Breaking News English Lesson: Israel-UAE Deal

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Israel and UAE reach historic peace deal (15th August, 2020)

The Reading / Listening - Israel-UAE Deal - Level 6

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise relations in exchange for the suspension of Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The historic breakthrough was announced in a joint statement yesterday by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. They expressed hope that the "historic breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East". Israel has had diplomatic relations with its neighbours Egypt and Jordan for decades, but until now, it has never had such a relationship with any Gulf Arab state. Israel will "focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world".

The agreement is called the Abraham Accord. The three leaders behind it said: "This historic diplomatic breakthrough...is a testament to the bold diplomacy...vision...and courage of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock great potential in the region." Mr Netanyahu called it a "historic day". However, he said the sovereignty of the West Bank "remains on the table". The UAE said the deal with Israel was a "win for diplomacy and the region". It added: "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change." The Palestinian leadership called it a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause and the equivalent of being "sold out by friends".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Israel-UAE Deal - Level 4 or Israel-UAE Deal - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53770859 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/08/world-reacted-uae-israel-normalising-diplomatic-ties-200813152921879.html https://www.thenational.ae/world/gcc/israel-freezes-palestine-annexation-for-uae-ties-1.1063394

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'peace' and 'deal'.

peace

deal

Share your findings with your partners.

Make questions using the words you found.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?
4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.
5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

annex
joint
expressed
neighbours
state
world
leaders
bold
path
win
energy
sold

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	suspension	a.	A period of ten years.
2.	annex	b.	A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.
3.	breakthrough	c.	Add territory or land to one's own territory by force.
4.	expressed	d.	Things that unite or link people.
5.	decade	e.	The temporary prevention of something from continuing or being in force or effect.
6.	state	f.	Convey a thought or feeling in words or by gestures and conduct.
7.	ties	g.	A nation or territory considered as an organized political community under one government.

Paragraph 2

8.	diplomatic	h.	Plan or make a new course through something.
9.	testament	i.	The authority of a state or country to govern itself or another state.
10.	courage	j.	Qualities or abilities that may be developed and lead to future success or usefulness.
11.	chart	k.	Something that serves as a sign or evidence of a specified fact, event, or quality.
12.	potential	l.	The action of being disloyal to one's country, a group, or a person.
13.	sovereignty	m.	Having or showing an ability to deal with people in managing international relations.
14.	betrayal	n.	Strength in the face of pain or grief.

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

Israel has scrapped plans to annex the West Bank. T / F
The leader of Dubai was one of three leaders making a joint declaration. T / F
Israel and Jordan have been at peace for decades. T / F
Israel wants to build ties with other Arab countries. T / F
The agreement is called The Genesis Accord. T / F
Israel's leader said it the most historic day in his country's history. T / F
The UAE said the deal would lower tensions in the region. T / F
The Palestinian leader welcomed the deal. T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

agreed
annex
statement
breakthrough
ties
courage
potential
sovereignty
betrayal
equivalent

possibilities
relationships
parallel
declaration
authority
take over
treachery
bravery
consented
step forward

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

annex
the historic breakthrough
diplomatic relations with its
focus its
expanding
a testament
chart a
the sovereignty of
a significant advance
the equivalent of being sold

neighbours
out by friends
ties with other countries
to the bold diplomacy
will advance peace
the West Bank
efforts
in Arab-Israeli relations
new path
parts of the West Bank

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

hope
efforts
historic
advance
ties
relations
joint
decades

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise (1) _____________________ in exchange for the suspension of Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The (2) ____________________ breakthrough was announced in a (3) _____________________ statement yesterday by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. They expressed (4) _____________________ that the "historic breakthrough will (5) _____________________ peace in the Middle East". Israel has had diplomatic relations with its neighbours Egypt and Jordan for (6) _____________________, but until now, it has never had such a relationship with any Gulf Arab state. Israel will "focus its (7) _____________________ now on expanding (8) _____________________ with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world".

