Donald Trump announces ‘historic peace agreement’ between Israel and UAE

In a surprise announcement Donald Trump says Israel and the United Arab Emirates have reached a peace agreement.

US President Donald Trump with, from left, senior adviser Jared Kushner, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien after the announcement of an agreement between UAE and Israel to normalise diplomatic ties. Picture: AFP

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to open diplomatic relations and “advance peace in the Middle East’’, US President Donald Trump has announced.

Mr Trump described the deal as “a huge breakthrough’’.

As part of the deal, Israel said it would delay plans to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

The UAE is the first Gulf Arab state and the third Arab nation - after Egypt and Jordan - to announce active ties with Israel.

The White House said the deal came about after lengthy discussions that had recently accelerated with a phone hook up among the three leaders..

“Today a new era began in the relations between Israel and the Arab world,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address.

He said “full and official peace” with the UAE provided a wonderful future for citizens of both countries and also tweeted: ‘’It is an historic day’’.

But Mr Netanyahu added the issue of occupation of the West Bank was still on the table: “There is no change in my plan to apply our sovereignty to Judea and Samaria (West Bank) in full coordination with the United States. I am committed to it. That has not changed. I remind you that I was the one who put the issue of sovereignty over Judea and Samaria on the table. This issue remains on the table.”

The agreement came after a phone call earlier on Thursday between Mr Trump, Mr Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi.

A statement issued by the three men said: “This historic diplomatic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East region and is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision of the three leaders and the courage of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region” .

Delegations from Israel and the UAE would meet in the coming weeks to sign bilateral agreements on investment, tourism, direct flights, security, telecommunications and other issues.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the agreement to suspend annexation in the West Bank was “a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East”.

UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged “direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel to reach a two-state solution.