political and parliamentary life, and permits sometimes lively public debate.

“I don’t see any problem with normalisation, because it existed in secret anyway and each country has its own political interests. But at the same time it doesn’t feel normal,” said Ibrahim Chihab, a Kuwaiti pensioner.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4001...isation-with-israel-feels-anything-but-normal

 

[shaz619]

UAE is done now, tourism has pretty much died. My friend is over there now, he says it's dead. He staying at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel which is usually expensive but he is paying a whole weeks stay for what we have previously paid for a weekend.

Ive been there many times so will not go there again and im assuming many other Muslims from the UK will feel the same. Cant say the same for the American muslims or the freshies.

Thing is Pakistanis have been persecuted for a very very long time by Arabs in the gulf but I think that Brit Paks need to take a serious look at themselves in the mirror because a boycott of the UAE is only possible in their eyes when their Palestinian brothers are affected, the same Palestinians who bowed down before Modi. The UAE and Israel have been sleeping together for a long time anyway am surprised that many have become aware of this now.

 

[Slog]

Lol at China not persecuting based on religion )

Even Xi Jinpig would dispute that

 

[uberkoen]

Do people here understand the fact that the agreement means that Israel has agreed to no further annexations of Palestinian territory?

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Do people here understand the fact that the agreement means that Israel has agreed to no further annexations of Palestinian territory?

Thats the worse part. If Israel annexed 30% of the West Bank, then no viable Palestinian state is possible. A one state solution would be the only option then. Israel would be compared to South Africa if they refused to give Palestinians citizenship. No one would view the Bantustatns in the West Bank as a real state.

 

[Ashmal]

Do people here understand the fact that the agreement means that Israel has agreed to no further annexations of Palestinian territory?

Not really....Israelis have just postponed it for now but it's not cancelled and will come up again in future.

 

[Adil_94]

Loool Turkey have strong relations with Israel . Erdogan might make populist statementd but Israel and Turkey are still very strong trading partners. Billions of dollars of trade between each other.

Dont be fooled by Erdogans populist rhetoric man is just a Turkish Trump.

 

[Adil_94]

British Pakistanis not going to be stunting for Dubai as much i assume

 

[Adil_94]

Even the Chinese govt have admitted "re-education" camps exist for Uighurs. They have released videos of people in these camps making them lookig like holiday camps. But we know what is actually going on these camps n how people are being forced to renounce their beliefs n religion. Idk how u can stay with a straight face that China arent discriminating against people based on ethnicity or religion. Embarrassing really to be bootlicking the CCP this much. At least admit its due to realpolitik n China being a top ally of Pakistan that the Uighur cause doesnt matter as much to u. But i suppose with your vociferous support for Palestinians and Kashmiris n others on here . You dont want to look like a hypocrite so best way is to bury your head in the sand and pretend the Uighur concentration camps are a myth .

Israel would love it if the worlds only nuclear armed Muslim state made peace with them. It would make life a lot easier for them if they had a friendly Pakistan. Saying "Jews" will never accept Pakistanis as friends is also a gross generalisation and anti-semitic
[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

 

[saeedhk]

Most Pakistanis consider Erdogan their Khalifa!!

 

[Syed1]

Most Pakistanis consider Erdogan their Khalifa!!

No they don't. He is the president of a brotherly country, with whom we have historic ties. Tomorrow if Turkey has a new person at the head Pakistan will give him equal importance.

 

[The Viper]

UAE and Israel to cooperate on coronavirus research

The UAE and Israel have agreed to cooperate in coronavirus research, Emirati state news agency WAM says.

The announcement comes following an agreement between the two countries last week to normalise their relations.

Emirati company APEX National Investment and Israel's TeraGroup are seeking to develop a testing device to speed up the testing process with high accuracy, among other studies.

Telephone communications have also now been opened between the two countries. Until now, it hasn't been possible to call Israel from the UAE.

 

[Greenstorm]

Most Pakistanis consider Erdogan their Khalifa!!

He has done well for Turkey and stands up for ummah which is a key concern of Pakistanis. No wonder he gets so much respect here and he deserves it.

 

[Bewal Express]

Most Pakistanis consider Erdogan their Khalifa!!

I, don't but he is a Muslim leader who cares for Muslims. Its not only talk, when my friend took a mercy mission to BD for Rohyinga, it was the Turkish govt that was largely funding the refugees. The Arab leaders are cowards with only money and women on their mind. Disgusting fifth

 

[JaDed]

He has done well for Turkey and stands up for ummah which is a key concern of Pakistanis. No wonder he gets so much respect here and he deserves it.

