Earlier, in response to a President Trump’s tweeted announcement, Prime Minister Netanyahu wrote in Hebrew: “Historic day.”

In a TV address Mr. Netanyahu said he had “delayed” West Bank annexation plans, but those plans remain “on the table.” Annexation would make some West Bank areas officially part of Israel.

“There is no change in my plan to apply our sovereignty to Judea and Samaria [West Bank] in full co-ordination with the US. I’m committed to it. That hasn’t changed. I remind you that I was the one who put the issue of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria on the table. This issue remains on the table,” he said.

Mr. Netanyahu said Israel would co-operate with the UAE in developing a coronavirus vaccine, in energy, water, environmental protection and many other fields.

Analysts say the deal could mean a foreign policy victory for President Trump, who [is up for] re-election in November, and give a personal boost to Prime Minister Netanyahu….

The UAE’s ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, said the deal with Israel was “a win for diplomacy and for the region,” adding: “It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change.”…..Asked about Palestinian criticism of the UAE move, Anwar Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs recognized that the region was very polarized and said he expected to hear “the usual noise.”   “We agonised over this,” he said, but eventually decided “let’s do it.”

The joint statement says Israel will “focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world,” and that the US and UAE will work to achieve that goal.

The UAE and Israel will also join the US to launch a “Strategic Agenda for the Middle East,” with the three leaders noting that they “share a similar outlook regarding the threats and opportunities in the region, as well as a shared commitment to promoting stability through diplomatic engagement, increased economic integration, and closer security co-ordination.” …..

“From Joe Biden to Nancy Pelosi, the praise has been pretty universal. Last week, President Trump announced that Israel and the United Arab Emirates, also known as UAE, would establish full diplomatic relations, making the UAE only the third Arab state, after Egypt and Jordan, to officially recognize Israel. It was a significant achievement with broad implications for the Middle East”].

Published at BBC News on August 13, 2020. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission from the BBC.

Read “Joint Statement by the United States, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates” (August 13, 2020)

Read “Remarks by President Trump Announcing the Normalization of Relations Between Israel and the United Arab Emirates” (August 13, 2020)