Arab News Japan

TOKYO: The announcement by US President Donald Trump on the agreement by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel to establish diplomatic relations, received extensive coverage by the Japanese mass media.

The daily Asahi Shimbun Digital reported that Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, have welcomed a “full normalization of diplomatic relations” according to a joint statement between the United States, Israel and UAE released by the White House.

The joint statement emphasized the significance of “this historical progress will advance peace in the Middle East”.

Within a few weeks, representatives of Israel and the UAE will sign a bilateral agreement on investment, tourism, non-stop flights, security, technology, energy, culture and the establishment of mutual embassies.

Israel has historically confronted Arab countries over the Palestinian issue. In 1979, it signed a peace treaty with Egypt. It signed a peace treaty with Jordan in 1994 and has diplomatic relations with these two countries.

Another mass distribution daily, the Mainichi Shimbun said Israel has diplomatic relations with Egypt and Jordan. Now the UAE becomes the third Arab state to have diplomatic relations with Israel.

The Japanese paper quoted Donald Trump as saying, “It is a historic moment. It is an important step towards building a more peaceful and prosperous Middle East.”

Prior to the announcement, the two countries had a telephone discussion and announced that they had reached an agreement. The two countries will sign an agreement to promote cooperation in areas such as tourism, education, healthcare and trade.

Jiji Press reported that “it is inevitable that the Palestinian side will oppose the normalization of diplomatic relations while the peace talks between Israel and Palestine are not progressing.

Arab countries have previously proposed a plan to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel in exchange for establishing a Palestinian state.

Kyodo News said that Israel was anxious to expand the normalization of relations with Arab countries.