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The White House released a Joint Statement with Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday regarding a peace agreement between the nations. The agreement, known as the Abraham Accord, is designed to create a framework for a return to normal diplomatic relations between the Middle Eastern nations. 

The White House says the agreement is the first Middle East peace accord since Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty in 1994. The three nations "agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates."

Trump tweeted, “HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!”

Negotiating peace in the Middle East

The peace deal was the product of months of discussions between Israel, the UAE, and the U.S., White House officials said. Just a few months ago it seemed that Israel and the UAE were on the brink of war.

In January United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash was warning that any unilateral move by Israel to annex parts of the occupied West Bank would be a serious setback for the Middle East peace process. And Israeli Prime Miniseter Benjamin Netanyahu was insisting on extending Israeli sovereignty to territory Palestinians want for their own state.

In June Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that Israel and the UAE had agreed to cooperate in the fight against COVID-19. But the UAE was quick to point out that the COVID-19 cooperation was signed between private companies, not the two governments.

Terms of the Abraham Accord

Israel agreed in the joint statement that it will halt claims of sovereignty to specified areas of the West Bank. These are areas that Israel has talked aggressively about annexing.

"This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region," the statement said.

Delegations from Israel and the UAE will continue meeting in the next few weeks to sign a series of bilateral agreements regarding investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications, and other issues.

The parties finalized the terms in a phone call between Trump, Netanyahu, and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The White House credits Trump senior adviser Jared Kushner, U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and Middle East envoy Avi Berkowitz with negotiating the deal. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and White House national security adviser Robert O'Brien were also involved in negotiations.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is expected to make a statement about the deal on Thursday at 7 P.M. Israel time.

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