WATCH VIDEO: I’m within the UAE and have realized 5 methods Emiratis are significantly advancing peace with Israel, the Gulf, and Palestinians
DUBAI — For the primary time for the reason that October seventh Struggle exploded in Israel and the Iranian regime started attacking the Jewish state on seven totally different fronts, I’ve come again to the United Arab Emirates.
Why?
To have conferences with senior UAE authorities officers, in addition to with Muslim and Christian leaders in each the political capital of Abu Dhabi and the business and {financial} capital of Dubai.
The important thing query I got here to ask is that this: Did Iran’s October seventh battle technique successfully blow up the Abraham Accords?
And I’ve to inform you I’m very inspired by the reply I’m listening to over and over.
“Completely not.”
The truth is, I’ve realized a minimum of 5 details that I contemplate proof that the Abraham Accords have endured in the course of the battle.
I share a few of what I’ve realized on this video we shot in entrance of the long-lasting Burj Khalifa — the tallest constructing on the planet (and sure, the tower that Tom Cruise famously ran across the outdoors of in Mission Not possible: Ghost Protocol) — right here within the coronary heart of downtown Dubai.
However let me share extra with you on this column.
FACT #1
By no means as soon as after October 7, 2023, did the UAE authorities shut down its embassy in Israel or recall its ambassador.
FACT #2
From the very starting of the battle to this second, UAE airways — equivalent to FlyDubai, Emirates, and Etihad — continued to fly forwards and backwards from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv. The truth is, these airways are at present working 18 direct flights a day between this Arab nation and Israel.
Against this, there are not any direct flights between Jordan and Israel or between Egypt and Israel. For a lot of Israelis, UAE planes had been the one seats out there to get out and in of Israel in the course of the battle as a result of all American and European carriers canceled their flights and the planes of Israel’s nationwide provider, El Al, had been typically utterly full (and really costly).
A number of occasions in the course of the battle, Lynn and I took UAE airways to get to different locations on the planet, together with to america.
FACT #3
Whilst preventing escalated within the first 12 months of the battle between Israel and her enemies in Gaza, the West {Bank}, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and Iran, business relations between the UAE and Israel really grew by double digits.
Remarkably, commerce between the UAE and Israel grew by 11% between 2023 and 2024, a virtually miraculous testomony to the more and more shut ties and enterprise pursuits between these two progressive and dynamic international locations.
FACT #4
What’s extra, we’re not speaking about a couple of million {dollars} of commerce between the UAE and Israel — and even lots of of thousands and thousands. We’re speaking about billions.
Certainly, commerce between the Jewish state and the UAE topped $3.2 billion in 2024 alone, up from basically nothing previous to 2020.
FACT #5
In the meantime, Emirati officers are working carefully with President Trump, different average Arab international locations, and Israel to determine the right way to create a completely new Gaza Strip.
Not solely is the UAE authorities prepared to take a position billions of {dollars} in rebuilding Gaza’s housing and infrastructure, UAE officers and specialists are additionally serving to the Trump workforce develop plans to de-radicalize Gaza’s mosques, faculties, and media — drawing on a long time of expertise they’ve in banning the Muslim Brotherhood from working anyplace within the Emirates and de-radicalizing their very own society from Brotherhood and different radical Islamist affect.
UNDERSTANDING THE BOLD, VISIONARY LEADERSHIP OF MBZ
Is it a tough street forward in Gaza?
Completely.
Does Gaza must be demilitarized — and Hamas disarmed — first?
Completely.
None of this might be straightforward, however I’m inspired.
Try to be, too.
Keep in mind, the United Arab Emirates was the primary Arab nation to affix the Abraham Accords again in August 2020.
Their daring step set into movement 4 Arab international locations normalizing relations with the state of Israel.
And all this comes from the daring and progressive management of President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, affectionately identified throughout the area as “MBZ.”
MBZ and his authorities are vehemently decided to not permit the Iranian regime — or anybody else — to explode or destroy the Abraham Accords.
This bitter and painful battle has definitely examined the Accords.
Strained them.
However positively not damaged them.
WHAT DID EVANGELICAL LEADERS HEAR IN ABU DHABI TWO YEARS BEFORE THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS?
