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
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Seattle from Dh5,555 return, including taxes. Portland is a 260 km drive from Seattle and Emirates offers codeshare flights to Portland with its partner Alaska Airlines.
The car
Hertz (www.hertz.ae) offers compact car rental from about $300 per week, including taxes. Emirates Skywards members can earn points on their car hire through Hertz.
Parks and accommodation
For information on Crater Lake National Park, visit www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm . Because of the altitude, large parts of the park are closed in winter due to snow. While the park’s summer season is May 22-October 31, typically, the full loop of the Rim Drive is only possible from late July until the end of October. Entry costs $25 per car for a day. For accommodation, see www.travelcraterlake.com. For information on Umpqua Hot Springs, see www.fs.usda.gov and https://soakoregon.com/umpqua-hot-springs/. For Bend, see https://www.visitbend.com/.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Full list of brands available for Instagram Checkout
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Anastasia Beverly Hills @anastasiabeverlyhills
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Burberry @burberry
ColourPop @colourpopcosmetics
Dior @dior
H&M @hm
Huda Beauty @hudabeautyshop
KKW @kkwbeauty
Kylie Cosmetics @kyliecosmetics
MAC Cosmetics @maccosmetics
Michael Kors @michaelkors
NARS @narsissist
Nike @niketraining & @nikewomen
NYX Cosmetics @nyxcosmetics
Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta
Ouai Hair @theouai
Outdoor Voices @outdoorvoices
Prada @prada
Revolve @revolve
Uniqlo @uniqlo
Warby Parker @warbyparker
Zara @zara
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
Brolliology: A History of the Umbrella in Life and Literature
By Marion Rankine
Melville House
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Mobile phone packages comparison
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
Bharat
Director: Ali Abbas Zafar
Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
MATCH INFO
Burnley 0
Man City 3
Raheem Sterling 35', 49'
Ferran Torres 65'
SCORES
Multiply Titans 81-2 in 12.1 overs
(Tony de Zorzi, 34)
bt Auckland Aces 80 all out in 16 overs
(Shawn von Borg 4-15, Alfred Mothoa 2-11, Tshepo Moreki 2-16).
The bio:
Favourite holiday destination: I really enjoyed Sri Lanka and Vietnam but my dream destination is the Maldives.
Favourite food: My mum’s Chinese cooking.
Favourite film: Robocop, followed by The Terminator.
Hobbies: Off-roading, scuba diving, playing squash and going to the gym.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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