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Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, attended a United Arab Emirates reception in Tel Aviv on Thursday despite previous warnings from the UAE against letting him join the government.
The extremist politician, who is expected to be the next government’s national security minister, was invited to a National Day event hosted by the UAE ambassador, Mohammad Al-Qaja, at the Hilton Hotel.
The festive event marks the 51st anniversary of the UAE’s unification.
Ben Gvir shook the ambassador’s hand during the event, which is also expected to be attended by incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020 under Netanyahu’s previous government as part of the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
“Today’s events show us that real peace is possible without giving up territory and without surrendering to terror, as long as it is between people who like each other,” said Ben Gvir at the reception, Ynet reported. without making concessions.”
He posted a photo of his meeting with the ambassador and said, “This is real peace.”
On this National Day celebration, congratulations to the UAE. I am very happy to have attended the reception tonight attended by the UAE Ambassador to Israel, is this really peace? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/nwZF72jOXq
— Itamar Ben Gvir (@itamarbengvir) December 1, 2022
Netanyahu was recognized as the guest of honor at the event.
“The Abraham Accords are not just a piece of paper between governments. They are a warm peace among our peoples that strengthen security, cooperation and stability in the region,” Netanyahu said.
The UAE ambassador draped Netanyahu and his wife with celebratory scarves on stage at the reception.
“The UAE is here to show that unity equals prosperity. We will continue to use diplomacy to deepen ties through friendship and mutual respect,” Al Khaja said.
More on UAE’s 51st anniversary celebrations in Tel Aviv: UAE Ambassador @AmbAlKhaja Wear ethnic scarves around the necks of the Netanyahu couple.the project was designed in abu dhabi for celebrations pic.twitter.com/OEWPlMeXJ6
— Jackie Hugi (@JackyHugi) December 1, 2022
The event was also attended by outgoing Union ministers, MPs from all parties in parliament, foreign diplomats and business people. Prime Minister Yar Lapid did not attend, citing scheduling conflicts, Ha’aretz reported.
Ben Gvir signed a deal on Friday to join Netanyahu and his Likud-led government as the new head of state security, with planned responsibilities that would include overseeing police in the West Bank and Israel. Settlers.
Ben Gvir, a disciple of the late extremist Rabbi Meir Kahane, has long had a photo on his wall of the 1994 Tomb of the Patriarchs mass murderer.
Like Kahane, Ben Gvir was also convicted on terror charges, though he insists he has moderated in recent years and shares the same beliefs as the founder of the banned Kach party.
Ben Gvir was convicted in 2007 of inciting racism for holding a sign reading “Expel the Arab Enemies” at protests.
A senior official familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel that ahead of the election, UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed warned Netanyahu not to let bin Gwir and his political partner Beza Lyle Smotridge entered his administration.
The official said the message was delivered during a meeting held during bin Zayed’s visit to Israel in September, confirming a report by the Axios news website.
Likud chairman Benjamin Netanyahu (left) holds an informal joint meeting with Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben Gvir (second right) at the Likud office in Tel Aviv, Nov. 7, 2022. (polite)
Bin Zayed warned that bringing the extremist lawmakers into Netanyahu’s government could damage relations with the UAE and the broader Abraham Accords, the official said.
Ben Gvir stood in the election as part of Smotrich’s far-right religious Zionist coalition, which has since split into three separate factions in a pre-planned move. All three far-right parties have signed coalition deals with Netanyahu’s Likud party, which is still negotiating with a pair of aligned ultra-Orthodox factions ahead of forming a government.
Relations between Israel and the UAE have flourished since the signing of the Abraham Accords, with thousands of Israeli tourists visiting the Gulf state and the two countries exchanging diplomatic and security support.
Trade between the UAE and Israel is expected to exceed $2 billion by 2022, up from $1.2 billion last year.
The agreement also established diplomatic relations between the Jewish state and Bahrain and paved the way for normalization with Morocco a few months later.
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