New York, August 13, 2020 … ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) applauded the Governments of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States for today's historic announcement agreeing to work towards fully normalizing relations and announcing plans for cooperation across numerous civil fields between Israel and the Emirates. ADL also welcomed the announcement that Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over territory in the West Bank, which we hope will help sustain the feasibility of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"I commend Israeli and Emirati leaders for being willing to buck the hardliners today to make real concessions toward Arab-Israeli peace," said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director of the ADL. "This is a reminder of the positive role that the US uniquely can play on the global stage, helping to broker historic agreements and advance the cause of peace around the world."
“I am particularly excited about the potential cooperation enabled by this agreement, including a stepped-up joint effort against the COVID-19 pandemic that can benefit the region and the world,” Greenblatt said. “I also hope this important agreement will serve to encourage other Arab and Muslim countries as well as the Palestinians to extend their hand in peace to the Jewish State. Finally, this agreement constitutes a crucial contribution to fight against extremism in the region and a breakthrough following years of unofficial consultations between the two countries."
ADL has long been engaged in discussions with Abu Dhabi to encourage fair treatment of Israel and Israeli nationals by the UAE, including in public events and the press. In May 2019, ADL co-hosted an event in Washington with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates to recognize the UAE Government's support for interfaith coexistence, and senior ADL staff visited Abu Dhabi in December to sign onto the Charter of the Alliance of Virtue supporting peace, tolerance and solidarity between Jews, Muslims, Christians, and all peoples.