Sudan on Monday expressed a desire to normalize ties with Israel, with Khartoum sending the Jewish state a message of reconciliation suggesting that it is ready to follow in the United Arab Emirates' footsteps.
Sudan "looks forward to a peace agreement with Israel," Sudanese Foreign Ministry spokesman Haidar Badawi al-Sadiq told Sky News Arabia.
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"There is no reason for the continuation of hostility between Sudan and Israel. We do not deny the existence of contacts between the two countries," he said, adding that a peace treaty between Khartoum and Jerusalem would benefit both.
Prime Minister Netanyahu immediately responded, welcoming the move.
"Israel, Sudan and the entire region will benefit from the peace agreement and together they can build a better future for all the peoples of the region. We will do everything necessary to make this vision a reality," he tweeted.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
"Israel, Sudan and the entire region will benefit from the peace agreement and will be able – together – to build a better future for all peoples of the region. We will do whatever is necessary to turn vision into reality."— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) August 18, 2020
Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi lauded the initiative as well, tweeting, "The announcement by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the fundamental change that is taking place in the Middle East in general, and in Sudan in particular, 53 years after the Khartoum Conference in which Sudan called for no recognition of the State of Israel.
"I welcome any step that promotes normalization, peace agreements and recognition between countries. Israel's diplomatic activity continues to create further important opportunities such as the connections between Israel and Sudan.
"In the near future, we will continue discussing improving relations until we are in a position to sign a peace agreement that respects the interests of both countries."
The announcement by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the fundamental change that is taking place in the Middle East in general, and in Sudan in particular, 53 years after the Khartoum Conference in which Sudan called for no recognition of the State of Israel. pic.twitter.com/xVp2SoPy9P
— גבי אשכנזי - Gabi Ashkenazi (@Gabi_Ashkenazi) August 18, 2020
Should a peace agreement with Sudan materialize, the north African country would become the fourth Arab country to forge full diplomatic ties with Israel, following Egypt in 1979, Jordan in 1994, and as of last week – the UAE.
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