Relations between Arab states and Israel need to shift to help progress towards peace with the Palestinians, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said, reports Reuters.

The decision by many Arab countries not to talk with Israel has complicated finding a solution over the decades, the minister said, according to The National. The minister added the following: “Because clearly, you have to really dissect and divide between having a political issue and keeping your lines of communication open.”

His comments came after the UAE and other Gulf states criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition this week of Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.