Trump Declares Middle East Breakthrough, Israel, UAE Agree To Normalize Relations

The United Arab Emirates on Thursday became the first Arab country outside Jordan and Egypt to establish normalized relations with Israel. President Trump announced the breakthrough in Middle East negotiations on Twitter.

Israel has had a long history of rocky relationships with its Middle East neighbors since its establishment in 1948, made rockier by decades of failed negotiations on the fate of Palestinians who fled the Jewish state when it gained its independence from Great Britain.

Most recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu roiled the region by declaring plans to annex Jewish settlements in the West Bank. The agreement nixes those plans.

There was no immediate comment from Israel or the UAE.

Trump announced the breakthrough in a tweet, posting the joint statement.

“Huge breakthrough today! Historic peace agreement between … Israel and the United Arab Emirates!” Trump said.

Relations between the UAE and Israel became strained in 2010 after the confederation of Arab states accused Israel intelligence of assassinating the leader of Hamas’ military wing, who was wanted by the Israeli government for the kidnapping and killing of two Israeli soldiers in 1989.

Though the UAE prohibited Israeli passport-holders from entering the country and had no formal economic or diplomatic ties with Israel, the UAE allowed Israel to open a diplomatic office in Abu Dhabi in 2015, ostensibly to participate in the operations of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region,” the joint statement issued by the U.S., UAE and Israel read. “All three countries face many common challenges and will mutually benefit from today’s historic achievement.”

The statement said U.S. and UAE delegations will sign bilateral agreements in coming weeks on investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications technology, energy, healthcare, culture, the environment, diplomatic relations and other issues.

As part of the agreement, Israel agreed to “suspend declaring sovereignty” over certain West Bank settlements.

Trump put son-in-law Jared Kushner in charge of resolving the Middle East situation, but his initial efforts were met with tepid results and largely rejected by Palestinian leaders. No signatures appeared on the announcement posted by Trump.