UAE cabinet approves resolution endorsing Abraham Accords peace agreement with Israel

The UAE cabinet, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, approved a resolution to endorse the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement on Monday.

Read: UAE, Bahrain sign historic peace accord with Israel in the US

The Accords which was signed at the White House last month establishes full diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel.

The cabinet further directed the initiation of constitutional procedures to issue a federal decree ratifying the agreement.

The cabinet’s approval comes a day after Bahrain – which was also a signatory to the Accords – signed a joint communique to establish diplomatic relations and MoUs to cooperate in various fields with Israel including telecommunications, commerce, air services and banking.

Meanwhile the UAE has already pledged to cooperate with Israel in seven key sectors including investment, finance, health, civilian space programme, civil aviation, foreign policy and diplomatic affairs, and tourism and culture.

Read: UAE, Israel, US issue joint statement reaffirming peace plans; will cooperate in 7 key areas

The cabinet stated that the agreement will boost economic, cultural and knowledge exchange and take advantage of the opportunities and potentials of the two sides.

It added that it will also lay the foundations of peace and security in the region.

In August, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan officially abolished a previous law dating back to 1972 which boycotted Israel and prohibited individuals and companies in the UAE from doing business with Israeli entities.

Read: UAE President Sheikh Khalifa scraps Israel boycott law

Several UAE and Israeli companies have entered into agreements since then across various fields including banking, technology, health and culture sectors.

Earlier this week, Israel and the UAE agreed on a deal to allow for 28 direct weekly passenger flights connecting Tel Aviv with Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Read: Direct flights between UAE and Israel to begin “within weeks”