There were those on the left who tried to dwarf the achievement, but the alliance with the United Arab Emirates changes the rules of the game and sends a signal to Iran, Syria, Hezbollah - and also to Turkey • Interpretation
On Thursday, Benjamin Netanyahu was the third prime minister to bring Israel a peace agreement with an Arab state. It is a tremendous achievement, but there are those who have tried to humble and cool the enthusiasm: first, because we have already, for at least two decades, a relationship with the UAE; And secondly, that this country does not threaten us at all; And, of course, that the expectation was in general for the application of sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and 30 percent of the territories of Judea and Samaria; And we have not forgotten that our great friend, US President Donald Trump, is freezing our construction in Judea and Samaria. Here, enough reasons to spoil our national celebration that affects the entire nation.
Photo: GPO
Also note that in addition to the "proportions" that some sought to give to the event, there were also those who wanted the media to attribute credit to themselves. So here's the place to point out, according to a White House official, that no NGO was involved in the peace agreement reached. We are sorry. And if big credit is due, then it is to the statesmen: to US President Trump, to Emirates leader Muhammad bin Zayed and to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. And yes, there are those who do not usually talk about them: Mossad officials, led by Yossi Cohen, who have managed to upgrade relations with the Emirates to their current level, which has contributed to the peace agreement. Sometimes it does not hurt that there is also parallel diplomacy.
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And now for the claims: The first, as if it were "only" normalizing a relationship that we have anyway - is a claim that can be refuted in an instant. The story is no longer relationships in the dark, but a relationship devoid of feelings of inferiority; Peace from a position of power, peace in exchange for peace, peace in which the people see and reap the fruits and do not hide the connection. I was an ambassador in an Arab country, and I remember what it was like to work in secret: we were an embassy for everything, with a flag - but without a peace agreement. By the way, from our embassy came two representatives to the emirates in the days when representation was secret. Who like me knows the magnitude of the achievement.
This time with an Israeli passport
We also argued that the emirates do not threaten us. But Iran does threaten - and that's the story. The agreement is a Regional Game Changer. Think of a front base in the Persian Gulf facing Iran. Think also of the message conveyed to the hostile countries: Iran, Qatar, Syria, Hezbollah and even Turkey, which backs the Muslim Brotherhood. Think for a moment how such an agreement affects regional geopolitics.
And we have not talked about the economic aspect, which lies in the agreement with a country with the seventh largest oil reserve in the world, and the gas pipeline that can from the Gulf, through us, reach various destinations in Europe.
Of course, there is also a symbolic aspect: another peace agreement breaks the ice with Bahrain, Oman and many other "countries," as President Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Avi Berkowitz, admitted to me.
And even if those involved do not want to admit, Saudi Arabia is on target - on the intention of peace, of course. Then you can really talk about a new Middle East, with Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states. And maybe then, if the Palestinians feel like stopping being offended and upset, they too can get on the train.
And I have not forgotten those on the left and right who opposed the sovereignty proposed in the plan of the century, and now come up with arguments: Where is the sovereignty you promised? Well, we'm used to long runs. The story of sovereignty was rejected - not canceled. And for those who mentioned the two states, let us recall that in the plan of the century the Palestinians have four years to meet the conditions. The ball in their court, no less than ours. In the meantime, we, with new-old partners, are approaching a vision of a new Middle East.
And on a personal note: after visiting the Emirates many times with a foreign passport, I am excited for the next visit, this time with an Israeli passport in hand.
