According to an article in the August 14 issue of The New York Times, “Israel and the United Arab Emirates reached a landmark accord [on August 13] that could presage a broader realignment in the region as the two agreed to ‘full normalization of relations’ in exchange for Israel suspending annexation of occupied West Bank territory.”

If fulfilled, the pact would make the Emirates only the third Arab country to have normal diplomatic relations with Israel along with Egypt, which signed a peace agreement in 1979, and Jordan, which signed a treaty in 1994. “It could reorder the long stalemate in the region, potentially leading other Arab nations to follow suit in forging an increasingly explicit alliance with Israel against their mutual enemy in Iran while taking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s explosive annexation plan off the table, at least for now,” The Times said.

The agreement drew backlash, despite support on both sides. The Shofar will continue to follow developments and report on progress as it occurs.