In some past years, a noteworthiness changed has been seen in Middle Eastern geopolitics: the positive relations between Israel and some Arab nations. These agreements, specifically the Abraham Accords, are the startup of new era, diminishing all the differences and non-recognition between them. Whereas these initiatives have been praised as a sign of peace, but it leaves serious impact on regional affairs, global collaborations, and unresolved conflicts like Israel-Palestine issue.
A Turning Point of Abraham accords
With the help of United States, the Abraham Accords initiate with agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain in 2020. Later, this was continued by Sudan and Morocco. Israel and other countries accepted each other with mutual recognition, promises to cooperate with each other economically.
For Israel, these agreements ended the era of isolation in the Arab world, increasing its legitimacy and security. Whereas Arab nations gets opportunities to get benefit from Israel by strengthening their economy, technology and healthy relations with US to counter Iran’s influence in the region.
Economic Cooperation and Opportunities
The measurable results of these agreements is economic cooperation. Trade, tourism, and investments have increased between Israel and Arab countries. For example:
- The Israel and UAE have signed agreements which involves trade, energy, and technology sectors.
- Israel and Arab nations have increased the rate of direct flights between them, promoting social bonds and tourism.
- Collaborative ventures in renewable energy and agricultural technology helps to address and overcome the regional challenges.
The partnerships of Israel and Arab countries has shown the potential for economic integration through cooperation.
Strategic and Security Implications
These agreements are not only about economics; they have also critical strategic effects. Both Israel and Arab counties feel same threat from Iran, which was the major reason of these accords. Arab countries like the Bahrain and UAE are anxious about Iran’s aim of becoming nuclear power and regional intermediaries. They view Israel as a key partner who have advanced military capabilities.
The Abraham accords has supported the US’s vision of strengthening Anti-Iran coalition in Middle East. However, this agreement has increased the tensions for Iran, because Iran sees these agreements as a betrayal by Arab neighbors and threat for their country.
Challenges and Criticisms
Neglecting Palestine issue in normalization agreements is a vast controversy. According to Arab Peace Initiative, Arab nations are only allowed to make agreement with Israel in a condition on the establishment of a Palestine state. The Abraham accords broke this condition, giving rise to incriminations that they left behind the Palestine issue.
The agreements have also intensifies splits within the Arab nations. Algeria and Iraq continues neglecting these agreements and keep supporting Palestine. The differences in Arab world shows that gaining peace framework is not possible.
Additionally, normalization agreements has not resolved conflicts. Many of Arab population are against these agreements, where many people believe Israel’s government as a cruel towards Palestinians. This opposite view of government and citizens can make challenges and difficulties to maintain these agreements for long term.
Impacts on Regional Dynamics
These agreements have altered the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape in several ways
- Israel’s strengthening relations with Arab nations making them involve into the Arab’s political, and economical framework, diminishing historic conflicts.
- The purpose of Abraham accords is to counter the Iran’s influence, but these agreements are also rising the risk of regional conflicts.
- Abraham accords indicates the change in partnerships, where regional objectives, such as economic cooperation and security have priority over ideological divisions.
Global Implications
Globally, normalization agreements increased the influence of US in region by showing their ability as an intermediary. However, it also emphasizes the neglection of traditional frameworks like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Arab League.
The Abraham accords have inspired the discussion of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel in other parts of the world. Whereas, Saudi Arabia has yet not join the Abraham Accords, but current diplomatic signals shows that it can be a possible in the near future.
