The Israel-U.A.E. Deal for Normalizing Diplomacy
Details
On August 13, 2020, Israel and the U.A.E. announced that they will normalize relations. To that end, as both nations vowed for normalization of diplomatic ties, it sought to forge a broad new relationship, a move that reshapes the order of Middle East politics from the Palestinian issue to the fight against Iran. [1]
In a joint statement, President Trump, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the U.A.E.'s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said that the "historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region." [2]
The deal has been heralded as President Trump’s first unambiguous diplomatic success. [3] Yet, the reaction from the Muslim World, and the international community and organizations were mixed. [4]
For this meeting, we'll discuss the following:
▨ The historical significance and strategic importance of the normalization between these two nations.
▨ How this deal is viewed by the Palestinians and how they are less likely to return to negotiations out of their sense of betrayal by the U.A.E.
▨ How both Israel's and the U.A.E.'s shared interest in countering Iran has fueled an alignment between the two states.
▨ How this deal plays out in Israel's domestic politics (e.g., pluralistic alliances and the far-right parties). How this deal may (or may) not affect Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank.
▨ The geopolitical "Winners and Losers" from this deal.
▨ What are the unintended consequences of this deal, if any? How will this deal affect the viability of ultimately reaching the "Two State Solution" for Israel and Palestine?
▨ Finally, can we expect other nations to follow suit? (e.g., Bahrain, Oman, Morocco and / or Sudan).
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Sources:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump/israel-uae-to-normalize-relations-in-shift-in-mideast-politics-west-bank-annexations-on-hold-idUSKCN25926W
[3] https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/08/14/israel-uae-peace-trump-success/
The Israel-U.A.E. Deal for Normalizing Diplomacy