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

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

The National

Aug 31, 2020

Beta V.1.0 - Powered by automated translation

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.

Follow the latest updates below...

[ UAE and Israel discuss co-operation on food and water security ]

[ Pompeo 'hopeful' more Arab states will establish ties with Israel ]