Jaber Mohamed Al Shuaibi, Emirati Researcher in Geopolitical Issues
16 September 2020
By signing the UAE-Israel peace treaty officially under Washington auspices and upon the Bahrain-Israel peace agreement announced recently by Bahrain, the Arab World has entered unprecedented stage that will witness new geopolitical development in the light of the changing political facts in the Middle East region. Although there are no joint geographical borders between the UAE and Israel, the positive reflections will cover all aspects, particularly the political one, through reducing tension in the Middle East region and re-shaping more stable regional order. Acceptance of and adaptation with the inevitable existence of new important player in the region, like Israel, will be a significant factor for reducing the rivalry of the global poles on influence and power in this region. This will eventually lead to achieve balance between the regional powers and stop the regional interventions that cause harm to the Arab region, particularly in the light of the Ottoman and others’ ambitions that have emerged recently after the internal fractures in the Arab countries, which resulted from the growing danger of political Islam and the spread of discourse of hatred it resulted in.
Economically, the UAE has the second largest Arab economy with domestic product exceeds USD.400 billion. Therefore, the establishment of economic ties with Israel will promote Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 and the UAE Centennial plan over joint cooperation areas, including the knowledge economy that is based on advanced technology. These ties enhance the economic diversification in technology, communication, water desalination and advanced agriculture fields. Regarding air transport sector, the national air carriers, such as Emirates airlines and Etihad airlines, may attract the Israeli passengers to conclude deals, conduct businesses and promote for direct tourism between the two countries. For the social aspect, the modern image of the UAE, which reflects the message of tolerance and coexistence combining human beings in one place, can be conveyed to people worldwide. Moreover, it is believed that the Emirati community will witness a considerable increase in the demand on travelling to Jerusalem to perform prayer in the Al Aqsa Mosques, and Israelis will be received at the Abrahamic Family House to be built in Abu Dhabi. This emphasizes the UAE’s role as a communication bridge among the peoples of different religions, cultures and nationalities, in the absence of the violent, extreme religious organizations inside the UAE.
Although the UAE is not a direct party to the Arab-Israeli conflict, its honorable history proves its strong and unconditional support to the Palestinian rights. No body denies that there are other serious issues, such as the regional threats to the comprehensive Arab security. Moreover, protecting the remaining territories of the Palestinian State from those exploiting the issue for their own interests and giving precedence to the national interest of the Palestinian people are absolute priority in the way forward towards realizing the hopes of the Palestinian people.
A new era has started as a part of the positive vision for the future and within the group framework of the Arab countries. Israel has never ceased the annexation of the West Bank territories before, but the UAE did so through the peace treaty. Moreover, the cessation of annexation will contribute to the establishment of the Palestinian State based on the borders of 1967 with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital. This will reflect positively on the security and prosperity of the peoples of this region.
