In this Aug. 13, 2020, file photo, lights in the colors of the UAE flag are lit at Tel Aviv City Hall in Israel.
Israel’s embassy in the United Arab Emirates officially opened in the capital Abu Dhabi, the Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on 24 local Time, just four months after the Trump administration brokered the historic normalization of Israel-UAE relations.
“The Israeli embassy in Abu Dhabi has been officially opened and the head of mission, Eitan Na’en, has arrived,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The statement also predicted that “the opening of the embassy will advance relations between the two countries at all levels.”
Na’eh will serve as interim ambassador until a new permanent ambassador is appointed. On the same day, the UAE also approved the opening of its own embassy in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry said the Israeli embassy will operate from temporary offices until a permanent location is found, adding, “(The embassy) will expand ties (between Israel) and the UAE at the levels of government, financial institutions, the private sector, universities, media and more.”
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi said the new embassy will “rapidly promote bilateral relations between Israel and the UAE and maximize the potential that these relations offer.”
“This is an important decision that will advance friendly relations between the countries and between the nations,” he said.” We look forward to the moment when we welcome the UAE representatives to (our) country.”
Ashkenazi also thanked His Highness Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, heir to the UAE throne, and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, UAE Foreign Minister. “We thank them for the leadership and hospitality shown to our representatives.”
EU Ambassador to Israel Emanuele Giaufret congratulated Naikh on his appointment, saying the role will “contribute to regional stability.”
The UAE was the first of four Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel under the Abrahamic Agreement. The agreement, which was followed by Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco, broke the previous recognition of Israel by only two Arab states, Egypt and Jordan, and is seen as a major process to promote 0.
The Foreign Ministry said Israel will open a liaison office in Rabat, Morocco, and a consulate in Dubai. Israel already has a functioning embassy in Bahrain, which opened a few weeks ago.
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