Sudan becomes the third Arab nation to normalize ties with Israel

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

President Trump on Friday announced a peace deal that would normalize ties with between Israel and Sudan. The historic peace agreement follows similar agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain.  In the coming weeks, the two countries will begin negotiations on cooperation agreements in agriculture, economy, trade, aviation, migration issues, and other areas of mutual benefit, the White House said in a statement. 

“They are choosing a future in which Arabs and Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and Christians can live together, pray together, and dream together, side by side, in harmony, community, and peace.”

-President Donald  Trump    

The White House said the expansion of the Abraham Accords to include Sudan is a significant step that will further enhance Israel’s security and create opportunities for Sudan and Israel to deepen their economic ties and improve the lives of their people.

U.S. Removing SUDAN From Terrorist Blacklist For $335 MILLION

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo meets with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, in Khartoum, Sudan, on August 25, 2020.  (U.S. Embassy Khartoum photo by Alsanosi Ali) 

The U.S. Trump administration has removed Sudan from a terrorism blacklist after the country agreed to pay $335 million in compensation for its alleged role in the bombing of two US embassies in east Africa by al-Qaida in 1998.   Sudan  was placed on the US’ list of state sponsors of terrorism  in 1993 by then President Bill Clinton.

Sudan had remained  on the Terror List  despite the recent overthrow of long-time authoritarian President al-Bashir. 

Immediately after being named Sudanese Prime Minister last September 2019,  Hamdok called on the US to remove Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism during his address before the UN General Assembly.

Secretary of State Pompeo Pressures SUDAN To Normalize Relations With ISRAEL

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivered a controversial speech in August from Jerusalem addressing the Republican National Committee. It was the first time in at least 75 years that a sitting secretary of state addressed a national convention to nominate a party’s presidential candidate.  Pompeo then flew from Israel to Sudan as the US  seeks to strengthen Sudan-Israel ties.  Pompeo met with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum. Pompeo and PM  Hamdok discussed continued U.S. support for the civilian-led transitional government and noted that rescission of Sudan’s State Sponsor of Terrorism designation remains a critical bilateral priority for both countries. 

Palestinians condemn ‘shameful’ Israel-Sudan accord

The Palestinian Authority said on Friday that it “condemns and rejects” the normalization of relations between Arab countries and Israel,  the Jerusalem Post reported.   A statement by the PA presidency in Ramallah said that normalization with Israel is in violation of the Arab summit resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

“No one has the right to speak on behalf of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian issue,”  the statement added. “The path to a just and comprehensive peace should be based on international law and legitimacy so as to end the Israeli occupation of the land of the State of Palestine and achieve independence for the Palestinian people in their state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the 1967 borders. The Palestinian. Leadership will take the necessary decisions to protect the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.”