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Israel–Sudan normalization agreement

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Israel–Sudan normalization agreement
TypeNormalization agreement
SignedJanuary 6, 2021
LocationKhartoum, Sudan
Mediators United States
Parties

The Israel–Sudan normalization agreement is an agreement that took place on October 23, 2020, whereby Israel and Sudan agreed that they will normalize relations. It is not clear if the deal establishes full diplomatic relations between the two nations.[1][2] According to Axios reporting on March 10, 2021, "While Israel has presented Sudan with a draft agreement for establishing diplomatic relations, the Sudanese want an endorsement from the Biden administration."[3] The agreement came after the agreements of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates signed with Israel in September 2020.[4] Unlike the latter two, Sudan had sent troops to fight against Israel in major Arab-Israeli wars and considered Israel an enemy state.[5]

On April 6, 2021, the Sudanese cabinet approved a bill abolishing the 1958 law on boycotting Israel.[6] The decision came into effect after the Transitional Sovereignty Council approved it in a joint session with the cabinet.[7]

History

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See also: Abraham Accords, Israel–Sudan relations, and Sudan–United States relations

Sudan is one of the Arab countries that fought wars with Israel, and its capital, Khartoum, witnessed the adoption of an Arab League resolution known as the resolution of the three noes; No peace, no recognition, no negotiations.[8] Sudan had sent troops to fight the Israeli forces in all Arab-Israeli major wars and considers Israel an enemy state, moreover it was claimed that the Israeli Air Force attacked Sudanese forces and terrorists taking cover in Sudan in 2009 and 2012.[9]

In early January 2016, Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour and President Omar al-Bashir floated normalized ties with Israel provided the U.S. government lifted economic sanctions.[10][11]

In early September 2016, it was revealed that Israel had contacted the U.S. government and other Western countries and encouraged them to take steps to improve relations with Sudan in the wake of the break in relations between the Arab-African country and Iran in the prior year.[12] In February 2020, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, met in Uganda, where they agreed to normalize the ties between the two countries.[13] Later that month, Israeli planes were allowed to fly over Sudan.[14] In May 2020, Israel flew medics and equipment to Sudan to try and save a Sudanese diplomat, Najwa Gadah Aldam, who managed to arrange the aforementioned meeting in Uganda as she worked as a political adviser to the president of Uganda Yoweri Museveni, when she was infected and later died from COVID-19.[15]

In August 2020, the US Secretary of State toured several Arab League countries, including Sudan.[16] On September 15, 2020, UAE and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords with Israel, and thus became the first Arab country to sign a peace deal with Israel since Jordan in 1994. Mauritania recognized Israel in 1999 but cut ties 10 years later.[17] It was reported that Sudan and Oman were also expected to sign the accords after the US elections.[18][19]

On October 19, 2020, President Trump tweeted that he would remove Sudan from the list of countries it considers state sponsors of terrorism as soon as its government had deposited $335 million in promised compensation for victims of the bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998 and the USS Cole in 2000, and on October 22, Sudan's information minister said Thursday that the money had been deposited.[20] Sudan had hosted Osama bin Laden in Khartoum between 1991 and 1996.[21]

In mid-October 2020, Sudanese businessman Abu Al-Qasim Bortom visited Israel to accelerate the normalization process.[22] On October 22, 2020, an Israeli delegation visited Sudan, where they met with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for talks on the normalization of ties between the two countries.[23] On October 23, 2020, Israel and Sudan agreed to a deal to normalize ties.[20] President Trump, Sudanese Chairman of the Sovereignty Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took part in a conference call on October 23 and subsequently announced the agreement.[24] Sudan's acting foreign minister said on October 23 on state TV that Sudan's agreement will depend on approval from its yet-to-be formed legislative council.[25][26] The Sudanese government approved the repeal of the 1958 boycott of Israel law on April 6, 2021. The decision received the approval of a joint meeting of Sudan's sovereign council and cabinet on April 20, 2021.[27][28]

Agreement

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A joint statement issued by the governments of Israel, Sudan, and the United States said that "The leaders agreed to the normalisation of relations between Sudan and Israel and to end the state of belligerence between their nations,"[29] it went on to state that "In addition, the leaders agreed to begin economic and trade relations, with an initial focus on agriculture." The statement also suggested the possibility of further meetings and agreements, saying that "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."[24]

The Sudanese government emphasized that the agreement needs the approval of an elected parliament to enter into force and that it is only a preliminary agreement.[30]

