Abraham Accords: Five Years of Diplomacy
Hope and Challenges in Middle Eastern Relations
Five Years On: Abraham Accords Endure Despite Regional Turmoil
As the Abraham Accords marked their fifth anniversary this September, Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel’s recent trip to Abu Dhabi has reinforced optimism about the future of these groundbreaking diplomatic agreements. The accords, signed on September 15, 2020, during President Trump’s first term, established diplomatic normalization between Israel and several Arab states, fundamentally reshaping Middle Eastern diplomacy.
They’re really looking to build a mutual future together in a different way than what we have seen in the last 20 years. The stronger these bonds are when created, the more stable and the better it will be for everybody.
The original agreements brought together Israel with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, followed shortly by Morocco and Sudan. What makes these accords particularly significant is their resilience during times of crisis, as Haskel emphasized: “We always knew that the Abraham Accords would be tested during this time.”
🇦🇪 UAE
First signatory, major humanitarian contributor to Gaza
🇧🇭 Bahrain
Early adopter, maintained diplomatic ties
🇲🇦 Morocco
Joined shortly after initial signing
🇸🇩 Sudan
Fourth nation to normalize relations
Read full interview: Five years on – Abraham Accords still source of hope
Beyond Territory: A Cultural and Religious Conflict
At The Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference, Haskel provided crucial context for understanding the broader implications of current Middle Eastern tensions. Her analysis reveals the multifaceted nature of contemporary conflicts that extend far beyond traditional territorial disputes.
This is not a territorial conflict, this is a religious, a cultural conflict that the world is facing while Israel is at the front line.
Diplomatic Resilience
Haskel emphasized how some countries have maintained their support for Israel despite external pressures, demonstrating “moral clarity to push away bribes or anything else and to stand by what they truly believe in, those shared values of democracy and liberties and freedom of religion.”
External Influences
The Deputy Foreign Minister highlighted concerns about foreign interference: “We’ve seen how foreign money, whether it is from Qatar, from Hamas, from Iran, has really influenced governments, parliament members, the media.”
Read full coverage: Cultural conflict analysis from Diplomatic Conference
🔍 Click to Explore: The Complex Qatar Relationship
Abraham Accords Timeline & Impact
September 2020: Initial signing with UAE and Bahrain
2020-2023: Expansion to include Morocco and Sudan
October 2023: Regional conflict tests accord stability
September 2025: Fifth anniversary marked with renewed commitment
Global Implications and Future Prospects
The Abraham Accords represent more than regional diplomacy; they’ve become a model for international cooperation. Haskel’s discussions at the European Leadership Network think tank conference highlighted how these agreements have created “building a channel not just between the Emirates and Abrahamic religion-based states, but also with European countries.”
International Expansion
Countries from Italy, England, Sweden, Holland, and other European nations are showing interest in participating in this diplomatic framework, potentially transforming it into a global initiative for stability and cooperation.
The mention of agreements like IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) demonstrates how the Abraham Accords could serve as a foundation for broader economic and political partnerships that extend well beyond the Middle East.
Despite the challenges, I think that the day after the war will come, you know, those bridges will be stronger, more countries will want to join it.
Understanding the Diplomatic Challenge
Haskel’s insights help us understand that modern diplomacy operates on multiple fronts simultaneously. The conflict, as she describes it, “is not just being fought by the army, but also through media, social media, economically, diplomatically, through the international organizations, the UN – where they’ve been politicized and are being used as a political tool.”
This comprehensive view reveals why the Abraham Accords’ survival through regional upheaval is so significant. They represent successful relationship-building that transcends immediate political pressures and focuses on long-term mutual benefits and shared values.
The Saudi Question
Regarding potential Saudi Arabian participation, Haskel noted: “They need to decide if they want to tie the future of their children with the decisions of the corrupt and extremist Palestinian government.” This illustrates how future expansion depends on regional stakeholders making strategic choices about their diplomatic priorities.
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