![](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/08/13/USAT/cac6ef7a-91db-46a2-a286-1c894ab7e3be-AP_Trump_Emirates_Israel.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump announced Thursdaythat the United Arab Emirates and Israel had agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, a potentially historic agreement and a rare foreign policy win for the president during an election year.
As part of the deal, Israel agreed to halt its controversial plan to annex parts of the West Bank, land that Palestinians see as vital to their hopes of a future state.
A joint statement, released by the White House Thursday, said Israel and the United Arab Emirates "agreed to the full normalization of relations" and negotiators from the two countries would meet in the coming weeks to sign a series of bilateral agreements on everything from investment to tourism to security. The deal came together during a phone call Thursday between Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, crown prince of Abu Dhabi.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/13/trump-israel-united-arab-emirates-agree-establish-diplomatic-ties/3364243001/