Senior Emirates official: "Arab countries will examine how our relationship progresses - and decide whether to go our way" | Israel today

The Emirates are aware of the cold shoulder from Saudi Arabia regarding the peace initiative, but are confident that the promotion of economic agreements will lead to a shift in Arab public opinion. • The goal: to implement the outline for business and tourism quickly.

At the last second of the visit, as soon as the wheels of the plane began to move, representatives of the UAE stood and waved goodbye to us.

Their white cloak shone in the blazing sun.

Above them, the flags of Israel and the Emirates fought in the desert wind.

A minute earlier, in an unmistakable brave embrace, the Mossad representative said goodbye to his local counterpart.

These gestures reflected the elation of the 24-hour historic Abu Dhabi.

"I do not remember such an atmosphere on any political visit," a prominent member of the entourage told Israel Today.  

Photo: Ariel Kahana

The UAE longs for a connection with Israel, and it wants it fully: with cooperation, aviation ties, mutual visits and a lot of investment.

This message went through all the meetings and all the conversations.

"How do you see the relationship between the countries in 5 years"?

A local representative asked me at a meeting at the local branch of the Louvre Museum.

I replied that when there is mutual desire, and there is, there is no reason for the relationship not to prosper.

This peace starts from here.

Chance with risk

Talks with representatives of the Emirates clarify the interests of the Crown Prince, Muhammad bin Zayed, who revealed to the world his ties with Israel.

The risks he took are also clear.

The Emirates want to maintain the high position they enjoy in competition between Arab countries for power, influence, quality of life and popularity in public opinion.

The connection with Israel, the start-up nation, the security power, the flowering of the desert, will help them in this for them.

As Iran's evil spirits continue to spread threats to the Persian Gulf states, as happened again yesterday, it's good to be on the side of the US and Israel.  

But there is also a risk.

The concealment, and the fact that Saudi Arabia has taken a tougher policy toward Israel since the declaration, has provoked some tension between the kingdoms. 

Another problem is the 400,000 Palestinians living in the Emirates.

One of them by the way is the oldest minister of the kingdom, who was born in the Jordanian Jerusalem of the 1960s.

While he is an ardent supporter of the breakthrough like all the statements we have met, other Palestinians have been disappointed, and perhaps outraged at the "abandonment of the Palestinian cause," and they are not the only ones.

The feeling is that the Arab street is committed to the Palestinians, whether imaginary or real, still constitutes the great barrier between Israel and the other Arab states.

A combination of tradition, religion and progress

"Now the other countries will look at us to see how the relationship is progressing. That is what will determine for them whether to go our way or not," says one of the kingdom's representatives.

In the rules used here it is impossible to state his name or even what role he holds.

At the end of the day it is still a monarchical government, a single government in which there is no freedom of speech.

As journalists coming from a free country we are asked to respect these rules, although they are not easy. 

Photo: Ariel Kahana

Indeed, there are huge cultural gaps between Israel and the Emirates.

Unlike us, they are a new people, rich in money and minerals, Muslim, Arab and undemocratic.

But, and here we have something to learn, they are also an educated nation that has taken its fate into its own hands.

The statements are driven by a vision and know what is needed to implement it.

They also developed their own way of combining science and religion, tradition and progress.

For example, in the Great Mosque named after the founding father Sheikh bin Sultan Oel Nahian, there are separate entrances for men and women.

Of course such methods do not have to be adopted, but this is their way of dealing with sexual assault.

By the way, at the gates of the mosque here there are also inspection devices to prevent terrorist attacks, unlike here. 

I will not excuse first

The two things the emirates want now, are business and visits.

Business in every field and in every matter and it is no coincidence that the 'road map' for regulating business relations is the first document signed.

As for the visits, they even include hosting disturbed Israeli tourists, the emirate friend tells me with a wink, "We heard about it, we will be happy to host them as well."

As for their future travels, these will be geared towards the Temple Mount.

I was repeatedly asked about it.

But in God I will take danger.

Pictures of the Saudi blogger absorbing a shoe throw and spitting on the Temple Mount by violent Palestinians, burned into the consciousness of the emirates.

They are afraid that the same will happen to them when they arrive in white galabiyas and expect a solution from us.

Who knows, maybe thanks to the new members from the emirates, the State of Israel will finally establish security and order on the Holy Mountain for both religions.

The historic flight departs, bypasses Qatar and passes over Riyadh.

For myself I think the time has come to change perceptions.

We may be a villa, but it is no longer appropriate to call the neighborhood a jungle.