WASHINGTON: The foreign ministers of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain have signed historic diplomatic normalization deals with Israel at a ceremony at the White House.
In an event overseen by President Donald Trump, the Emirati foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bahrain’s foreign minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani signed the accords with the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The agreements, details of which are still being negotiated, represent the first time in a quarter of a century that any Arab country has given diplomatic recognition to the Jewish State. Jordan and Egypt signed deals with Israel in 1994 and 1979 respectively.
The moves, which signal a significant shift in regional geopolitics, should see the opening of embassies in the respective countries, as well as flights, tourism, and trade links.
Defence ties are also expected to be put in place quickly, with the possible sale of Israeli fighter jets to the Gulf Arab nations.
