Israel’s deputy foreign minister has revealed that the country’s next goal in the region is to build tech-based partnerships with Arab states that prove the value of peace.

Speaking to the JC, Idan Roll said: “I think once people get an actual benefit from being part of the Abraham Accords, it changes the whole picture.

"If someone gets better education, if someone gets reskilling, if someone gets a better job and a better way of earning a living, just because his country or her country is part of the Accords, then it makes it tangible.”

The former gay rights activist was speaking about new opportunities for signatories to the Abraham Accords during to a visit to London to attend the UK government organised Freedom of Religion or Belief conference.

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Idan Roll

He said: “It makes this whole vision of a prosperous Middle East one that anyone can relate to. It’s really important to take it from the official government level to the everyday person that can feel the impact of being part of the Accords.”

Mr Roll said that peace with Saudi Arabia is key to the future of its relations with states across the region: “We are always looking out, reaching out, for peace. We’ve done that ever since we’ve been established.

"Saudi Arabia is a very prominent country in the region and a very prominent force in the Muslim world. Definitely, expanding the normalisation agreement [to include] them would be a big thing in creating this moderate new layout of the region."

Though his boss, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, has now been made Prime Minister, Mr Roll said the department’s work was continuing as normal for the moment.

“We are in an election again, but are still obligated of course to keep the ministry and the government running for the benefit of the Israeli public.”

The 2020 Abraham Accords were a “tremendous thing”, he said, and had transformed Israel’s relations with its neighbours.

“As someone who grew up in Jerusalem I never in a million years imagined that one day I will fly to Bahrain and I will fly to the Emirates, and I will work with them on joint ventures and joint projects.

“I was in Abu Dhabi almost a year ago and met with countries including Morocco and Egypt and Jordan. I realised how many similarities we have and how much we share similar challenges also.

“Like, for instance, climate. I think that it’s in our best interests all the time to also deepen the existing relationships but also to expand the circle of peace.”
Jewish life in the Gulf was now flourishing, he added.

“When I was in Bahrain, I visited the local synagogue and I saw how they are represented and how well they are treated in their part of society. I think that the Abraham Accords will benefit all sides like that,” Mr Roll said.

But, he added, it was not enough merely for government ministers to meet with one another.

“There are a lot of projects and agreements in the works but – and this also goes to freedom of religion or belief – I think that the next big leap is not just about which country will join the circle of peace but it’s also about creating actual people-to-people ties It’s not enough for government officials to meet.

“So we really need to take the next step, which is people getting to know other people.

"Once you get to know the other person, it’s so much harder to hate them. It’s much harder to hate when you know their story. It’s the most basic thing and it proves itself to be very effective So this should be our next big goal and I’m working relentlessly to make this happen.”