The Abraham Accords are one of the “most significant strategic developments” in the Middle East for many years, said Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa.
At the Munich Security Conference, Dr Gargash said the Accords had helped break down “psychological barriers” that had compounded the Arab-Israeli issue and beyond over the years.
He said the UAE believed there needed to be an “agenda of tolerance” in the region. “The Abraham Accords fits very well into that,” Dr Gargash said.
The Accords, signed at the White House in 2020, normalised relations between the UAE and Israel. Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan soon followed suit.
The UAE “is pursuing what I call an agenda of stability and prosperity”, Dr Gargash said.
“And with that, I think using the economy, using investment as a visionary tool to change the region is extremely important,” he said, referring to the plethora of economic opportunities that have been created since the signing of the deal. Since 2020, and despite the Covid-19 pandemic, 123,000 Israelis had visited Dubai alone, Dr Gargash said.
The Accords, he said, were about “visionary thinking” for the Middle East.
“Not talking to Israel and not contacting Israel, and not having any relations with Israel, has truly been a failed, failed policy. I mean, there are no results to show here.
“I think that what Egypt has done many years ago, what Jordan has done a bit later, and the Abraham Accords today show a much more realistic course,” Dr Gargash said, referring to the normalisation of relations between Israel and Egypt in 1980, and Israel and Jordan in 1994.
He said the Accords could contribute towards a peaceful solution for Israel and Palestine.
“I don’t see that the Abraham Accords in itself is the sort of magic wand that will resolve everything. But we have been able, for example, through the Abraham Accords to stop the annexation of the Palestinian lands in the previous Israeli government,” Dr Gargash said.
Also speaking at the conference in Munich was Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed, Bahrain’s Undersecretary for International Affairs.
“The relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel stands as a testament on how peace can bring about stability and prosperity both on a bilateral level as well as on a regional level ... the aspirations remain high and what is yet to come is even more astonishing,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
Benny Gantz, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, was also in Munich, where he said it was a significant time for peace and stability in the Middle East.
“Partnerships are being built between leaders, peace is forged between countries and friendships are made between people,” he said.
“We are opening the gates of the Middle East to co-operation that will strengthen our economies, spread innovation and contribute to regional stability and security.
“Our hands are extended in peace to new brave leaders in the region who are prepared to develop relations with Israel."
But the retired Israeli Army general also issued a warning shot to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is accused of flying a drone into Israel’s territory a few days ago.
“I have a clear message for Hezbollah," he said. "Their operatives are familiar with the noise made by our aeroplanes … if we are required to respond to the attack in order to defend ourselves, we will do so and we will cause great damage to the terror organisation.”
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
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- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at.
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
