Special Project / Dan Lavie 

"It’s impossible that the UN continues with its hypocrisy in budgeting billions for 'Palestinian refugees' but won’t recognize the hundreds and thousands of Jews who were murdered and whose property was plundered in Arab countries," says Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan.

This sensitive question occupies many Jews in the Persian Gulf. Jews from Kuwait say, "The Kuwaiti public isn’t anti-Israel, it has no problem with Jews." In contrast, others in the Gulf estimate that "in Qatar, Dubai’s rival, there is potential that they will sign agreements with Israel."

The Emirati Alsharif and the Israeli Haddad, who are both Arabs, met at a Holocaust Memorial Ceremony in a Muslim country, and have been working for two years "to produce a new reality."

With an increasing number of signs in Hebrew on the streets and markets, Hebrew courses for local tour guides, and master’s degrees in Hebrew, the holy Jewish language is apparently taking Morocco by storm.

The Association of Gulf Jewish Communities has also arranged for the shipment of 775 pounds of matzot to be distributed throughout Gulf Cooperation Council states, representing a nearly 20% increase as compared to Passover last year.

Yosef Bugnum el-Hamali from Abu Dhabi learns from Tel Aviv via Zoom: "When talking in Hebrew with an Israeli, the dialogue and the dynamic becomes harmonious." Isma Al-Atawi from Bahrain, with a BA in Hebrew Language and Literature, has already managed to teach 40 students from Arab countries in the academy that she founded.

"Dubai has become much safer than Paris or Berlin," says Dr. Edy Cohen of the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University, adding Gulf states' interest in Israel and the Jews growing rapidly.

Gulf states have emerged as the ultimate destination for dozens of Israelis, especially ultra-Orthodox couples, who want to tie the knot.

Leading female figures in Israel and the UAE say the shared desire for peaceful coexistence and the prosperity of both nations should "serve and an example" to the world.

Bahrain's Jewish community blends the air of ancient synagogues with the innovation of holding online services. As the ties with Israel grow warmer, there is also optimism that the kingdom's tiny Jewish community will grow.

From the Dubai expo to tens of thousands of Twitter followers from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, the Israeli Foreign Ministry brings the gospel of coexistence to the Gulf states.

Professor Amjad Taha, a British-Arab journalist from Bahrain says, “Antisemitism was never felt in Bahrain or the Emirates – they were always a voice for peace and prosperity.

"The Emiratis say to me: ‘We are sister religions, and it’s a shame that more than 70 years passed before the possibility opened for us to create this connection,'" says Rabbi Dr. Elie Abadie of the Jewish community in the UAE.

The Emiratis have been undergoing a long process of self-examination with respect to their religion that has also influenced their view of Judaism. The result so far includes recognition of Jewish culture and museums that present the Jewish story.

The celebratory signing by the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain, Israel and America at the White House opened a small window on one of the decisive intersections in the Jewish world – the meeting between East and West. To many Israelis, as well as the Jews of the UAE, this was the first opportunity to hold their heads up high. A small glimpse at some great potential.