Flight LY 971: The word "Peace" above the cockpit window
Photo:HEIDI LEVINE / AFP
The flight passed via Saudi Arabia, with which Israel has no diplomatic relations: just under three weeks after the historical rapprochement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, the first direct flight between the two countries took off. The machine of the Israeli airline El Al flew from Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv towards Abu Dhabi.
Above the cockpit window of Flight LY 971 was the word "peace" in Arabic, English, and Hebrew. The Israeli pilot Tal Becker told journalists it was the most exciting flight of his life and "a very special feeling". In addition to a large Israeli delegation, the US mediator Jared Kushner and the security advisors of the US and Israel, Robert O'Brien and Meir Ben-Schabat, were also on board. According to media reports, the Israeli passenger plane is equipped with a special protection system that can, among other things, repel surface-to-air missiles, and the return flight is scheduled for Tuesday.
Cooperation agreement planned
Before departure, Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, spoke of a "historic flight", the first commercial flight between Israel and a Gulf state. He prayed at the Western Wall that "Muslims and Arabs all over the world will see this flight and recognize that we are all children of God and that the past does not have to determine the future." Kushner expressed the hope that Israel would reach an agreement with other states in the region. "So much peace and prosperity is possible in this region and around the world."
In mid-August, Israel and the Emirates announced an agreement. The Emirates would be the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, that currently has diplomatic relations. In return for the agreement, Israel wants to suspend the planned annexation of areas in the occupied West Bank, which the Palestinians claim for their own state.
In Abu Dhabi, according to Israeli information, working meetings between teams from both countries and the USA are planned. It covers the areas of finance, diplomacy, air travel, visas, health, culture and tourism, space travel, science and investment, and innovation and trade. Various cooperation agreements are to be signed. A meeting of Robert O'Brien and Ben-Schabat with the Emirati security advisor Tahnun bin Sajid is also planned. The US delegation also includes Special Envoy Avi Berkowitz and Special Envoy for Iran, Brian Hook.
On Saturday, the Emirates lifted the boycott of the once warring country. Two weeks ago, the previously blocked telephone connection in both countries was activated. The first direct flight is another concrete step. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping for rapprochement with other countries in the Middle East. Up until now, it has been taboo for Arab states to conclude agreements with Israel before the conflict with the Palestinians is resolved.
Icon: The mirrorapr / dpa
