In an official ceremony in Abu Dhabi on Feb. 15, in the presence of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah was installed as the first ambassador to Israel.

Al Maktoum wished Al Khajah “much success,” and urged him “to work to achieve friendly and cooperative relations with Israel.” Al Khajah pledged to carry out his job “with integrity and sincerity

On Sept. 15, Israel and the UAE signed the normalization agreement known as the Abraham Accords. Normalization agreements were signed also between Israel and Sudan and Israel and Morocco. 

On Jan. 24, Israel’s foreign ministry announced the opening of an official diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi. Israel’s ambassador to Turkey, Eitan Na’eh, was appointed to head the temporary mission until a permanent ambassador is appointed.