Washington, DC – In response to the announcement of the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Foreign Policy for America released the following statement:
Foreign Policy for America always stands in support of diplomacy, and today’s announcement that Israel and the United Arab Emirates are normalizing relations is undoubtedly the outcome of the hard work of diplomacy. But this announcement, while a positive development, does not erase the challenges that remain in bridging the Arab-Israeli divide. More hard work is needed to ensure follow through from both Israel and the United Arab Emirates. We should remember improving relations with its neighbors is not a stand-in for finding a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict though. Hopefully Israel’s decision to “suspend” annexation plans is permanent. The Trump administration has abandoned the United States’ historical role as an honest broker in the Middle East, and this announcement does not change how they’ve treated the Palestinian people. Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction and a victory for diplomacy, but the world must hold both parties accountable to live up to their commitments.
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