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

vision
betrayal
sovereignty
agreement
equivalent
historic
region
win

The (9) _____________________ is called the Abraham Accord. The three leaders behind it said: "This (10) _____________________ diplomatic breakthrough...is a testament to the bold diplomacy... (11) _____________________...and courage of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock great potential in the (12) _____________________." Mr Netanyahu called it a "historic day". However, he said the (13) _____________________ of the West Bank "remains on the table". The UAE said the deal with Israel was a "(14) _____________________ for diplomacy and the region". It added: "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change." The Palestinian leadership called it a "(15) _____________________ " of the Palestinian cause and the (16) _____________________ of being "sold out by friends".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) have agreed to normalise relations in exchange ______
     a. for the suspense
     b. for the suspicion
     c. for the sustaining
     d. for the suspension
2) The historic breakthrough was announced in a ______ yesterday
     a. joints statement
     b. jointly statement
     c. joint statement
     d. jointed statement
3) They expressed hope that the "historic breakthrough ______
     a. will advances peace
     b. will advance peace
     c. will advanced peace
     d. will advancing peace
4) Israel has had diplomatic relations with its neighbours Egypt and Jordan ______
     a. four decades
     b. for decades
     c. form decade
     d. ford decade
5) Israel will "focus its efforts now on ______"
     a. expansion ties
     b. expanding ties
     c. expansion ties
     d. expanding tie

6) a testament to the bold diplomacy ______
     a. vision and encourage
     b. vision and coverage
     c. vision and carriage
     d. vision and courage
7) However, he said the sovereignty of the West Bank "______ table"
     a. remains on the
     b. remnants on the
     c. remain on the
     d. remaining on the
8) The UAE said the deal with Israel was a win ______
     a. form diplomacy
     b. ford diplomacy
     c. fore diplomacy
     d. for diplomacy
9) relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for ______
     a. positively change
     b. positive change
     c. positives change
     d. positivity change
10) The Palestinian leadership called ______
     a. it a "betray all"
     b. it a "betray y'all"
     c. it a "B-tray all"
     d. it a "betrayal"

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Israel and the United Arab Emirates (1) ____________________ normalise relations in exchange for the suspension of Israeli plans (2) ____________________ of the West Bank. The historic breakthrough was announced in (3) ____________________ yesterday by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. They expressed hope that the "historic breakthrough (4) ____________________ in the Middle East". Israel has had (5) ____________________ its neighbours Egypt and Jordan for decades, but until now, it has never had such a relationship with any Gulf Arab state. Israel will "focus its efforts now (6) ____________________ with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world".

The agreement is called the Abraham Accord. The (7) ____________________ it said: "This historic diplomatic breakthrough...is a testament to the bold diplomacy... (8) ____________________ of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will (9) ____________________ in the region." Mr Netanyahu called it a "historic day". However, he said the sovereignty of the West Bank "remains on the table". The UAE said the deal with Israel was a "(10) ____________________ and the region". It added: "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and (11) ____________________ for positive change." The Palestinian leadership called it a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause and (12) ____________________ being "sold out by friends".

Comprehension questions

What have the UAE and Israel decided to do to relations?
What did Israel say it will do to plans to annex parts of the West Bank?
What did three leaders hope the agreement would advance?
Which countries has Israel been at peace with for decades?
What does Israel want to expand?
What is the name of the agreement?
What did the leaders say the UAE and Israel need to chart?
Where did Israel's leader say the West Bank's sovereignty remains?
What did the UAE say the agreement lowers?
What did the Palestinian leadership call the agreement?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What have the UAE and Israel decided to do to relations?
a) prioritise them
b) shelve them
c) normalise them
d) think about them
2) What did Israel say it will do to plans to annex parts of the West Bank?
a) suspend them
b) stop them
c) amend them
d) re-jig them
3) What did three leaders hope the agreement would advance?
a) prosperity
b) the world
c) society
d) peace
4) Which countries has Israel been at peace with for decades?
a) Egypt and Lebanon
b) Jordan and Egypt
c) Jordan and Iraq
d) Iraq and Egypt
5) What does Israel want to expand?
a) its borders
b) its influence
c) ties in the Arab world
d) its message of peace

6) What is the name of the agreement?
a) the Isaac Accord
b) the Abraham Accord
c) the Adam Accord
d) the Genesis Accord
7) What did the leaders say the UAE and Israel need to chart?
a) their progress
b) a map
c) a hit song
d) a new path
8) Where did Israel's leader say the West Bank's sovereignty remains?
a) on the drawing board
b) on the table
c) on the East Bank
d) in the mind's eye
9) What did the UAE say the agreement lowers?
a) tensions
b) bridges
c) standards
d) expectations
10) What did the Palestinian leadership call the agreement?
a) interesting
b) a work-in-progress
c) a roaring success
d) a betrayal

Role play

Role A – White Dove
You think a white dove is the best peace symbol. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their signs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): an olive branch, a V sign or an origami crane.

