Yesterday, the President held a diplomatic working meeting with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the royal palace.
Previously, the President and First Lady Michal Herzog's arrival was greeted with a 21-gun salute and the playing of the two national anthems.
The President will visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai and will also meet UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan; Vice President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, as well as the Commissioner-General of Expo 2020 Dubai and UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. He will also meet representatives of the business sector and Jewish community.
Before taking off, President Herzog said: “Good morning. This morning I am embarking on a historic trip ... bringing with me a blessing of peace and a message of peace ... I am grateful for (the Prince's) courage and bold leadership, carving out a peace agreement with Israel and sending a message to the entire region that peace is the only alternative for the peoples of the region. Shalom, As-Salaamu-Alaikum”
Full security to the region
At the beginning of the meeting yesterday, the President thanked the Crown Prince for his contribution to the promotion of bilateral relations with the State of Israel and said: “The citizens of the State of Israel are so moved and excited to continue and develop the peaceful coexistence and our peace agreement between our two nations, the Emiratis and Israelis.
“This visit is an expression, as you said correctly, Your Highness, of the vision and dream of peace and the spirit of peace, which we bring to the entire region. We are two successful nations who started with very little in our hands, developed our lands into a successful paradise and in many ways set an example to the world of how to lead and develop a nation with a vision of the future. And this sends a message to the entire region that there is an alternative of peace and living together, and that the sons and daughters of Abraham can reside and dwell together in peaceful coexistence for the benefit of humanity.
“This message of peace is the cornerstone of our relationship. And we are here to deliver a message both to Israelis and Emiratis and the region that the Abraham Accords should be continued and more nations should join us in this endeavour.
“I am very much looking forward to my visit at the Expo and seeing the most unbelievable experience that everyone is talking about, including the 250,000 Israelis who have already set foot in your beautiful country.
“Finally, I wish to emphasise that we completely support your security requirements and we condemn in all forms and language any attack on your sovereignty by terrorist groups. We are here together to find ways and means to bring full security to people who seek peace in our region. Thank you very much.”
The threat of militias and terrorists
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank you for your stance regarding the recent terrorist attacks on civilian facilities in the UAE. It is a stance that demonstrates our common view of the threats to regional stability and peace, particularly those posed by militias and terrorist forces, as well as our shared understanding of the importance of taking a firm stance against them.
“Your visit, Mr President, comes a short while after the successful visit of H.E. Naftali Bennett to the UAE. This confirms that our relations are moving full steam ahead, and that there is a common and strong will to strengthen them for the benefit of our countries and peoples.
“The Abraham Accords peace agreement was a major historical shift that embodied the approach to peace that the UAE believes in, and it has paved the way towards strengthening our partnerships, particularly in the areas of technology, innovation, health, energy, and others.
“Mr President, our region is one of those that has suffered the most from wars and conflicts. Through peace, we in the UAE, Israel and the wider region, can direct resources and capabilities towards serving our nations and paving the way for a better tomorrow.
“There is no doubt that your country's participation in Expo 2020 Dubai is one of the results of this peace and it will help deepen our cooperation and partnership and identify mutual opportunities for Israel and the UAE.
“Once again, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you here in the UAE, Mr President, and pray that peace prevails in the Middle East.”
Taking it from here
The President and First Lady also met Jewish community representatives, including Chabad-Lubavitch Rabbi Levi Duchman, senior Rabbi Eli Abadi, Daniel Seal, a Jewish community leader, and Jewish Agency representative Sarah Benchimol.
He mentioned former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, who "made this peace treaty a reality, and we are all taking it from there. With the new Biden administration in the United States, the Government of Israel and Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and your humble servant as the new President of Israel, we are all working together with so many others to make this reality something sustainable for the future, which will hopefully bring more and more nations to join in peace with Israel.”
President Herzog reminisced over his earlier work as the Chairman of the Jewish Agency Executive. "I hope to see all of you in Israel, with God’s help, and may you continue to go from strength to strength in building the institutions of the community, the education system, and of course synagogues and other institutions that every community has. Good luck to all of you, it is a great honor for me to be here.”