August 13, 2020

“The Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) welcomes the news that the government of Israel is normalizing relations with the United Arab Emirates and hopefully laying the groundwork for closer ties with other Arab and Muslim-majority nations in the Middle East and beyond.  In the coming weeks, the two nations are expected to sign bilateral agreements regarding investments, tourism, direct flights, security, and the establishment of reciprocal embassies, as well as expand and intensify their cooperation on fighting the coronavirus.

“Hailing this historic agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exclaimed that ‘this deal shows the huge change in how Israel is seen in the Middle East.’ For its part, the Emirati government claimed that ‘[t]oday’s announcement is a significant advance for the region and for diplomacy.

“For our part, the JCRC continues to support a negotiated settlement of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians based on two states for two peoples, which will enable each to live in peace with both security and dignity.”

Photo: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office in Jerusalem on a phone call with UAE leader Mohammed Bin Zayed, on August 13, 2020. (Kobi Gideon/PMO)

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As the public affairs voice of the Jewish community, the JCRC fights antisemitism and prejudice, advocates for Israel, provides Holocaust education, promotes tolerance and social justice, and builds bridges across the Jewish and broader communities.