News from August 31 to September 6
Serbia/Kosovo/Malawi announce Jerusalem embassies, UAE updates, and honorable mentions
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Serbia, Kosovo, and Malawi announce intention to open embassies in Jerusalem:
What happened? Last week, Serbia announced that it would be moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and Kosovo said it would recognize Israel and also open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. The moves come amid a Serbian-Kosovar economic deal mediated by the United States that was signed in the White House on Friday. Also, as if two embassy moves in one week weren’t enough, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera announced that his nation would also open an embassy in Jerusalem.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, President Donald Trump, and Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti. Source: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
Is this a big deal? None of this is as big a deal as the UAE agreement, but the embassy decisions are symbolic and meaningful. After all, Serbia, Kosovo, and Malawi will be only the third, fourth, and fifth nations (behind the United States and Guatemala) to house their embassies in Jerusalem. It could be a sign that more countries, particularly in Africa and Europe, are considering moving their embassies as well.
Israel and Kosovo’s recognition of each other is where it gets really interesting. Like Palestine, Kosovo is not universally recognized as a sovereign state. Consequently, Israel has avoided recognizing Kosovo because it feared that the Palestinian Authority could use Israel’s logic to justify its statehood. So, what changed? I think a couple of factors may be at play here. For one, Israel is trying to take advantage of the momentum following its historic deal with the UAE to get as many countries to normalize relations as possible while “peace is in the air.” It’s not an accident that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a big deal about Kosovo being the first Muslim-majority country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem on Twitter. Another consideration is that Netanyahu is trying to run up his diplomatic scorecard before a likely winter election. I don’t mean to suggest that’s a bad thing. It’s a good thing! It’s also a relevant data point that might explain why Israel would suddenly change its policy on Kosovo. Herb Keinon also suggests in the Jerusalem Post that the pivot was because President Trump wanted Israel to recognize Kosovo and Netanyahu could not say no.
Bonus: For what it’s worth, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic appeared to look very surprised when President Trump announced Serbia’s embassy move. It will be interesting to see if someone made a mistake!
Further reading: https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2020/09/04/us/politics/ap-us-united-states-balkans.html
Israel-UAE updates:
What happened? On Monday, the first commercial flight from Israel to the UAE delivered high-ranking American and Israeli officials to Abu Dhabi for historic talks on normalization. I highly recommend that you check out the accounts of the journalists who traveled with the officials on the plane to the UAE.
Throughout the week, Israeli and Emirati officials talked about potential agreements and collaborative projects, including a potential joint space mission. This week, officials from Israel’s two largest banks are headed to the UAE to discuss cooperation in the financial sector.
Have there been any updates on the F-35? The most recent indications suggest the United States will sell the F-35 to the Emiratis despite Israeli objections. As compensation, Israel is reportedly asking the United States for more advanced weaponry.
Do we know if another Arab state will recognize Israel? We don’t know yet, but there was a report in Israel last week suggesting the next state to recognize Israel will be Bahrain. Meanwhile, some have speculated that Saudi Arabia could be next because the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Mecca, Abdulrahman al-Sudais, gave a sermon last week preaching kindness to non-Muslims, specifically mentioning Jews. Israeli media also reported “breakthroughs” in diplomatic negotiations with Saudi Arabia, but noted Saudi Arabian King Salman still opposes the move. King Salman also called President Trump to thank him for his efforts but remind him that Saudi Arabia still wants a long-term agreement on the basis of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative (two-state solution on 1967 borders).
Honorable mentions:
Rapper Kodak Black said he is being denied access to a rabbi in prison by Marcy Oster (JTA)
San Fransisco State University president stands behind terrorist Leila Khaled speaking appearance (Forward) (For context, Leila Khaled is a member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine terrorist group who was involved in the hijacking of an Israel-bound plane in 1969)
US Surgeon General briefs Jewish leaders on best practices for High Holiday gatherings by Faygie Holt (JNS)
Two members of the far-right Boogaloo Bois arrested for attempting to support Hamas by Ben Sales (JTA)
Yeshiva University rejects LGBTQ club, saying it will support students in other ways by Josefin Dolsten (JTA)
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