Role B – Olive Branch
You think an olive branch is the best peace symbol. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their signs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): a white dove, a V sign or an origami crane.

Role C – V Sign
You think a V sign is the best peace symbol. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their signs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): an olive branch, a white dove or an origami crane.

Role D – Origami Crane
You think an origami crane is the best peace symbol. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their signs. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): an olive branch, a V sign or a white dove.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'peace'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'deal'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• Share your findings with your partners.

• Make questions using the words you found.

• Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

•Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

annex

joint

expressed

neighbours

state

world

leaders

bold

path

win

energy

sold

Student survey

Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

(Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

Discussion - Israel-UAE Deal

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'Middle East'?
What do you think of this news?
What do you know about Israel?
Who is this deal best for?
Who are the losers in this deal?
What does the normalisation mean for the region?
What do you think this deal does for the West Bank's future?
To what degree will this deal advance peace in the Middle East?
How historic is this deal?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'peace'?
What do you think about what you read?
What do you know about the UAE?
What do you think of the name 'Abraham Accord'?
How do you think Iran will view this deal?
Why did the Palestinians call it a 'betrayal'?
What advice do you have for the Palestinians?
What more must happen before there is peace in the Middle East?
What questions would you like to ask the leaders?

Discussion — Write your own questions

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

(a) ________________

(b) ________________

(c) ________________

(d) ________________

(e) ________________

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

(f) ________________

(g) ________________

(h) ________________

(i) ________________

(j) ________________

Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise relations (1) ____ exchange for the suspension of Israeli plans to (2) ____ parts of the West Bank. The historic breakthrough was announced in a (3) ____ statement yesterday by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. They expressed hope that the "(4) ____ breakthrough will advance peace in the Middle East". Israel has had diplomatic relations with its neighbours Egypt and Jordan for decades, but until now, it has never had (5) ____ a relationship with any Gulf Arab state. Israel will "focus its efforts now on expanding (6) ____ with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world".

The agreement is called the Abraham Accord. The three leaders (7) ____ it said: "This historic diplomatic breakthrough...is a testament to the bold diplomacy...vision...and (8) ____ of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock great potential in the region." Mr Netanyahu called it a "historic day". However, he said the (9) ____ of the West Bank "remains on the table". The UAE said the deal with Israel was a "(10) ____ for diplomacy and the region". It added: "It is a significant advance (11) ____ Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change." The Palestinian leadership called it a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause and the equivalent of being "sold (12) ____ by friends".

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) on (b) in (c) at (d) of
(a) apex (b) annex (c) perplex (d) reflex
(a) joins (b) joiner (c) join (d) joint
(a) historian (b) historic (c) history (d) histories
(a) thus (b) such (c) so (d) that
(a) ropes (b) cords (c) ties (d) sashes
(a) behest (b) before (c) behind (d) beyond
(a) entourage (b) encourage (c) courage (d) discourage
(a) empire (b) dominion (c) realm (d) sovereignty
(a) conquest (b) beat (c) victor (d) win
(a) in (b) on (c) at (d) by
(a) in (b) up (c) out (d) down

Spelling

Paragraph 1

agreed to armnliose relations
in exchange for the espnuisson
announced in a joint taesemtnt
historic ehakrbortugh
pmloiatdic relations
focus its efforts now on npaedixng ties

Paragraph 2

a esatemtnt to the bold diplomacy
vision and orucage
unlock great nteptioal in the region
a gfniisacint advance
a etraybal of the Palestinian cause
the quvelaient of being sold out

Put the text back together

( 1 ) Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalise relations in exchange for the suspension
(...) on the table". The UAE said the deal with Israel was a "win for diplomacy and
(...) statement yesterday by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu
(...) region." Mr Netanyahu called it a "historic day". However, he said the sovereignty of the West Bank "remains
(...) peace in the Middle East". Israel has had diplomatic relations with its neighbours
(...) and courage of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock great potential in the
(...) Egypt and Jordan for decades, but until now, it has never had such a relationship with any Gulf Arab
(...) diplomatic breakthrough...is a testament to the bold diplomacy...vision...
(...) state. Israel will "focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world".
(...) The agreement is called the Abraham Accord. The three leaders behind it said: "This historic
(...) change." The Palestinian leadership called it a "betrayal" of the Palestinian cause and the equivalent of being "sold out by friends".
(...) of Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank. The historic breakthrough was announced in a joint
(...) and U.S. President Donald Trump. They expressed hope that the "historic breakthrough will advance
(...) the region". It added: "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive

