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Old Monday, September 14, 2020
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Default Here is an article on Washington Post outlining the current scenario on the topic

Israel and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday announced a historic deal to normalize relations, the first such move between Israel and an Arab-majority state in years. Each country involved had much to gain in ending decades of enmity, though the UAE faced backlash from some Arab countries in making public its long-standing behind-the-scenes dealings with Israel.

Among the loudest critics were Palestinians living under Israeli-occupation, who decried the deal as a betrayal of their rights and interests. For decades, there has been a consensus among many Arab and Muslim-majority states that they will not end a state of hostilities with Israel until the latter agrees to a deal granting Palestinians statehood. The UAE countered Thursday that it acted to stave off Israel from annexing more territory in the West Bank, the core of a possible future Palestinian state. For Israel, the deal is important for ending its regional isolation and boosting its international standing.

So where do regional alliances and tensions stand?

Egypt and Jordan
In the first decades after declaring independence in 1948, Israel and neighboring Arab-majority states fought a series of wars. Then in 1979, Egypt became the first regionally to sign a peace deal with Israel, following secret negotiations the year before. As part of the terms, Israel agreed to return the Sinai Peninsula, which it captured in 1967. The Arab League suspended Egypt’s membership in response.

Israel-UAE deal condemned by Palestinians, cheered by Egypt and Bahrain

Jordan became the second in the region to recognize Israel and sign a peace treaty in 1994. The deal in part centered on economic and trade incentives for Jordan vis-a-vis Israel and the United States. It also reflected another shift in Jordanian-Israeli-Palestinian relations: Since 1948, Jordan, where about half of the population is of Palestinian descent, had often represented the Palestinians in diplomatic dealings. However, around this same time, Israel was in negotiations with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), which had become the official representative body of the Palestinians.

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Despite the treaties on paper, Egyptian and Jordanian relations with Israel have hit some lows over the years. The countries often maintain close security cooperation, and Israelis frequently vacation in Egypt’s Sinai. But the economic benefits promised have often not materialized. Public sentiments in support of Palestinian rights and against Israel and the occupation remain high in Jordan and Egypt.

Morocco and Tunisia
Neither Morocco nor Tunisia have formal peace agreements with Israel, but relations remain relatively stable. Israelis can travel to Morocco and Tunisia on an Israeli passport (as they can also to Egypt and Jordan). Before 1948, there were robust Jewish communities in many Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Morocco and Tunisia. That changed after Israel’s establishment and a mass migration to Israel. Nonetheless, setting politics aside, many Israelis of Moroccan and Tunisian descent have retained a close cultural affinity, and some take trips back to visit.

The Persian Gulf states
As part of Thursday’s deal, Israel and the UAE agreed to allow travel and commerce between the two countries and, eventually, open up diplomatic offices. An agreement laying out the exact terms will be signed soon.

Inside the secret-not-secret courtship between Israel and the United Arab Emirates

More Arab states in the Persian Gulf, such as Bahrain and Oman, might follow suit. Last July, Bahrain hosted a U.S.-led Middle East peace summit, which was attended by Israeli journalists and boycotted by most Palestinians. Bahrain has signaled its openness to formalizing ties with Israel, and this week praised the UAE’s “wise leadership.”
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