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Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, visited the Jewish Holocaust Memorial on Thursday, marking the first visit by the UAE’s top diplomat to Israel’s National Holocaust Memorial.
It comes two years after Israel and its regional allies signed the Abraham Accords, a U.S.-brokered deal that normalized relations between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain. Morocco followed, and soon normalized relations with Israel.
After visiting the museum, bin Zayed laid a wreath at the memorial at the Holocaust Memorial.
“I am here today to remind myself of the lessons of history and of our great responsibility to act with tolerance to build our communities and societies,” he wrote in the guestbook. Take a brave step and build a bridge of true peace for future generations.”
Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan called the visit “an important moment”.
“A visit to a Holocaust memorial sends the message that, regardless of background, religion or ethnicity, we all have a responsibility to understand the Holocaust and fight anti-Semitism,” Dayan said.
After Yad Vashem, bin Zayed held a meeting in Jerusalem, chaired by Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
“Welcome to Jerusalem,” Rapid said. “My friend, your historic visit here today marks another milestone in the friendship between our two countries.
“Together we are building a brighter future for all in our region.”
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted an official luncheon to welcome bin Zayed to Jerusalem.
“We welcome you here with open arms and open hearts,” Herzog said. “We welcome you to our home where dreamers witness dreams come true.”
Herzog called the normalization agreement “a paradigm shift in the Middle East, a new voice, a new vision for our children and their futures, a celebration of life and change.”
Bin Zayed, who was visiting Jerusalem for the first time, called it “a privilege and an honour” to be in Israel and be hosted by the president and first lady.
The delegation of top UAE diplomats includes Mohamed Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel.
Bin Zayed also signed the President’s official guest book and presented Herzog with a letter from UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (commonly known as MBZ) letter.
Relations between Israel and the UAE have flourished since the agreement was signed, with thousands of Israeli tourists visiting the Gulf state and the two countries exchanging diplomatic and security support. Trade between the two countries is expected to exceed $2 billion this year.
Israel era
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