Currents News Staff
Israeli military jets attacked targets in Gaza after Palestianian militants fired rockets from there, injuring two people. This occurred less than 24 hours after leaders from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed a landmark deal at the White House, normalizing relations with the state of Israel.
“These agreements will serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace across the entire region,” said President Donald Trump.
The so-called “Abraham Accord” establishes ties with much of the Arab world including embassies, enhanced security partnerships, increased business deals and travel.
The agreement is a win for the Trump administration and Israel’s longest serving prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who marked it as the “dawn of the new Middle East.”
“Let us rise above any political divide. For long after the pandemic has gone, the peace we make today will endure,” Netanyahu said.
The Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani expressed his support for ongoing dialogue, urging other Arab nations to move beyond the divisions of the past.
“For too long, the Middle East has been set back by conflict and mistrust,” says Al Zayani, “I’m convinced we have the opportunity to change that.”
Before the signing, Israel only had diplomatic ties with two other Arab nations, Jordan and Egypt. This agreement opens the door for other countries to come on board.
“As is often the case with complex situations,” Rabbi Brad Hirschfield, president of the National Jewish Center Learning and Leadership, says. “We don’t really know all the angles, but that shouldn’t keep us from trying.”
While many of the details are still unknown, experts say the alliance against Iran has been strengthened – and while the Palestinians have rejected it – the agreement has far reaching implications for the entire Middle East region.
“The implications of new peace between two Gulf states and the state of Israel could be a complete gamechanger for the region,” says Rabbi Brad, “especially if these are the opening two volleys in a larger strategy that include Saudi Arabia, which is the single most important government in the Saudi Arab world.”
For now, Israel will halt plans to annex Palistinian land in the West Bank as the Trump administration tries to bring Palestinians back to the negotiating table. Palestinians are calling the deal a “betrayal.”