Several members of the US Congress started a bipartisan caucus this week geared toward bolstering and expanding the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and four Arab countries, including the UAE.
Four senators and four members of the House of Representatives announced the new caucus in a joint statement on Monday.
“I stand with Israel and for lasting peace in the Middle East, alongside my colleagues, as we launch the Abraham Accords Caucus,” said Republican James Lankford, who is co-founding the caucus in the Senate.
Republican Joni Ernst joined Mr Lankford as well as Democrats Cory Booker and Jacky Rosen in founding the caucus in the Senate.
“The United States must continue to play an active role in fostering further dialogue and partnership between Israel and other Arab countries, and I look forward to doing just that as part of this bipartisan group,” Mr Booker said.
The co-founders of the caucus in the House are Republicans Cathy McMorris Rogers and Ann Wagner was well as Democrats David Trone and Brad Schneider.
The caucus has the backing of several pro-Israel lobby groups, most notably the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), as well as the Atlantic Council, a prominent Washington-based think tank.
It also has the backing of the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, a think tank founded by Jared Kushner, former president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser.
Mr Kushner facilitated the normalisation treaties after scrapping a hard-line peace plan that would have allowed Israel to annex much of the occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank.
AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups are also pushing legislation in Congress, known as the Israel Relations Normalisation Act, that would push the Joe Biden administration to expand the Abraham Accords.
The legislation would require the State Department, Defence Department and the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to co-ordinate on a strategy convincing more countries to normalise relations with Israel.
The Biden administration expanded on the Abraham Accords last year by facilitating the creation of two trilateral working groups with the UAE and Israel focusing respectively on religious co-existence as well as energy and water.
Shortly thereafter, the UAE brokered a renewable energy sharing agreement between Israel and Jordan.
Under the agreement, the three countries will develop solar photovoltaic plants in Jordan, which will also export renewable energy into Israel.
In return, they will also develop a desalination plant in Israel to allow for the export of water into Jordan.
Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
MATCH INFO
Cricket World Cup League Two
Oman, UAE, Namibia
Al Amerat, Muscat
Results
Oman beat UAE by five wickets
UAE beat Namibia by eight runs
Namibia beat Oman by 52 runs
UAE beat Namibia by eight wickets
UAE v Oman - abandoned
Oman v Namibia - abandoned
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
RESULTS
6.30pm: Handicap (rated 100 ) US$175,000 1,200m
Winner: Baccarat, William Buick (jockey), Charlie Appleby (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap (78-94) $60,000 1,800m
Winner: Baroot, Christophe Soumillon, Mike de Kock
7.40pm: Firebreak Stakes Group 3 $200,000 1,600m
Winner: Heavy Metal, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.15pm: Handicap (95-108) $125,000 1,200m
Winner: Yalta, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.50pm: Balanchine Group 2 $200,000 1,800m
Winner: Promising Run, Pat Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
9.25pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
10pm: Handicap (95-105) $125,000 1,400m
Winner: Oh This Is Us, Tom Marquand, Richard Hannon
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
RESULTS FOR STAGE 4
Stage 4 Dubai to Hatta, 197 km, Road race.
Overall leader Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Stage winners: 1. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal) 2. Matteo Moschetti ITA (Trek - Segafredo) 3. Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
