Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, centre right, and the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, centre left, pose for a photo with UAE Air Force's Maj Gen Falah Al Qahtani,, and other officials at Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, centre right, and the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, centre left, pose for a photo with UAE Air Force's Maj Gen Falah Al Qahtani,, and other officials at Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior adviser to the US president Jared Kushner being shown a replica of the Abrahamic Family House at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior adviser to the US president Jared Kushner being shown a replica of the Abrahamic Family House at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat greets an Emirati official as he makes his way to board the plane to leave Abu Dhabi. EPA
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat greets an Emirati official as he makes his way to board the plane to leave Abu Dhabi. EPA
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien during a visit to Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien during a visit to Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash and head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash and head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat. Twitter/ @USAinUAE
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash hold a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash hold a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, left, arrive in the UAE on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, left, arrive in the UAE on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner speaks as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien looks on. Victor Besa / The National
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner speaks as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien looks on. Victor Besa / The National
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, centre, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, on the tarmac after disembarking from the El Al flight. Victor Besa / The National
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, centre, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, on the tarmac after disembarking from the El Al flight. Victor Besa / The National
Head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat delivers a speech upon his arrival. AFP
Head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat delivers a speech upon his arrival. AFP
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien delivers a speech upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien delivers a speech upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, right, delivers a speech as Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and White House adviser Jared Kushner look on. Victor Besa / The National
US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, right, delivers a speech as Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and White House adviser Jared Kushner look on. Victor Besa / The National
US-Israeli delegation led by White House adviser Jared Kushner arrive in Abu Dhabi on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
US-Israeli delegation led by White House adviser Jared Kushner arrive in Abu Dhabi on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat disembark a plane after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat disembark a plane after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters
US and Israeli flags at Abu Dhabi airport. Victor Besa / The National
US and Israeli flags at Abu Dhabi airport. Victor Besa / The National
A UAE official waits for Israeli and US delegates to disembark the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters
A UAE official waits for Israeli and US delegates to disembark the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters
Senior White House adviserJared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien speak to the media in an El Al airplane. AFP
Senior White House adviserJared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien speak to the media in an El Al airplane. AFP
Reporters, Israeli and US delegates travelling on an Israeli El Al airliner prepare to disembark on arrival in Abu Dhabi. AP
Reporters, Israeli and US delegates travelling on an Israeli El Al airliner prepare to disembark on arrival in Abu Dhabi. AP
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner are seated during Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. EPA
Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner are seated during Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. EPA
An official greeting message is seen on the Israeli carrier El Al airliner carrying Israeli and US delegates during their flight to Abu Dhabi. Reuters
An official greeting message is seen on the Israeli carrier El Al airliner carrying Israeli and US delegates during their flight to Abu Dhabi. Reuters
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner approaches to land in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner approaches to land in Abu Dhabi. Reuters
A view of the scenery through the window of Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, as it is approaching for landing at the airport of Abu Dhabi. EPA
A view of the scenery through the window of Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, as it is approaching for landing at the airport of Abu Dhabi. EPA
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, left, Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, right, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, board the El Al flight to Abu Dhabi. EPA
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, left, Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, right, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, board the El Al flight to Abu Dhabi. EPA
The US-Israel delegation board the plane. EPA
The US-Israel delegation board the plane. EPA
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien pose with members of the US-Israel delegation before boarding the El Al's flight. AP
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien pose with members of the US-Israel delegation before boarding the El Al's flight. AP
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, looks on as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks before boarding the El Al's flight. AP
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, looks on as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks before boarding the El Al's flight. AP
The Arabic, English and Hebrew word for 'Peace' is seen on the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner which carried Israel-US delegations to meet Emirati leadership in Abu Dhabi. AP
The Arabic, English and Hebrew word for 'Peace' is seen on the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner which carried Israel-US delegations to meet Emirati leadership in Abu Dhabi. AP
A seat covering says 'Making History' in Arabic, English and Hebrew. Reuters
A seat covering says 'Making History' in Arabic, English and Hebrew. Reuters
A flight crew member stands in front of the El Al jet. AP
A flight crew member stands in front of the El Al jet. AP
Flight crew hold a meeting before the historic flight. Reuters
Flight crew hold a meeting before the historic flight. Reuters
A pilot goes through pre-flight checks. Reuters
A pilot goes through pre-flight checks. Reuters
Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters
Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters
Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters
Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters

As it happened: US-Israeli delegation arrive in Abu Dhabi for historic talks

The group arrived on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE

The National

August 31, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

A US-Israeli delegation led by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday afternoon, travelling aboard the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE.

El Al flight 971 took off from Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv at 11.21am local time and landed at Abu Dhabi international airport at 3.38pm.

The flight marked another first when it flew over Saudi Arabian airspace.

The visit follows the announcement of the Abraham Accord on August 13 to normalise relations between the UAE and Israel. As part of the accord, Israel will halt all annexation of Palestinian territories in exchange for establishing diplomatic ties with the Emirates.

The group led by Mr Kushner includes US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Meir Ben-Shabbat, head of the Israeli National Security Council.

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Sukuk

An Islamic bond structured in a way to generate returns without violating Sharia strictures on prohibition of interest.

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Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
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Dust storm

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  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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ELIO

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Rating: 4/5

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