Dr Tal Becker: The Significance of the Abraham Accords
Dr Becker is the Legal Adviser of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is a veteran member of successive Israeli peace negotiation teams. Most recently he played an instrumental role in negotiating and drafting the “Abraham Accords”, the historic peace and normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan. He has decades of experience on the front lines of many of Israel’s most pressing diplomatic, legal and policy challenges and is a key behind-the-scenes representative for Israel in a wide variety of contexts.
In a fascinating webinar, organised by AIJAC (Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council), Dr. Tal Becker examined the implications of the Abraham Accords a year on from their signing. He explained how the relationship is such a natural fit, a “course correction into the natural course of events”. Indeed, it was the lack of relations with these countries which was most unnatural. Becker described the dynamics in the room during the negotiations where Israel’s enthusiasm was matched by the other side and the trauma often associated with peace treaties was not evident.
Dr Becker discussed the great significance that for the first time Arab states are willing to acknowledge that Jews are indigenous to the Middle East and that they share a common ancestor in Abraham. Furthermore, normalising the idea that Israel is an integral part of the Middle East is an important pushback against the campaign to de-legitimze Israel.
A must watch!
Read our media release urging for Aotearoa NZ to pursue closer bi-lateral relations with Israel. If these countries, as former enemies can build close ties with Israel, why can’t New Zealand? We’ve been traditional allies and share the same democratic, freedom loving values. If the UAE and Bahrain can have ambassadors in Israel, then why shouldn’t New Zealand?
Video Source: AIJAC re-published with permission.