Choosing to come together at the signing of the Abraham Accord allows Bahrain, Israel and the UAE to hold the middle ground against the narrative of extremism and build a new approach for peace in the region.
During a discussion at London's Emirate Society, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE's Minister of State for International Co-operation, and Ban Ki-moon, the former UN secretary general, said the pact had far-reaching implications.
"We must keep the dialogue going," Ms Al Hashimy said. The agreements are "not about one static moment, they are about a continuity of a series of forms of engagement".
Ms Al Hashimy continued: "We hope by crossing this threshold we have broken a taboo. We want a Middle East that is not rooted in sectarianism, violence and insecurity. We want a happy coexistence."
She said the UAE was very keen to see a more peaceful Middle East, a more stable Middle East that was less affected by extremist language and ideology.
"The Palestinian plight cannot continue as is and we are hopeful that this accord is used as an opportunity to advance their own conversations with the Israelis. At the end of the day this has to be about what they want and we certainly hope the opportunity will be there for them and others too."
'Diplomatic victory'
Mr Ban, the former UN chief, said the agreements offered a platform to build regional peace and expand personal and political co-operation throughout the Middle East.
Calling the accord a "diplomatic victory", he said the opportunity could be extended to other regions and conflicts.
"All the regional problems can only be solved by dialogue and compromise," Mr Ban said.
"In this regard I am encouraged that the signing of the Abraham Accord may have halted the planned annexation of the West Bank. This would have been an inflammatory action that could have raised tensions and division and undermined the two-state solution at an important juncture.
"In this connection, I greatly hope that the Emirati and other Arab leaders can leverage their new and constructive relationship with Israel to build on the Abraham Accord to rekindle efforts towards a two-state solution. The dignity and rights of all people in the Middle East, including the Palestinians, must be ensured."
Britain's chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, also addressed the webinar and drew parallels with his own experience of Anwar Sadat arriving in Israel in 1977, the fall of Apartheid in 1990s South Africa, and the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Ireland, where he was a cleric at the time.
He said the agreements "were not just an end in themselves but rather they are charged with potential".
A framework for progress
Mr Mirvis said Jews and Muslims were part of the same family and this needed to underpin and inspire their future relationship.
"There is engagement and understanding on Islamophobia and anti-Semitism."
He praised the "brave public leadership" for reaching the agreement and said "faith leaders must take their cues from this example".
Abraham Accords signing gallery
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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, speaks to Donald Trump, US president at the time, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office in September 2020. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state at the time. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Pompeo in Washington. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah visits Washington in September last year. Wam -
Sheikh Abdullah, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, US President Donald Trump, centre, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sign the Abraham Accord at the White House South Lawn. MOFAIC -
Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at the White House. MOFAIC -
Sheikh Abdullah, Mr Al Zayani and Mr Netanyahu at the White House during the Abraham Accord signing ceremony. MOFAIC -
Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Netanyahu, Mr Trump and Mr Al Zayani wave from the Truman Balcony at the White House. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Al Zayani, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump sign the Abraham Accord. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Al Zayani, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump after the signing ceremony. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah and, from left, Mr Al Zayani, Mr Netanyahu and Mr Trump after the signing ceremony. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah speaks from the Truman Balcony at the White House during the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accord. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah speaks as Mr Trump looks on before the signing of Abraham Accord on the South Lawn of the White House. AP -
Sheikh Abdullah looks on from the White House as Mr Trump speaks at the Abraham Accord signing ceremony, also attended by Mr Al Zayani and Mr Netanyahu. AP -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani stand on the Blue Room Balcony during the signing ceremony. AP -
Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Al Zayani shortly before participating in the signing of the Abraham Accord. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah, with Mr Netanyahu, left, and Mr Al Zayani at the signing of the Abraham Accord on the South Lawn of the White House. AFP -
US President Donald Trump speaks from the Truman Balcony at the White House during the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accord. AFP -
President Donald Trump walks to the Abraham Accord signing ceremony at the White House with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. AP -
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at the White House to attend the Abraham Accord signing ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump. EPA -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House before the signing of Abraham Accord. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, in the Oval Office. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah with Mr Trump in the Oval Office. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, with by President Donald Trump at the White House. Mustafa Alrawi / The National -
The UAE delegation led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Mustafa Alrawi / The National -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, is welcomed to the White House by US President Donald Trump. EPA -
Sheikh Abdullah and Mr Trump outside the White House. AFP -
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed speaks to Mr Trump after arriving at the White House. Reuters -
White House Senior Adviser Jared Kushner walks away following a television interview on the North Lawn at the White House in Washington. Reuters -
US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump welcome the arrival of Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington DC. AFP -
A delegation of senior UAE officials led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, prepares to depart for the White House to sign the Abraham Accord. MOFAIC -
US President Donald Trump welcomes Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. AFP -
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani arrives at the White House in Washington DC. AFP -
US President Donald Trump welcomes Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani on the North Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP -
Preparations at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord. -
Preparations under way at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord. -
Preparations under way at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord. -
Preparation at the White House for the signing of the Abraham Accord. The National
