American Jewish Committee to open UAE office

Plans to open the office in the Emirates have been welcomed

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, centre right, and the US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, centre left, pose for a photo with UAE Air Force's Maj Gen Falah Al Qahtani,, and other officials at Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Senior adviser to the US president Jared Kushner being shown a replica of the Abrahamic Family House at Louvre Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat greets an Emirati official as he makes his way to board the plane to leave Abu Dhabi. EPA

White House senior adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien during a visit to Al Dhafra airbase in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

Senior advisor to the US president Jared Kushner at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash and head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat. Twitter/ @USAinUAE

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash hold a meeting in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, with Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, left, arrive in the UAE on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner speaks as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien looks on. Victor Besa / The National

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, centre, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, on the tarmac after disembarking from the El Al flight. Victor Besa / The National

Head of Israel's National Security Council Meir Ben-Shabbat delivers a speech upon his arrival. AFP

US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien delivers a speech upon arrival in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National

US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, right, delivers a speech as Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat and White House adviser Jared Kushner look on. Victor Besa / The National

US-Israeli delegation led by White House adviser Jared Kushner arrive in Abu Dhabi on the first commercial flight between Israel and the UAE. Victor Besa / The National

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat disembark a plane after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters

US and Israeli flags at Abu Dhabi airport. Victor Besa / The National

A UAE official waits for Israeli and US delegates to disembark the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner after landing at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Reuters

Senior White House adviserJared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien speak to the media in an El Al airplane. AFP

Reporters, Israeli and US delegates travelling on an Israeli El Al airliner prepare to disembark on arrival in Abu Dhabi. AP

Israeli National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and US President's senior adviser Jared Kushner are seated during Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi. EPA

An official greeting message is seen on the Israeli carrier El Al airliner carrying Israeli and US delegates during their flight to Abu Dhabi. Reuters

The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National

The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner lands at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Victor Besa / The National

The Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner approaches to land in Abu Dhabi. Reuters

A view of the scenery through the window of Israeli flag carrier El Al's flight LY971, as it is approaching for landing at the airport of Abu Dhabi. EPA

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, left, Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben-Shabbat, right, and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, board the El Al flight to Abu Dhabi. EPA

The US-Israel delegation board the plane. EPA

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner and US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien pose with members of the US-Israel delegation before boarding the El Al's flight. AP

Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, right, looks on as US National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien speaks before boarding the El Al's flight. AP

The Arabic, English and Hebrew word for 'Peace' is seen on the Israeli flag carrier El Al's airliner which carried Israel-US delegations to meet Emirati leadership in Abu Dhabi. AP

A seat covering says 'Making History' in Arabic, English and Hebrew. Reuters

A flight crew member stands in front of the El Al jet. AP

Flight crew hold a meeting before the historic flight. Reuters

A pilot goes through pre-flight checks. Reuters

Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters

Screens displaying flight number LY971 to Abu Dhabi at Tel Aviv airport. Reuters

The American Jewish Committee has announced plans to open an office in the UAE.

The advocacy group is considered the leading American Jewish organisation.

The announcement comes after the Emirates and Israel agreed to begin normalising relations, signing the US-­brokered Abraham Accord on August 13.

It will be the group’s 13th overseas office.

"The establishment of diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel realises a vision that AJC has helped to pursue for decades," said David Harris, the committee’s chief executive.

"By moving forward on our plans to open an office in the Emirates, AJC hopes to expand on our decades of bridge-building and create a wider network of stakeholders in the new relationships made possible on August 13.”

The committee plans to deepen ties with the Jewish community of the UAE, which it has supported for years.

“The American Jewish Committee itself had some role in bringing together members of our community in the early years in our development and we feel a deep debt of gratitude for their support of our communities,” said Ross Kriel, the head of the Jewish Council of the Emirates.

“The fact that the AJC has formed the intention to open an office here in the UAE signifies the importance that American Jewish organisations and Jewish organisations around the world are giving to the UAE following the announcement of the Abraham Accord, which gives the UAE a significant leadership role.”

Yehuda Sarna, the chief rabbi of the council, said the organisation played an essential role in the early history of the country's Jewish community.

“Its mission aligns with our aspiration to serve as a lighthouse community, a platform for cross-cultural engagement, within the UAE and beyond,” he said.

“Through its professionalism, care, nuance, and respect for others, AJC has rightly earned the trust of so many leaders in this region."

The UAE's ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, welcomed the group's plans for a new office.

“Since before the country’s founding, UAE society has encouraged tolerance and inclusion,” he said.

“AJC’s longstanding dialogue and engagement with the UAE has played a productive role, consistent with this vision. We welcome this announcement, and look forward to working with AJC in the days ahead as they continue their effective engagement in the region.”

The committee was founded in New York City in 1906 by members concerned about pogroms against Jews in the Russian Empire. In the 1920s, it campaigned against immigration restrictions in the US and anti-Semitic literature.

It was the first American Jewish organisation to open a permanent office in Israel. Today, the organisation is active in global diplomacy and legislative advocacy, coalition building and strategic communications.

Since 2010, its diplomatic efforts included opposition to the Iranian nuclear enrichment programme and a campaign to have the EU recognise Hezbollah as a terrorist organisation.