Arshad Mahmood Awan

The Abraham Accords represent a groundbreaking series of agreements that sought to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab states. Signed in the latter half of 2020, these accords marked a significant diplomatic shift in the Middle East. The agreements involved Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Morocco, alongside the United States, which played a crucial role in facilitating these negotiations. Named after the biblical patriarch Abraham, the accords are framed as a symbol of unity among Jews and Arabs, acknowledging their shared ancestral ties. This new chapter in Arab-Israeli relations, however, comes with both optimism and controversy, particularly concerning the fate of the Palestinian cause.

Background: Decades of Conflict and Strained Relations

The roots of the Arab-Israeli conflict trace back to the mid-20th century, when the United Nations proposed the partition of Palestine, then a British mandate, into separate Jewish and Arab states (UN Resolution 181). Arab governments vehemently opposed the creation of Israel in 1948, resulting in the first Arab-Israeli war. Subsequent decades saw a series of bloody conflicts, including the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973), which deepened animosities. Despite efforts for peace, including the historic Camp David Accords (1979) between Egypt and Israel and the Oslo Accords (1993) between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), the conflict remained unresolved.

The failure of a two-state solution, meant to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, prompted frustration. In 2002, the Arab League, in a show of solidarity with Palestinians, endorsed the Arab Peace Initiative, offering Israel normalized relations in exchange for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. However, negotiations faltered over issues such as Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the status of Jerusalem, undermining the peace process.

As the decades passed, new geopolitical dynamics began to reshape the Middle East. The rise of Iran as a regional power, particularly after the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, created a shared concern among the Gulf Arab states and Israel. These nations found common ground in countering Iranian influence, which was seen as a destabilizing force in the region. At the same time, both Israel and several Arab states shared a desire to suppress Islamist movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, which posed a challenge to their authoritarian regimes during the Arab Spring uprisings (2010-2011).

The Genesis of the Abraham Accords

By the 2020s, the relationship between Israel and the Gulf Arab states had already evolved, albeit largely behind closed doors. The Abraham Accords represent the formalization of these secretive ties. The normalization process was accelerated by the UAE, which was seeking to position itself as a regional leader. In 2020, the UAE engaged in negotiations with Israel, offering a framework for mutual recognition. The catalyst for these talks was Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank, which the UAE saw as an opportunity to influence Israeli policy in favor of the Palestinians. In exchange for halting the annexation, the UAE secured the promise of closer diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

The accords received further momentum when the United States, under President Donald Trump, brokered the deal. As part of the negotiations, the UAE was offered advanced U.S. military hardware, including the cutting-edge F-35 fighter jets. The deal was seen by many as a strategic win for the UAE, giving it greater leverage in regional geopolitics and military strength while also cementing its standing as an ally of Israel.

Following the UAE’s lead, Bahrain quickly announced its intention to normalize relations with Israel. Just days after the UAE-Israel deal was made public, Bahrain formalized its own agreement, with a ceremony held at the White House in September 2020. These agreements were hailed as historic, as they marked the first normalization of relations between Israel and two Arab states since Egypt and Jordan had done so in previous decades.

The Abraham Accords continued to expand, with Morocco and Sudan joining in the following months. In December 2020, Morocco agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, securing U.S. recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed region of Western Sahara. In January 2021, Sudan also signed on to the accords, officially ending its status as a state sponsor of terrorism and removing it from the U.S. sanctions list.

Key Provisions and Impact of the Abraham Accords

The Abraham Accords were not just symbolic; they led to concrete changes in diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges. The agreements created new channels for cooperation, particularly in trade, security, and technology. The UAE and Israel, for instance, quickly embarked on a series of trade deals, with bilateral trade exceeding half a billion dollars in the first year of normalized ties. These economic exchanges also included joint ventures in technology, healthcare, and energy. Furthermore, Israeli tourists began flocking to the UAE, particularly to Dubai, while the UAE government facilitated direct flights to Israel.

However, public sentiment in some Arab countries has been less enthusiastic. In particular, the normalization of ties with Israel has been met with skepticism and backlash among the Palestinian population and pro-Palestinian advocates. Critics argue that the Abraham Accords signal a betrayal of the Palestinian cause, as they seem to prioritize strategic and economic interests over the long-standing Arab position of supporting Palestinian statehood. While the UAE and Bahrain have claimed that their agreements with Israel would help elevate the Palestinian issue, many see these deals as further sidelining Palestinian aspirations.

The agreements also spurred a shift in regional power dynamics. As Arab states establish open ties with Israel, they face the challenge of balancing relations with their own populations, many of whom remain sympathetic to the Palestinian struggle. On the other hand, the Abraham Accords have allowed Israel to forge new alliances in the Arab world, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

The Abraham Accords Declaration: A Vision for Peace

At the heart of the Abraham Accords is a declaration of principles that highlights mutual understanding, peaceful coexistence, and the promotion of interfaith dialogue. The signatories committed to fostering tolerance, respect, and cooperation, not just between Israel and the Arab states, but among the three Abrahamic faiths—Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. The declaration emphasizes the importance of science, commerce, and the sharing of knowledge to achieve prosperity and stability in the region.

While the Abraham Accords mark a historic diplomatic achievement, their long-term impact remains uncertain. The future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict looms large, and the success of the accords may depend on whether a fair and lasting solution can be found to address Palestinian grievances. Moreover, the regional alliances formed through the accords could either bring about greater stability or deepen existing tensions, depending on how key issues like Iran’s influence, Islamist movements, and regional security evolve.

The Abraham Accords have undoubtedly reshaped the Middle Eastern diplomatic landscape. They represent a shift in the Arab-Israeli dynamic, with several Arab states choosing strategic and economic cooperation with Israel over long-standing political and ideological opposition. However, while the accords have opened doors for new alliances and economic opportunities, they also raise critical questions about the future of the Palestinian cause and the broader Middle East peace process. As the accords continue to unfold, their legacy will depend on how effectively they balance the competing interests of regional stability, peace, and justice.