He is smart on one side has huge trade relations with Israel(6 B) and recognizes the country on other side he gives verbal support which is what most are looking for.
[MENTION=141306]sweep_shot[/MENTION] you are right he is best Muslim leader of a country.

Biased article below with some facts:

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1719941/middle-east

 

[sweep_shot]

He is smart on one side has huge trade relations with Israel(6 B) and recognizes the country on other side he gives verbal support which is what most are looking for.

[MENTION=141306]sweep_shot[/MENTION] you are right he is best Muslim leader of a country.

Biased article below with some facts:

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1719941/middle-east

He is not perfect but he is the best Muslim leader in the world currently.

Also, he has to clean up a lot of Ataturk's mess. You have to understand Ataturk was the one who recognized Israel (back in 1949).

 

[sweep_shot]

I, don't but he is a Muslim leader who cares for Muslims. Its not only talk, when my friend took a mercy mission to BD for Rohyinga, it was the Turkish govt that was largely funding the refugees. The Arab leaders are cowards with only money and women on their mind. Disgusting fifth

I agree with you.

Arab leaders have become corrupt and greedy.

Erdogan is the last man standing.

 

[JaDed]

He is not perfect but he is the best Muslim leader in the world currently.

Also, he has to clean up a lot of Ataturk's mess. You have to understand Ataturk was the one who recognized Israel (back in 1949).

So why in his long term has the trade been increasing with Israel?

 

[sweep_shot]

So why in his long term has the trade been increasing with Israel?

He can't obviously undo Ataturk's mess overnight. It is a process. It is harder to cut off a relation than to develop a new relation (like UAE did).

 

[JaDed]

He can't obviously undo Ataturk's mess overnight. It is a process. It is harder to cut off a relation than to develop a new relation (like UAE did).

No not really, you can easily reduce trade... even a country like India did it with Malaysia .. USA did it with China, UK took a decision on Hauwei, considering how Israel is viewed defn all these years he could had reduced trade with them.. you do know he became the PM in 2003..

I can understand that facts are not your friend when it comes to cult leaders, I have the same issue with Modi supporters no issues, my bad.

 

[sweep_shot]

No not really, you can easily reduce trade... even a country like India did it with Malaysia .. USA did it with China, UK took a decision on Hauwei, considering how Israel is viewed defn all these years he could had reduced trade with them.. you do know he became the PM in 2003..

I can understand that facts are not your friend when it comes to cult leaders, I have the same issue with Modi supporters no issues, my bad.

Again, there are many factors involved. It is not black and white.

Erdogan and his party have always condemned Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

 

[JaDed]

Again, there are many factors involved. It is not black and white.

Erdogan and his party have always condemned Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

It's not black and white?You saying that makes me chuckle.

Also exactly my point about him he is good with words and verbal support..and I see that's what everyone wants..I said that in the above post already.

Reality is different, all cult leaders are the same lol but i do agree now he is a smart leader and knows what's important.

 

[Greenstorm]

He is smart on one side has huge trade relations with Israel(6 B) and recognizes the country on other side he gives verbal support which is what most are looking for.

[MENTION=141306]sweep_shot[/MENTION] you are right he is best Muslim leader of a country.

Biased article below with some facts:

https://www.arabnews.com/node/1719941/middle-east

I have no issues if he is making money from Israelis. What I know is that he and Iranian backed groups are the only real hurdle that Israelis are facing to accomplish there greater Israel goal in the region.

 

[JaDed]

I have no issues if he is making money from Israelis. What I know is that he and Iranian backed groups are the only real hurdle that Israelis are facing to accomplish there greater Israel goal in the region.

Iran yes, not Turkey, there is a reason why Israel doesn't care about Turkey coz they have them on trade and are recognized by them.

Iran I have to say ,to survive all that propaganda from Arabs,America etc etc has done everything eventhough their current regime has become a joke due to skirmishes last year.(Has my sympathies though).

 

[Greenstorm]

Iran yes, not Turkey, there is a reason why Israel doesn't care about Turkey coz they have them on trade and are recognized by them.

Iran I have to say ,to survive all that propaganda from Arabs,America etc etc has done everything eventhough their current regime has become a joke due to skirmishes last year.(Has my sympathies though).

Israel cares a lot about Turkey. The opposition that Turkey faces from US and EU is not without a reason.

