Israel to establish formal presence in Abu Dhabi

[ericson00]

Source: Jerusalem Post

According to the report, also confirmed by the ministry, Foreign Ministry Director-General Dore Gold was in the United Arab Emirates capital this week taking part in IRENA's biannual meeting and also discussing the opening of the Israeli mission.

While in the past Israel has had trade delegations in Qatar, Oman, Morocco and Tunisia, this would be the first time Israel would have any type of formal presence in the UAE.

Officials stressed that the mission is a representation to IRENA, and not a bilateral embassy to the UAE. It would be similar to a country without diplomatic relations with the United States opening a mission to the UN in New York.

Nevertheless, the opening of the mission comes at a time when both Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Gold have spoken about a unique confluence of interests between Israel and the moderate Arab states who are facing similar threats: Iran and radical Islam.

Read more: http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Foreign-Ministry-confirms-Israel-will-open-office-to-international-org-in-Abu-Dhabi-435561

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This is great for true Middle East peace. This could bring Israel's amazing economic and technological abilities to UAE, a rare example of Arab economic activity in something other than oil, and foster better relationships with neighbors, show the benefits of Israel's economic prowess, and help fight Radical Islam, ISIS, and Iran.

[yurbud]

1. it kind of undercuts the whole "surrounded by enemies" bit

[dlwickham]

2. how

[ericson00]

3. Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, all technically at war with Israel

and even for the lack of state vs. state wars in the region as well as the secret cooperation between Israel and SA and Lebanon, the populations in the surrounding Muslim countries are still extremely hateful of Israel (including ones in states formally at peace with Israel, like Egypt and Jordan). Not to mention Iran and their nuke seeking to "wipe Israel off the map."

[yurbud]

5. that "wipe Israel off map" was a mistranslation and Iran doesn't have nukes in any case, but Israel

does.

No country in the region would nuke Israel because they know Israel has more than enough to retaliate with and the willingness to use them.

[Scootaloo]

9. "Iran and their nuke"?

When did they get a nuke? can you cite a reference for that?

[Feeling the Bern]

11. Quick Geography lesson. UAE is on the Gulf. For them to invade and attack, they would

need to go through Saudi Arabia and/or Jordan.

So, your point is?

[yurbud]

13. it's still in the region and Israel claims to be threatened by Iran which is farther away

[Feeling the Bern]

14. Not defending Israeli policy, but are we actually boo-hooing an attempt at

peace between Israel and a country in the Middle East?

[yurbud]

15. not at all. I'm hoping this will make that talking point less common

And less believable

[CJCRANE]

4. The gulf monarchies are islamist

so the idea that this will reduce islamic fundamentalism is unlikely.

The west and our allies toppled nearly all the secular regimes which kept a lid on the fundamentalists.

[yurbud]

7. When the oil companies suck those countries dry, our gov't will cut off the fundies

[agnostic102]

6. I think this is great

The moderate and progressive jews and israelis are threatend by radical Palestinians AND the right wing israelis who hate arabs (a lot of russian jews for example) and i think if moderate arab countries came and forgave israel for its mistakes and welcomed them to the middle east as true cousins. The progressive and moderates of that country could use that to beat back the extremists in there own country. Take the prime minister position and control of gov and make true peace with the palastanians. I think a lot of jews in israel really think the arabs want to kill them all and i think if they saw that is not the case. it would embolden them to fight the extremist of there own country.

[Comrade Grumpy]

8. Two Middle East blocs: Israel/Gulf Monarchies/Sisi's Egypt vs.Iran/Iraq/Syria/Hezbollah

I think the US ought to tilt toward neutrality, rather than backing either one.

[roamer65]

10. Enemy of my enemy is my friend.

It's designed to piss off Iran.

[JDPriestly]

12. K&R.