UAE, Israel take concrete steps to solidify peace efforts

Momentum from peace moves between Israel and the United Arab Emirates spread to the technology and aviation fronts, while the UAE talked tough to a worried Iran.

Israel’s technology minister on Monday predicted imminent collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation in cyber security and space research.

“The timelines are quite immediate,” Izhar Shay said on Monday in an interview on Bloomberg TV. Israel will benefit from UAE investment while sharing its “vast amount of intellectual property with our new friends in the Emirates,” he added.

Dubai-based Emirates airline said it was looking into starting flights to Israel if demand allows, and Israir Airlines Ltd. has started applying for a landing permit in the UAE.

On Thursday, the two nations disclosed that they had decided to put aside decades of official animosity in favor of normalizing ties that had existed unofficially for years. Distrust of Iran and its regional and nuclear ambitions played a major role, and Israeli and American officials have said they expect other Arab nations to follow the UAE’s suit.

On Sunday, the UAE summoned the Iranian charges d’affaires in Abu Dhabi over President Hassan Rouhani’s reaction to the deal, which it deemed “inflammatory.” The pact with Israel is “a sovereign decision” that is “forward looking” and is not directed at Iran, Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s minister of state for foreign affairs, said on Monday.

“We do not accept any interference in our decisions,” Gargash said. “Just as we reject threats, whether they come from a place of worry or for the purpose of bullying.”

Rouhani had condemned the deal as a “mistake” on Saturday and warned the UAE not to let Israel into the region.

The Palestinians, who had counted on Gulf Arab states as a bulwark against Israel, have denounced the UAE move as a betrayal.

The criticism hasn’t halted a string of announcements on cooperation. On Sunday, the UAE unblocked calls with Israel in a landmark phone conversation between Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan and his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi. Israeli wireless operator Partner Communications said it was in advanced talks to form a mutual roaming service agreement with Emirates Telecommunications Corp. And UAE-based APEX National Investment agreed to conduct research on the coronavirus with Israel’s TeraGroup.

And in a lighter vein, a popular Israeli singer said he’s is in negotiations to appear in the UAE. Several months ago Omer Adam sent UAE leaders a video greeting thanking them for supporting the small Jewish community in the Emirates, his spokesman said.