On Tuesday, Etihad Airways flew the first known direct commercial flight between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel.

UAE, home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on the Arabian Peninsula, has no formal diplomatic ties to Israel, but the two nations have enjoyed covert, back-channel relations for years, according to World Israel News.

The flight on Tuesday brought aid for the Palestinians amid the coronavirus pandemic and marks an open moment of cooperation between Israel and the UAE after years of rumored back-channel discussions between them over the threat posed by Iran.

Etihad, a state-owned, long-haul carrier, confirmed it sent a flight Tuesday to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

“Etihad Airways operated a dedicated humanitarian cargo flight from Abu Dhabi to Tel Aviv on 19 May to provide medical supplies to the Palestinians,” the airline told The Associated Press.

“The flight had no passengers on board.”

The Israel Airports Authority confirmed the cargo flight landed at Ben Gurion on Tuesday night.

An Israeli official said the flight would be delivering humanitarian aid provided by the UAE to the Palestinians and that the cargo flight was coordinated with the Israeli government. The official spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.

Source: World Israel News

Related Articles:

The barbaric nature of Hamas on full display

This week, as more Israeli hostages were released from Hamas captivity, the world had a glimpse into the barbaric nature of Hamas and its supporters. Chaotic scenes were broadcast around...

Auschwitz80: The speech that world leaders needed to hear

 https://youtu.be/ibbLbn5m0XQRonald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, and heir of cosmetics brand Estee Lauder, gave an impassioned speech at the Aushwitz80 commemoration....

UNRWA has questions to answer: did they know about the hostages?

Israeli hostages recently released have claimed they were held at one of the UN shelters, raising more speculation that Hamas has been protected by the international body.Israel’s...

Trump’s 7 pro-Israel moves that have made the US-Israel relationship great again

On Monday, President Donald Trump began his second term in office. Throughout the day of his swearing in, one could see relatives of Israeli hostages front and centre in the audience....

CUFI launches new Holocaust resource for small groups

A free new resource to help groups hold a Holocaust remembrance has been launched by CUFI-UK for the 80th anniversary year since the end of the Holocaust.Launched ahead of Holocaust...