Abraham Accords Explained

Summary

The 2020 Abraham Accords marked a significant turning point in Middle Eastern diplomacy, establishing new bridges between Israel and key Arab nations, including the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Brokered by the United States, these agreements shifted regional dynamics from decades of hostility toward cooperation in trade, technology, and security. The Accords stand as a bold experiment in transforming regional rivalries into enduring partnerships for peace and prosperity. 

The name of the accords was given in reference to the biblical Abraham, whom Jews and Arabs consider their common ancestor, and as an expression of brotherhood. Credits: Reuters

Introduction

The Abraham Accords were signed in 2020 as a constructive step, helping to pave the way for a more peaceful Middle East diplomacy. These agreements formalized relations between Israel and several countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. 

The agreements cover business in different sectors, including tourism, trade, and technology. It also strives to establish a foundation for lasting stability and dialogue. They represent a shared effort to bring peace to the Middle East and coordinate on regional disputes.

Previously, Israel's relationship with many Arab states was marred by conflict and disagreements over the situation regarding Palestine. While it has not brought peace to the region, the accords serve as a stepping stone in the direction and have the potential to include other countries.

Historical Context: Arab-Israeli Conflicts and Previous Peace Efforts

The Arab-Israeli conflict is a long struggle over land and self-determination that has been shaped by major wars. The key disputes include: 

• 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which secured Israel's independence but led to the Palestinian Nakba, which displaced over 700,000 Palestinians

• The 1967 Six-Day War saw Israel capture the West Bank, Gaza, Sinai, and Golan Heights. This established the "land for peace" idea.

• The 1973 Yom Kippur War opened the door for peace talks and brought temporary relief.

Two key peace treaties followed: the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty (1979), signed after the Camp David Accords, which led to mutual recognition and Israel's return of the Sinai Peninsula; and the 1994 Jordan-Israel Peace Agreement, which normalized relations and addressed border and water issues. 

Fifty years ago, on Yom Kippur, October 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria launched surprise attacks on Israel. The resulting conflict sparked an Arab oil embargo, a superpower confrontation, a global recession, and an Arab-Israeli peace process.  Credits: CFR Org

Despite these efforts, core Palestinian issues, including settlements, the status of Jerusalem, and borders, remain unresolved. Palestinian leadership is divided between Hamas in Gaza and Fatah in the West Bank, causing internal infighting. The treaties are often seen as a "cold peace," lacking wider regional support.

Understanding the Abraham Accords: Agreements and Significance

The Abraham Accords were signed in 2020 and 2021, marking a major change in Middle Eastern diplomacy. The US had a heavy hand in facilitating the accords. The first nations to sign were the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020. Both agreed to recognize Israel and promote trade, tourism, and security cooperation., 

The following year, Sudan and Morocco signed agreements that included diplomatic recognition and economic collaboration. Morocco signed it because the  US recognized its sovereignty over Western Sahara. That was the main condition for Morocco’s participation. Sudan signed the accords, but has not yet established a formal relationship with Israel, and it is also engaged in its own civil war, where the issue of Israel is up in the air.

Morocco has been more successful in this aspect. One potential motivating factor is that Israel also has a sizable population of those of Moroccan origin., Many Moroccan jews moved to Israel in the 1960s when anti-Semitism was at a peak during Operation Yachin. While public opinion of Israel is still low in Morocco, the government has stepped up on the accords.

These accords are more than just bilateral ties; they are a framework for dialogue and cooperation. The agreements serve as a testament to the power of diplomacy in resolving long-standing conflicts. The Abraham Accords serve as a case study of how international mediation can unite countries, exemplifying a practical approach to peace in the region. 

Symbolism behind the name: Abraham as a unifying figure

The Abraham Accords are named after the biblical patriarch Abraham (or Ibrahim in Islam). This name symbolizes the shared religious heritage of Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain. The choice reflects a desire to anchor peace in a spiritual foundation that transcends politics. It is also a way to relate to the three main monotheistic religions in the region.

Abraham is widely recognized as a key prophet in the three major monotheistic faiths originating in the Middle East: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism traces its lineage through Abraham’s son, Isaac. Islam traces its lineage through Ishmael, his son.

The UAE became only the third Arab nation, after Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, marking the end of 25 years without such ties. Credits: Al Jazeera

This shared ancestry is a strong basis for cooperation. It puts forth the notion that Jewish and Arab peoples are, in essence, “family." Making these connections can help lay the groundwork for peace by encouraging interfaith dialogue and tolerance by highlighting their common origins and values, such as monotheism and submission to God. 

One of the goals of the accords is to transform a historically conflicted relationship into one that promotes respect, stability, and economic growth. This establishes a new narrative for the Middle East.

Areas of Cooperation Under the Accords: Beyond Politics

The goal of the Abraham Accords was to achieve "warm peace" by promoting practical cooperation across sectors beyond traditional diplomacy, with a focus on integrating Israeli technology and Gulf capital.

• Economic ties and trade: Normalization led to the establishment of a Free Trade Agreement between Israel and the UAE. This aims to significantly boost bilateral trade. Key areas include finance, investment, and commercial exchanges, marking the end of decades of boycotts.

• Technology and innovation: Cooperation focuses on Israeli high-tech skills in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and Agri-tech. These efforts aim to address regional issues, such as food security.

• Energy and water: A trilateral deal among the UAE, Israel, and Jordan created a water-for-energy exchange. A UAE-funded solar plant in Jordan supplies electricity to Israel, which in turn supplies desalinated water to Jordan.

