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ISRAEL INSIGHT THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND

Gil Hoffman David M. Weinberg

Peace with the Gulf States

is Genuine

ews and Israelis have been condi- equation,” and move Israel-Arab ties The Emiratis “have learned over the
tioned to hear only bitterness from to the level of normal state-to-state course of time” that boycotting Israel
JIsrael’s Arab neighbors; a narrative relations, hopefully setting an example “makes no sense,” since Israel is clearly
of self-pity and anger marked by com- for other Arab countries in the region. a force for stability and an engine for
plaints, false allegations, vituperation In fact, the only way to stabilize the prosperity in the region. The Emira-
and glorification of violence against many areas of conflict throughout the tis have “matured”; unfortunately the
Israel. Middle East, say the Emiratis, is to Palestinians have not, and the Emiratis
Nevertheless, from extensive conver- make “normal life” the central pursuit “cannot wait endlessly for the Palestin-
sations I have conducted with Emirati of all Arab governments. I was told, for ians to do so.”
intellectuals in Dubai, I am persuaded example, that it is a “normal thing” to Emiratis are not impressed by the term
that the Emirati pursuit of peace with have a choice of fruits and vegetables “Judeo-Christian values,” and they are
Israel is genuine. It is backed by a dis- from India, or from Israel, in Emirati quick to point out that in the 21st cen-
course of religious moderation and grocery stores. tury a clearly identifiable (Orthodox)
broad-mindedness that is admirable. More importantly, normal family life Jew can walk the streets of Dubai or
The Emiratis are a distinctive type of revolves around school schedules and Doha in much more safety and com-
Arab Muslim. They want to redefine the the quality of education. At the directive fort than he/she can walk the streets
self-identity and global image of Arab of Emirati leadership, for almost two of Berlin, London, Paris or New York.
Muslims in a way that blends enlight- decades schools have taught religious The Emiratis prefer to speak of “Abra-
enment with tradition. Affiliating with and ethnic tolerance, and the value hamic Family values,” which are less
Israel fits perfectly into this agenda, of scientific and critical humanistic religiously divisive and more inclusive.
aside from the security and economic thinking. Of course, this “Abrahamic narrative” is
benefits that will devolve from the also meant to challenge the anti-West-
UAE-Israel partnership. Therefore, Emiratis speak excellent ern and anti-Israeli agenda of Isla-
Indeed, the Emiratis see themselves as English, study voraciously at the best mist extremists, as well as the mainly
a people and a country that successfully universities abroad, embrace all the European and Christian hard right
blends ancient tradition, culture and latest technologies in developing their which sees all Muslims as inherently
ethnic identity with modern progress country, and speak the language of mul- anti-Western, anti-Semitic, anti-Chris-
tian and all-together threatening.
and ambition. (That, by the way, is how ticulturalism and non-discrimination.
they view Jews and Israel too.) It is, apparently, why every Emirati Some Emiratis are even willing to say
The core problem in the Middle East, businessman and cultural figure I have openly that Jews and Israelis should
met, says: “We have been waiting for so
be allowed to pray on Har HaBayit in
say Emiratis, is that religious hatred long for an above-the-table relationship Jerusalem, and that prayer rights there
has become the main political cur- should be extended to Christians too
rency, a very volatile and hypocritically with Israel.” if they so wish. “Islam is not meant to
exploited currency. Iran invests heavily The Emiratis see themselves and other deny others their deep connections to
in religious hatred; hatred of Israel, of Sunni Arabs as “victims of decades G-d,” I was told.
America and the West, and of other of media brainwashing” in support
Muslims who do not hew to the radical of “narrow” agendas and “immature”
Shiite line. The Iranian Revolutionary thinking. These deleterious discourses
Guards Corps relies on religious hatred always need an “enemy” to hate.
to mobilize young men to its ranks. So “Hatred is not from G-d. It does not
do Turkey and the Muslim Brother- flow from logic. And hatred is not the
hood, ISIS and Al-Qaeda. future,” a very senior Emirati close to David M. Weinberg is vice president of the
Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security,
The Abraham Accords are meant UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin jiss.org.il. His personal site is davidmwein-
“to take religious hatred out of the Zayed told me. berg.com.

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