28 | NOVEMBER 5 • 2020 

S

udan will become the 
third Arab country in 
the past two months to 
normalize relations with Israel, 
continuing the trend of Arab 
states’
 willingness to advance ties 
even without a peace agreement 
with the Palestinians.
President Donald Trump 
announced the agreement on 
Oct. 23. According to a joint 
statement by Israel, Sudan and 
the U.S., the two countries will 
“end the state of belligerence 
between their nations.
”
The statement also noted 
that the countries will “begin 
economic and trade relations, 
with an initial focus on agricul-
ture.
” In the coming weeks, the 
statement says, they will meet to 
discuss “agriculture technology, 
aviation, migration issues and 
other areas.
”
“The Arab-Israeli conflict 
is moving toward an end,
” 
said Brian Hook, the top State 
Department official who helped 
broker the deal.
Sudan has been ruled by a 
Sovereignty Council, led by 
military leader Abdel Fattah 
al-Burhan and prime minister 
Abdalla Hamdok, since a mili-
tary coup last year deposed long-
time Sudanese President Omar 
al-Bashir, who was subsequently 
convicted of corruption. He 
presided over the country during 
the Darfur ethnic conflict, which 
involved what the International 

Criminal Court has deemed war 
crimes by the Sudanese govern-
ment.
Earlier on Oct. 23, Trump 
informed Congress of his intent 
to remove Sudan’
s designation 
as a state sponsor of terrorism, 
which reportedly is part of the 
agreement.
Sudan will get new leader-
ship in 2022, when the state’
s 
agreed-upon transition period 
ends. The north African coun-
try’
s state religion was Islam until 
earlier this year.
The United Arab Emirates 
and Bahrain have in recent 
weeks launched fast tracks to 
open up diplomatic affairs, trade 
and tourism with Israel, but 
Sudan is especially significant 
because it is by far the largest of 
the three countries, in land mass 
and in population. It is also sym-
bolically significant because its 
capital, Khartoum, is where the 
Arab League met in 1967 after 
the Six-Day War and issued its 
“three no’
s” to reject any engage-
ment with Israel whatsoever and 
to continue the state of war.
In 1984, the Sudanese author-
ities assisted in an airlift of 
Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Sudan’
s 
leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan 
in February met openly with 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin 
Netanyahu in Uganda.
There are also thousands of 
refugees from Sudan’
s military 
conflicts living in Israel. 

RON KAMPEAS JTA

Sudan to Normalize
Ties with Israel

ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES VIA JTA

ERETZ

Sudan’s Sovereign 

Council chief General 

Abdel Fattah al- 
 

Burhan speaks in the 

capital Khartoum, 

Sept. 26, 2020.

5829 Maple Rd. Ste. 129 
 West Bloomfi
 eld, MI 48322

248.757.2503

www.maplepharmacyrx.com

FREE
DELIVERY

MAKE MAPLE PHARMACY… YOUR PHARMACY!

OUR MISSION IS TO BRING SERVICE BACK TO 
PHARMACY FOR A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU!!

 10% 
SENIOR CITIZEN 
DISCOUNT

Maple Pharmacy offers:








MAPLE PHARMACY

IMMUNIZATIONS
AND SHINGLES
SHOTS AVAILABLE

Call Today! 248.919.1244 
synergyhomecare.com/oaklandcounty

Care for 
Everyone 

 Mom gave you 

her best - now 

she deserves 

the best!

Call Jeanne Atkinson for the best 
home care in Oakland County!

Discreet, light housekeeping, grocery shopping, 

meal preparation, running errands, transportation, 

companionship and personal care.