• Tourism and culture: Direct flights sparked a tourism boom, enhancing genuine exchanges and interfaith dialogue. This made the peace feel real at the community level.

• Security: Shared concerns over Iran prompted joint defense cooperation. The signatories established intelligence-sharing mechanisms and regional security integration through forums such as the Negev Summit.

Geopolitical implications: Rapprochement with Israel in a changing region

The Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape is undergoing rapid changes. Sunni Arab states were drifting closer to Israel over their shared concerns about Iran. Many Gulf nations see Iran, which is a Shiite-majority country, as an unstable force and fear the country being the leading power in the region. They fear Iran’s influence, which is spread through proxies in Lebanon, Syria (although less recently), Yemen, and Iraq. The long-standing infighting between Sunnis and Shiites is now bringing together partnerships that were once seen as impossible. 

Sectarian conflict is becoming entrenched in a growing number of Muslim countries and is threatening to fracture Iraq and Syria. Tensions between Sunnis and Shias, exploited by regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran, could reshape the future Middle East. Credits: CFR Org

By strategically utilizing Israel as a strategic ally against Iran, the Sunni states look towards boosting their security. They are also seeking to leverage Israel’s advanced technology, intelligence, and military capabilities. This breaks away from the classic Arab stance of refusing to normalize relations with Israel until the Palestinian issue is sorted.

However, these changes don’t resolve the conflict, but just shift the regional balance of power. These states have to navigate new alliances while facing internal and external challenges. The growing ties between Sunni Arab states and Israel highlight a trend of putting a common effort against threats in the Middle East. 

Challenges Ahead: Expanding the Abraham Accords Beyond Initial Signatories

While the Abraham Accords did jump-start some dialogue, several issues come into play in this regard. The main elephant in the room was the conflict with the recent Israel-Hamas war, which was hampering a lot of the efforts that have been made.  

As of October 2025, the diplomatic landscape surrounding the Abraham Accords has shifted due to the newly implemented Gaza ceasefire and the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza peace plan. Israel and Hamas agreed to a truce and prisoner-hostage exchange earlier this month, marking the formal end of two years of conflict.

The ceasefire, coupled with Israel's partial withdrawal from Gaza, has renewed global discussions about expanding the Abraham Accords. Trump announced that several nations, including Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, and Libya, are in active talks to join the accords, with Saudi Arabia viewed as the most likely next signatory. Riyadh, however, maintains its condition that normalization depends on progress toward Palestinian statehood and the sustained implementation of the Gaza peace plan.

Before the war, Saudi Arabia was interested in normalization in 2023, but it has set clear conditions. Riyadh insisted that any deal with Israel must depend on solving the Palestinian issue and ending the Gaza conflict. There are also outstanding issues with Syria in this aspect. Syria faces its own obstacles, which include standing territorial disputes and security concerns, making normalization with Israel difficult. 

The situation with the Druze in Syria has been a significant issue for Israel. Israel uses the situation of the Druze to justify its actions in Golemn Heights. The Druze feel mixed towards their loyalty, but they have been targets of sectarian violence in Syria under the new interim government. Syria, for the time being, is off the table, but reports suggest that tentative discussions are underway on specific security arrangements; a broader diplomatic agreement remains to be seen.

The Abraham Accords' Potential for Lasting Peace in the Middle East

Political normalization between Israel and several Arab states is key. However, the accords’ greater importance is in promoting interfaith dialogue and cultural understanding. These agreements aim to foster interactions between diverse communities.

To achieve this, they must foster mutual respect across cultures and borders. There needs to be cross-cultural initiatives, such as joint educational programs, cultural exchanges, and business collaborations, to help build trust and tolerance, not just political ties. This type of context enhances regional stability by addressing social and cultural factors, adding a human dimension to these ties that are often overlooked in more rigid, traditional treaties.

Before Israel’s 1948 war of Independence, Morocco had a large Jewish population, many of whose ancestors migrated to North Africa from Spain and Portugal during the Spanish Inquisition. Credits: CBN 

The accords also create a potential platform for teamwork on shared challenges, such as security threats, economic growth, and humanitarian issues. By forming networks that go beyond formal diplomacy, the Abraham Accords should set the stage for a more stable and peaceful Middle East. Their long-term success relies on both political agreements and ongoing dialogue, understanding, and respect among the region's diverse peoples. 

Conclusion

The future of the Abrahamic accords is uncertain, particularly since Israel’s war with Hamas. But they show some promising developments. Since they were signed, the accords have enabled some form of dialogue and cultural exchange. This is what is needed for long-term peace. However, to maintain momentum, political will and economic incentives are required. Especially, inclusive talks on the Palestinian issue that are not one-sided. If implemented and handled correctly, the accords could be a lasting framework for stability, shared prosperity, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

People Also Ask

What are the main points of the Abraham Accords?

The main points are recognizing the importance of maintaining peace in the Middle East.

What does the Bible say about the Abraham Accords?

There is no mention of the Abraham Accords in the Bible. The Accords are named after the biblical figure “Abraham,” who is revered in Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.

What countries signed the Accords?

The countries that have signed the accords so far are Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. 

Which Arab countries have a peace treaty with Israel?

Israel has diplomatic relations with two Arab countries: Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994).  In 2020, Israel made agreements to establish diplomatic relations with three more Arab League countries: Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco. Even though Sudan has signed them, it does not yet have diplomatic relations with them.

Did the Abraham Accords accomplish anything?

The Abraham Accords normalized Israel’s relations with the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, boosting trade, tourism, security cooperation, and regional dialogue.