The Abraham Accords are one of the “most significant strategic developments” in the Middle East for many years, said Dr Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to President of the UAE Sheikh Khalifa.
At the Munich Security Conference, Dr Gargash said the Accords had helped break down “psychological barriers” that had compounded the Arab-Israeli issue and beyond over the years.
He said the UAE believed there needed to be an “agenda of tolerance” in the region. “The Abraham Accords fits very well into that,” Dr Gargash said.
The Accords, signed at the White House in 2020, normalised relations between the UAE and Israel. Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan soon followed suit.
The UAE “is pursuing what I call an agenda of stability and prosperity”, Dr Gargash said.
“And with that, I think using the economy, using investment as a visionary tool to change the region is extremely important,” he said, referring to the plethora of economic opportunities that have been created since the signing of the deal. Since 2020, and despite the Covid-19 pandemic, 123,000 Israelis had visited Dubai alone, Dr Gargash said.
The Accords, he said, were about “visionary thinking” for the Middle East.
“Not talking to Israel and not contacting Israel, and not having any relations with Israel, has truly been a failed, failed policy. I mean, there are no results to show here.
“I think that what Egypt has done many years ago, what Jordan has done a bit later, and the Abraham Accords today show a much more realistic course,” Dr Gargash said, referring to the normalisation of relations between Israel and Egypt in 1980, and Israel and Jordan in 1994.
He said the Accords could contribute towards a peaceful solution for Israel and Palestine.
“I don’t see that the Abraham Accords in itself is the sort of magic wand that will resolve everything. But we have been able, for example, through the Abraham Accords to stop the annexation of the Palestinian lands in the previous Israeli government,” Dr Gargash said.
Also speaking at the conference in Munich was Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed, Bahrain’s Undersecretary for International Affairs.
“The relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel stands as a testament on how peace can bring about stability and prosperity both on a bilateral level as well as on a regional level ... the aspirations remain high and what is yet to come is even more astonishing,” Sheikh Abdullah said.
Benny Gantz, Israel’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, was also in Munich, where he said it was a significant time for peace and stability in the Middle East.
“Partnerships are being built between leaders, peace is forged between countries and friendships are made between people,” he said.
“We are opening the gates of the Middle East to co-operation that will strengthen our economies, spread innovation and contribute to regional stability and security.
“Our hands are extended in peace to new brave leaders in the region who are prepared to develop relations with Israel."
But the retired Israeli Army general also issued a warning shot to Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which is accused of flying a drone into Israel’s territory a few days ago.
“I have a clear message for Hezbollah," he said. "Their operatives are familiar with the noise made by our aeroplanes … if we are required to respond to the attack in order to defend ourselves, we will do so and we will cause great damage to the terror organisation.”
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
