Views memory. And yet, here we are, and here we will remain. This moment in history will surely be no different. We will prevail. A LANDMARK AGREEMENT Many of us were not yet alive in 1978, or can hardly remember, when the first signing of a peace deal between Israel and one of its 19 Arab neighbors, Egypt, sent shockwaves through the Middle East. It took 16 years until another of Israel’ s neigh- bors, Jordan, followed suit. Now, 26 years later, we have arrived at another historic crossroads. A few weeks ago, Israel and the United Arab Emirates announced they would be nor- malizing relations, followed soon after by Bahrain. This landmark agreement, most significantly, does not come at the expense of the Palestinians, but in fact presents them with a unique opportunity to return to direct negotiations with Israel. Israel is ready to do so and will come to the negoti- ating table with the principles of the American administration’ s peace initiative. The peace deal provides a practical and realistic basis upon which the two sides can begin negotiations. In the light of the Abraham Accords, achieving a lasting resolution between Israel and the Palestinians now seems that much more attainable. The Accords represent an alternative and paradigm-shift- ing step forward for the region. They have fostered a revolution- ary opportunity for other Arab nations to establish formal ties with the State of Israel, a concept previously deemed far-fetched and impossible. It provides a striking alternative to those radical forces who oppose peace and prefer to perpetuate conflict until victory is won instead of resolving conflict in a peaceful manner and reaping the benefits that cooperation can provide. Moreover, the agreement effec- tively strengthens the power of moderatism in the face of the extremism that Iran and its proxies sow across the region. Ultimately, the Accords rep- resent an alignment of values. Israel, the UAE and Bahrain are all facing the shared challenges of climate change, diminishing resources and, most pertinently, disease. It is essential that we focus on agreement over dis- agreement and combine our capabilities for the well-being of our citizens. This is exactly what the agree- ment has achieved. The Accords should be the guiding light for all other nations in the region of the good that can come from making peace with Israel. While to many these events transpired relatively unnoticed, they represent another seismic shift in Israel’ s status among its neighbors. People may point out that Israel was not in a state of war with either country, so what’ s the big deal? But it is a big deal. Israel’ s neighbors have begun to recog- nize that peace with Israel is the road to success. They see that their economic futures will be better off by forging long-lasting ties with a small and mighty nation than by denying the fact of its existence. They have begun to recognize what we, as Jews, have known for millennia: We Will Prevail. Aviv Ezra is consul general of Israel to the Midwest. WE WILL PREVAIL IN PEACE from page 5 To make a donation to the DETROIT JEWISH NEWS FOUNDATION go to the website www.djnfoundation.org The Detroit Jewish News (USPS 275-520) is published every Thursday at 29200 Northwestern Highway, #110, Southfield, Michigan. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send changes to: Detroit Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Hwy., #110, Southfield, MI 48034. The Detroit Jewish News Foundation Publisher F. 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