Israeli and United Arab Emirates flags
Israeli and United Arab Emirates flagsiStock

The Israeli team for the Trilateral Working Group on Religious Coexistence and Tolerance (TWG) convened this week for the first time.

In October 2021, the Foreign Ministers of Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the US met in Washington and announced the establishment of a joint working group for the promotion of coexistence and religious tolerance in the Middle East and beyond. The Israeli team is headed by Minister of Intelligence MK Elazar Stern (Yesh Atid) while the professional team is being led by the Director of the Diaspora and Religions Division at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Ms. Shuli Davidovich, and the Director of the Policy Division at the Intelligence Ministry, Mr. Yaron Tzvick.

As part of the convention, the Director of the Religions Department at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Ms. Tania Berg-Rafaeli, and the Director of the Policy Division at the Intelligence Ministry, Mr. Yaron Tzvick, presented a blueprint for increasing interfaith tolerance, promoting freedom of worship, and fostering innovation for coexistence and cooperation between the countries on the basis of the Abraham Accords.

In his remarks at the convention, Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern stated: “I am happy to lead a historic and important initiative to promote coexistence and fight against religious hatred. The Abraham Accords have shattered long-held perceptions, and the trilateral group will now continue to promote the important dialogue between the peoples.”

Director of the Diaspora and Religions Division at the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Ms. Shuli Davidovich, stated: “This unique working group between Israel, the UAE, and the US represents another significant milestone in expanding the circle of peace and bringing the religions and peoples of the region closer together.”