Following normalizing ties, UAE inaugurates embassy in Tel Aviv
The United Arab Emirates opened on Wednesday its embassy to the occupation state of ‘Israel’ in the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building, following normalizing relations last year.
“This embassy is not just a hub for diplomats, but a base to continue in our new partnership,” UAE Ambassador Mohamed Al Khaja said.
“It marks a new paradigm for peace and a model for a new collaborative approach for conflict resolution.”
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Among the attendees were Israel’s new President Isaac Herzog and former foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi. Lapid was in quarantine because one of his aides tested positive for COVID-19, Israeli media reported.
Herzog said that “seeing the Emirati flag flying in Tel Aviv may have seemed like a far-fetched dream a year ago.”
However, he added, “nothing can be more natural or more normal,” because Israelis and Emiratis have so much in common.
Herzog thanked UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their work on bringing the two together, and emphasized the former’s “opening the door to a warm friendship between our peoples.”
In June, the Israeli occupation Foreign Minister Yair Lapid inaugurated Israel’s embassy in the United Arab Emirates during the 1st official visit by an Israeli minister to the country after normalizing the ties.
شاهد: وزير خارجية الاحتلال يفتتح سفارته في أبو ظبي خلال زيارة رسمية للإمارات اليوم.#التطبيع_خيانة #الإمارات pic.twitter.com/DM2XTrKwqX
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The UAE was the first country to agree to normalize ties with the occupation state under the Abraham Accords, a pact brokered by the United States, a move that was followed by Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.
Palestinians condemned the normalization agreements, saying they encouraged Israel’s denial of their rights and do not serve the Palestinian cause.
Abu Dhabi said the deal was an effort to stave off Israel’s planned annexation of the occupied West Bank, however, opponents believe normalization efforts have been in the offing for many years as Israeli officials have made official visits to the UAE and attended conferences in the country which had no diplomatic or other ties with the occupation state.
