Israel and the United Arab Emirates made history when a cargo plane from the Gulf nation landed in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
The Emirates-based Etihad Airways flight, which was to deliver humanitarian aid for Palestinians during the coronavirus pandemic, marked the first known time that there has been a direct flight between the two countries. The UAE has no formal diplomatic relationship with Israel, although there are rumored to be back channel talks between the two about Iran.
An Israeli official told the Times of Israel that the cargo flight was coordinated with Israel and was providing aid through the World Food Program. There are no airports run by Palestinians in the West Bank or Gaza Strip.
A spokesperson with the State Department told the Washington Examiner that the United States is supportive of the collaboration between Israel and the UAE.
“We join Israel in welcoming the arrival of a UAE Etihad jet at Ben Gurion airport carrying medical and humanitarian assistance for the Palestinians. The challenges of COVID-19 bring us closer together; we are stronger when we face them side by side,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
The flight was hailed by Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Dannon, as a historic step in building relations between the two countries.
“For the first time, an @etihad cargo plane just landed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion airport! Hopefully soon, we will see passenger flights, too. Having visited, I know the UAE is a fascinating place, and look to continue improving relations between our countries,” Dannon wrote Tuesday on Twitter along with a photo of the flight path.
For the first time, an @etihad cargo plane just landed at Israel’s Ben-Gurion airport! Hopefully soon, we will see passenger flights, too. Having visited, I know the UAE is a fascinating place, and look to continue improving relations between our countries. pic.twitter.com/cfBEfTlE7y
— Ambassador Danny Danon | דני דנון (@dannydanon) May 19, 2020
The flight was reportedly laden with some 14 tons of ventilators, medical gear, and personal protective equipment. Etihad Airways confirmed to the Washington Examiner that the flight was to provide assistance to Palestinians.
“Etihad Airways continues to operate many humanitarian flights providing much needed aid to nations within its network and beyond,” the airline said in a statement. “Many Etihad passenger aircraft are being utilised for belly-cargo only to deliver commercial freight and other supplies across its global network. Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians. The flight had no passengers on board.”
Although not explicitly mentioning the flight Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei labeled Gulf state cooperation with Israel as the “biggest treachery” on Twitter.
“Today, some Persian Gulf states have committed the biggest treachery against their own history and the history of the Arab world. They have betrayed #Palestine by supporting Israel. Will the nations of these states tolerate their leaders’ betrayal?” Khamenei said.
Today, some Persian Gulf states have committed the biggest treachery against their own history and the history of the Arab world. They have betrayed #Palestine by supporting Israel. Will the nations of these states tolerate their leaders’ betrayal?
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) May 19, 2020
Israel has had more than 16,500 cases of COVID-19 and at least 278 deaths, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University. The West Bank and Gaza have reported almost 400 cases combined with two deaths. The UAE has had more than 25,000 infections and at least 227 deaths.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House, the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and the U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process for comment.
