U.S. President Donald Trump speaks about a Sudan-Israel peace agreement, in the Oval Office on October 23, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) Sudan is the latest country in the Middle East to normalize ties with Israel.
In a joint statement from the United States, Israel, and Sudan, the three countries noted that Sudan’s current transitional government has shown a “commitment to combating terrorism, building its democratic institutions, and improving its relations with its neighbors.” Consequently, the Trump administration decided to remove Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.
“The United States will take steps to restore Sudan’s sovereign immunity and to engage its international partners to reduce Sudan’s debt burdens, including advancing discussions on debt forgiveness consistent with the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative,” the statement read. “ The United States and Israel also committed to working with their partners to support the people of Sudan in strengthening their democracy, improving food security, countering terrorism and extremism, and tapping into their economic potential.”
As part of the normalized ties, Israel and Sudan will “end the state of belligerence between their nations” and establish “economic and trade relations.”
“The leaders also agreed that delegations will meet in the coming weeks to negotiate agreements of cooperation in those areas as well as in agriculture technology, aviation, migration issues and other areas for the benefit of the two peoples,” the statement added. “The leaders also resolved to work together to build a better future and advance the cause of peace in the region. This move will improve regional security and unlock new opportunities for the people of Sudan, Israel, the Middle East, and Africa.”
HUGE win today for the United States and for peace in the world. Sudan has agreed to a peace and normalization agreement with Israel! With the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, that’s THREE Arab countries to have done so in only a matter of weeks. More will follow! pic.twitter.com/UHB8H6oaZc
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2020
Jewish groups lauded the normalization of ties between Israel and Sudan.
“Today’s announcement is indicative of a very positive trend, a change of heart, among Arab leaders across the region regarding Israel,” American Jewish Committee CEO David Harris said in a statement. “In this peacemaking endeavor, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s vision and President Trump’s dedication to advancing Arab-Israeli peace have been transformative.
“Sudan is returning to its values of openness, and thereby increasing its ability to exercise leadership in the region. We recall with deep appreciation in 1979 when there was such a virulent reaction to the Egypt-Israel peace treaty, Sudan was one of only two Arab states that stood with Egypt and supported its brave decision.”
The Simon Wiesenthal Center similarly tweeted, “Huge development, #Sudan, former host of Bin Laden and sworn enemy of #Israel is making peace with Jewish state. Kudos to President Trump, @SecPompeo for being catalysts for historic breakthroughs for Arab-Israeli peace accords.”
Huge development, #Sudan, former host of Bin Laden and sworn enemy of #Israel is making peace with Jewish state. Kudos to President Trump, @SecPompeo for being catalysts for historic breakthroughs for Arab-Israeli peace accords.https://t.co/n5jEy10k6E via @WSJ
— SimonWiesenthalCntr (@simonwiesenthal) October 23, 2020
Christians United for Israel founder and chairman Pastor John Hagee also said in a statement, “We are thrilled to see yet another country end hostilities with Israel. Those who would attack, demonize, or boycott the Jewish state have lost. The Palestinian Authority should take note, normalization is the new normal. Peace is on the march.”
Tablet senior writer Yair Rosenberg tweeted, “In 1967, the Arab League convened in the capital of Sudan and passed a famous resolution declaring ‘no peace with Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with it.’ Today, Sudan agreed to normalize relations with Israel.”
https://twitter.com/Yair_Rosenberg/status/1319678098305155072?s=20
Senior Palestine Liberation Organization official Wasel Abu Yousseff, on the other hand, called Sudan’s peace agreement with Israel “a new stab in the back of the Palestinian people and a betrayal of the just Palestinian cause.”
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