UAE abolishes decree for boycott of Israel
A 1972 UAE law had decreed the boycott of Israel and made any engagement s with it a crime punishable under the law.
By IAR Desk
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued a new federal decree that overturns an earlier law that banned any relations with Israel and made it a punishable offence.
Following the announcement of the peace accord with Israel, on August 13, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has issued a Federal Decree-Law No. 04 of 2020, abolishing the Federal Law No. 15 of 1972 regarding boycotting Israel and the penalties thereof, the Emirates News Agency reported.
The Decree comes as part of the UAE’s efforts to expand diplomatic and commercial cooperation with Israel, and by laying out a roadmap towards launching joint cooperation, leading to bilateral relations by stimulating economic growth and promoting technological innovation.
Following the abolition of the Israel Boycott Law, individuals and companies in the UAE are now allowed to enter into agreements with bodies or individuals residing in Israel or belonging to it by their nationality, in terms of commercial, financial operations, or any other dealings of any nature.
Based on the Decree, it will be permissible to enter, exchange or possess Israeli goods and products.
Israel and the UAE agreed to normalize relations and establish full diplomatic relations with each other earlier this month on August 13, 2020. Known as the Abraham Accord, the agreement was brokered by the USA.
As a consequence, telephone lines between the two countries was opened on August 17. The Health and Defence ministers of both countries have held telephonic conversation.
The first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE is slated for Monday, 31 August, when an Israeli-American delegation is expected to travel to the United Arab Emirates.
The Abraham Accord has been met with support in both Israel and the UAE and in the wider Arab world. However, Palestinians have been enraged but it, with many calling it a “sell-out” of the Palestinians.
