Israeli Foreign Minister Yael Rapide heads to the UAE for his first state visit

The new Israeli foreign minister set off on Tuesday for a state visit to Israel. United Arab EmiratesThis is the first high-level visit by an Israeli official since the two countries signed an agreement to normalize relations last year.

According to Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yar Rapid Upcoming IsraelEmbassy in Abu Dhabi, Met with senior UAE officials-including Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan-and participated in a trade fair where Israeli companies showcased technology. The ministry described it as a “historic visit” to the Gulf Kingdom.

Israel and the UAE established comprehensive diplomatic relations last year trump card The executive authorities signed the US mediation in the two countries
“Abraham Agreement.” Together with Bahrain, the UAE has normalized relations with Israel, becoming the third and fourth Arab country to sign a peace agreement with this Jewish country after Egypt and Jordan.

In the nine months since the two countries signed the normalization agreement at the White House, Israel and the UAE have signed a wide-ranging trade cooperation agreement, and the bilateral trade volume is expected to exceed 354 million U.S. dollars. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 200,000 Israeli tourists have visited the UAE.

Earlier this month, after the new Israeli government was sworn in, Rapid took office as Israel’s foreign minister. Yesh Atid Party Leader and Naftali BennettHe became the prime minister of Israel, leading a coalition of eight different parties, from Jewish ultranationalists to a small Islamic party.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Due to the coronavirus pandemic, he has arranged and postponed a visit to Abu Dhabi many times, but due to a diplomatic dispute with neighboring Jordan, he finally cancelled the visit before the election on March 23.

According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu reportedly banned members of his government from traveling to the UAE until he had the opportunity to make a state visit.

After Rapide set off for Abu Dhabi, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Hayat told reporters that the pace of bilateral cooperation between the two countries was “unprecedented.”

Hayat said: “The relationship between Israel and the UAE has been low-key for many years, and we are now enjoying the fruits of the peace infrastructure we have built over the past few decades.”

Due to common concerns about the region’s arch-enemy, Iran, Israel and the UAE have maintained secret security relations for a long time before their relations normalized last year.