Last week saw a series of trade agreements and signing ceremonies between Israeli and Emirati businessmen. Just a few months ago, no one could have imagined that Israeli products would be exported to the United Arab Emirates. But thanks to last week's trade agreements, UAE supermarkets will soon be lined with olive oil, honey, and wine from Judea and Samaria itself.
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The first trade agreement was signed by the Samaria Regional Council and Emirati investment company FAM Holdings. Mayors in Judea and Samaria have been negotiating with businessmen in Dubai for months now and their efforts are starting to bear fruit.
"It's the fastest I've seen a vision become a reality," Fam Holdings Founder Dr. Faisal Ali Mousa told Israel Hayom. "Had I told anyone only a few months ago that this would happen, nobody would have believed it. The trade agreements are a message to the world that not only are we business partners, but we are also friends, two nations who want to live in peace."
"We leave religion and politics outside [the business negotiations]," said Ahmed Rabi, international development manager at FAM Holdings. "We judge the product by its quality. We were impressed by the olive oil and the wine from Judea and Samaria."
Q: Is it not accepted to speak about religion and politics?
"In our society, if you want to address additional issues, you discuss them separately. We do not judge people based on their political or religious beliefs. We even have a tolerance minister. "
Q: A tolerance minister?
"Yes," Rabi said proudly, "and we also have a Minister for Happiness. It has an impact [on society]. There is no police around here, for example. People are tolerant. Nobody shouts."
Q: What was your opinion of Israelis and settlers before the peace agreement?
"I did not have a particular opinion," Rabi continued. "I liked the culture. I learned Hebrew at university a little bit.
"People from Dubai don't go out of their way and look for conflicts to resolve. We are happy that Israelis are coming here. The weather is pleasant in the Emirates now, but when the unbearable heat hits between June and September, we will be coming to you."
The signing ceremony took place at a luxurious Dubai hotel. FAM Holding showed a promotional video detailing the company's various areas of expertise. The Samaria Regional Council prepared a video of the local springs, palm trees, cheeses, wine, and various attractions for Emiratis to visit in the summer.
Emirati businessmen also signed wine trade agreements with Israeli companies, such as Tom Winery, Arnon Winery, and Har Bracha Winery. With the help of the Samarian authorities, Har Bracha Winery, whose wine is already loved in Dubai, also signed a deal with UAE supermarkets.
The mediator of this trade agreement was Republican Party Chair Youssef Joe Beydoun, whose name so closely resembles that of Joe Biden's. Beydoun was born in Lebanon, raised in Michigan, and lived in the US for many years before moving to Dubai in 2007.
"This peace agreement, unlike previous ones, is not between politicians, but between people," Beydoun spoke excitedly on the morning of the signing. "I am grateful to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, a man of peace, and to [President Donald] Trump for creating this opportunity."
Q: There are so many options to do business with Israel. Why start with Samaria?
"I think Yossi Dagan, [head of the Samaria Regional Council], is a true leader. He was the driving force behind these agreements. They all progressed really fast," Beydoun continued.
Q: Didn't the BDS movement hold you back from doing business with Samarian businessmen?
"I think of peace as all-encompassing. It's like getting married and understanding the shortcomings of your spouse. If you keep listening to what others say about your spouse, you won't get anywhere. The UAE government does not ban products from Judea and Samaria, and I respect the government's decision."
Dagan is a well-respected figure in Dubai. "The reason I'm here is that I was evicted from San-Ur in northern Samaria," Dagan told Israel Hayom, referring to one of the settlements that were razed as part of 2005 Israeli disengagement from Gaza.
"My life's mission is to build a strong economy in Samaria. This is the only thing that will prevent future evictions. I get up in the morning in order to bring millions of citizens here. It requires building permits, a good road structure, and a strong economy. It is all my responsibility. One way or another, I will succeed.
"I commend the Prime Minister for this first-of-its-kind peace agreement. I equally expect him to bring sovereignty to Judea and Samaria. That is why he had been elected."
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