Amid ongoing crises in the Middle East, Donald Trump assumed the US presidency for a second term on January 20, 2025. Among the key agreements revisited upon his return are the Abraham Accords, a diplomatic initiative to shape regional geopolitics in the Middle Eastern region. The Abraham Accords were a series of agreements signed on September 15, 2020, at the White House under the President Donald Trump. Initially, these agreements were aimed at Arab-Israel normalization between the UAE, Israel and Bahrain. These agreements were followed by deals with Morocco on December 10, 2020, and Sudan on October 23, 2020. In 2020, Isreal and UAE gave a joint statement that Abraham Accords were a historic step toward regional peace and cooperation. They considered them as a framework for regional peace and security in the Middle East. The Abraham Accords developed full economic, diplomatic and cultural bond among Isreal and several Arab states, started with the UAE and Bahrain. They boost economic cooperation, regional peace, security collaboration and inclusive dialogue and reinforce the US alliance in the Middle East. The accords also motivate technological, scientific, and cultural exchanges, and making efforts to expand the accords to more countries.
During his first tenure, President Trump viewed Abraham Accords as a foundational step towards achieving peace across the entire Middle East. Trump said that these agreements join two most important allies of America – Isreal and the Arab States in the Middle East – to bring peace and prosperity in the region. Abraham Accords were seen as a chance to strengthen relations of two Gulf States Bahrain and UAE with Isreal. Trump sought Abraham Accords as a broader diplomatic effort to pressurize the Palestinians into negotiating a peace deal with Isreal. He initiated the Accords which were showcased as mutually beneficial for both Isreal and Palestine. However, Trump declared Jerusalem will remain an undivided capital of Isreal.
During a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC on February 4, 2025, Trump announced that the US will “take over†and “own†Gaza after resettling Palestinians under an extraordinary redevelopment plan. Trump’s aggressive stance on Gaza contradicted the Abraham Accords, which aimed for a peaceful Middle East as per existing states and territories. This will be the reason for the failure of the Abraham Accords. Palestinian leaders and activists rejected this plan because of Israel’s aggression and Palestinian genocide.
A Palestinian activist Abu Diab stated, “This agreement serves more to Israel’s interests than Palestine’s while ruining two key pillars of Palestinian State – Jerusalem and the Jordan Valley. After decades of sacrifices we want independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.â€
During Trump’s first administration, the Abraham Accords encountered substantial opposition, particularly from Palestine and Saudi Arabia. The Palestinian Authority rejected the Accords, considering them as a betrayal of their goal for statehood and a resolution to the Israeli Palestinian issue. According to Palestinians, normalization could only come with a two-state solution. Saudi Arabia, a prominent regional power, also refused to sign the Accords, claiming that any reconciliation with Israel must include a fair resolution for the Palestinians, emphasizing sovereignty and a two-state solution.
Between Trumps 1.0 and Trump 2.0, the Middle Eastern geopolitical dynamics have changed. During Trump’s first tenure, the US took unilateral move of signing the Abraham Accords, withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and formed strong US-Israel alignment. All such US policy decisions have further strengthened Israels position as a regional hegemon. Moreover, during this period, the Iran-China-Russia relations have grown stronger, the Saudi-Iran détente has transformed Gulf affairs, and there is a growing opposition to Netanyahu’s policies. Israel’s war on Gaza weakened global support for Israel as it has failed to address Palestinian concerns. Saudi Arabia bases regional peace on a two-state settlement, undermining the US objectives.
Trump’s historically low priority for arms control reflects that there is a little chance of extending JCPOA, leaving Iran under ongoing economic pressure. Meanwhile, his administration is expected to expand the Abraham Accords, maybe pushing for reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Israel, and even aiming to bring Pakistan into a larger alignment with the US regional goals. However, Pakistan does not recognize Isreal.
Pakistan has consistently advocated for a two-state solution as the key to enduring peace in the Middle East, with a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in International Law and in line with relevant United Nations and Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) resolutions. A viable, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine should be established based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Presently, Pakistan maintains its principled stance on the two-state solution, like the solution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the international law and the UN system. Furthermore, Islamabad continues to highlight human rights crimes in Palestine, which are strikingly like in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K). In line with its long-standing diplomatic position, Pakistan must actively campaign for Palestinian rights on global platforms, demonstrating its commitment to justice and international principles. Any convergence with the objectives of Abraham Accords that does not address the Palestinian dispute would be short-lived and unsustainable. Ignoring the basic conflict risks escalating instability because peace initiatives will lack legitimacy among Arab and Muslim populations. Trump’s return to the oval office will possibly change US foreign policy in the Middle East, as evidenced by the Abraham Accords. However, Saudi Arabia’s stance on a two-state solution, increasing opposition to Israel policies may curb Washington influence. Pakistan should maintain its principled position on Palestine issue for its moral basis and diplomatic consistency.
This article was published in another form at https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/02/26/trump-2-0-supercharging-the-abraham-accords/
Shahwana Binte Sohail is is Research Assistant at the Centre for International Strategic Studies Islamabad.
