Abraham Accord: New Dynamics of Arab Diplomacy

(Patria) – Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain signed an agreement on Tuesday to establish official relations, imposing a completely new direction and dynamic on Arab diplomacy.

The mediator of the negotiations and host of the signing ceremony, US President Donald Trump, said in a speech in front of the White House, where the ceremony was held, that it was an 'incredible day for the world'.

Until the signing of the agreement with Bahrain and the Emirates, only two Arab countries had diplomatic relations with Israel: Jordan and Egypt. However, as other Arab governments became indifferent to the agony of the Palestinian issue over time, and thanks to their common enemy, Iran – other Arab countries have also established discreet relations with Israel in recent years.

- I think Israel is no longer isolated, Trump said, noting that he expects 5 or 6 more Arab countries to sign a similar agreement with Israel soon, but he did not specify which countries.

Despite the complex situation 'at home', Trump and Netanyahu achieved significant diplomatic victories on the international stage with adequate accompanying publicity.

In addition to Netanyahu, Trump hosted the foreign ministers of Bahrain and the Emirates – Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayyani – on the South Lawn of the White House, the same place where US President Bill Clinton stood with then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat in 1993.

The 'Abraham Accord' (the name suggests the three monotheistic religions) will be the basis for establishing businesses, direct flights, and diplomatic relations.

The text of the agreement does not mention the Israeli-Palestinian issue, nor the 'suspension' of Netanyahu's plan to continue the annexation of the occupied West Bank, which was a condition for signing the agreement with the Emirates.

Although Israel, the Emirates, and Bahrain were not at war, the agreements are presented as a reconciliation of 'warring parties'.

- Even Bibi gets tired of war sometimes, Trump joked about Netanyahu.

Israel hopes to open diplomatic channels with other Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, where the most significant argument for ignoring the past is their common enemy, Iran.

- Israel does not feel isolated at all, Netanyahu said before the ceremony. 'We are enjoying the greatest diplomatic triumph in the country's history. Those who feel isolated are the tyrants in Tehran,' the Israeli prime minister added.

During his term, Netanyahu persistently sought to separate the Israeli-Palestinian issue from relations with the Arab world, and these agreements indicate that he may ultimately succeed in this.