The keys to the agreement that will change the Middle East
The Middle East is entering a new period following the signing of the Abraham Agreement in Washington on Tuesday. The normalisation of relations between two Gulf countries, the Emirates and Bahrain, and Israel is a historic event, but following Tuesday's ceremony in Washington, the details of the document that has been signed are beginning to be known. The new relationship and the future of the new board in the Middle East are summarised in 12 key points contained in the agreement.
Tolerance and inter-religious coexistence are among the fundamental parts of the agreement and are mentioned at the beginning of the text. The agreement also includes the establishment of embassies and a strengthening of cooperation in fields such as health care, innovation, aviation, the environment and energy to stimulate activity and innovation. The document emphasises the fight against extremism and the launch of a new strategic agenda for the Middle East together with the United States. One of the reasons for signing these agreements is the threat that Iran poses to the region. Both Israel and the Gulf countries are opposed to Tehran's plans to take over the hegemony of the Middle East. This alliance is a way of dealing with Iranian interests in the area.
In any event, the pact makes it likely that other Arab states will begin to reach their own agreements with Israel, something that also represents a setback for Iran, the Israeli government's main enemy in the region. "You have stood firm against the tyrants of Tehran", Netanyahu said, addressing Trump, before the signing of the agreements on Tuesday. The Sunni states of the Persian Gulf have grown increasingly antagonistic to Iran's Shiite leaders in recent years, and Trump saw this trend as a perfect opportunity to try to get them to join forces with Israel against Tehran.
The small print of the agreements has not been made public, but according to The New York Times, they contain a commitment by the United States to sell F-35 fighters to the Emirates in order to balance out Emirate and Israeli military capabilities in the region. Netanyahu denied that he had consented to this agreement and, when asked about it on Tuesday, Trump replied that differences on the subject would be "settled". Since they announced their agreement on 13 August, Israel and the Emirates have already taken the first steps towards normalising their relations, from telephone calls to collaboration in medical and defence matters, and the arrival in Abu Dhabi at the end of August of the first commercial flight between the two countries.
The text also advocates the importance of a negotiated peace between Israelis and Palestinians and the need to fulfil their objectives and aspirations. But the document makes no mention of key issues for unblocking the conflict between Arabs and Palestinians, such as the status of the Al Aqsa mosque, for example. Both the Emirates and Israel are committed to preventing any kind of terrorist activity against each other.
Both countries have undertaken to pass or repeal any legislation necessary to make the agreement work and that any disputes that arise can be resolved through arbitration. Mention is made of the United Nations Charter, which reflects the importance of not undermining any multilateral commitments made by either country or any other obligations they may have in relation to treaties with other countries. The agreement has yet to be taken to the United Nations and will need to be legally ratified by both the Emirates and Israel.
The relationship between the Emirates and Israel has great potential, as both nations have common economic interests. Both are two of the most technologically advanced countries in the region and are not involved in past wars or territorial disputes. The Emirate media stress that the new agreements will provide major opportunities for cooperation in technology and tourism. "The agreement is great news for both countries and the whole area, and we welcome the Israelis," a Dubai native told Israel's Channel 13. The population of the emirates has welcomed the agreement with enthusiasm. The popular reaction has been very different from that in Egypt, where President Anwar Sadat was assassinated in 1981 after signing peace with Israel and being accused of "treason". However, messages of congratulations and thanks have been pouring in from the Emirates since the announcement of the normalisation of relations on 13 August.
The Emirates' influence in the Gulf is very important and other nations will probably be encouraged to follow in its footsteps in the future. It seems that Oman could be next, and also Sudan is open to recognising Israel. This country is aware that an agreement with the Hebrews would bring it much closer to being excluded from the United States' list of terrorism sponsors. Following the overthrow of Omar Bashir, the new Sudanese leaders are attempting to move closer to the orbit of the Western nations and leave Islam behind. The big question remains Saudi Arabia. It is one of the major players in the region and one of the main partners of the Emirates, but so far it has shown no signs of recognising Israel, although it has opened its airspace to flights from Israel.
The full text of the agreements can be found below:
