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Historic normalization deals between Israel and 4 Arab nations were hallmark of Netanyahu and Trump administrations; FM Lapid indicates eagerness to expand on ties
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of Israel – By Toi Staff 15.6.2021 https://tinyurl.com/3cepy9fr
UAE Foreign Minister
Abdullah bin Zayed spoke Monday with new Foreign Minister Yair Lapid,
discussing “mutual cooperation and Abrahamic Accords,” the Emirati Foreign
Ministry said in a tweet.
“His Highness
congratulated @yairlapid on his new term as Israel’s new FM,” it said.
“I
had the great pleasure of speaking to the Foreign Minister of the United Arab
Emirates this evening and I look forward to working with him
to build on the warm and unique relations between our two countries for the
benefit of our peoples and the entire Middle East,” Lapid said.
Earlier,
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued a statement
congratulating Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Lapid on the formation of a
new government.
“The
crown prince expresses his sincere wishes that the newly formed government will
enhance development, stability, and peace in the region and the world,” the
statement said.
The
new government, an unlikely alliance of right-wing, left-wing, centrist, and
Islamist parties, was sworn in on
Sunday, ending Netanyahu’s 12-year term in office.
During
Lapid’s first visit to the Foreign Ministry on Monday, he highlighted his
diplomatic priorities, including building on the Abraham Accords that also saw
Israel sign deals with Morocco and Sudan.
“Part of our work will of course be to
strengthen our presence in the region. Great things have happened this past
year. We need to continue the development that started with the Abraham
Accords. To work to strengthen the peace with the Gulf States, with Egypt and with
Jordan,” Lapid said.
“We
will work to sign agreements with more countries in the region and beyond. It’s
a process, it won’t happen in a day, but the Foreign Ministry will coordinate
those efforts,” he said, indicating a shift in the Israeli approach.
In
recent years Israel’s efforts to expand its ties with the Arab world have
largely been conducted by the Mossad.
Also
Sunday, the Kan public broadcaster reported that talks are underway between
Israel, the US, the UAE and Bahrain aimed at holding a ceremony in September to
mark the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords.
It was
not yet clear where the event will be held or whether the ceremony might be
used to announce the addition of another country to the normalization circle.
Kan
said the talks were conducted by outgoing foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who
was part of the Blue and White party that is also part of the new government,
indicating that the efforts will likely continue.
Lapid
also specifically highlighted improving ties with neighboring Jordan, praising
King Abdullah as “an important strategic ally,” and promising to work with him.
Ties between Jerusalem and Amman were frigid at best over the last several
years and Abdullah reportedly had little patience for Netanyahu.
But
Lapid added that Israel’s relationship with the Palestinians will be a defining
factor in the nation’s ties with other countries, likely referring to the
sensitivity in the Arab and Muslim world surrounding the ongoing conflict.
“We might not be expecting a final status agreement soon but there is a lot we can do to improve the lives of the Palestinians and the dialogue with them on civil issues,” he said.
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