[Note: The UAE region is not mentioned in Isaiah 17 or Ezekiel 38/39, thus any such agreements would have little bearing on prophecy, unless somehow it antagonizes the "invading regions" into taking action]
The Times of Israel is liveblogging Thursday’s events as they happen.
Palestinian official slams UAE for ‘rewarding’ Israel
A senior Palestinian official has slammed the US-brokered deal establishing formal ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates in exchange for Israel dropping its plans to annex West Bank land.
Hanan Ashrawi says on Twitter that the deal announced on Thursday perpetuates Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
“Israel got rewarded for not declaring openly what it’s been doing to Palestine illegally & persistently since the beginning of the occupation,” she wrote. She also said the UAE has come forward with its “secret dealings/normalization with Israel.”
“Please don’t do us a favor. We are nobody’s fig leaf!” she writes.
Ashkenazi, possibly kept out of loop, hopes for more normalization
The establishment of formal relations with the United Arab Emirates opens the door “for additional agreements,” Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi says in his first reaction to US President Donald Trump’s bombshell announcement.
In a series of tweets, he thanks Trump, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and PM Netanyahu for the historic achievement. He also welcome the fact that Netanyahu’s planned unilateral West Bank annexation was suspended.
The prime minister’s spokesperson indicates that Ashkenazi and Defense Minister Benny Gantz were not updated about the deal in advance, saying that the prime minister has now updated the two on the deal.
Trump: I expect other Arab and Muslim countries to follow UAE’s lead
US President Donald Trump, surrounded by Jared Kushner, ambassador to Israel David Friedman and others, tells reporters that the Israel, UAE deal is “a truly historic moment.”
He notes that he spoke to Netanyahu and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayed by phone, calling them both friends.
“Now that the ice has been broken I expect more Arab and Muslim countries will follow the United Arab Emirates,” he says.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says that “This is a remarkable achievement for two of the world’s most forward leaning, technologically advanced states, and reflects their shared regional vision of an economically integrated region,” he said in a statement. “It also illustrates their commitment to confronting common threats, as small — but strong — nations.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers. Mabruk and Mazal Tov,” he adds.
Israel says annexation still going ahead, just suspended for a little while
Israel remains committed to annexing parts of the West Bank, a senior Israeli official says.
“The Trump administration asked to temporarily suspend the announcement [of applying sovereignty] in order to first implement the historic peace agreement with the UAE,” the official says.
UAE crown prince says only agreed to work toward ties with Israel
UAE Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Zayad confirms in a tweet that Israel has agreed to suspend annexation plans, but says that the countries have only agreed to work toward the normalization of relations.
During a call with President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, an agreement was reached to stop further Israeli annexation of Palestinian territories. The UAE and Israel also agreed to cooperation and setting a roadmap towards establishing a bilateral relationship.
Netanyahu calls UAE agreement ‘historic’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweets out “Historic Day,” alongside Trump’s tweet announcing the agreement for Israel and the UAE to normalize ties.
Israel to suspend West Bank annexation for ties with UAE, joint statement says
Israel has agreed to suspend West Bank annexation plans in exchange for the normalization of ties with the UAE, according to a joint statement from Israel, the UAE and the US released by US President Donald Trump.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to give an address at 7 p.m.
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