Put the words in the right order

annex suspension to of plans The Israeli parts .
historic announced a statement . breakthrough was in The
The breakthrough advance will peace historic .
its had with neighbours . relations diplomatic Israel has
its efforts expanding now on Focus ties .
breakthrough diplomatic historic testament . This is a
potential . unlock will A new path that great
diplomacy . for was win The a deal
in a significant is Arab-Israeli It advance relations .
sold by being of equivalent The friends . out

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed for / to normalise relations in exchange for /of the suspension of Israeli plans to annex / apex parts of the West Bank. The historic breakthrough was announced in a jointly / joint statement yesterday by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed Al Nahyan, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump. They expressed / repressed hope that the "historic breakthrough will advance peace on / in the Middle East". Israel has had diplomatic / diplomacy relations with its neighbours Egypt and Jordan for decadence / decades, but until now, it has never had such the / a relationship with any Gulf Arab state. Israel will "focus its efforts now on / in expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world".

The agreement is called the Abraham Accord. The three leaders beyond / behind it said: "This historic diplomatic breakthrough...is a testament to the bold / bald diplomacy...vision...and encourage / courage of the UAE and Israel to chat / chart a new path that will unlock grate / great potential in the region." Mr Netanyahu called it a "historic day". However, he said the sovereignty / sovereign of the West Bank "remains on the desk / table". The UAE said the deal with Israel was a "win for diplomacy and the region". It added: "It is a significant advance in Arab-Israeli relations that falls / lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change." The Palestinian leadership called it a "betrayal / betray" of the Palestinian cause and the equivalent of being "sold up / out by friends".

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

I s r__ l _n d t h_ U n_t_d A r_b E m_r_t_s h_v_ _g r__ d t_ n_r m_l_s_ r_l_t__ n s _n _x c h_n g_ f_r t h_ s_s p_n s__ n _f I s r__ l_ p l_n s t_ _n n_x p_r t s _f t h_ W_s t B_n k . T h_ h_s t_r_c b r__ k t h r__ g h w_s _n n__ n c_d _n _ j__ n t s t_t_m_n t y_s t_r d_y b y A b_ D h_b_ C r_w n P r_n c_ M_h_m m_d A l N_h y_n , I s r__ l_ P M B_n j_m_n N_t_n y_h_ _n d U . S . P r_s_d_n t D_n_l d T r_m p . T h_y _x p r_s s_d h_p_ t h_t t h_ " h_s t_r_c b r__ k t h r__ g h w_l l _d v_n c_ p__ c_ _n t h_ M_d d l_ E_s t " . I s r__ l h_s h_d d_p l_m_t_c r_l_t__ n s w_t h _t s n__ g h b__ r s E g y p t _n d J_r d_n f_r d_c_d_s , b_t _n t_l n_w , _t h_s n_v_r h_d s_c h _ r_l_t__ n s h_p w_t h _n y G_l f A r_b s t_t_. I s r__ l w_l l " f_c_s _t s _f f_r t s n_w _n _x p_n d_n g t__ s w_t h _t h_r c__ n t r__ s _n t h_ A r_b _n d M_s l_m w_r l d " .

