UAE-Israel peace accord will bolster Palestinian cause: Yousef Al Otaiba

The peace accord between the UAE and Israel has been welcomed by the United Nations and more than 40 countries around the world so far.

That's according to the UAE’s Ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, who told national news agency WAM that American politicians, cutting across party lines have also extended their support for the agreement.

He said they all see this accord as a breakthrough for peace and a framework to create even more positive change for the Middle East region.

"Both the Trump White House and the Biden campaign welcomed the announcement, so did more than 140 Members of Congress from both parties, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell," he explained in an email interview from Washington.

Al Otaiba pointed out that prominent US foreign policy and national security experts also praised the accord, including Dennis Ross, former special assistant to President Barak Obama; Dan Shapiro, former US Ambassador to Israel; David Ignatius, Washington Post’s foreign affairs columnist; and Thomas Friedman, New York Times’ foreign affairs columnist.

Asked about reports on more Arab nations following the UAE’s footsteps in this regard, he said, "I am not in a position to speak about what other countries will do. However, I am hopeful that the UAE-Israel peace accord will be seen as a framework to create positive change for the Middle East region."

The top Emirati diplomat also stressed that the UAE will continue to remain a strong supporter of the Palestinian people – and their rights for a sovereign state.

"As we have done for fifty years, we will forcefully advocate for these ends, now directly and bolstered with stronger incentives, policy options and diplomatic tools. Palestinian people also must benefit from normalisation," he said.

"This agreement immediately puts an end to Israel’s plans for the annexation of Palestinian lands and maintains the viability of the two-state solution. Many experts noted that this could provide an opportunity for the Palestinians and Israelis to restart meaningful discussions," Al Otaiba added.

With the UAE-Israel peace accord, "improved relations between the region’s most advanced economies and dynamic societies will support economic growth and prosperity, spur technological innovation and entrepreneurship, and build greater understanding between our cultures," the ambassador said.

The UAE has always been a staunch proponent of a more peaceful, tolerant and prosperous region. "We have always believed in dialogue and diplomacy over conflict," Al Otaiba emphasised.