Officially, the Emirates justified normalization by arguing that it would put them in a better position to keep Israel from annexing a large number of West Bank settlements and making a two-state solution an impossibility. In reality, the UAE was looking for investments from and cooperation with a technologically advanced country in the region to help its transformation from an economy relying on oil to the diversified, expanding modern one it aspires to create.
The latter is already happening: recent reports indicate that some 50, tourists have already flocked to Dubai, with even larger numbers expected over the Hanukah period. With a Shia majority population and a Sunni royal family, Bahrain feels particularly threatened by Iran and is in need of more allies. Much to the disappointment of the Trump administration, Saudi Arabia has so far not followed suit. Furthermore, while the administration managed to secure normalization with Israel by Sudan and Morocco, this required considerable pressure and above all significant concessions.
Neither country, particularly Sudan, would have rushed to normalize relations with Israel without the large carrots offered by the United States. Given the potential cost of normalization to Sudan, some observers have argued that the United States blackmailed Sudan into recognizing Israel.
In the case of Sudan, the administration offered to remove it from the list of states sponsors terrorism on which it had been since because the government of Omar al-Bashir had given shelter to Osama bin Laden, who later plotted the bombing of the U.
The Sudanese transitional military-civilian government that came to power after an uprising in had been trying for months to get the country removed from the list in the hope this change would open the door to foreign investments and international aid, but had failed. Recognition of Israel offered a path forward, but the price Sudan paid could prove quite steep, both politically and economically.
The regime is already fragile, the decision to recognize Israel is controversial, and it could destabilize the equilibrium between the military and political forces that govern the country jointly at present. The Trump administration has little time left to cajole or force new countries to recognize Israel. Morocco, for its part, was induced to normalize relations with Israel by a U.
Now Baku wants to turn the fabled fortress town into a resort. By Dan Ephron. The Emirati, Israeli, and U. December 21, , AM. November 12, , AM. November 11, , PM. Trending 1. Why Ethiopia Should Trust the West. Blame Brussels. Latest Analysis. Andrew Connelly. Or are they?
The Month in World Photos. Just last week, Trump announced agreements in principle for Kosovo to recognize Israel and for Serbia to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia, had already dropped a prohibition on Israeli flights using its airspace. Saudi acquiescence to the agreements has been considered key to the deals.
The agreement will likely be seen as a further setback to the Palestinians who tried unsuccessfully to have the Arab League condemn normalization with Israel until they have secured an independent state. That was one of the few cards still held by Palestinians in negotiations as peace talks remain stalled. Other Arab nations believed to be on the cusp of fully recognizing Israel include Oman and Sudan.
While tacitly blessing the deals Saudi Arabia, the regional power player, is not expected to move as quickly. But Bahrain, like most of the Arab world, long rejected diplomatic ties with Israel in the absence of a peace deal establishing a Palestinian state on lands captured by Israel in The agreement could give a boost to Netanyahu, who was indicted on corruption charges last year.
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