[ti:Israelis Interested in Strengthening Ties with the United Arab Emirates] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]Some Israelis are looking forward to going to Dubai [00:05.68]and visiting the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. [00:11.84]Although people from all over the world visit Dubai, [00:16.32]Israelis could not because the Emirate [00:20.44]did not have diplomatic relations with Israel. [00:25.64]That will change soon. [00:28.76]Last week, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced plans [00:34.72]to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel. [00:40.40]That would make the UAE only the third Arab nation to do so. [00:48.64]The move has caused a lot of interest in Israel. [00:54.52]It will bring years of covert business and security ties into the open. [01:03.12]And it will open an appealing destination for travel-happy Israelis. [01:11.64]Israeli television stations have already sent reporters to the rich Persian Gulf nation. [01:20.48]Local media has shown images of Dubai's tall, shiny buildings, [01:26.96]huge shopping malls, manmade islands and coastline. [01:34.60]Newspapers have been publishing stories about a "new Middle East." [01:41.20]They are also stories about the Emirati economy, countryside, and ruling family. [01:50.88]The United States negotiated the diplomatic deal between Israel and the UAE. [01:59.04]The agreement also extends an alliance against Iran. [02:05.00]The UAE has said it halted Israel's contentious plans [02:11.24]to claim up to one-third of the West Bank. [02:16.72]The Palestinians also want that land as part of a Palestinian state. [02:25.20]For many Israelis, however, the appeal of ties with the UAE [02:31.40]lies mainly in reaching their goal of acceptance in the Middle East. [02:39.12]They also think that ties will improve tourism and business opportunities. [02:48.16]Gadi Nir is co-founder and chief of Bobo, [02:53.64]an Israeli company that makes physiotherapy and rehabilitative products. [03:03.64]His business recently signed one of Israel's first deals with a UAE company. [03:14.12]Nir told The Associated Press that, in the past, [03:19.44]his company had to use other companies to do business with the UAE. [03:28.56]"We used to have to ‘launder the products' [03:32.24]and go through all kinds of intermediaries to do business with Arabs," said Nir. [03:41.08]"Now we can get personal. [03:44.36]We don't have to hide under the carpet anymore," he added. [03:51.28]The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace estimates that hidden trade [03:58.20]between Israel and the Gulf states is more than $1 billion a year. [04:06.40]A large part of that is between Israel and the UAE. [04:13.32]Now, those numbers are likely to increase. [04:19.40]The agreement between the countries is supposed to include direct flights, [04:26.40]although that could require approval from Saudi Arabia to use its airspace. [04:35.44]Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday [04:41.20]that work to establish the flight paths was taking place. [04:48.08]Israeli travel agents say [04:50.76]they have already received many calls from Emirati travel agents. [04:58.32]In addition, Israel's president, Reuven Rivlin [05:03.72]sent a letter to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan [05:10.00]to invite him to visit Israel. [05:14.88]The surprise statement last week has caused many people to wonder [05:20.60]which Arab nation will be next. [05:25.16]For Israel, Saudi Arabia — which still has not commented [05:30.84]publicly on the UAE's decision — would be the biggest prize. [05:38.32]It is not a surprise that the UAE would be the first state in the Gulf [05:44.76]to establish ties with Israel. [05:49.12]The UAE is a grouping of seven sheikhdoms that was founded in 1971. [05:59.16]It has no major history with Jews, [06:02.84]no shared border, and no direct conflict with Israel. [06:10.56]Emirati officials had permitted Israeli government officials to visit in recent years. [06:20.28]Some Israelis have long been interested in the UAE, and especially Dubai. [06:29.96]Israelis who have foreign passports visit often. [06:36.20]Israeli delegations have been given special permission to visit. [06:43.44]Many Israelis hope ties with the UAE will develop into a far warmer relationship [06:52.32]than those with Egypt and Jordan, [06:56.12]which made peace with Israel after many years of conflict. [07:04.32]Erel Margalit is an investor and a former Israeli lawmaker. [07:11.96]He says there is Emirati interest not only in buying goods [07:18.20]but in joint investing in technology. [07:23.80]Margalit predicted diplomatic ties would bring Israel closer to other Arab nations. [07:33.80]"It's about building relationships for the long term." [07:40.04]Ross Kriel is president of the Jewish Council of the Emirates. [07:47.08]He called the establishment of diplomatic ties a "sea change." [07:54.76]"Our community members look forward to direct flights to Israel [08:00.64]and welcoming Israeli friends and visitors to the UAE," he said. [08:10.36]I'm Mario Ritter, Jr. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM