Israel, Bahrain And UAE Sign Deals Formalizing Ties At White House

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump, Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan wave from the Truman Balcony at the White House. The group participated in the signing of the Abraham Accords Tuesday.

Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

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The agreements between the three countries reportedly involve opening embassies and increasing trade between them. The exact terms of the accords were not made public before the signing ceremony.

«I stand here today to extend a hand of peace and receive a hand of peace,» said Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of the United Arab Emirates.

With the new agreement, Al Nahyan said, «We are already witnessing a change in the heart of the Middle East — a change that will send hope around the world.»

Also speaking was Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, who called it a historic step toward a lasting peace.

«For too long, the Middle East has been set back by conflict and mistrust, causing untold destruction and thwarting the potential of generations of our best and brightest young people,» Al Zayani said. «Now I’m convinced we have the opportunity to change that.»

After a round of speeches, the officials and Trump sat down at a long table to sign three copies of each agreement — including versions in Arabic and Hebrew. That prompted a moment of levity, as Netanyahu and the Arab officials asked one another to point out where they should sign their names.

«I said clearly that the nations of the regions had to decide what kind of a future they wanted for their children and for their families and for their nation itself,» Trump said just before the signing ceremony.

«They are choosing a future in which Arabs and Israelis, Muslims, Jews and Christians can live together, pray together and dream together side by side in harmony, community and peace,» the president said.

During the White House event, a rocket attack was unleashed on Israel. NPR’s Daniel Estrin says, «Gaza militants fired rockets toward the southern Israeli city of Ashdod, according to the Israeli army. Israeli emergency services say at least two Israelis were lightly wounded from shattered glass.»