Netanyahu tells UAE Jews he hopes to visit them this year

Hailing start of ‘historic’ new era, premier says peace between nations will be good for all people of the region.

The UAE is tolerant country welcoming all religions, President Khalifa bin-Zayed al-Nahyan declared 2019 to be the “The Year of Tolerance” in the UAE.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with leaders of the United Arab Emirates’ Jewish community Thursday, a week after Israel and the Gulf nation agreed to normalize diplomatic ties.

“This peace is good for the State Israel, good for our people and good for all peoples of the region,” he told them during a video call. “I hope to visit you this year, soon. If we can overcome the coronavirus pandemic I’ll be able to shake your hands too.”

His office released a short video clip of the call, which was held in Hebrew.

“We are at the start of a historic era… of widening peace between Israel and the Arab world,” Netanyahu also said in the clip.

Participating in the call were Ross Kriel, the president of the Jewish Community of the Emirates congregation, as well as Chabad rabbi Levi Duchman and Solly Wolf, who lead a second congregation.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced their agreement last Thursday afternoon. The sides “agreed to the full normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE,” they said in a joint statement with the US that was released by US President Donald Trump.