The Abraham Accord will strengthen the UAE’s role in promoting peace between Israel and Palestine based on the two-state solution, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said on Thursday.
“It will contribute to our joint efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state,” Dr Gargash said in an online session with the Asia Society.
Last month, the UAE became the first Arab country to normalise ties with Israel in more than 25 years.
The move was followed by the historic signing of the Abraham Accord, the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.
The UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, this month signed agreements with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister, Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, was also at the ceremony, signing his country's accord with Israel.
The signing paved the way for full normalisation of relations between Israel and the two Arab countries.
“We understood that it is essential for us to divide the political disagreement from other areas of co-operation," Dr Gargash said.
"It will have better relations and prospects for stability in the region."
He confirmed that the country hoped to appoint an ambassador to Israel by the end of the year.
Dr Gargash said there had been some talk about Mr Netanyahu pulling away from his promise to suspend Palestinian annexation.
“The presence of the US being a glue that brought us all together is, in my opinion, a guarantee,” he said.
“We have allowed the chance for a two-state solution to work and will allow the Palestinians to engage."
Dr Gargash said the Palestinians felt the plan was skewed against them and would undermine their aspiration to become an independent state.
“For us, engagement is essential," he said. "We’ve been talking about this, we have developed and realised that [having] no communication channel with Israel has not yielded any results."
Dr Gargash said the UAE has urged the Palestinians to communicate and come to the negotiating table.
“This remains our view,” he said.
He said it would be the Israelis and Palestinians who determined their final plan, not the UAE.
Dr Gargash confirmed that the country had not lost a single friend, or gained any foes in the Arab world since signing the deal.
“There has been a positive response. There is an opportunity here,” he said.
The peace treaty has raised the prospect of the US selling advanced F-35 jets to the UAE.
Dr Gargash said his country deserved the F-35 fighter jets because it had been "a very honourable and strong partner in Nato's operations in Libya and shared the burden in the fight against ISIS".
Washington has sold the F-35 to allies but sales in the region require a deeper review because US policy requires Israel to maintain a military advantage in the Middle East.
“We are hopeful that it will be a strategic breakthrough and will be a beneficial relationship for both sides,” Dr Gargash said.
Officials in the UAE say the accord with Israel did not represent a departure from support for the Palestinian cause or a two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
When asked if Iran was surprised by the treaty, Dr Gargash said: “Tehran was counting on many Arab states having non-formal relations with Israel – they didn't see this coming.”
The deal with Israel was in "no way targeted against Iran. I think they were surprised".
Dr Gargash said engagement was necessary with Iran and the US to work on the matter.
Palestinians must understand that their real supporters are moderate Arab states such as Egypt, Jordan and Gulf countries where most Palestinians live and prosper, he said.
“Further radicalising the Palestinian position will not help anyone," Dr Gargash said.
"A more thoughtful re-examination is what is needed right now, which entails returning to the negotiating table.”
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
Scoreline
Ireland 16 (Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3)
New Zealand 9 (Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett)
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
About Okadoc
Date started: Okadoc, 2018
Founder/CEO: Fodhil Benturquia
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Healthcare
Size: (employees/revenue) 40 staff; undisclosed revenues recording “double-digit” monthly growth
Funding stage: Series B fundraising round to conclude in February
Investors: Undisclosed
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
THE%20SWIMMERS
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Persuasion
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Mountain%20Boy
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