DUBAI, Aug 26 (New York Times): The Trump administration sought on Tuesday to test the waters to determine if it can persuade other Arab and Muslim countries to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel after a breakthrough agreement by the United Arab Emirates to open normal ties.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Sudan and Bahrain, two of the administration's top prospects for bringing Israel together with more of its neighbours in a region where it has faced generations of hostility. But US officials cautioned that the situation remained fluid and no one should expect overnight agreements.
To maintain a sense of momentum, President Donald Trump is sending a delegation to Israel next week to accompany high-level Israeli officials on the first direct commercial flight between Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, probably on an El Al carrier with its traditional Star of David on the tail.
The delegations will seek to forge cooperation in the aviation, security, health and banking sectors, among others, in accordance with the agreement that the two nations announced two weeks ago.
"This is a historic agreement," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel said in a statement. "It will bring engines of growth.
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