ABU DHABI, KOMPAS.com – The United Arab Emirates issued a decree on Saturday (29/8/2020) officially ending the country’s boycott against Israel bridged by the United States ( AS).
Launch ABC News on Saturday (30/8/2020), with the existence of the decree, the trade relations between UEA with Israel can be widely opened, for example the UAE with oil products, the construction industry, and Israel with diamonds, pharmaceutical products and technology startups.
The announcement is a follow-up to strengthening the normalization deal on August 13, which opened up relations between the two countries, requiring Israel to give up its controversial plans to annex land. West Bank which it sits on and wants by Palestine.
However, the Palestinians have so far criticized the deal and viewed it as an avenue to undermine one of the few bargains that once worked with Israel, namely the moribund peace negotiations.
Government owned news agency, YOU, said that the decision to officially end the boycott came at the behest of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the leader of the Emirates.
YOU said the new decision allows Israel and Israeli companies to do business in the UAE, an ally of the US federation, of the sheikh’s 7 kingdoms on the Arabian Peninsula.
It also allows for the purchase and trade of Israeli goods.
The new legal ruling comes in the UAE’s efforts to expand diplomatic and commercial cooperation with Israel, said YOU.
It lays out a “road map to launching joint cooperation, leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.”
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision. “This is an important step to promote peace and prosperity in the area,” he said.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said in a statement that the UAE decision “is an important step towards peace, which will result in substantial economic and commercial gains for both parties, while strengthening stability in the region.”
Several Israeli companies have signed deals with UAE partners.
However, the annulment of the law widened the possibilities for other joint ventures, such as on airlines or in banking and finance.
Dubai International Airport, home to Emirates’ long-haul airline, has been the busiest in the world for international travel for many years.
The Dubai International Financial Center also houses large companies that trade on the hours between the Asian and European markets.
Dubai already has a major gold market and a growing diamond trade.
Emirati companies may also want to access Israeli technological know-how.
Some had even before a deal with cybersecurity firm DarkMatter, which reportedly hired trained hackers for the Israeli military.
On Monday (31/8/2020), the first direct commercial flight by Israel’s main airline, El Al, is expected to be in Abu Dhabi, bringing in US and Israeli officials including President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Telephone calls can be made between countries.
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The decree formally abolished the 1972 Law on Bookkeeping of the UAE from the time the country was formed.
The law reflected the position widely held by Arab states at the time that recognition of Israel would only come after the Palestinians had their own independent state.
Hanan Ashrawi, a senior Palestinian official, criticized the UAE’s decree this Saturday, which belittled the efforts of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement targeting Israel.
Israel accuses BDS activists of trying to delegitimize its existence.
“While (hashtag) BDS proved to be an effective tool for peaceful & responsible resistance, ethical investment and consumer responsibility to hold Israel to account, it is happening!” Ashrawi wrote on Twitter.
Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has ruled the Gaza Strip since seizing it in 2007, has reiterated its rejection of the UAE-Israel deal and ended the boycott.
The decision “increases normalization with the Israeli occupation and legitimizes it on Palestinian land,” said Hamas official Bassem Naim.
According to senior Gulf analyst at the International Crisis Group, Elham Fakhro said the agreement Israel-UEA only shows the UAE’s desire to advance relations and maximize its potential benefits, such as trade amid an economic slowdown.
“The decision sends a clear message that the UAE is committed to its decision to normalize relations with Israel,” Fakhro said.
Also read: Palestine Curses UAE-Israel Peace Agreement, Pulls Home Ambassador
“It also raises questions about the possible repercussions for anyone in the country calling for a boycott of Israeli goods, now that is against state policy.”
The UAE is the third Arab country after Egypt and Jordan to currently have diplomatic relations with Israel.
However, while widespread public distrust of Israel remains. The UAE has never fought against Israel, nor has a historic Jewish population.
In recent years, the UAE has held tacit talks with Israel and allowed Israelis with second passports into the country for trade and meetings.
Opening up ties could also help the UAE access advanced American weaponry, such as the F-35 fighter jets that Israel currently only flies in the Middle East.
Sheikh Khalifa has ruled the UAE since 2004. He suffered a stroke on January 24, 2014, and underwent emergency surgery.
Since then he has rarely been seen in public, even though state media usually publish his photos around Islamic holidays.
The crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has served as UAE daily ruler since Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke.
Also read: Israel-UAE Peace Treaty Question, US Foreign Minister: A Big Step in the Right Way
Sheikh Mohammed has focused on increasing Emirates’ military might amid his suspicions about Iran, the animosity shared by Israel.
While Sheikh Khalifa holds the title of president, the UAE is led by an autocratic sheikh.
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the oil-rich nation, has grown stronger since the founding of the UAE in 1971, although each sheikh’s state largely governs its own affairs.
The decision comes after a trip through the Middle East in recent days by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who hopes to build on a UAE-Israel deal.
The deal also comes as a major foreign policy win for Trump as he campaigns ahead of the November election against Democratic candidate Joe Biden.
Both Israel and the UAE have viewed the Republican president as an ally.
Also read: Trump Announces Peace Agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates
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