THE WHAT? Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed the first free-trade agreement (FTA) between a Jewish and Arab state in the middle east, according to The Jerusalem Post. 

THE DETAILS Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, “This is an important moment in relations.” He continued that the FTA strengthens Israeli-Emirati ties and will “significantly upgrade economic cooperation for the benefit of the citizens of both countries.”

A total of 95 percent of goods produced by both countries will be included in the agreement, including cosmetics, medical equipment and drugs. 

The agreement was said to be discussed last month with Emirati Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed in the Egyptian resort area of Sharm e-Sheikh.

Bennett said, “We agreed to accelerate the process and bring it to a conclusion within days – and so it was.”

THE WHY? Bennett stated that the FTA will create “more trade, more jobs and good products at lower prices.”

According to Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, the FTA is the first of its kind for Israel. Meanwhile Economy and Industry Minister Orna Barbivai, who initially signed the document, said that, “the conclusion of the negotiations is a significant and historic milestone in bilateral relations.”

“We will continue to assist the Israeli business community to establish commercial ties in the UAE via the free-trade agreement, the ministry’s economic attachés, and additional assistance tools that the ministry will put at their disposal,” she continued.