Iran cannot conventionally fight with Israel but Turkey can and thats what keeps Israel in check. If not for these two, Israel with US assistance would already have invaded lebanon, Jordan and possibly Syria.

 

[Slog]

Most Pakistanis consider Erdogan their Khalifa!!

Seems like you haven’t been to pakiStan is a long time... regular phainties in Hong king by the communist army has set some screws lose it seems

 

[saeedhk]

He has done well for Turkey and stands up for ummah which is a key concern of Pakistanis. No wonder he gets so much respect here and he deserves it.

Biggest hypocrite ever! Turkey has cordial relations with Israel. There is trade, travel and various cooperations between the countries. They also have embassies in each other’s country. Yet, every day Khalifa Erdogan wakes up and fires a broadside at Israel!

 

[saeedhk]

Seems like you haven’t been to pakiStan is a long time... regular phainties in Hong king by the communist army has set some screws lose it seems

What are you on about? You are the on who is out of touch with reality!

 

[Saeed]

As if they were at war earlier. All Middle Eastern regimes are same including Iran, whether they like each other or not. In fact Iran’s is israel’s biggest ally for being so incompetent.

 

[Greenstorm]

Biggest hypocrite ever! Turkey has cordial relations with Israel. There is trade, travel and various cooperations between the countries. They also have embassies in each other’s country. Yet, every day Khalifa Erdogan wakes up and fires a broadside at Israel!

He is not signing one sided agreements on behalf of Palestinians. These relations were not initiated by Erodgan and as I have said earlier, I do not mind if Turks are making money out of Israelis.

 

[Greenstorm]

What are you on about? You are the on who is out of touch with reality!

Although Erodgan is well respected but no one considers him khalifah. Someone must have joked with you.

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel says it expects Bahrain and Oman to follow UAE in formalising ties

Bahrain and Oman could be the next Gulf countries to follow the United Arab Emirates in formalising ties with Israel, Israel’s intelligence minister said on Sunday.

“In the wake of this agreement (with the UAE) will come additional agreements, both with more Gulf countries and with Muslim countries in Africa,” Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen told Army Radio.

“I think that Bahrain and Oman are definitely on the agenda. In addition, in my assessment, there is a chance that already in the coming year there will be a peace deal with additional countries in Africa, chief among them, Sudan,” he said.

Both Bahrain and Oman praised the UAE-Israel accord, although neither have commented on their own prospects for normalised relations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has met with Omani and Sudanese leaders in the past two years.

A senior U.S. official said on Friday that the White House has been in touch with “numerous” countries in theregion, trying to see if more agreements would materialise.

The official declined to name the countries but said they were Arab and Muslim nations in the Middle East and Africa.

On Thursday, Israel and the UAE announced they would normalise diplomatic ties and forge a broad new relationship.

The deal, brokered with U.S. help, firms up opposition to regional power Iran. The Palestinians denounced the deal as a betrayal.

Israel signed peace agreements with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. But the UAE, along with most other Arab nations, has had no formal diplomatic or economic relations with it.

Bahrain, a close ally of Saudi Arabia, hosted a senior Israeli official at a security conference in 2019 as well as a U.S-led conference on boosting the Palestinian economy as part U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East peace initiative.

Government sources in Kuwait said its position towards Israel is unchanged, and it will be the last country to normalise relations, local newspaper al-Qabas reported.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4001...in-and-oman-to-follow-uae-in-formalising-ties

 

[saeedhk]

He is not signing one sided agreements on behalf of Palestinians. These relations were not initiated by Erodgan and as I have said earlier, I do not mind if Turks are making money out of Israelis.

You said it yourself. He is a hypocrite. Can’t Khalifa Erdogan end all relations with evil Israel?

 

[saeedhk]

Although Erodgan is well respected but no one considers him khalifah. Someone must have joked with you.

Go to Facebook or Insta and see how Pakistani worship Erdogan and are awaiting 2023 - the year when Ottoman Empire will be restored!! Inshallah!

 

[Greenstorm]

You said it yourself. He is a hypocrite. Can’t Khalifa Erdogan end all relations with evil Israel?

He is not a hypocrite because he never criticized any country for keeping ties with Israel. Your hate for him is understandable.

 

[Abdullah719]

Israel and UAE launch direct phone links after historic accord

Spoiler

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have inaugurated direct telephone services between their countries following their agreement last week to normalise relations.

The countries’ foreign ministers called each other and “exchanged greetings following the historic peace accord”, a statement said.

The US-brokered deal was announced by President Donald Trump on Thursday.

