Israel, Jordan to sign solar/water cooperation deal in Dubai

Israel, Jordan to sign solar/water cooperation deal in Dubai

Israel, Jordan and the Emirates will soon sign an agreement on green energy and water, with the countries helping each other on climate challenges. The deal is slated to be signed in Dubai next week after months-long secret negotiations between the three countries. US Climate Envoy John Kerry, Israeli Energy Minister Karine Elharrar, Jordanian Water Minister Mohammed Al-Najjar, Emirati special envoy on climate change Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber and Israeli National Security Adviser Eyal Hulata are expected to participate at the signing ceremony.

The deal was reportedly first proposed in meetings three months ago between Elharrar and Emirati Ambassador to Israel Mohamed Al Khaja. It could have been signed at the Glasgow COP26 climate summit, but Prime Minister Naftali Bennett reportedly preferred to wait until after the Nov. 4 vote at the Knesset over the budget. Reportedly, Kerry has been also involved in promoting the deal, raising the issue on multiple occasions with both Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Jordanian King Abdullah.