Israel, UAE to open embassies after diplomatic makeover: Here's all you need to know

In what came as a major development in West Asia last month, Israel and United Arab Emirates (UAE) anunced that it is establishing full diplomatic relations in a US-brokered deal called  Abraham Accord, with first-ever flight between two nations landing in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Both countries have also started discussions to open embassies in each or’s countries. According to UAE, deal was inked after Israel agreed to 'immediately stop' West Bank annexation plans, however, Israel says that it has 'suspended' plans for deal. With this, UAE became  third Arab country and first Gulf nation after Egypt and Jordan to establish relations with Israel. 

Here is joint statement of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

Relation of Israel with or Arab countries

Jewish state of Israel was formed in 1948, and since n country has fought almost six wars with its Arab neighbours. se wars predominantly stemmed from conflict between Palestine and Israel. After World War II, demand for a homeland for Jews in Arab dominated Palestine grew. Back n, Palestine was under British mandate, but when it ended in 1947, United Nations (UN) proposed an Arab-Jewish partition of Palestine. This partition plan mandated 53 percent of land to Jewish-majority state and 47 percent to Palestinian-majority state.  Arab dominated West Asia did t accept a Jewish nation giving rise to conflict in region. While Egypt and Jordan established diplomatic ties later, or Arab countries are of opinion that y would withhold recognition till formation of Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza Strip. 

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What does it mean to Palestine?

President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestinian Authority called deal a 'betrayal' by UAE. In a statement, Abbas' spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that it 'rejects and deunces' UAE, Israeli and U.S. trilateral anuncement and told its ambassor to UAE to return immediately. PA also urged  Arab League and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to assemble to reject  deal, calling it against 'two-nation solution.' statement said that neir UAE r any or party has 'right to speak' in name of Palestinian people.

Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, that has control over Gaza strip, has called deal as 'stabbing in back' of Palestinian people. Hamas which has fought three wars with Israel said that  anuncement is a 'reward for Israeli occupation’s crimes'.

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What does it mean to US?

With this deal just ahe of US presidential elections, Donald Trump has attempted to claim victory in his foreign policy approach, as he is heavily criticised for having isolated US from important world groups, under pretext of America First. Trump h tasked his son-in-law Jared Kushner for bringing 'peace in middle east.' With deal seen to be as a major 'breakthrough', Kushner and Ivanka Trump claim that 'history' is me. 

Experts say deal between UAE and Israel - brokered by US - is a version of Trump's idea of 'Middle East peace'. Back in January, Trump h anunced his 'Peace for Prosperity' that claimed to be 'a vision to improve lives of Palestinian and Israeli people'. However, Palestinians rejected it calling it a 'conspiracy deal” to which “we say a thousand times over: , , ”. Experts said it was heavily in favour of Israel and was without any meaningful Palestinian participation. Reports conclude that UAE-Israel pact comes as a 'meek version' of Trump's middle east peace plan as he failed to gain impetus for his 'deal of century'. 

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India's response

In a statement after rmalization of ties between two countries, Indian foreign ministry spokesman Anurag Srivastava said that India 'has consistently supported peace, stability and development in West Asia which is its extended neighbourbood.' He pointed out that both nations are strategic partners of India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also welcomed rmalisation of diplomatic relations after UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed discussed pact with him. He said it has opened up 'lots of opportunities' for country as it has very good ties with two countries. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015 me a major breakthrough by becoming  first Indian premier to visit UAE in 34 years, his camarerie with Isreal Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has grown in past six years, with Modi visiting Isreal in 2017 and Netanyahu visiting India in 2018. 

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