Yitzhak Herzog. File photoTEL AVIV, Jan 30Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog and his wife flew to the UAE for the first ever state visit, during which they will meet with the country's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zeid al Nahyan and hold talks with representatives of political and business circles, the office of the President of the Jewish state said. «For the first time in history, President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog traveled to the United Arab Emirates this morning for a visit at the invitation of the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zeid Al Nahyan,» the office said in a statement.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the visit of the Israeli Prime Minister to the UAE Upon arrival in the UAE, the presidential couple will meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zeid. Then the Duke and his wife will be received at an official ceremony in the royal palace. Later, the President of Israel and the First Lady will take part in an event with the leaders of the Jewish communities living in this country. The two-day visit also includes a meeting with Emirati businessmen and Duke's inauguration of Israel's National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai. «This morning, I am embarking on a historic journey to the United Arab Emirates with my wife, Michal. We will be visiting the United Arab Emirates following the conclusion of a peace agreement between Israel and the UAE. I bring with me the blessing of peace and a message of peace to the entire region, to the peoples of the region. Peace brings with it prosperity, progress and growth for the benefit of the peoples of the region,» the Duke said before leaving Tel Aviv, the words of the president are quoted by his office. The Duke expressed gratitude to the Crown Prince for the invitation and courage in reaching a peace deal with Israel and said it «sends a signal to the entire region that peace is the only alternative for the nations.» In 2020, the US launched a process aimed at normalizing relations between Israel and Arab countries. As a result of the process, a set of documents was signed, which was called the «Abraham Peace Accords». The UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan joined the agreements. The Palestinian authorities have criticized the steps taken by the Arab countries to normalize relations with Israel to the detriment of upholding the rights of the Palestinians. Until 2020, Israel maintained diplomatic relations with only two Arab countries in the region — Jordan and Egypt.
