Netanyahu flies to Washington to sign deals as Israeli lockdown looms

White House ceremony for agreements with UAE and Bahrain derided as shameless propaganda'

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Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping to redirect the Israeli public's attention from a recently announced three-week lockdown to a White House ceremony formalising recent diplomatic breakthroughs with two Arab states.

Hosted by his close ally Donald Trump, Netanyahu will on Tuesday sign agreements with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates that, while falling short of full peace deals, allow the countries to establish open business, direct flights and diplomatic relations.