‘Abrahamic’ conference in Dubai aims to further UAE-Israel business dialogue
Prominent business leaders converged in Dubai on Thursday at a conference aimed at building UAE-Israel relations, held under the patronage of Dubai royal Sheikh Juma Bin Maktoum.
The event was hosted by the newly founded Abrahamic Business Circle, an organization that aims to pursue economic diplomacy between the UAE and Israel following last year’s bilateral normalization agreement, known as the “Abraham Accords.”
Read more: UAE to grant citizenship to investors, professionals in bid to attract talent
Entrepreneurs and leaders from a range of different industries and companies, including Dubai-based global port operator DP World and Microsoft for Startups, were featured. Israelis and Emiratis were in attendance.
Raphael Nagel, founder of the Abrahamic Business Circle, told Al Arabiya English that the organization’s mission is to build business relations across religion and culture in the Middle East, between Jewish people, Israelis, and Arabs.
Read more: After Israel visit, Emiratis return to UAE with positive views of Palestinians
“I really believe if we are able to build up business relations, sooner or later we will build up friendships,” Nagel said in an interview with Al Arabiya English.
Nagel, a Jewish-German businessman based in the UAE, said the event was timed with the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, commemorated annually on January 26.

“The reason of setting up this gathering, even in hard coronavirus times, was the Holocaust Remembrance Day. As Jews, we have been the victims, but we don’t have to allow this to happen again,” he said.
“The Abrahamic Business Circle - where Jewish people, Muslim people, and people of all religions work together - can be the right tool to avoid anything like the Holocaust to happen in the future,” he said.
Read more: Palestinian YouTube star sets out to simplify Arabic language, bridge divisions
The Abrahamic Business Circle is planning to host a convention this October, the same time as Dubai’s World Expo, where Israel will have a pavilion.
Read more:
Neglected and stateless: How Jerusalem Palestinians may benefit from Gulf-Israel ties
How the UAE is ‘keeping kosher’ for Jewish tourists after Israel deal
Discover how Palestinian political opinion is changing, varies by region
-
After Israel visit, Emiratis return to UAE with positive views of Palestinians
The first Emiratis who traveled to Israel have returned home with positive impressions of Palestinians, contrary to reports of tension between the two ... Gulf -
UAE welcomes Morocco's decision to resume ties with Israel
The United Arab Emirates welcomed Morocco’s decision to resume diplomatic relations and communications with Israel, crown prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh ... Middle East -
UAE target of cyberattacks after Israel normalization: Emirati official
The United Arab Emirates was the target of cyberattacks after establishing formal ties with Israel, the Gulf Arab state’s cyber security head said on ... Gulf