Naseeb Ullah Achakzai
This is quite a game, politics. There are no permanent friends and enemies, only permanent interests.” William Clay United Arab Emarite (UAE) has become the first gulf and third Arab country after Egypt (1979) and Jorden (1994) to have established formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Both countries have signed Abraham accord which was brokered by American President Trump. This (Peace) deal is considered the offspring of Trump,s deal of the century. This accord envisages about opening of embassies, promotion of trade, and investment, cooperation in science, technology, air surveillance, environment, agriculture, food, maritime, healthcare, aviation, innovation and energy sector. The accord does not mention the decades long issue of Palestine, which has been an apple of discord between the signatory states. This bold step of UAE has created anger in majority of the Muslim countries by violating international law as well as Arab peace initiative (2002) which was presented by Arab Countries to Isreal. The reaction from Muslim world was grievous. Turkey and Iran called it as strategic stupidity and betrayal with Palestinian cause. While Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Qatar asserted that Untill Palestine is freed, thay would not establish relations with Israel. All these states are in favor of two states solution. On the flip side,the reaction of Palestinian was more harsh and called it as stab in the back. The leader of PLA Dr. Hanan Asharavi tweeted, “May you never be sold out by your friend.” Apart from this, t e EU has welcomed the deal saying that it will support two states solution for Palestine. The timing of the accord is gripping. Both President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are in grave crises. The popularity of both has reduced due to mishandling of Covid_19. While the corruption charges on Netanyahu has further dereriorated his political career. Mr. Netanyahu would definitely use it in gaining sympethies of the people. On the other side, the November presidential election in America is on pipeline. President Trump might use this accored as the most important tool in the upcoming election, so that to attract Jewish vote bank and Jewish lobby in America. Undoubtedly, the accord would help in reduce Israel,s isolation in Arab world. This move is the part of Iron Wall policy (1920) of Zionist ideology. Which aims to strengthen Jews in both economic and military fields.Presedent Trump has also expressed hope that five or six more Arab countries will recognize Israel in near future. That will further open new opportunities for Israel in economic and political fronts. The Abraham accord will eventually boost Israel economy as the UAE will be a good market for Isreali products particularly for agriculture and technological sectors. According to well known economist Mahfooz Ali Khan, the dependence of Israel on America will reduced and that Israel could save 20 per cent by importing crude oil from UAE and Behrain. Which could result in the strengthening of economic position of Israel. New alignments are being setteled in the region. Iran has established warm relations with Russia and China. The 400 billion dollors deal between Iran and China, and becoming the participent of OBOR, the griviences of USA against Iran have aggrandized. The nexus of America, Israel and the UAE could have strategic implications for the region. Iran, being the rival of all these three countries, after the accord, will be nearer to Israel, as it is located 33 miles away from UAE. Both America and Israel would have close eye on Iran,s nuclear and missile program. As for as the UAE is concerned, after the accord, the UAE has come into the position to get F_35 stealth fighter Jets from America. Further, it can be asseessed that being one of the most advanced states in technology and agriculture , Israel could help in the UAE in transfering of technolgy. History is witnessed that the bone of contention between Arab countries and Israel has always been the Issue of Palestine. Time and again many wars have been fought. By signing the accord, the UAE has violated its own principles and 2002 peace plan,of whom the UAE was the part. Apart from this, the UAE has also violated International law. It has denounced the resolution of the UNSC of 2016 which says that ,” Isreali settelments have no legal validity.” The accord has nothing to do with the issue of Palestine, Palestinian migrants ,Isreali encrochment, 140 Jewish settelments on Palestinian land and the annexation of Palestine which was started by Benjamin Netanyahu. Historians will write that when the accord had been sighning; at the same time, Israel was bombarding the oppressed Palestinians. Economy matters. Intrests have pertinent importance between states. The irony is, when there is no border between Israel and UAE and that they have never battled with each other, then how can it be called a peace deal. However, Abraham accord (Though time will prove), is a huge blow to the cause of Palestine. Admittedly, Israel and America are the winners of the accord while the oppressed Palestinians are the losers.
(-The writer is a Freelance columnist, M.phil Political science.)