The UAE Has Not Canceled the Economic Partnership Agreement Signing Ceremony With Israel
The Claim
The UAE condemns the assault on Al-Aqsa and cancels the May 31 economic partnership ceremony with Israel.
News posted on
Emerging story
The UAE has condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa mosque and has canceled an economic partnership ceremony scheduled for May 31 with Israel, according to social media across the MENA region.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading. The UAE condemned Israeli settlers storming the Al-Aqsa mosque courtyard, but did not cancel signing the economic partnership agreement with Israel, which was scheduled for Tuesday, May 31.
UAE and Israel Sign Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
On May 31, the UAE and Israel signed a comprehensive economic partnership agreement worth $10 billion over five years to boost bilateral trade. The agreement was signed at a ceremony held at the UAE Ministry of Economy in Dubai by UAE Minister of Economy Abdullah Bin Touq Al-marri and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Orna Barbefi.
The agreement includes eliminating customs duties on 96% of goods, which generates approximately 99% of the two countries' export earnings, as well as improving exporters' market access. "It also attracts more investment and creates new opportunities in key sectors such as energy, environment, e-commerce, digital economy, and technology," according to a statement posted on the UAE Ministry of Economy's official website.
Free Trade Agreement Between UAE and Israel
The UAE/Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) talks began in November of last year and lasted four rounds. The most notable of these tours took place in Egypt on March 21 and 22, between Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi at the time. The comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Israel is the UAE's second in the pipeline, following a similar agreement signed with the Republic of India in February that went into effect in early May.
UAE Condemns Israeli Forces Storming Al-Aqsa Mosque
The circulating claims follow the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation's condemnation of the Israeli settlers who stormed Masjid Al-Aqsa. "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation reiterated its firm position that the Al-Aqsa mosque should be fully protected and that serious and provocative violations cease," the Ministry said in a statement. "The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan's role should be respected under international law, the historical status quo and the authority of the Jerusalem endowments and Al-Aqsa mosque affairs should not be compromised."
The claims were further sparked as the media was not invited and not permitted to record the FTA signing ceremony.
In September 2020, the UAE announced the normalization of relations with Israel.
