The UAE Cabinet approves an agreement to normalize relations with Israel and directs to initiate constitutional procedures to obtain a federal decree ratifying the agreement
The government of the UAE on Monday approved a decision to ratify an agreement to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel that was signed in Washington last month, ahead of an Emirati delegation’s visit to Israel.
In September, the UAE and Bahrain became the first two Arab countries to sign agreements to establish official relations with Israel in 25 years, in the formation of a new axis in the Middle East against Iran.
The government said on Twitter, “The Cabinet headed by Mohammed bin Rashid adopts a decision to ratify the Abrahamic Peace Agreement, the peace treaty and full diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates and the State of Israel, and directs the initiation of constitutional procedures to issue a federal decree to ratify the agreement”.
“The Council of Ministers expresses its confidence that the Abrahamic Peace Agreement will form a tributary of peace and stability to support the aspirations of the peoples of the region, and enhance their relentless pursuit of prosperity and progress, especially as it paves the way for strengthening economic, cultural and knowledge relations.
Israel ratified the agreement in a cabinet vote and another in the Knesset last week.
An Emirati delegation is expected to visit Israel on Tuesday, accompanied by American officials, who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday from Bahrain, where they joined an Israeli delegation on a visit to Manama to sign a joint statement to formalize the emerging relations between the two countries.
Israel and the UAE have already signed several memoranda of understanding.
The Israeli Ministry of Transport said it would sign an agreement on Tuesday to allow 28 weekly commercial flights between Tel Aviv, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, between Ben Gurion Airport.
