The Raw Deal: The Secret Agreement Behind the UAE Peace Accords

The Abraham Accords were celebrated as a historic breakthrough that reshaped the Middle East, but behind the smiles and handshakes on the White House lawn lay a complex web of interests, security concerns, and multi-billion dollar technology. While the Israeli public focused on the blessings of "peace for peace," a completely different kind of deal was being forged behind closed doors—one involving the most advanced systems in the American arsenal. This episode of *Real Time* dives deep into the clandestine negotiations, tracing the direct link between the normalization of ties and one of the most controversial arms deals of the modern era. At the heart of the investigation is the sale of F-35 fighter jets, the spearhead of American military aviation, to the United Arab Emirates. For years, Israel's Qualitative Military Edge (QME) was maintained as an unassailable strategic asset, yet the new diplomatic dynamics put this concept to the test. Through exclusive testimonies and newly revealed documents, it is uncovered how the administration in Washington, along with elements within the Israeli and Emirati defense establishments, conducted parallel secret negotiations that served as the true condition for the Accords to move forward. The episode examines the security and political price paid for direct flights to Dubai and open diplomatic relations. Did Israel’s political leadership hide its consent for the jet deal from the defense establishment? How did the sale impact the regional balance of power against Iran, and is this "package deal" proof that in the world of realpolitik, peace is a commodity purchased through circular arms trades? This is a story of state secrets, ego, and power struggles at the highest levels, exposing the gap between festive declarations and the cold reality of international interests.

Video transcript