![UAE government ratifies visa waiver deal with Israel UAE government ratifies visa waiver deal with Israel](https://s6064.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-02-at-9.43.35-AM-768x369.png)
The government of the United Arab Emirates ratified a host of agreements between Abu Dhabi and Jerusalem on Sunday including visa exemptions for visiting nationals of both countries, state-backed media outlet WAM reported.
“The Cabinet ratified a number of agreements between the government of the UAE and a number of friendly countries, including the ratification of the agreement between the UAE and the State of Israel regarding mutual exemption from entry visa requirements,” the report added.
The two countries announced the policy when an Emirati delegation made an official visit to Israel more than a week ago.
It was the first delegation to visit Israel since a normalization agreement, dubbed the Abraham Accords which also includes Bahrain, was signed at the White House on September 15.
On this occasion, Israeli and Emirati officials signed four agreements including investment protections, aviation, scientific cooperation, and visa exemptions.
Bahrain and the UAE are the first two Arab countries to normalize relations with the Jewish state since Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994.