UAE Minister of State for Defense Affairs Mohammed al-Bawardi and Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz spoke by phone on Tuesday, according to UAE media.
The two discussed “strengthening communication channels and establishing solid bilateral relations for the benefit of their countries in particular and the region as a whole,” according to UAE state news agency WAM.
Following the announcement on Aug. 13 of the two countries’ agreement to normalize their relations, there have been a series of high-level talks between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi.
U.S. and Israeli delegations will fly together to the UAE on Monday to work out details of the agreement. A sticking point is Israel’s objection to the sale of advanced U.S. weaponry to the Gulf state.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and confirmed to Reuters by a senior U.S. administration official, senior adviser and presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien and Special Representative for International Negotiations Avi Berkowitz are among U.S. officials who will accompany the Israeli delegation, which will be headed by Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat.
Netanyahu said in a statement that the negotiations would deal with airline flights, tourism, trade, finance, health, energy and security.
The delegations will fly from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi in an Israeli jet in what will be the first direct commercial flight between the two countries.
