- Days after the historic U.S.-brokered diplomatic deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, protests opposing the agreement have erupted in surrounding Arab nations
- Protestors took to the streets over the weekend in opposition of the deal, led by Pakistani Senator Sirajul Haq
- The Senator said the UAE-Israel agreement goes against policies formed by the founder of Pakistan, Muhammed Ali Jinnah
- Palestine, Iran, and Turkey have all publically denounced the UAE-Israel deal
- The agreement makes the United Arab Emirates only the third Arab nation to recognise Israel
Days after the historic U.S.-brokered diplomatic deal between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, protests opposing the agreement have erupted in surrounding Arab nations.
The deal, which was announced by President Donald Trump last week, was crafted to normalise diplomatic relations between the two countries.
HUGE breakthrough today! Historic Peace Agreement between our two GREAT friends, Israel and the United Arab Emirates!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 13, 2020
Under the deal, Israel will suspend its annexation of the West Bank, and the two nations will join forces regarding the treatment and development of a vaccine for COVID-19.
In a joint statement, the U.S., Israel, and the UAE said the agreement will extend to investment, tourism, security, technology, healthcare, and more.
“Opening direct ties between two of the Middle East’s most dynamic societies and advanced economies will transform the region by spurring economic growth, enhancing technological innovation, and forging closer people-to-people relations,” the joint statement said.
However, as telephone calls are being answered between the two nations for the first time, surrounding Middle Eastern countries are opposing the deal.
Pakistani protests
Rallies and demonstrations have taken place across Pakistan over the weekend led by Pakistani Senator Sirajul Haq, who is the chief of the country’s Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) party.
Protestors carried banners labelling UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as a traitor, along with other slogans such as “Down with Israel” and “Pakistanis stand with Palestinians”.
The Senator claims the UAE-Israel deal goes directly against policies formed by the founder of Pakistan, Muhammed Ali Jinnah, often referred to as Quaid-e-Azam.
“By organizing nationwide rallies and demonstrations in solidarity with Palestine at the call of Jamaat-e-Islami, the nation proved that it is with Palestine and Jerusalem. Talking about recognizing Israel is a betrayal of Quaid-e-Azam’s policy,” Senator Haq said in a tweet yesterday morning.
Addressing the protestors as part of the weekend demonstrations, Senator Haq said the UAE has “disgraced itself” by signing the peace deal.
“Palestine is the land of Palestinians. No deal or backtracking can deprive them of their fundamental right,” he said.
“The entire Muslim world rejects this so-called deal, even if some Muslim governments accept it.”
Another JI leader, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, said the new deal is a “backstabbing of Palestinians”.
Palestine, Iran, and Turkey have all publically denounced the UAE-Israel deal, which made the United Arab Emirates only the third Arab nation to recognise Israel.
Nevertheless, Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said peace was at the forefront of the deal.
This is the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country in 26 years. It is different from its predecessors because it is based on two principles: ‘peace for peace’ and ‘peace through strength’.
— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 16, 2020
The Israel-UAE deal was allegedly signed without the knowledge of the surrounding nations.