Former Israeli Diplomats on Abraham Accord Signing: What’s the Rush? – The Media Line
Posted By admin on September 9, 2020
UAE-Israel normalization agreement is to be signed at White House next week
The United States announced on Tuesday that it would host delegations from Israel and United Arab Emirates next week for a special signing ceremony at the White House, barely one month after word of the Abraham Accord between the Jewish state and the Gulf nation first broke.
The breakneck speed with which the official White House ceremony was announced surprised several former members of Israeli diplomatic negotiation teams, who shared with The Media Line their thoughts about the curious turn of events.
Its no coincidence its done in such a hurry. The Americans want to do it before the [presidential] elections
A formal agreement takes a lot of time to articulate and draft. It has to go through legal experts who weigh every word, Brigadier General (ret.) Michael Herzog, a Washington Institute international fellow, told The Media Line. Next week is probably going to be just a symbolic ceremony commemorating the recent breakthrough. It apparently will be something more general, like a letter of intent.
Its no coincidence its done in such a hurry, notes Herzog, who participated in most of Israels negotiations with the Palestinians, Jordanians, and Syrians since the early 1990s, including the Wye Plantation, Camp David, Taba and Annapolis summits. The Americans want to do it before the [presidential] elections. But the order of things is reversed. First they have a ceremony and only then theyll try to translate that into a series of bilateral pacts.
Gilead Sher, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies who served as former prime minister Ehud Baraks chief of staff, agrees. I think this whole story still hasnt been made clear to the public, Sher told The Media Line. We know just the general outline [to the agreement], and maybe thats all theyre going to sign. That would explain the timetable.
But there was never a real conflict here, continued Sher, who was Israels top peace negotiator in 19992001, at the Camp David and Taba summits, and participated in the 1995 Oslo talks as well. There were no combat zones, no territorial disputes, no violence. This isnt a historic breakthrough after a long, drawn-out negotiation, but merely a normalization of relations already over 25 years old.
This is simply a diplomatic cover for what is essentially a financial and military deal. Therefore, I dont think its too complicated [to arrange the ceremony].
According to a White House source, the ceremony will be held on September 15 and will be attended by US President Donald Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu released a statement thanking President Trump for hosting the historic ceremony and announced he would proudly attend the event. However, the UAE delegation will apparently consist of only second-tier dignitaries, headed by Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Sher and Herzog both see the move as significant.
You just cant ignore the fact that two leaders are present and the third is absent
It says a lot, Herzog emphasizes. It means that despite all the advancements made by [UAE leader Mohammed bin Zayed] and the brave step he took [in normalizing relations with Israel], the Emiratis still have certain inhibitions and some sensitivity towards the Palestinian question and Arabic public opinion.
Perhaps there are other issues bothering them, like Israels statements regarding the F-35 [fighter jet] deal. But you just cant ignore the fact that two leaders are present and the third is absent, says Herzog.
Sher warned Netanyahu was making a diplomatic mistake by personally attending the event. Were upgrading the delegation on our side while the Emiratis downgrade their representatives, he said. This is a way for [the UAE] to send a message to its people dont make such a big deal out of this.
On August 13, President Trump announced he had brokered a deal to normalize ties between Israel and the UAE. The UAE agreed to officially recognize Israels right to exist and to solidify economic and trade relations with the Jewish state. In return, Netanyahu consented to postpone his plans to annex territories in the West Bank indefinitely, while also reportedly greenlighting an arms deal between the UAE and the Trump administration that would include the sale of state-of-the-art F-35 fighter jets to the Gulf nation.
Netanyahu has since denied agreeing to such a deal.
It still remains unclear whether Alternate Prime Minister and Defense Minister Benny Gantz or Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi, both bitter political rivals of Netanyahu, will join the prime minister on his trip to Washington. Gantzs office declined to respond to The Media Lines request for comment.
The rules are that everything is hammered out and scripted, down to the most minute details
As to the actual ceremony, both former diplomats see it as mere theatrics.
The rules are that everything is hammered out and scripted, down to the most minute details, Sher shares, noting that the heads of states addresses, standing positions, and lineup are all determined in advance. They also agree ahead of time on the press releases, that usually tend to include an extra nugget, some fresh news to entice reporters and the public.
There is always room for surprise. Arafat was unexpected. I can definitely see Trump doing something to surprise everyone
But Sher notes there may be exceptions to the rule, when things go off-script, either because one of the actors forgets his role or because he intentionally wants to provoke the other sides, trying to gain one last concession from his negotiating partners.
[The late PLO chair Yasser] Arafat was a master of trying to squeeze that last drop out of the lemon, Sher remembers. Something can always go wrong.
Says Herzog, There is always room for surprise. Arafat was unexpected. I can definitely see Trump doing something to surprise everyone.
