UAE official to Knesset: ‘There is no way back from the Abraham Accords’

A senior Emirati official has reiterated to Israeli Knesset that “there is no way back from the Abraham Accords,” Israel Hayom reported today.

Members of the UAE Federal National Council visited the Israeli Knesset yesterday. The top-level delegation included Dr Ali Al Nuaimi, chair of the council’s Defence, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee.

Knesset Speaker Mickey Levy said the exchange of knowledge that took place during the visit “will contribute to the parties’ understanding of regional challenges such as the Iranian arms race, terrorism and more.”

Israel’s i24 News correspondent reported Al Nuaimi saying: “It is very important to look at the relationship as part of broader prospects – not only for security. We want to be an agent of change for the whole region.”

Al Nuaimi added: “We want to have full engagement in all sectors with you. To promote peace, security and stability. There is no way back from the Abraham Accords. No repeating of history. We want to create history. We want to engage with you in all sectors.”

In September 2020, the UAE and Israel signed a US-sponsored deal to normalise relations. Since then, the two countries have signed dozens of bilateral agreements in various fields, including investment, banking services and tourism.

Three other Arab states – Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan – joined the UAE in the controversial move that came to be known as the Abraham Accords.

The normalisation deals have drawn widespread condemnation from Palestinians, who say the accords ignore their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.

READ: Israel Police chief makes first official visit to the UAE