Israel-based channel and UAE broadcaster ink partnership

Israel-based channel and UAE broadcaster ink partnership
i24NEWS and Abu Dhabi Media signed a memorandum of understanding that allows for shared reporting and archival content.
2 min read
07 December, 2020
The deal was inked months after normalisation [Getty]

Israel-based broadcaster i24NEWS and Abu Dhabi Media, a public conglomerate in the United Arab Emirates, announced on Monday a content sharing arrangement after the Jewish state and UAE normalised ties.

i24NEWS, which broadcasts in French, Arabic and English, and Abu Dhabi Media have signed a memorandum of understanding that allows for shared reporting and archival content.

Frank Melloul, chief executive of i24NEWS, said in a statement that the arrangement highlighted "the many possibilities that have opened up to us in the wake of the Abraham Accords".

Under the US-brokered accords, Israel has established ties with UAE and Bahrain, only the third and fourth Arab nations to normalise relations with the Jewish state after its neighbours Egypt and Jordan.

Read also: Abu Dhabi ruling family member looking to buy 50% stake in 'racist' Israeli football club

The accords have been condemned by the Palestinians as they break with years of Arab League policy which has held that there should be no relations with Israel until it makes peace with the Palestinians.

Israel has already signed a raft of deals with both UAE and Bahrain, ranging from tourism to aviation and financial services. 

Abu Dhabi Media, whose content includes news and sports, said in a statement it was committed to establishing "strong and solid relationships" with media organisations across the Middle East. 

Agencies contributed to this report.

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