Israeli town flies UAE flags to celebrate new ties

The coastal Israeli town of Netanya flew United Arab Emirates flags from its highways on Sunday as the two countries moved ahead with plans to establish diplomatic ties.

Netanya's mayor Miriam Feirberg said it was a historic moment and expressed the hope that her city could be the first in Israel to sign a twinning agreement with Dubai.

Local resident Orly Lalevski said it would be a "blessing" that would improve relations between Jews and Muslims.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced Thursday they were establishing full diplomatic relations in a U.S.-brokered accord.

It would make the UAE the third Arab country, after Egypt and Jordan, to have full, active diplomatic ties with Israel.

The two countries announced the move in a joint statement, saying deals between Israel and the UAE were expected in the coming weeks in such areas as tourism, direct flights and embassies.