MEMBERS of the international community have reacted differently to the agreement of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel to normalize their relations. While Egypt, Bahrain, Oman and European countries have welcomed the deal expressing hope it would help the cause of peace in the region, Turkey and Iran have strongly denounced it and Palestinians, who are major stakeholders in the Middle-East dispute, have described it as betrayal of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa and Palestinian cause. There is silence in Saudi Arabia and Jordan has not expressed itself clearly.
Pakistan, a long time staunch supporter of rights of Palestinian people, has also opted to react cautiously on the development in the backdrop of its delicate ties with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. In a vaguely drafted statement, Foreign Office has said the US-brokered deal could have “far-reaching implications”, but stressed that its future approach on the issue would be guided by how Palestinians’ rights are upheld. The supporters of the deal laud on the plea that it secured an Israeli commitment to halt further annexation of Palestinian lands in the occupied West Bank. But this is no achievement at all as in the first instance the agreement refers only to ‘further annexation’ which amounts to legitimizing illegal settlements and annexation already carried out. Secondly, there is no substance to the commitment of a halt to further annexation as addressing reporters in Tel Aviv Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he agreed to “delay” the annexation as part of the deal with the UAE, but the plans remain “on the table”. The deal might be a diplomatic achievement for the US President ahead of presidential elections but raises more questions about ultimate fate of Palestinians, prospects of durable peace in the region, unity among Muslim Ummah and consensus on core issues of its interest.
