Page 43 - Jewish News_October-2020

COMMENTARY October 2020 43

Israel, UAE establish diplomatic relations

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
es gadol haya sham – a great The deal caught Iran by surprise, shared concern regarding Iran and the
miracle happened there. Israel but that did not stop Iran’s President, threat of other militant groups in the
Nand the United Arab Emirates Hassan Rouhani, from expressing Middle East pave the way for positive
(UAE) have agreed to establish a peace Iran’s dissatisfaction regarding the ar- relations with like-minded countries.
treaty between the two countries that rangement. Rouhani said, “We warn The UAE-Israel deal proves the valid-
will include direct flights, reciprocal the Emirates – don’t open the region ity of his thinking. Israel wants peace ing nations together in this quest for
embassies and other bilat- for the Zionist regime in the region and acceptance by the peace.
eral agreements that bring to step in. Things will Arab world working together to gain Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
the two closer together. change and will be dealt that peace. This is a gigantic first step. ing chair of the Robert and Esther
Prime Minister Benja- with in a different way.” We wait to see what happens. May Heller Community Relations Commit-
min Netanyahu stated the Anger has been ex- this be the beginning of talks through- tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
following regarding the pressed, but no military out the world bringing former contest-
new agreement: “Today action is expected to fol-
we usher in a new era of low on the threatening
peace between Israel and words of Iran’s leader.
the Arab world. There is a Iran is not prepared to PaiSanO’s 941.926.8422
good chance we will soon engage in a confrontation 2732 Stickney Point Road
see more Arab countries Rabbi Howard A. Simon with Israel, preferring to IT ALIAN B AKER Y
joining this expanding circle of peace.” stand back and watch what, if any, fur- 2019
•Rugalach • Strudel
The question is, how did this im- ther developments take place. • R ugalach • S tr udel
H
aman
taschen
•
portant event come to take place? The The deal was finalized when Isra- •Hamantaschen
BEST
answer is the concerns that both Israel el agreed to put a hold on its plan to LOCAL
and the UAE have regarding the desire annex West Bank land sought by the BAKERY PaisanosItalianBakery.com WINNER
of Iran to spread its influence in the Palestinians. That concession, how-
Middle East. Both countries see Iran as ever, had little or no meaning for the
a threat to their way of life and a major Palestinians. A spokesman for Pal- STAY CONNECTED
concern as Iran continues to develop estinian President Mahmoud Abbas STAY CONNECTED
its nuclear capacity. Crown Prince Mo- said, “The deal amounts to treason
hammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the day- and should be reversed.” This agree-
to-day ruler of the UAE, also shares ment also weakens the tenuous posi-
Israel’s mistrust of Islamist groups tion of President Abbas, who is already
such as the Muslim Brotherhood and dealing with the worst economic sit-
the Gaza Strip’s ruling Hamas militant uation the country has experienced in
group. Israel, the strongest military years.
power in the region, represents a sym- Prime Minister Netanyahu has
bol of strength that the United Arab been involved in advancing the re-
Emirates respects and counts on in this lations between Israel and the Arab Instagram.com/jfedsrq pinterest.com/jfedsrq
confrontation with Iran. world for years. He believes that the

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