T h_ _g r__ m_n t _s c_l l_d t h_ A b r_h_m A c c_r d . T h_ t h r__ l__ d_r s b_h_n d _t s__ d : " T h_s h_s t_r_c d_p l_m_t_c b r__ k t h r__ g h . . ._s _ t_s t_m_n t t_ t h_ b_l d d_p l_m_c y . . . v_s__ n . . ._n d c__ r_g_ _f t h_ U A E _n d I s r__ l t_ c h_r t _ n_w p_t h t h_t w_l l _n l_c k g r__ t p_t_n t__ l _n t h_ r_g__ n . " M r N_t_n y_h_ c_l l_d _t _ " h_s t_r_c d_y " . H_w_v_r , h_ s__ d t h_ s_v_r__ g n t y _f t h_ W_s t B_n k " r_m__ n s _n t h_ t_b l_" . T h_ U A E s__ d t h_ d__ l w_t h I s r__ l w_s _ " w_n f_r d_p l_m_c y _n d t h_ r_g__ n " . I t _d d_d : " I t _s _ s_g n_f_c_n t _d v_n c_ _n A r_b - I s r__ l_ r_l_t__ n s t h_t l_w_r s t_n s__ n s _n d c r__ t_s n_w _n_r g y f_r p_s_t_v_ c h_n g_. " T h_ P_l_s t_n__ n l__ d_r s h_p c_l l_d _t _ " b_t r_y_l " _f t h_ P_l_s t_n__ n c__ s_ _n d t h_ _q__ v_l_n t _f b__ n g " s_l d __ t b y f r__ n d s " .

Punctuate the text and add capitals

israel and the united arab emirates have agreed to normalise relations in exchange for the suspension of israeli plans to annex parts of the west bank the historic breakthrough was announced in a joint statement yesterday by abu dhabi crown prince mohammed al nahyan israeli pm benjamin netanyahu and us president donald trump they expressed hope that the historic breakthrough will advance peace in the middle east israel has had diplomatic relations with its neighbours egypt and jordan for decades but until now it has never had such a relationship with any gulf arab state israel will focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the arab and muslim world

the agreement is called the abraham accord the three leaders behind it said this historic diplomatic breakthrough is a testament to the bold diplomacy vision and courage of the uae and israel to chart a new path that will unlock great potential in the region mr netanyahu called it a historic day however he said the sovereignty of the west bank remains on the table the uae said the deal with israel was a win for diplomacy and the region it added it is a significant advance in arabisraeli relations that lowers tensions and creates new energy for positive change the palestinian leadership called it a betrayal of the palestinian cause and the equivalent of being sold out by friends

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

IsraelandtheUnitedArabEmirateshaveagreedtonormaliserelationsin
exchangeforthesuspensionofIsraeliplanstoannexpartsoftheWestBa
nk.Thehistoricbreakthroughwasannouncedinajointstatementyester
daybyAbuDhabiCrownPrinceMohammedAlNahyan,IsraeliPMBenja
minNetanyahuandU.S.PresidentDonaldTrump.Theyexpressedhope
thatthe"historicbreakthroughwilladvancepeaceintheMiddleEast".Isr
aelhashaddiplomaticrelationswithitsneighboursEgyptandJordanfor
decades,butuntilnow,ithasneverhadsucharelationshipwithanyGulfA
rabstate.Israelwill"focusitseffortsnowonexpandingtieswithothercou
ntriesintheArabandMuslimworld".TheagreementiscalledtheAbraha
mAccord.Thethreeleadersbehinditsaid:"Thishistoricdiplomaticbrea
kthrough...isatestamenttothebolddiplomacy...vision...andcourage
oftheUAEandIsraeltochartanewpaththatwillunlockgreatpotentialint
heregion."MrNetanyahucalledita"historicday".However,hesaidthes
overeigntyoftheWestBank"remainsonthetable".TheUAEsaidthedeal
withIsraelwasa"winfordiplomacyandtheregion".Itadded:"Itisasignif
icantadvanceinArab-Israelirelationsthatlowerstensionsandcreatesn
ewenergyforpositivechange."ThePalestinianleadershipcalledita"bet
rayal"ofthePalestiniancauseandtheequivalentofbeing"soldoutbyfrie
nds".

Free writing

Write about israel-uae-peace-deal for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

The Israel-UAE peace deal is the start of peace in the Middle East. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Homework

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. THE MIDDLE EAST: Make a poster about the Middle East. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. PEACE: Write a magazine article about there being peace in the Middle East in our lifetime. Include imaginary interviews with people who think this will happen and with those who do not think it will happen.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on the Middle East. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to bring peace to the region. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

News
Warm ups
Pre-reading / Post-reading
Using headlines
Working with words
While-reading / While-listening
Moving from text to speech
Post-reading / Post-listening
Discussions
Using opinions
Plans
Language
Using lists
Using quotes
Task-based activities
Role plays
Using the central characters in the article
Using themes from the news
Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

Answers

(Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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