Dateline MEI

The Abraham Accords, signed in September 2020 to normalize relations between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain, and later joined by Sudan and Morocco, were a defining moment in Middle Eastern politics and Israeli-Arab relations.The Accords were a result of years of political and diplomatic efforts toward a rapprochement between Israel and Arab Gulf states.It was historic because it was the first breakthrough in normalizing relations between Israel and its Arab Islamic neighbors since Jordan normalized relations with Israel in 1994 in the wake of the Oslo Accords.But even more important, the Accords underlined that it was possible to pursue peace in the Middle East through diplomacy, persistence and diligence.The Accords renewed hope for the revival of the Middle East Peace Process toward the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.The Accords set in motion a serious churn in Middle Eastern politics.The establishment of the I2U2 and IMEEC underscored the potential for regional and transregional cooperation.Discussions of Saudi Arabia and Oman also joining the Abraham Accords created the possibility of widening the gains made through the Accords.Of course, many remained skeptical of these breakthroughs, underlining that the Accords do not make any notable progress toward achieving the two-state solution.Iran remained at the forefront of the naysayers, continuing to pursue a militaristic approach by supporting and arming proxies.The hope for a breakthrough on the Israeli-Palestinian front did not last long, given the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.The October 7 attacks and the consequent Gaza War did expose the limits of diplomacy and, to an extent, have blocked further progress on the normalization promise, especially with Saudi Arabia.The Kingdom was reportedly fully invested in the diplomatic efforts by the USA when the October 7 attacks shattered the prospects.The attacks forced Riyadh to revert to strategic restraint instead of taking a strategic risk by joining the Abraham Accords.Notwithstanding, the relations between Israel and the three Abraham Accords signatories, Bahrain, Morocco, and the UAE, have withstood the test of time.Progress with Sudan has been stalled due to internal disturbances in the country.Bahrain, the UAE, and Morocco adopted a nuanced response to the October 7 attacks and the war in the Gaza Strip, underlining their condemnation of terrorism and commitment toward a two-state solution.Relations between Israel and the UAE have progressed at a faster pace, with notable growth in political, economic, and strategic engagements.The Emirati leadership has also been forthcoming in cooperating with Israel and the USA to