According to an Arab report, in an unusual statement, the State Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied its spokesman earlier about negotiations with Israel on the way to a historic agreement between the countries
A Sudanese citizen waves his country's flag at a demonstration in Khartoum, yesterday
Photo:
Archive - Reuters
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday
Photo:
Haim Tzach, GPO
Sudanese President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan last year
Photo:
Archive - Reuters
The dramatic statement - and the statement of denial: Al Jazeera reported tonight (Tuesday) that the Foreign Ministry in Sudan has come out against the words of its own spokesman regarding contacts with Israel on the way to a historic agreement between the countries.
Earlier, a Sudanese Foreign Ministry spokesman said his country was expecting a peace deal with Israel based on Khartoum's interest "without sacrificing its fixed values". Hyder Bedouin made the remarks in an interview with Sky News Arab.
From the official channel of the Israeli Prime Minister on YouTube
"There is no reason for the continued hostility between Sudan and Israel, we will not deny the existence of contacts," he said. Bedouin clarified that Sudan and Israel will enjoy the benefits and fruits of a peace agreement between them and that the Sudanese Foreign Ministry expects contacts with the Israeli side for the signing of a peace agreement. The Sudanese diplomat praised the UAE move in signing a normalization agreement with Israel, adding that it was courage and heroism that the country outlined the right path for other Arab countries.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the remarks of the Sudanese Foreign Ministry, saying that it "reflects the courageous decision of the chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council to work to promote relations between the two countries." The prime minister added that "Israel, Sudan and the entire region will benefit from the peace agreement and together they can build a better future for all the peoples of the region. Everything necessary will be done to make this vision a reality."
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi responded to the remarks of his Sudanese counterpart, and wrote in his Twitter account that Bedouin's announcement "indicates a fundamental change taking place these days in the Middle East in general and in Sudan in particular, exactly 53 years after the Khartoum conference called for opposition to recognition and peace agreement with Israel." I welcome any step that promotes a process of normalization, peace, agreements and recognition between countries. " Ashkenazi also wrote that "Israeli diplomatic activity led by the Foreign Ministry creates other important opportunities such as the relationship between Israel and Sudan. We will continue to discuss in the near future the improvement of relations until a peace agreement is signed that respects the interests of both parties."
1/2 The
announcement by the Sudanese Foreign Ministry indicates the fundamental change that is taking place these days in the Middle East in general and in Sudan in particular, exactly 53 years after the Khartoum conference in which Sudan called for opposition to recognition and a peace agreement with the State of Israel.
I welcome any step that promotes a process of normalization, peace, agreements and recognition between countries. pic.twitter.com/YbnVw3lgSw
- Gabi Ashkenazi - Gabi Ashkenazi (@Gabi_Ashkenazi) August 18, 2020
Meanwhile, Mossad chief Yossi Cohen is due in the United Arab Emirates today with the local national security adviser, the official news agency WAM reports. "The two discussed possible security cooperation," the meeting was reported. "They talked about the common perspectives on regional developments and common interests, including the fight against the corona virus."
The Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi al-Jadid reported today that Hamas had received a message from the Egyptian delegation visiting Gaza that continued insults against the United Arab Emirates over the agreement with Israel could hurt financial support for Palestinians transferred through the Arab League. It has been made clear to Hamas and the other terrorist organizations that they must consider any of their response, this is because in the coming days more Arab countries may announce summaries towards normalization.
The leaders of the countries met earlier this year
Sudan admitted last February that Netanyahu met with Sudanese President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan in Entebbe. Khartoum's Sovereignty Council then argued that the rare meeting did not constitute a change in its attitude toward Israel. Among other things, it was emphasized at the time that "Khartoum's position on the Palestinians and their right to establish a sovereign state remained strong."
• Netanyahu: "More countries will join the peace circle"
• From the Axis of Evil to Trump's Arms: The Sudan Revolution
• UAE officials welcome establishment: "We have been waiting for this day"
In April 2019, Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir was ousted after 30 years in power. Al-Bashir waged a bitter war against the rebels in western Darfur and against the Christian minority in southern Sudan. Bashir became in 2009 the first incumbent leader to be indicted in the International Court of Justice in The Hague for genocide and crimes against humanity.
Following protests that began to intensify in late 2018, Bashir was ousted in a coup and the power was seized by a special military council. Following this, pressure was exerted by the citizens to hold elections in the country, when it was finally decided to establish a joint council for the protesters and the military personnel.
Participated in the preparation of the article: Dean Shmuel Elmas and Ariel Kahana.