Read this article:
Former Israeli Diplomats on Abraham Accord Signing: What's the Rush? - The Media Line
- Israel Meir Kin is a threat to all Jewish women [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Ashkenazi (people) -- Encyclopedia Britannica [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Ashkenazi - New World Encyclopedia - Info:Main Page - New ... [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Los fabulosos 90s en el lanzamiento de ecko - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- LORD's Word(03 22 14)PT6 Esau is Edom, Seir, Idumea Not Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- traxxas e revo vs bruslesh - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- INTENTIA TADMIT - Video [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- Is there a link between Parkinsons and Ashkenazi Jews? [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Hitler [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- DNA Evidence Suggests Hitler May Have Married Woman of Jewish Descent [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- Was Adolf Hitler's lover Eva Braun from a Jewish family? [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- karate motti samobor 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- Greeces last Romaniote Jews remember a catastrophe [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- DNA suggests Hitler may have married a Jew [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- Hitler may have 'unwittingly married a Jew' [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- -- -- - Video [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- CIMG6555 - Video [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- 10 Ancient Knowledge Pt 6c Lost History, Phoenicians, Alphabet, Symbology, Ashkenazi, Mythology - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- Documentary: Hitlers wife, Eva Braun, may have had Jewish ancestry [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- Did Hitler's wife have Jewish ancestry? UK TV show makes DNA claims of Ashkenazi heritage - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- smt 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2014]
- E revo vs e maxx traxxass - Video [Last Updated On: April 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 8th, 2014]
- Conversation with Cantor Aaron Bensoussan [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2014]
- Louisa Shafia Explains the Jewish and Persian Influences in Her Gondi Recipe [Last Updated On: April 11th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2014]
- For Passover, so many ways to kugel [Last Updated On: April 12th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2014]
- Drop Kingz Review - Video [Last Updated On: April 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 14th, 2014]
- 2 so called sephardim and ashkenazi jews - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- 1 so called sephardim and ashkenazi jews - Video [Last Updated On: April 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2014]
- GUITAR SHRED VIRTUOSO "Wurz' Shred" - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- - (2000) - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- - (2008) - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- - (2002) - Video [Last Updated On: April 17th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 17th, 2014]
- Nera Kraljevic & Gil Ashkenazi social @ 3rd Istanbul Salsa Festival - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- Danay Bustamante & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ 3rd Istanbul Dance Festival 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- - (2008) - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- - (2001) - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- - (2002) - Video [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- Victor Ashkenazi vs Bill Phipps Championship flight - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Nordic Open 2014 DMP Thomas Kristensen (DK) - Victor Ashkenazi (World) - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- - 2004 - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Marc Olsen vs Victor Ashkenazi part 2, Denmark vs. The World - Video [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Marc Olsen vs Victor Ashkenazi part 1, Denmark vs. The World - Video [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Andrew Carrington Hitchcock - Founder of the Church Of Satan Anton LaVey was an Ashkenazi Jew - Video [Last Updated On: April 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 22nd, 2014]
- Baby by Idan & Natali Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Magna Gopal & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ 3rd Istanbul Dance Festival 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- 100 Million Non Jews Murdered by USSR's ashkenazi communist Regime YouTube1 - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- THE FALSE ASHKENAZI / KHAZARS JEWS - Video [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2014]
- Mave Store: ORLY ASHKENAZI - Video [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Ashkenazi Genetic Diseases - Video [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Faces of Various Jewish Groups (Ashkenazi, Mizrahi, Italkim, & Sephardi) - Video [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2014]
- Mount Sinai Genetic Testing Laboratory Nearly Doubles Diseases Covered by Ashkenazi Jewish Carrier Screening Panel [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Falasha Jews and Sephardic jews ,how are they treated by Ashkenazi Jews in Israel - Louis Farrakhan - Video [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Ensuring your baby's health with genetic testing [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Pittsburgh photographer offers rare view of Eastern European synagogues [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Ella Jauk & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ On2 Salsa Congress 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Becky Lee & Gil Ashkenazi Social Dancing @ 4th On2 Salsa Congress 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- New Products: Asper Biotech's Ashkenazi Jewish Diseases Test [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Wolpe Vows he will no longer address issue of ethnic percentages [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- shmulik ashkenazi photographer - riviki and daniel - Video [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Heres Whats About To Hit Netflix [Last Updated On: May 22nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2014]
- WBTOC - Semi Finals - Victor Ashkenazi vs. Gerry Tansey - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- Masters - Round 1 - Victor Ashkenazi vs. Michi - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- WBTOC - Best of 3 Victor Ashkenazi vs. Sabri (score 1-1) - Video [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2014]
- Masters Rd 2 - Justin Nunez vs. .Victor Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2014]
- Prince Andrew's pal Goga Ashkenazi takes design duties VERY seriously [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- Sun 11am CST - Chicago Open Rd 6 - Victor Ashkenazi vs. Masayuki Mochizuki - Video [Last Updated On: May 27th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 27th, 2014]
- iHome Makes a Splash with the iBN6. New Award-Winning iPX7 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker takes Your Sounds into the Sun ... [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- dvir ashkenazi - war ballad - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- FM1 Hickey vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- FMFinal Riles vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- QCC1 Ashkenazi vs Todd - Video [Last Updated On: September 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 1st, 2014]
- Who are the Ashkenazi Jews? (with pictures) [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- FM2 Kostadinov vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- FM1 Kostadinov vs Ashkenazi - Video [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- Charlotte Main Rd3 Ashkenazi vs Stuart Thompson - Video [Last Updated On: September 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 2nd, 2014]
- Canadian researchers track Angelina effect on cancer gene screening [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2014]
- Ashkenazi Jews Are NOT From Judah (CHRISTIAN OVERCOMERS) - Video [Last Updated On: September 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 4th, 2014]
- Despite advances, ovarian cancer survival rates refuse to budge [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2014]
- Angelina Jolie Effect Doubles BRCA Testing; @ProMedicaHealth Cancer Genetics Expert Discusses the Importance of ... [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
- Sofer compares Sephardi and Ashkenazi sefer Torah - Video [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
Comments