The United Arab Emirates is planning to make its first official visit to Israel on Sept. 22 to build up the countries’ agreement to normalize relations, a source familiar with the provisional itinerary said on Monday.
Israeli officials declined to comment and UAE officials did not respond to calls seeking comment.
The two countries announced on Aug. 13 they would normalize diplomatic relations in a U.S.-brokered deal that was hailed as a breakthrough by Washington and Israel but spurned by the Palestinians.
The UAE delegation’s trip to Israel, which has yet to be finalized, would come in reciprocation of a groundbreaking trip to Abu Dhabi last week by senior Israeli and U.S. envoys, the source told Reuters.
The source said the UAE was expected to finalize the trip after a date is announced for a ceremony, likely in Washington, where the countries’ leaders will sign their normalization accord. That ceremony is likely to take place in mid-September, the source added.
The source declined to be identified by name or nationality due to the sensitivity of the evolving contacts.
The trip would be the first publicly acknowledged visit to Israel by an official delegation from the UAE.
Israel exchanged embassies with neighbors Egypt and Jordan under peace deals decades ago. But until the UAE accord, all other Arab states had demanded Israel first cede more land to the Palestinians.
An Israeli minister said on Monday annual trade between Israel and the UAE is expected to reach $4 billion.
Latest Stories
-
‘Stay away if you don’t have the temperament to accommodate journalists’ — GJA Prez to election stakeholders
2 mins -
Illegal miners attempt to mine at Neung South Forest Reserve
5 mins -
Cardinal Namdini reiterates responsible mining, local content as it pours first gold
8 mins -
Demand accountability after elections – NCCE Chairperson urges Ghanaians
11 mins -
I never begged for forgiveness to appease the soul of J.B Danquah Adu – ‘Sexy don don’
14 mins -
Gideon Boako donates jerseys and footballs to support Duayaw Nkwanta teams
24 mins -
Union Ghana triumphs in inaugural University of Ghana Community Games
5 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Young Apostles look to upset Samartex in Samreboi
5 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Medeama aim to halt GoldStars’ unbeaten run in Western derby
6 hours -
AFCON 2025Q: Jordan, Alidu, Gideon and Fatawu ruled out of Niger’s clash
7 hours -
Developing countries need $1 trillion annually by 2030 to combat climate change, new report warns
9 hours -
NALAG elect Alfred Aseidu Adjei as new president
9 hours -
If I focused on self-promotion, my statues would be everywhere – Mahama
9 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Nsoatreman draw 1-1 against Aduana in Bono derby
9 hours -
Don’t be used for electoral misconduct, you would be dealt with – IGP warns
9 hours