Ben Shabbat comments on Israel-UAE flight after landing

A Star of David-orned El Al plane landed in Abu Dhabi on Monday after flying in from Israel, carrying a high-ranking American and Israeli delegation in first-ever direct commercial passenger flight to United Arab Emirates.

American delegation included President Donald Trump's senior viser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, as well as national security viser Robert O'Brien. Israel was represented by national security viser Meir Ben-Shabbat and or top officials.

Speaking in Abu Dhabi following historic flight Ben-Shabbat said both UAE and Israel h much in common.

He said: "Our region is full of challenges and threats. But we have strength and ability to stand against m."

State television in Abu Dhabi broke into its brocast to show airplane on tarmac and aired comments of all officials, including Ben-Shabbat, who spoke in Arabic and Hebrew.

Israeli flag carrier's flight marks implementation of historic U.S.-brokered deal to normalize relations between two nations and solidifies long-clandestine ties that have evolved over years of shared enmity toward Iran.

El Al flight, numbered LY971 after UAE's international calling code number, flew into Saudi Arabian airspace shortly after takeoff and later passed over capital, Riyh.

That marked anor historic first for Israel and signaled acquiescence by kingdom for UAE's move.

(Image Credit: AP)