In the latest example of Emirati-Israeli warming relations after signing the Abraham Accords , several social media users have shared a video of a number of Jewish and Emirati individuals practicing a Jewish ritual in front of a wall in the Deira Old Souk Abra Station in Dubai, suggesting that it's the new Western Wall.
صلاة اليهود الصهاينة الإسرائيليين ??? حفظهم الله و رعاهم آمين في شوارع الإمارات ?? الشقيقة ..
— إيدي كوهين אדי כהן ?? (@EdyCohen) December 9, 2020
pic.twitter.com/0lGWhCb2Ov
Translation: "The prayer of Zionist Jewish Israelis in the UAE streets. May God bless and protect them."
The video and photos shared across Twitter quickly went viral sparking many mixed reactions. Israeli commentators celebrated the fact that religious Jewish practices are being celebrated in public spaces for the first time in Emirati history.
Meanwhile, many Arab commentators questioned the gesture, suggesting that it's more political and connected to the newly-announced relations with Israel, than a true expression of inclusiveness of the Jewish community in the country.
الإمارات تحضر نفسها لتعلن أنها ” نيو إسرائيل " على غرار نيو زيلاندا ونيو مكسيكو ونيو اورليانز...
— موسى بن عبد الرحمن. (@MusaMus26653784) December 9, 2020
فتبني حائط المبكى لليهود الصهاينة...كما بنت من قبل معابد للهندوس والبوذيين وكنيسة وكنيس. pic.twitter.com/Gki8lcamMO
Translation: "The UAE is preparing to announce itself as the New Israel, just like New Zealand, New Mexico, and New Orleans. They've built a Western Wall for the Zionist Jews, just like it previously built Churches, Hindu, and Buddhist temples."
This synagogue in Dubai was kept secret for years. It's now revealed as ties between the U.A.E. and Israel improve pic.twitter.com/xAe5A4ZV4Z
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) December 5, 2018
In 2008, the Dubai Synagogue was established in the Emirates before opening its doors to Jewish worshippers ten years later, to be the country's first Jewish temple, a step that was warmly welcomed by non-Israeli Jewish expats living in the country.
However, the growing ties between the UAE and Israel have been inspiring a number of Jewish-focused events in the Gulf state over the last several months, including a first Jewish wedding that was held in Dubai earlier this month.
#شكرا_الامارات #شاهدوا الصلاة اليهودية في برج خليفة اليوم. pic.twitter.com/NvbPy6Kzqn
— جاي معيان Guy Maayan (@guy_telaviv) December 8, 2020
Translation: "Thanks to the UAE. Watch a Jewish prayer at Burj Khalifa today."
Additionally, a former advisor to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon posted a video clip on Twitter last Tuesday, featuring another Jewish prayer held at the top of the world's tallest human-made structure, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.