Gulf Arab monarchies’ relations with Israel have been tentatively growing closer, and this evolution was on public displayin Abu Dhabi this week. The UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash told the Ideas Abu Dhabi forum that “many, many years ago, when there was an Arab decision not to have contact with Israel, that was a very, very wrong decision, looking back” as he emphasized the importance of communication.

Mr Gargash is close to the Emirati leadership, and his words can be assumed to represent their views. Indeed Mr Gargash was likely floating the viewpoint of the Saudi Arabian government also. (CONTINUED - 229 WORDS)