On January 6, 2021, Sudan officially signed the Abraham Accords Declaration. The signing took place in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, in the presence of US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin. While Sudan signed the declarative section of the agreement, it did not sign the corresponding document with Israel, unlike the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. As of February 2023, negotiations continue towards normalization.[31] Meanwhile, the ongoing efforts have been condemned by the Sudanese opposition and civil society groups.[32]

Reactions

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Governments

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  •  Bahrain: Bahraini Foreign Ministry described the announcement as "an additional historical step on the path for achieving peace, stability and prosperity in the Middle East region."[33]
  •  Canada: Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne stated on Twitter that "Canada welcomes the normalization between Israel and Sudan. This agreement is a positive step forward that will contribute to enhancing stability, security, and opportunity for all people in this region."[34]
  •  Germany: German officials welcomed the agreement, saying it represents an "important step towards greater stability and more peaceful relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors."[35]
  •  Egypt: President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi praised the two countries' agreement to normalize relations. He also welcomed the joint efforts of the United States, Sudan, and Israel to normalize relations.[36]
  •  Iran: The Foreign Ministry tweeted in English that Sudan had paid ransom to be taken out of the list of state of sponsors of terrorism and labeled the normalization as "phoney."[37]
  •  State of Palestine: The Palestinian President declared his "condemnation and rejection of the normalization agreement, because that is contrary to the resolutions of the Arab summits, as well as to the Arab Peace Initiative, which was approved by the Arab and Islamic summits, and by the United Nations Security Council in accordance with resolution 1515."[38]
  •  United Arab Emirates: The Foreign Ministry welcomed the normalization of relations and stated that the decision was "an important step to boost security and prosperity in the region... (and) would expand the scope of economic, commercial, scientific and diplomatic cooperation."[39]
  •  United Kingdom: Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab welcomed the normalization of relations saying that it is "a positive step between two valued friends. This step is a boost for the democratic transition in Sudan, and peace in the region."[40]
  •  United States: President Donald Trump tweeted that the normalization was a "huge win for the United States and for peace in the world." He added that "more will follow!"[41]

Organizations

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  •  European Union: While welcoming the announcement of the agreement the EU recalled "its longstanding position that a comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict requires a regional inclusive approach and engagement with both parties."[42]
  •  United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed the hope that the agreement between Israel and Sudan to normalize relations will create opportunities for peace and prosperity.[43]

