Why the UAE-Israel deal may fail to kick-start peace process across Middle East

Analysis: An agreement hailed as historic has not quite had the rejuvenating effect many thought it might have

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu a tour of the Middle East (AFP/Getty)

Both Dominic Raab and the US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, presumably hoped whistle-stop tours of the Middle East and North Africa right now might allow them to leverage energy around the UAE’s historic but divisive decision to become the first Gulf state, and only the third Arab state in the world, to recognise Israel.

Briefly crossing paths in Jerusalem, the two political leaders had thought the deal might jump-start long-dead peace talks between the Israelis and Palestinians. And for Mr Pompeo at least (who is travelling to Sudan, Bahrain, the UAE and Oman) it might offer an opportunity to encourage other countries in the region to follow suit.

The UAE agreeing to have diplomatic relations with Israel is tentatively predicated on the notion that Israel suspends its controversial plan to unilaterally annex swathes of occupied Palestinian land, an action that is illegal under international law and seen by much of the international community as a huge obstacle to peace.