UAE appoints its first ambassador to Israel

Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and ruler of the Emirate of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum swore in his country's first Ambassador to the State of Israel.

As the new UAE ambassador to Israel, Mohammad Mahmoud Al Khajah was sworn in on Sunday, promising to be faithful to the UAE and its president, upholding the constitution and laws of the UAE, putting his interest above all concerns, and performing his duties with honesty and sincerity, reports Gulfnews.

It could not be immediately cleared when Mohamed Alkhaja will arrive in Israel to take up his post.

Israel officially opened its embassy to the UAE at the end of January, as Ambassador Eitan Na'eh arrived in Abu Dhabi. On the same day, the UAE approved the opening of its Tel Aviv Embassy.

Sheikh Mohammed also received the credentials of two newly appointed foreign ambassadors to the UAE at a ceremony held on Sunday at Qasr Al Watan.

Sheikh Mohammed received credentials from Julio Simon Castaños Zouain. Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to UAE and from Afzaal Mahmoud Mirza Sultan Mahmud, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE.

Sheikh Mohammed welcomed the ambassadors while wishing them a good stay with their families in the UAE, and assuring them that they will receive the necessary support that will enable them to perform their duties without any difficulties, under the framework of internationally-established diplomatic relations and norms.

Sheikh Mohammed wished the Emirati ambassador luck and success in serving his country, urging him to work diligently and sincerely to consolidate friendly and cooperative relations between the UAE and Israel in a way that preserves the common interests of the two countries and promotes the culture of peace, coexistence and tolerance between their peoples and the peoples of the region.

The event was attended by a number of ministers, senior Sheikhs and other officials.