Israel FM hails dawn of era of peace, calls on Palestinians to enter direct negotiations

Manama, Dec. 6 (BNA): Israel’s Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi has praised the positive steps taken by Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates in signing the Abraham Accords with Israel and the subsequent agreements that will include building strategic relations between the parties. This is the dawn of a new era, an era of peace in which the focus is on the areas of technology, innovation, security and stability, Ashkenazi said as he addressed the New Security Partnerships in the Middle East, the closing session of the three-day Manama Dialogue held for the 16th time. The agreement is an important historical breakthrough that became possible thanks to the wise vision of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, he said, stressing that the effects of the cooperation will go beyond the borders of the region. Ashkenazi thanked allies in the United States of America and President Donald Trump Administration for their efforts to bridge the gap of views. “We are proud of this friendship and the nature of bilateral cooperation, and we are grateful for the endeavors of the United States of America to preserve the security of the region,” he said. Ashkenazi pointed out that the agreement will bring a better future and benefits for all. The Abraham Accords are not just an agreement on paper but rather an agreement that will contribute to changing conditions for the better, the minister said and referred to the recent visits by Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani to Israel. Ashkenazi said that his country seeks peace and works with its partners to achieve it. It also welcomes sitting at the table of dialogue and negotiations with the Palestinians, considering that there is a favorable opportunity for that, he said. The minister added in his virtual speech that the next months will be crucial in shaping the stability of the region in the future and expressed hope for a new channel for dialogue in a different way with their Palestinian neighbors. The Abraham Accords between Bahrain and Israel and the UAE and Israel are an opportunity for the Palestinians and have not come at their expense, he said. “The Abraham Accords do not come at the expense of the Palestinians. Quite the opposite, they are an opportunity that should not be missed,” he said in his virtual address. He also welcomed the Palestinian Authority’s decision to resume security coordination with Israel. “I call on the Palestinians to change their minds and enter direct negotiation with us without preconditions. This is the only way to solve this conflict,” he said. The Middle East is today divided into two clear camps: those who have chosen peace, economic prosperity and regional stability, and those, led by Iran and its proxies, who have chosen the path of war, violence, extremism, and terrorism, Ashkenazi said. He stressed that since the nuclear deal was concluded, the Middle East has gone through tense times. Iran has caused misery through its proxies, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, who have caused suffering to the countries in which they are. We must learn from past lessons and realize the danger of Iran and the importance of pressuring it and imposing economic sanctions on it, he said.