UAE Takes Pride in Ranking as the Leading Normalizer with Israel

A recent study conducted by the Advisory Center for Studies and Documentation on normalization levels among Arab countries reveals that the UAE ranks first in engagement with the Israeli occupation across various domains.

Study Highlights

The Normalization Index, developed in the study, evaluates activities that constitute normalization with Israel on economic, political, cultural, tourism, and other levels. These activities are compiled into statistical tables to compare normalization levels across Arab states—both those that have formal agreements with the Israeli entity and those that officially deny its legitimacy.

According to the study’s statistics:

• • Bahrain and Morocco rank second and third, respectively.

• • Saudi Arabia leads among Arab countries without formal public diplomatic relations with Israel, based on activities and instances of normalization.

The Normalization Index

The study outlines an index consisting of eight categories of normalization:

1. 1. Economic and Commercial Normalization

1. 1. Diplomatic Normalization

1. 1. Security and Military Normalization

1. 1. Political Normalization

1. 1. Tourism Normalization

1. 1. Cultural and Educational Normalization

1. 1. Sports Normalization

1. 1. Scientific and Technological Normalization

UAE: The Leader in Normalization

The study reveals that the UAE is the most active Arab country in normalization:

• • Economic and Commercial Normalization: 56 instances

• • Political Normalization: 24 instances

• • Diplomatic and Foreign Relations: 18 instances

Bahrain and Morocco: Following in Line

• • Bahrain exhibits prominent activities in:

     

    • • Economic Normalization: 22 instances
    • • Diplomatic Normalization: 14 instances
    • • Security and Military Normalization: 10 instances

• • Morocco prioritizes:

     

    • • Diplomatic Normalization: 10 instances
    • • Political Normalization: 5 instances
    • • Economic Normalization: 4 instances

Egypt and Jordan: A Slower Pace of Normalization

1. 1. Egypt, ranking fourth in the index, shows reduced activity:

       

      • • Diplomatic Normalization: 6 instances
      • • Economic and Commercial Normalization: 3 instances
      • • Security and Military Normalization: 2 instances
      • • Cultural Normalization: 3 instances

1. 1. Jordan, ranking fifth, primarily engages in:

       

      • • Diplomatic Normalization and Foreign Relations: More than 5 instances
      • • Economic, Commercial, Security, and Military Normalization: Limited to 1 instance each

Broader Trends in Normalization

The index also sheds light on trends in normalization activities, the sectors involved, and the levels of engagement from individuals and economic, social, political, and educational entities.

The study notes, however, that it does not account for:

• • Unrecorded normalization activities, such as traveler movements or daily trade.

• • Ongoing, less visible actions like embassy operations and similar long-term activities.

Instead, the index focuses on measurable acts such as official communications, visits, and joint activities.