Emiratis and Bahrainis on what the Abraham Accords mean to them


Ramola Talwar Badam
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There have been agreements between governments, deals between companies, and airline routes between cities since the Abraham Accords were signed.

But it is the relationships built by ordinary people that will be the legacy of the accords, which were signed two years ago this week.

Emiratis and Bahrainis and who have visited Israel say they have found common interest and friendship ― not to mention high-tech businesses and a bustling economy.

Shared cuisine and occasionally common language can only help, too, they say.

The accords were signed on September 15, 2020 in the White House between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel. Morocco followed soon afterwards.

The accords makes us realise whatever difficulties we face with Israelis in regard to different subjects, it’s possible it will be resolved
Nawaf Al Sayed,
Bahraini lawyer

A work in progress

Emirati entrepreneur Reem Al Musabbeh, a chemical engineer, has founded several companies including Retech, which builds mobile applications, websites and provides business consultancy services.

Her trip to Tel Aviv's non-profit Start-Up Nation Central was only the start of an interest in Israel, giving an insight into how businesses can tackle problems together.

“Israel is well known for innovation, that is one of the reasons I want to understand more about their technology, entrepreneurship and the start-ups that emerge from there," she said.

“What I’m trying to achieve is understand more of their culture, technology knowledge, what makes them different and bridge the gap.”

Speaking to ordinary Israelis and Palestinians highlighted similarity in customs, tradition and food, she said.

Ms Al Musabbeh is a firm believer that new friendships are forged face to face.

“I will be honest and I tell this to everyone, I’m not a politician to speak about what is happening between both sides,” Ms Al Musabbeh said.

“What I believe is regardless of how many papers have been signed, it’s down to awareness of a person and their mindset.

"It will take time to build people-to-people connections. But I believe there is hope for people to give this a try because in the end, this is for the future of the youth and betterment of the country.”

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, wave from the White House balcony after a signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords in Washington on September 15, 2020. Reuters
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, wave from the White House balcony after a signing ceremony for the Abraham Accords in Washington on September 15, 2020. Reuters

'Not everyone shares my views'

Nawaf Al Sayed, 49, a Bahraini lawyer, said the accords will make the Middle East a safer place.

"We need quietness in this region, we need peace," he told The National.

Ties between leaders and businesses are gradually giving way to something more organic, he said.

“Economic relations is a first step, people can also be interested in the culture, understanding the Israelis, understanding Judaism," Mr Al Sayed said.

“The accords makes us realise whatever difficulties we face with Israelis in regard to different subjects, it’s possible it will be resolved ― not easy but possible to be resolved.”

Ms Al Sayed has enjoyed meeting Israeli entrepreneurs keen to bring technology companies to Bahrain.

He takes the opportunity to speak about his Arab heritage, his outlook on life, and reads up on Jewish history and culture.

Not everyone held the same views of the accords, he said, and old attitudes took time to change.

“Israel is a reality to be experienced and discovered," he said.

“It is sometimes difficult to be the one talking about these ideas but I always explain to my colleagues and friends that the Abraham Accords are a reality.

“We are living in that reality so we have to keep our emotions aside, be practical and understand the scientific, historic and political factors involved."

Emirati Majed Al Seyabi visited Israeli and believes there is a need for more dialogue between the young people of both countries. Victor Besa / The National
Emirati Majed Al Seyabi visited Israeli and believes there is a need for more dialogue between the young people of both countries. Victor Besa / The National

The speeches of UAE leaders encouraged Emirati father of four, Majed Al Seyabi, to be part of the change that the pact signified.

“I started to think that personally as an individual Emirati I should be part of the Abraham Accords and have a connection with the Jewish people and with Israelis,” said the Abu Dhabi resident, who works as the office manager for a chief executive in a petrochemical company and has interests in real estate.

“I’m passionate towards this relationship, I want to build it. I believe I have the responsibility to build connections, promote culture, coexistence and enhance peace between people.”

Mr Seyabi has posted photographs of his visit to Israel on social media. He is unfazed by comments from people who do not approve of him working with the Jewish community in the UAE and overseas.

“I’m very passionate about the youth relationship between our community and the Israeli community because this promises the continuity of the Abraham Accords,” he said.

“I feel I have the opportunity to convey Emirati kindness, tolerance and our way of living. I believe people-to-people relationship is key.”

Only the beginning

An 85-strong delegation from the American Jewish Committee is in the UAE this week to celebrate the second anniversary of the accords.

The private, non-profit organisation opened its 13th global office in Abu Dhabi earlier this year aiming to promote greater understanding about the Jewish faith, and influence opinion and policy.

“The accords are a historic achievement that have really changed the way that people think about peacemaking in the Middle East,” said Marc Sievers, the committee's director.

“They were the act of great imagination and courage on the part of everyone who signed them. The first decision-maker was (President Sheikh Mohamed) since the UAE was the first to announce its agreement to normalise relations, the Bahrainis followed and the Moroccans after that, so we are celebrating this."

Mr Sievers said tourism, business and educational opportunities had opened up and the group was keen to promote people-to-people exchanges.

"We will engage with government officials and citizens, particularly young people," he said.

"We hope to expand our contacts in this country and other parts of the Gulf."

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Fighter profiles

Gabrieli Pessanha (Brazil)

Reigning Abu Dhabi World Pro champion in the 95kg division, virtually unbeatable in her weight class. Known for her pressure game but also dangerous with her back on the mat.

Nathiely de Jesus, 23, (Brazil)

Two-time World Pro champion renowned for her aggressive game. She is tall and most feared by her opponents for both her triangles and arm-bar attacks.

Thamara Ferreira, 24, (Brazil)

Since her brown belt days, Ferreira has been dominating the 70kg, in both the World Pro and the Grand Slams. With a very aggressive game.

Samantha Cook, 32, (Britain)

One of the biggest talents coming out of Europe in recent times. She is known for a highly technical game and bringing her A game to the table as always.

Kendall Reusing, 22, (USA)

Another young gun ready to explode in the big leagues. The Californian resident is a powerhouse in the -95kg division. Her duels with Pessanha have been highlights in the Grand Slams.

Martina Gramenius, 32, (Sweden)

Already a two-time Grand Slam champion in the current season. Gramenius won golds in the 70kg, in both in Moscow and Tokyo, to earn a spot in the inaugural Queen of Mats.

 

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Conflict, drought, famine

Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.

Band Aid

Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.

The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

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Name: Lynn Davison

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Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK

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Favourite holiday destination: Bali

Favourite food: A Sunday roast

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UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

Coffee: black death or elixir of life?

It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?

Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.

The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.

Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver. 

The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.

But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.

Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.

It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.

So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.

Rory Reynolds

War and the virus
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Bahrain v UAE

* The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6

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Updated: September 13, 2022, 9:53 AM`