Biden Confirms Importance of Normalizing Relations Between UAE and Israel in Call with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince

The White House stated that U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the strategic importance of normalizing relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel during a phone call on Tuesday with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Israel established formal relations with the UAE last September as part of a U.S.-brokered agreement, and both countries share common concerns regarding Iran. The statement noted that Biden and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed discussed "the nuclear and regional dimensions posed by Iran, alongside their shared pursuit of peace and de-escalation" in the Middle East. The statement also mentioned that Biden "expressed his full support for enhancing and expanding these arrangements." In addition, the White House statement indicated that Biden and Sheikh Mohammed discussed the situation in Afghanistan and the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia's Tigray region.