Jared Kouchner, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, stressed that it is possible and logical for all 22 Arab countries to one day establish peace agreements with Israel.
Kouchner revealed in Abu Dhabi that a peace agreement between an Arab country – he did not name it – and Israel would soon be signed “within a few months from now”.
Egypt is the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1978, followed by Jordan in 1994 and the United Arab Emirates in 2020.
In response to a question about the expected timeframe for a fourth Arab country to reach a peace agreement with Israel, he said: “We hope this will happen within a few months.”
Kouchner added that “we cannot solve the problems by boycotting each other. Therefore, peace and the availability of economic and trade exchanges will increase the strength and stability of the Middle East”.
Since yesterday, Kouchner has led a high-level Israeli delegation on a historic visit to the United Arab Emirates, boarding the first commercial flight from Israel to Abu Dhabi.
Kouchner yesterday met His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor, and His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in the presence of Meir bin Shabat, Councilor and President of the Israeli National Security Council, and Robert O’Brien, United States National Security Advisor.
Asked if he believed that one day all 22 Arab countries could conclude peace agreements with Israel, Kouchner said: “This is 100% possible … and I think it makes sense that you do, as it is the option. best to do it gradually “.
He added: “I am an optimistic person by nature, and this is a blessing and a curse at the same time in my life .. Being an optimistic person is more wonderful than being a pessimistic person .. There are a thousand reasons why this should happen (it means reaching a peace agreement with Israel) .. and the reasons There is little that should not happen and I hope that the leaders have the strength and courage to make correct decisions and are not frustrated by the minority that opposes what.
Kouchner pointed out that Twitter is not a real place to monitor opinions … There are people who are angry on Twitter about the peace agreement, and there are extremists too … and people who oppose peace are against. progress … it’s about giving everyone a chance, and it’s also about respecting religions. Supporting stability in the region If you are against it, what do you encourage? Encourage extremism, discrimination and hatred.
He added: “Thanks to the leadership of the UAE, there will be a greater alliance … and the minority that opposes the peace agreement will remain isolated in the region.”
Kouchner clarified that talks will be held in the future on the Israeli suspension of the annexation of land from the West Bank, but “not in the foreseeable future”.
He said: “The focus is now on relations between the UAE and Israel and Israel’s relations with other countries, and this is of utmost importance for Israel and the region. Israel has agreed to suspend the annexation of the lands. and suspend Israeli laws relating to those lands at the moment and I am confident it will be discussed. This is important in the future, but not in the near future. “
As for the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt which have severed diplomatic relations with Qatar since 2017, and if there are any developments in this regard, Kouchner replied: “I had the opportunity during this trip to discuss the matter with the UAE leadership, I will go to Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and will be there. I also have talks with their leaders. US President Donald Trump wants progress on this issue. “He added:” We will continue to make efforts in this direction until a just and appropriate solution is found. “