Netanyahu greets UAE, Israel diplomatic relations

Israel's prime minister on Thursday welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement that the United Arab Emirates and Israel had agreed to establish full diplomatic ties as part of a deal to halt the annexation of occupied land sought by the Palestinians for their future state.

"Historic day," Netanyahu tweeted on his official account, minutes after the announcement was made.

Netanyahu is to address the country in a televised speech scheduled for 1800GMT later on Thursday.

The announcement makes the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to do so and only the third Arab nation to have active diplomatic ties to Israel.

The recognition grants a rare diplomatic win to Trump ahead of the November election as his efforts to see an end to the war in Afghanistan have yet to come to fruition while efforts to bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians have made no headway.

(Representative Image)