Again in 2018, then–Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed invited me to deliver the first-ever delegation of Evangelical leaders to Abu Dhabi to satisfy with him and different senior officers.
At one level in our assembly, I mentioned, “Your Excellency, we’re praying about who’s going to be the following Arab chief to make peace and normalize relations with Israel.”
MBZ shocked me and all of us by replying, “Nicely, Joel, it’s going to be me.”
We didn’t count on a concrete reply.
We simply wished to share with him three ideas about peace that we maintain due to the teachings of the Bible.
WHAT DID EVANGELICALS TELL MBZ?
First, we as Christians deeply love Israel and the Jewish individuals. We stand with Israel and search to bless Israel as a result of the Bible instructions us to take action. It is a theological place — not a political one. It’s non-negotiable.
Second, we love the Palestinians. We don’t know one of the simplest ways to make peace between Israelis and Palestinians, however we wish to be clear: we’re not in opposition to them — we’re for them. We wish to bless them. We wish to serve and encourage them. Jesus instructions us, “love your neighbor” and “love your enemies.” This isn’t straightforward, but it surely’s what God desires, and we wish to please our Father in heaven.
Third, we pray faithfully for the peace of Jerusalem — that’s, peace between Israel and all of her neighbors — simply as we’re commanded in Psalm 122:6.
That is what we mentioned to him.
Although we had been genuinely shocked when MBZ mentioned he can be the following Arab chief to make peace with Israel and was in search of the suitable second to take action, we had been additionally deeply inspired as he defined why. It was an interesting dialog.
I element this dialog in my non-fiction guide Enemies and Allies.
And I clarify that nearly precisely two years later, in August 2020, MBZ did, in truth, announce — with President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — the daybreak of the period of the Abraham Accords.
Certain sufficient, Mohammed bin Zayed proved to be a person of his phrase.
IT’S TRUE THAT OCTOBER 7TH SEVERELY STRAINED THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS
True, within the days after October seventh, many Israelis thought:
“Okay, that is the start of a bitter, horrible battle. Hamas has slaughtered our individuals. Now Palestinians are dying. We’re preventing with all people in our area, it feels. That is in all probability going to explode the Abraham Accords. These Arab international locations aren’t going to stay with Israel. Why would they? However what else can we do? We’ve got to defend ourselves.”
However clearly, the UAE didn’t abandon the Bargain.
On the contrary, they proved deeply critical about forging a long-term, lasting, and sturdy peace.
They had been by no means serious about merely signing a bit of paper and holding a ceremony or a photograph op.
Make no mistake: the Emiratis aren’t proud of this battle.
Don’t assume UAE officers haven’t had criticisms of Israel — they’ve lots.
Certainly, the UAE has expressed sharp criticisms of the IDF, Israel’s authorities, insurance policies, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Clearly, they’re not the one Arab nation that has had extreme criticisms of Israel and her leaders — and vocalized them.
However the UAE did not break the Abraham Accords.
And it is a very large deal.
WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP IN THE TRUMP PEACE PLAN — AND WHAT ROLE DOES THE UAE WANT TO PLAY?
As soon as the final hostage’s physique is returned to Israel within the coming days, Emirati officers imagine the area will transfer to Section Two of President Trump’s 20-point plan.
Section One was about bringing all the hostages dwelling.
Section Two is about:
• Demilitarizing Gaza
• De-radicalizing Gaza
• Stabilizing Gaza
• Laying the groundwork for reconstruction
Clearly, there are various vital inquiries to reply within the days and weeks forward.
And I’m grateful that the Emiratis wish to be on the coronary heart of efforts to set the individuals of Gaza on a significantly better course.
The Emirati management doesn’t wish to see Hamas stay in energy.
They don’t wish to see weapons within the fingers of unhealthy actors.
They wish to see Palestinians liberated from the torture and tyranny of Hamas.
They usually wish to construct upon the peace they established with Israel in 2020 — and develop the variety of international locations becoming a member of and taking part within the Abraham Accords.
They’re underneath no illusions that this might be straightforward.
Nor am I.
However my conferences right here have vastly inspired me that this relationship is actual, resilient, and price constructing upon.