The new British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, organized a ceremony to commemorate the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords sealing the normalization of relations between Israel and certain Arab countries, including Morocco, which had restored them to the opportunity.
This ceremony was marked by the presence of Reem Al Hashimy, Emirati Minister of State for International Cooperation, Zayed Alzayani, Minister of State of Bahrain for Industry and Trade, Israeli Ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Mansoor Abulhoul, Ambassador of Bahrain Sheikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa and Ambassador of Morocco Hakim Hajoui.
The new tenant of 10 Downing Street took the opportunity of this grandiose diplomatic reception to say: ” The UK is committed to working with all of you to move this initiative forward ever stronger.”.
Addressing an audience of more than 250 guests (parliamentary, diplomatic, interfaith representatives, etc.), he added: “ Today we are sending a clear message of our commitment to the Accords and all they stand for. The Accords have launched a new era of relations in trade, tourism, security, etc. is the dividend of diplomacy”.
The event, organized by the UK Abraham Accords Group and the Board of Deputies of British Jews, was chaired by Joan Ryan, Executive Director of ELNET UK.
For his part, the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Mansoor Abulhoul, indicated that ” the Abraham Accords have been transformational for the UAE and the wider region”.
“Since signinghe said, We have witnessed a sharp increase in trade and economic cooperation between the UAE and Israel in many sectors, including energy, health, technology and space. We have also seen fruitful collaborations in areas such as sports, culture and education. Ultimately, the agreements have had a significant impact on the next generation in our two countries, showing the importance of dialogue in creating economic and social opportunities for our peoples that will strengthen peace, prosperity and security in the region“.
Israel’s Ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, for her part, assured that “together, with our Arab friends and neighbors, we are building a new regional architecture, based on technology, security, religious tolerance, social progress and economic growth for the benefit of future generations”.
Also present, the Ambassador of Bahrain, Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, expressed his joy at ” join my friends and colleagues as we celebrate the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords and consider how all of our countries, their peoples and the wider region can benefit from this historic opportunity to build peace and prosperity“.
” Due to the unique and historic relationship between Morocco and its Jewish community, the resumption of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel at the end of 2020 was a natural step, a step of conviction as declared by King Mohammed VI.“, for his part, supported the Ambassador of Morocco, Hakim Hajoui.
The Sovereign, it will be recalled, was among the first world leaders to congratulate the new British Prime Minister. Rabat and London maintain good relations which have experienced, on the economic side, a new start after Brexit.
For Dr Liam Fox, MP, Chairman of the UK Abraham Accords Group, “The Abraham Accords were a bold and visionary step towards peace in the Middle East, and on the second anniversary of the Abraham Accords, we are impressed by the spirit of coexistence that is being fostered in Bahrain, in Israel, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates between religions, cultures and nations”.
The final word went to Joan Ryan, Executive Director of the European Leadership Network UK, who said: “ We in the UK and across Europe have an important role to play in supporting the agreements and their expansion through the normalization of relations, for the benefit of all.“.
It should be noted that the Abraham Accords were signed on September 15, 2020 in Washington, thus confirming the normalization of diplomatic relations in Israel and two Arab States: Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Later, two other member countries of the Arab League joined this agreement, Sudan and Morocco, which reestablished its relations with the Jewish state in December of the same year.