A top Trump administration official indicated Israel’s decision to suspend plans to annex land on the West Bank was key to the peace agreement announced Thursday between the Jewish nation and the United Arab Emirates.
The agreement normalizes relations between important U.S. allies in the Middle East.
“Prioritize peace. After peace has given every opportunity, turn to sovereignty,” said U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman during a news conference with President Trump at the White House. “I don’t think the two could be done at the same time.”
Annexation, Trump said later, was “more than just off the table — they’ve agreed not to do it, and I think that was very important.”
The president said he could not speak to whether this was a long-term plan. “I can’t talk about some time into the future,” he said. “That’s a big statement. But right now, it’s off the table.”
Friedman said the administration had not asked Israel to abandon plans permanently for sovereignty over the annexed territories.
“The word ‘suspend’ was chosen carefully by all the parties,” Friedman said. “The word ‘suspend,’ by definition — look it up — means temporary halt. It’s off the table now, but it’s not off the table permanently.”
A tweet by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, did not mention the temporary halt to annexation but stressed the fluid nature of the deal, calling the agreement a “roadmap” toward establishing a bilateral relationship.
Trump, who said the administration had “a lot more to come in the Middle East,” hinted at normalization between Israel and “many other countries.”
Suggesting further deals were in the works, Trump said that he would like to see the Palestinians come to the negotiating table.
“I think the Palestinians will, without saying it necessarily, yet, I think they want very much want to be a part of what we’re doing,” Trump said. “Ultimately, I see peace between Israel and the Palestinians, I see that happening.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, at his own press conference Thursday, said he believes this to be a temporary suspension of Israel’s plan to seek sovereignty over occupied land in the West Bank.
Netanyahu, who is running for reelection, thanked Trump profusely in his remarks and credited himself as well for the deal.