Others

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  • Hamas issued a statement saying: “We express our condemnation and outrage over the despicable and humiliating normalization that does not suit Sudan’s people and history, We call on the heroic people of Sudan to reject the shameful agreement and the establishment of any ties with the criminal enemy.”[44]
  • Sudan's Islamic scholars were reported to have issued a Fatwa on October 1, announcing opposition to the central government in Khartoum normalizing ties with Israel,[45] while other Sudanese clerics offered support.[46]
  • On October 24, 2020, Sudan's former Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi who heads the country's largest political party, strongly criticized the statement, accusing Trump of being racist against Muslims and Black people and Israel of being an apartheid state.[47]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jennifer Hansler (October 23, 2020). "Trump announces that Israel and Sudan have agreed to normalize relations". CNN. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  2. ^ Jakes, Lara; Walsh, Declan; Ragson, Adam (October 23, 2020). "Trump Announces Sudan Will Move to Normalize Relations With Israel". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  3. ^ "Israel pushes White House ceremony to seal Sudan normalization deal". Axios. March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  4. ^ "Sudan-Israel relations agreed, Donald Trump announces". news.yahoo.com. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  5. ^ "Experts react: Sudan and Israel reach historic peace agreement". atlanticcouncil.org. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Sudan's cabinet votes to repeal Israel boycott law". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  7. ^ @wasilalitaha (April 19, 2021). "BRK: Israel boycott Act for 1958 has officially been repealed after @TSC_SUDAN approved its annulment in a joint se…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Ahren, Raphael (October 23, 2020). "'Yes, yes, yes': Why peace with Khartoum would be true paradigm shift for Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  9. ^ "Sudan says Israel will remain eternal enemy despite reports of Netanyahu visit". The New Arab. November 27, 2018. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  10. ^ Surkes, Sue (January 21, 2016). "Sudan said willing to consider normalizing ties with Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Eldar, Akiva (March 17, 2016). "Will Israel revive its relationship with Khartoum?". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  12. ^ Ravid, Barak (September 7, 2016). "Israel Urges U.S., Europe to Bolster Ties With Sudan, Citing Apparent Split With Iran". Haaretz. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Landau, Noa (February 3, 2020). "Netanyahu, Sudanese Leader Meet in Uganda, Agree to Start Normalizing Ties". Haaretz. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  14. ^ Williams, Dan (February 16, 2020). "Netanyahu says Israeli planes have started overflying Sudan". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  15. ^ "Israeli MDs fly to enemy Sudan in failed bid to save diplomat behind secret ties". The Times of Israel. May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  16. ^ "Travel to Israel, Sudan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, August 23-27, 2020". Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  17. ^ "Sudan-Israel relations agreed, Donald Trump announces". BBC News. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  18. ^ "Israel says it expects Bahrain and Oman to follow UAE in formalising ties". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  19. ^ "Sudan, Oman postpone normalising ties with Israel until after US elections". Middle East Monitor. October 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Schwartz, Felicia; Bariyo, Nicholas (October 23, 2020). "Israel, Sudan Agree to Normalize Ties in U.S.-Brokered Deal". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  21. ^ Laessing, Ulf; Abdelaziz, Khalid (May 2, 2011). Blair, Edmund; Heavens, Andrew (eds.). "Bin Laden's Sudan home left empty over attack fears". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  22. ^ "Sudan businessman to visit Israel to accelerate normalisation process". Middle East Monitor. October 17, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  23. ^ "Israel delegation visits Sudan in push to normalise ties". Al Jazeera. October 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Joint Statement of the United States, the Republic of Sudan, and the State of Israel". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via National Archives.
  25. ^ Abdelaziz, Khaled; Eltahir, Nafisa; Swilam, Alaa; Lewis, Aidan (October 23, 2020). Reese, Chris (ed.). "Sudan's normalisation with Israel depends on legislative approval, minister says". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  26. ^ "Sudan agrees to normalise relations with Israel, Trump says". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  27. ^ "Sudanese cabinet votes to repeal Israel boycott law". Reuters. April 6, 2021.
  28. ^ Five months after the declaration of the normalization agreement between the countries, the Sudanese government today approved the repeal of the boycott of Israel law from 1958. All but one of the cabinet ministers voted in favor of the decision. - report
  29. ^ "Sudan-Israel relations agreed, Donald Trump announces". BBC News. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  30. ^ "الخارجية: ماتم ليس تطبيعا والموافقة سيقررها المجلس التشريعي" (in Arabic). October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
  31. ^ Lis, Jonathan (February 2, 2023). "Sudan to Advance Normalization With Israel, Three Years After Signing Deal, Official Says". Haaretz. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  32. ^ "Sudan political, civil groups slam Israel normalisation move". The New Arab. February 5, 2023. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  33. ^ "UAE, Bahrain hail normalization of Sudan-Israel ties". Anadolu Agency. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020.
  34. ^ Champagne, François-Philippe [@FP_Champagne] (October 23, 2020). "Canada welcomes the normalization between #Israel and #Sudan. This agreement is a positive step forward that will contribute to enhancing stability, security, and opportunity for all people in this region" (Tweet). Retrieved October 23, 2020 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "Sudan to normalize ties with Israel, says US". DW. October 23, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  36. ^ "الرئيس السيسي يرحب بالجهود المشتركة لأمريكا والسودان وإسرائيل حول تطبيع العلاقات | صور". بوابة الأهرام (in Arabic). October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  37. ^ Heinrich, Mark; Neely, Jason (October 24, 2020). "Iran says U.S.-brokered Sudan-Israel deal secured by 'ransom'". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  38. ^ "الرئاسة الفلسطينية تدين تطبيع العلاقات السودانية الإسرائيلية". elnashra.com (in Arabic). October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  39. ^ Abdallah, Nayera (October 24, 2020). Reese, Chris (ed.). "UAE welcomes Sudan's decision to start relations with Israel: WAM". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  40. ^ "Foreign Secretary statement on normalisation of Israel and Sudan relations". Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020 – via www.gov.uk.
  41. ^ "Israel-Sudan deal welcomed as Palestinians cry foul". France24. October 23, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
  42. ^ "Israel/Sudan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the announced normalisation of relations". EU. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  43. ^ "UN chief hopes Israel-Sudan agreement will bring peace to wider regions". UN News. October 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  44. ^ Abu Toameh, Khaled; Jean, Celia (October 24, 2020). "Palestinians condemn 'shameful' Israel-Sudan accord". The Jerusalem Post.
  45. ^ "Sudan: Next step for Arab-Israel normalization?". Tehran Times. October 12, 2020. Archived from the original on November 15, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  46. ^ Ahren, Raphael (October 20, 2020). "Top Sudan cleric: There is no general Islamic opposition to salaam with Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
  47. ^ Magdy, Samy (October 24, 2020). "Head of Sudan's largest party slams Trump and Israel deal". AP News. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
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