President Trump presided over U.S.-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates at the White House on Tuesday, cementing formal diplomatic ties between the countries through deals with few public details.
The big picture: Trump, who declared "the dawn of a new Middle East" at the signing alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign ministers of Bahrain and the UAE, hopes the historic event will "cast him as a peacemaker at the height of his reelection campaign," AP reports.
What they're saying: “We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history,” Trump said on the White House South Lawn. “After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East.”
- Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. President, this day is a pivot of history. It heralds a new dawn of peace. For thousands of years, the Jewish people have prayed for peace. For decades the Jewish state has prayed for peace. ... To all of Israel's friends in the Middle East, those who are with us today and those who will join us tomorrow, I say: As-salamu alaykum. Peace unto thee. Shalom!"
- UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan: "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thank you for choosing peace and for halting annexation of Palestinian territories. That position reinforces our shared goal to achieve better future for generations to come."
- Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani: "The declaration supporting peace between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the state of Israel is an historic step on the road to genuine and lasting peace, security and prosperity across the region and for all who live there regardless of religion, sect, ethnicity or ideology."
Go deeper: UAE minister says Israel agreement will include two-state solution reference
