The UAE and Israel signed today Peace Accord between the two countries at the White House in Washington. Bahrain also signed the 'Declaration to Support Peace' with Israel at the ceremony.

 

The UAE and Israel accord was signed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, watched by US President Donald Trump.

 

The Bahrain-Israel declaration was signed by Netanyahu and Bahrain Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani.

 

Peace requires courage, and shaping the future requires knowledge, Sheikh Abdullah in his remarks at the signing ceremony.

 

Sheikh Abdullah said: "We have come today to tell the world that this is our approach, And that peace is our guiding principle."

 

"Today, we are already witnessing a change in the heart of the Middle East, a change that will send hope around the world. This initiative would not have been possible without the efforts of President Donald Trump and his team who worked hard and sincerely for us all to reach here, most notably my counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Jared Kushner, Senior Adviser to the President of the United States, and all those who are genuine about the principle of peace in the United States, who have strived to realise this major achievement: thank you."

 

"I also thank the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, for halting the annexation of the Palestinian territories, a decision that reinforces our shared will to achieve a better future for generations to come," he said.

 

"This Peace Accord, which is a historic achievement for the United States of America, the State of Israel, and the United Arab Emirates, will continue to have a positive impact, as we believe that its reverberations will be reflected on the entire region.

 

"Every option other than peace would signify destruction, poverty, and human suffering," he said.

 

Earlier, President Trump received at the White House Dr Al-Zayani. The US President expressed appreciation to His Majesty the King for his wise vision and keenness to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East, praising the historic friendship and strategic partnership between the two friendly countries, said a Bahrain News Agency report.

 

He also welcomed the signing of the declaration, considering it a historical achievement in the path to achieve comprehensive peace in the Middle East and fulfil the aspirations of its people. 

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs valued the efforts of the US President and his administration to achieve such a historic step that paved the way to establishing peace in the region. He also praised bilateral cooperation in all areas and commended the role of the US in maintaining security and stability and combating terrorism in the region. 

 

The meeting was attended by the US Vice President, Mike Pence, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of the Treasury, Stephen Mnuchin, the Senior Adviser to the US President, Jared Kushner and a number of officials in the US administration.