A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took off on Tuesday morning towards Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE Financial Affairs Minister Obaid Humaid Al Tayer will meet to sign a number of agreements between Israel and the UAE.One such agreement states that citizens can travel between the two countries without the need for visas, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The delegation took off, accompanied by a number of representatives from the United States, including US special representative for international relations Avi Berkowitz, who tweeted a photograph of his flight ticket to Israel from the UAE.
In an additional video he tweeted, the captain of the flight Naeem Alameri could be heard saying, "This is an historical movement for UAE country and Israel, and we are looking forward to salaam, salaam (peace) in the future."UAE —-> Israel pic.twitter.com/LCcSM9e2lz
— Avi Berkowitz (@aviberkow45) October 20, 2020
Captain Naeem Alameri: "This is an historical movement for UAE country and Israel, and we are looking forward to salaam, salaam (peace) in the future." https://t.co/SSo0JSmm8v
— Dan Williams (@DanWilliams) October 20, 2020
The visa-free agreement will be the first one of its kind between Israel and an Arab state.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will be present at the signing which include agreements on issues of air travel, protection of investments, and science and technology in addition to the visa-free agreement.
Netanyahu, Mnuchin, Tayer and CEO of the US International Development Finance Corporation Adam Boehler will then make joint remarks.
There will be more meetings through the day between Netanyahu, Mnuchin, Al Tayer and Avi Berkowitz, assistant to President Donald Trump and Special Representative for International Negotiations. Netanyahu will also meet bilaterally with Mnuchin.
Additional meetings will take place between UAE and Israeli ministers.