He said Trump’s first presidency had begun a normalization of relations between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors through the agreement known as the Abraham Accords.
“Trump has initiated the Abraham Accords very successfully,” he said. “We really hope that we will continue and also to see the Abraham Accords expanding and creating more possibilities for regional cooperation in every aspect, including the climate, food security, water, etc.”
He touted Israel’s expertise in water recycling and drip irrigation and said the country had trained experts from around the world to use and recreate their technologies.
It was “only by collaborating and working together we can create this resilience,” he said.
But the conflict engulfing the region was inescapable at the climate talks. During a summit of world leaders, held Tuesday and Wednesday, several Middle Eastern presidents and prime ministers used their address to condemn Israel.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of “massacring children, women and elderly … This is a heavy humanitarian and an environmental disaster, and those who are responsible should be held accountable in international court.”
Behar conceded the war — which has devastated Gaza, displaced millions, created a humanitarian crisis and caused major damage in southern Lebanon — “doesn’t contribute for sure” to the region’s resilience.
“After this conflict is finished, it will be easier to foster regional cooperation,” he said.