Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism has unveiled the Abu Dhabi Hotels Kosher Certification Project, an initiative providing Abu Dhabi hotels with access to free kosher certification services for one year.
The move follows the signing of a UAE-Israel peace accord in September. Israel's parliament last week voted to ratify the agreement to normalize diplomatic relations between the countries; the deal makes the UAE the third Arab country to establish official ties with Israel.
On Monday, the first commercial passenger flight from the UAE landed in Israel. Etihad, which operated the flight, said it planned regular service from the countries and was launching a Hebrew-language website.
The kosher initiative "paves the way for Jewish tourists from various nationalities to visit the emirate," the culture and tourism department said.
As part of the project, certified hotels and food and beverage outlets across the capital will be required to dedicate an area in their kitchens to kosher food preparation and clearly label kosher menu items.
The program is being spearheaded by the Emirates Agency for Kosher Certification, an organization launched earlier this year that claims to be the first legal entity responsible for kosher certification activities in the UAE. Abu Dhabi businesses can apply online to undergo a kosher assessment on the agency's website.
The Emirates Palace hotel, which is part of the Mandarin Oriental portfolio, has become the first Abu Dhabi property to receive certification for its kosher kitchen and begin serving kosher food.
"The Abu Dhabi Hotels Kosher Certification Project provides the opportunity for citizens and residents in the UAE to experience new food items, as we look forward to welcoming Jewish tourists from around the world to our city," Rabbi Levi Duchman, founder and executive director of the Emirates Agency for Kosher Certification, said in a statement.
"This initiative is all part of the Abu Dhabi Government vision for the emirate to be a home for all people of all cultures and religious backgrounds and a true beacon of light to all of our neighbors."
Updated: This report was updated Oct. 20.