Israel and United Arab Emirates Strike Major Diplomatic Agreement

Israel struck an agreement with the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to establish “full normalization of relations” even as it forgoes for now plans to annex occupied West Bank territory in order to focus on improving its ties with the rest of the Arab world.

In a surprise statement issued by the White House, President Trump said he brokered a deal that will lead to Israel and the U.A.E. signing a string of bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, security, technology, energy and other areas while moving to allow direct flights between their countries and set up reciprocal embassies.