It is only the third Israeli-Arab peace treaty in the Middle East.

The international community has mostly welcomed the move, although Palestinians, Iran and Turkey have denounced it.

Under the terms of the deal, Israel has agreed to suspend its controversial plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

Israel foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi - who held a call with his Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan - tweeted on Sunday that the two sides “decided together on the establishment of a direct communication channel ahead of the signing of the normalisation agreement between the two countries and… to meet soon”.

Israel’s communications ministry said telecoms providers in the UAE had unblocked calls to numbers with Israel’s +972 country code.

“I congratulate the United Arab Emirates on the unblocking,” said Israeli communications minister Yoaz Hendel.

“Many economic opportunities will now open up and these trust-building steps are important for advancing the countries’ interests.”

The two sides are expected the sign the accord in Washington in three weeks’ time. Normalising relations will include opening embassies on each other’s territory.

In another sign of the new, closer relationship, the two countries signed an agreement on Saturday relating to Covid-19 research.

Until now Israel has had no diplomatic relations with Gulf Arab countries. But shared concerns over Iran have led to unofficial contacts between them.

President Trump’s chief adviser, Jared Kushner, told CBS he and President Trump had been working on a deal between Israel and the UAE since Mr Trump came to office.

The agreement reportedly took Palestinian leaders by surprise. A spokesman for President Mahmoud Abbas said the deal amounted to “treason”.

Since Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 it has only signed peace deals with two other Arab countries - Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.

Mr Trump has said he expects more Arab and Muslim countries to sign treaties with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had “delayed” West Bank annexation plans, but those plans remained “on the table”. Annexation would make some West Bank areas officially part of Israel, dealing a blow for Palestinian plans for a state of their own.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53798832

 

[Slog]

Go to Facebook or Insta and see how Pakistani worship Erdogan and are awaiting 2023 - the year when Ottoman Empire will be restored!! Inshallah!

Lolol. You get your news off insta and Facebook?

Same place where India became global superpower in 2020, Pakistan was supposed to have broken into 4 pieces etc? Funny guy

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

This couldn't be any further from the truth. They are persecuting the Uighuyrs (a race in China) and at least a million Muslims (who follow Islam as their religion). The Chinese are 100 times worse than Israel and India combined.

China is no friend of Pakistan, they have interests in Pakistan. In fact it wouldn't be unreasonable to say they own Pakistan if you look at CPEC and how much influence over our policies.

It's not about friendship with Israel. It's obvious what's going to happen in future. The rest of the Arab countries will follow UAE and also go on to hold full diplomatic ties with Israel. Saudis will probably be next.

Eventually, Pakistan will also follow suit. We need to stop following what Arabs do who do not care about Pakistan. This was very much evident from our stance on Kashmir. I don't recall a single Arab state who even vouched for Pakistan on this. Heck, even Palestine was on India's side. There is a common delusion among Muslims that we are all part of an Ummah. There is no Ummah because everyone holds their interests for themselves and time Pakistan did the same.

Pakistan is in poor financial health, so we cannot afford to hold a hostile approach. If Pakistan can trade with a tech giant Israel it will be for the greater good of our economy.

Pakistan already does that.

What has Pakistan done for Arabs who are dying in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya? Nothing. Same thing with Muslims in Myanmar, Darfur, Philippines, Chechnya, Western Sahara.

Palestine is a holy land for Muslims, so thats why Pakistanis care about that.

None of those Arab countries are democracies. If they were they would break all relations with Israel.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Even the Chinese govt have admitted "re-education" camps exist for Uighurs. They have released videos of people in these camps making them lookig like holiday camps. But we know what is actually going on these camps n how people are being forced to renounce their beliefs n religion. Idk how u can stay with a straight face that China arent discriminating against people based on ethnicity or religion. Embarrassing really to be bootlicking the CCP this much. At least admit its due to realpolitik n China being a top ally of Pakistan that the Uighur cause doesnt matter as much to u. But i suppose with your vociferous support for Palestinians and Kashmiris n others on here . You dont want to look like a hypocrite so best way is to bury your head in the sand and pretend the Uighur concentration camps are a myth .

Israel would love it if the worlds only nuclear armed Muslim state made peace with them. It would make life a lot easier for them if they had a friendly Pakistan. Saying "Jews" will never accept Pakistanis as friends is also a gross generalisation and anti-semitic
[MENTION=43583]KingKhanWC[/MENTION]

Why? What benefit would they get? Its not like Pakistan is threatening them that they need a peace deal with Pakistan.