Two years ago, my life changed course. Thursday, August 13, 2020, I was sitting in my bedroom, scrolling through Twitter, when I saw the announcement of the Abraham Accords. I immediately had a sense that I was faced with a crossroads. I could keep scrolling, and continue on with my life and the business I was building. Or I could take action, jump in, and be a part of this incredible opportunity to build warm, people-to-people peace in the region.
I chose the latter. I tweeted that I wanted to set up a group of Israelis and Emiratis. One by one, through Twitter, LinkedIn, friends and friends of friends, I met one Emirati after another. Six days later, on August 19, we organized the first grassroots people-to-people Zoom call of Emiratis and Israelis.
As the call began, I felt trepidation- would people actually join? What would they be willing to share? What would their attitude be towards the new peace? One after another, the cameras turned on, revealing fifteen Israelis and fifteen Emiratis from all fields and walks of life. It quickly became clear that both sides were equally excited. Both sides were also very curious- they wanted to know about the culture, society, religion and demographics of each other’s countries. In later Zoom calls we delved into specific topics, from business culture to start-up ecosystems to culinary preferences to the history of Zionism.
Following that first call, we formed the first Israeli-Emirati (and later Bahraini) Whatsapp group- the ‘Israeli-Emirati Forum’. Over the last two years, this forum has served as an important platform for sharing information, celebrating accomplishments, and providing mutual support. During times of regional tension, such as during Israel’s operations against Gaza-based terrorist organizations, the WhatsApp group has served as a forum for asking questions and exchanging perspectives in an open, honest and respectful manner.
Two years after the initial announcement, tremendous progress has been made in building ties between the countries of the Abraham Accords, particularly on the bilateral level. Relations between Israel and the UAE, as well as with Bahrain, Morocco, Egypt and Jordan, are growing deeper and broader by the week.
At the same time, we now stand at a critical juncture. On the one hand, very naturally, the initial excitement of what can be called the ‘honeymoon period’ has subsided to a degree. On the other, we are only at the beginning of the path towards realizing the true transformative potential of the Accords, an effort that will require continued energy, resources and commitment.
The Abraham Accords must be seen not only as a series of bilateral relationships. Instead, by leveraging the unique capabilities, strengths and needs of each of the Accords’ member nations, the Accords have the power to transform the MENA region into a global hub of peaceful trade, innovation, sustainability and inter-religious dialogue. Strategic multilateral initiatives involving Accords members, additional Middle Eastern countries, and American, European and Asian partners, can provide solutions to many of the world’s most pressing challenges in the fields of energy, logistics, transportation, food security, water, climate change, counter-extremism, and defense.
However, advancing this regional transformation will require sustained effort, the investment of substantial resources, and the overcoming of various obstacles, whether they be cultural, geopolitical or bureaucratic. It will require all of the Accords member nations to invest the political, diplomatic, scientific and financial capital necessary to turn the grand vision of the Accords into a reality which touches the lives of people across the region. Today, as Director for Israel of the Abraham Accords Peace Institute, I am privileged to work for an organization dedicated to this goal, through supporting the implementation and expansion of the Accords, strengthening the new bonds created through the peace agreements, and ensuring that these relationships achieve their fullest potential.
On a personal level, I have learned from the experience of the last two years valuable lessons on taking initiative and the power of grassroots activism. What began with a tweet has led to an incredible two-year journey, which includes the creation of the Israeli-Emirati Forum, the privilege of having been one of the founding members of the UAE-Israel Business Council, the establishment of the climate-tech company Gulf-Israel Green Ventures, and my current role with the Abraham Accords Peace Institute.
Together with many of the inspiring people I have met over the last two years- entrepreneurs, innovators, activists, officials, diplomats, business people, religious leaders and many more- I look forward to furthering the strategic initiatives and diverse relationships necessary to advance the Abraham Accords. Together we can realize the true potential of the Accords, widen the circle of warm peace, and build a better future for the Middle East.
