Israel and UAE reach US-brokered deal to normalize relations

(JTA) — In a diplomatic breakthrough, Israel and the United Arab Emirates are normalizing ties.

The deal was finalized in a phone call on Thursday, Aug. 13, between President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.

In a joint statement by the United States, Israel and UAE posted by Trump on Twitter, it said that this was a “historic diplomatic breakthrough” and will “advance peace in the Middle East.”

As part of a peace deal, Israel will pause its plans to annex areas of the West Bank, according to a joint...