Israel is expanding in the Arab world through the investment portal

- 5 Arab countries are involved with Israel in projects, some of which are vital - energy, water, agriculture, technology and security are at the fore in cooperation projects

Israel proves its presence on Arab lands through the gateway to economic peace, as part of attempts to normalize its presence in the region, through vital projects, some of which classify the national security of these countries.

The declarations of normalization of Arab countries with Israel during the past year were an acceleration point for a package of new projects, and the strengthening of other existing projects in Jordan and Egypt.

In the following report, Anatolia reviews the most prominent projects signed between Israel on the one hand, and five Arab countries individually, on the other hand, in sectors ranging from energy, water, agriculture, technology, health and agriculture; Amid efforts to establish partnerships with a sixth country, Sudan.

** Jordan

The relationship between Jordan and Israel is governed by a peace agreement called the Wadi Araba Agreement concluded in 1994. It was the beginning of a few projects, but it represents national security for the kingdom.

The most prominent of these projects is the gas agreement signed between the two countries in 2016, which provides for the supply of Jordan with about 45 billion cubic meters of gas, over a period of 15 years, as of January 2020.

And last October, Jordan and Israel signed an agreement to buy the kingdom 50 million cubic meters of water from Tel Aviv, an additional amount to what was stipulated in the peace agreement signed between the two countries in 1994.

While last November, Jordan announced the signing of a "declaration of intent" with the UAE and Israel; To enter into a negotiating process to explore the feasibility of a joint energy and water project.

The agreement stipulates that Jordan will build a solar power plant on its desert that will transfer the generated electricity to Israel, in exchange for the latter's construction of a desalination plant on the Mediterranean, to transfer the resulting water to the Jordanian side.

** Egypt

Natural gas is the fuel for cooperation between Israel and Egypt, as Cairo announced in early 2020, the start of pumping Israeli gas from its fields off the coast of the Mediterranean, to the Egyptian liquefaction stations.

Under agreements concluded in 2018 and 2019, Israel will export 85 billion cubic meters of gas to Egypt over the next 15 years.

Through the agreement, Egypt is looking to transform into a regional energy center, by importing natural gas, liquefying it at its stations, and exporting it to consumer markets. While Israel aims to market the natural gas extracted from the coast of the Mediterranean.

** UAE

Although the Emirati-Israeli normalization agreement did not exceed 15 months, they have signed more than 50 agreements in various fields since September 2020.

On September 16, 2020, DP World signed memoranda of understanding with Dovertaware, within the framework of evaluating opportunities to develop the infrastructure necessary for trade between the UAE and Israel, and to enhance trade movement in the region.

On the same day, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, which is listed on the Abu Dhabi Financial Market, said that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Bank Leumi, Israel's second largest bank, to explore areas of cooperation between the two sides and other international markets.

On October 18, 2020, the Finance Ministries of Israel and the UAE announced that the two sides had reached an agreement granting incentives and protection to those who invest in the other.

On October 20, 2020, the UAE and Israel signed four partnership memoranda in the fields of agriculture, smart solutions for irrigation and water production from the air, on the sidelines of an Emirati delegation's visit to Israel.

In May 2021, Israel signed a tax treaty with the UAE in a move aimed at promoting bilateral trade exchanges and avoiding double taxation.

In July 2021, Israel and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding that includes cooperation in the areas of food security, agricultural research and development, and trade.

In October 2021, the Emirates Space Agency signed a memorandum of understanding with the Israeli Space Agency "CNES" to enhance cooperation in scientific research and space exploration.

And last November, Suhail bin Muhammad Faraj Faris Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, said that the UAE continues its joint work with Israel to achieve partnerships in the field of energy, especially renewable ones.

Last November, the UAE-owned Edge Group for Defense Industries and the Israeli aerospace company IAI signed a strategic agreement in Dubai to design ships capable of carrying out anti-submarine attacks.

** the two seas

In October 2020, Israel and Bahrain signed memoranda of understanding in a number of fields, "establishing bilateral cooperation," according to Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani.

And last April, Israel and Bahrain reached an agreement for mutual recognition of vaccinations and the so-called "green passport" held by vaccine recipients or those who have recovered from the Corona virus.

In the same month, Bahrain's Gulf Air announced that it would start organizing direct flights from Manama to Tel Aviv and vice versa, starting on June 3, 2021, which was actually done.

In October 2021, Israel and Bahrain signed an agreement, the first of its kind, between Sheba Medical Center and two hospitals in Bahrain. The partnership will allow medical centers on both sides to learn from each other in areas such as cancer treatment and medical research.

** Morocco

In December 2020, Morocco and Israel signed four agreements in various fields related to the exemption of visa procedures, others in the field of civil aviation, innovation and the development of water resources, and a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of finance and investment.

Last July, Israel and Morocco signed the first agreement in the field of electronic warfare, "cyber", to establish cooperation in research and development and operational areas in cyber.

Last October, Royal Air Maroc and the Israeli airline El Al signed a memorandum of understanding in preparation for a code-sharing agreement that will allow flights between the two sides and to other destinations.

Last week, Israel and Morocco signed a security memorandum of understanding during Defense Minister Benny Gantz's first visit to Rabat, which aims to organize intelligence cooperation, security procurement and joint training.