The virtual event took place yesterday with the participation of Diaspora Minister Omar Yankelevich • "A historic event symbolizing the construction of the living bridge between members of the communities in the two countries"

The Ministry of Diaspora is holding a virtual Shabbat reception from Israel with members of the Jewish communities in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (Friday) on the occasion of the future signing of a normalization of relations between the two countries. The event was attended by Diaspora Minister Omar Yankelevich and hundreds of Jews and youth from both countries.

During the event, which was also attended by the community president of the Emirates, Ross Kriel and the official rabbi of the community, Serena, singer Ariel Cohen of the Elnor Dismantling Orchestra led the singing of Shabbat songs with the community cantor in the UAE. Later, participants from the Emirates sang the national anthem of their country and then all joined in singing "Hope". The Beck family and Yoni Stingisar from the UAE attended the candle lighting ceremony.

Minister Yankelevich said at the time of the event that "the reception of this history on Shabbat symbolizes the establishment of relations and the construction of the living bridge between hundreds of members of the special Jewish community of the United Arab Emirates and Israeli society." She added that the event "also symbolizes the natural connection between us and the Jewish communities in the Emirates. This is an exciting moment."

More on this topic:

• Emirate Jews excited: "Historic day"

• "Life in the Emirates is comfortable for Jews"

• UAE executives welcome establishment: "We have been waiting for this day"

Kriel said that "peace between the countries will bring with it prosperity and unity among all the Jews of the world." Rabbi Sarna joined in, saying that this is a day that the parties will not forget: "This is the first time ever that a minister from the State of Israel talks and holds a single Shabbat reception with the Jewish community late in the Emirates. This is an event that will go down in history."

At the end of the Shabbat reception, the participants raised a glass to a good life and wished for a warm and prosperous peace between the countries.