Israel’s Minister for Regional Cooperation Esawi Frej held talks Wednesday with Sudanese Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari in Abu Dhabi.
The meeting focused on bolstering bilateral ties and cooperation in education and culture, which Frej considered more important than economic affairs.
“We must get to know one another and strengthen the humanitarian ties between us. Therefore, we agreed to advance joint projects in education and culture,” Frej tweeted, quoting Abdulbari.
Frej is the Arab minister from the left-wing Meretz party in Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s government.
He kicked off a visit to the United Arab Emirates, heading a delegation including Israeli ministers and officials to hold meetings with Emirati officials and participate in the celebrations of the anniversary to sign the Abraham Accords.
These celebrations are attended by delegations from seven countries, which are partners in the accords, along with Jordan and Egypt.
In late 2020, Israel and Sudan announced the normalization of ties, according to which former Israeli Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen paid a visit to Khartoum early this year, which stirred anger in Sudan.
Earlier this week, an Israeli report said there was a secret visit by a Sudanese military delegation to Israel.
According to the news, Deputy Chairman of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, generally referred to as Hemedti, led the delegation to Israel to discuss bilateral relations, despite Sudan’s denial.
Sources close to Frej underscored the remarkable progress in relations between the two countries, but hoped for more progress.
Frej denied that such ties could have repercussions on the Palestinian cause.
“As a Palestinian, I struggle inside and outside the Israeli government to end the occupation and establish peace based on the two-state solution,” he stressed.
“I see in every relationship a step forward towards settling the entire conflict.”
“My visit to the UAE encouraged me to consolidate the conviction that the Abraham Accords would present a push forward in the settlement path,” he added.
