UAE SWEARS IN COUNTRY’S FIRST AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL

Mon 15 February 2021:

Mohammed Mahmoud Al-Khaja was sworn in as the first Emirati ambassador to Israel yesterday by UAE Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The ceremony, held at Qasr Al Watan, came after Israel officially opened its embassy in the UAE last month, currently operating from “temporary offices” with Eitan Na’eh serving as an acting ambassador.

Sheikh Mohammed wished Al-Khaja success in his mission, calling on the ambassador to work sincerely to strengthen the friendship and cooperation relations with Israel, and to maintain the culture of peace, coexistence and tolerance between the two nations’ peoples and the peoples of the region.

According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), the event was attended by a number of ministers, senior sheikhs and other officials.

UAE Ambassador to Israel, sworn-in before @HHShkMohd. pic.twitter.com/cNsZPUA6XN

— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) February 14, 2021

The UAE and Israel agreed to establish full diplomatic, cultural and commercial relations following the signing of the Abraham Accords on 15 September at the White House.

Since then Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco have all agreed to establish ties with the occupation state of Israel in deals brokered by the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

The Palestinian leadership condemned the establishment of ties with the occupation as a “treacherous stab to the Palestinian cause”.

Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi have also signed treaties on direct flights and visa-free travel, along with accords on investment protection, science and technology.