Israel-UAE Peace Agreement

On 13 August, a joint statement of the US, Israel and UAE was released, and Israel and UAE have reached an important international agreement with the help of US. Both the countries are the close allies of USA in West Asia. The joint statement says that the deal will bring peace and economic growth in the Middle East region. Due to the agreement, telephone service has been started between UAE and Israel.

Highlights of the agreement: As part of the announced agreement, UAE will establish diplomatic relations with Israel and Israel has agreed to temporarily discontinue its plans to add parts of West Bank to its territory. The historic peace deal will be known as Abraham Accord. The joint statement brought out by the US, Israel and UAE say that Israel’s efforts will be to expand relations with other Arab countries. As per the joint statement, delegations from UAE and Israel will meet and sign bilateral agreements in different areas of cooperation. The joint statement also announces that the US, Israel and UAE will launch a Strategic Agenda for the Middle East to expand cooperation.

Benefits of the agreement for domestic politics in US and Israel: When seen from the domestic political point of view in Israel and US, the images of leaders of two nations may improve due to this peace deal. While the agreement may benefit the Israeli Prime Minister facing corruption charges, it may also benefit US president in the upcoming presidential elections as a foreign policy achievement under his leadership. Under the foreign policy of Trump, the Afghanistan peace process has not been successful yet, and US-China relations are going through difficulties. His foreign policy has led to the sidelining of traditional NATO allies in Europe.  

Impact of agreement on the geopolitics of the Middle East: In the past, Israel has limited its relations with Gulf Arab states to trade only. It has not maintained relations with them, except Egypt and Jordan. As a result of this agreement, diplomatic relations will be established between Israel and UAE. UAE has enough military and economic strength to play an influential role in the Middle East. It has also focused on stopping Iran in the last two decades. The agreement is also seen as an effort of US and Israel to isolate Shia-Iran with the help of other Gulf Arab states. Other Arab states may follow UAE and all Sunni nations may come together as an anti-Iran alliance with Israel. The agreement does not provide a plan to solve the Palestine problem.

Reactions to the agreement:  Russia, China and India have not yet reacted to the agreement between UAE and Israel.  Egypt and Jordan have reacted positively and supported the agreement. Palestinians have criticized the agreement. Iran has reacted negatively to the agreement and called it shameful. Among the Arab states, Saudi Arabia has not responded to the deal. Oman and Bahrain have followed the UAE.

Conclusion:

The UAE-Israel agreement is a landmark agreement as the agreement makes UAE third Arab country after Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994) that has established diplomatic relations with Israel. The deal could lead to the integration of Arab states with Israel and has the potential to strengthen Arab-Israeli ties. The agreement between UAE and Israel does not offer a plan to solve the Palestine problem and shows that Arab countries are moving away from the Palestine problem.