Arab allies question ties with Israel after daring military strikes.

On September 15, 2020, a hopeful meeting took place at the White House. Leaders from the UAE, Bahrain, Israel, and the United States came together to sign the Abraham Accords. They dreamed of a more peaceful and connected Middle East.

Five years later, the mood has shifted. After an Israeli strike aimed at Hamas leaders, officials from nearly 60 countries, including Iran and the original signatories, gathered in Qatar. They released a statement urging nations to reconsider their ties with Israel because of its actions in Gaza.

The promise of the Abraham Accords is still alive, but the path has been rocky. The horrific Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza have created new strains on the young relationships.

In the first three years, relations grew quickly. Israeli leaders visited new Arab allies, and agreements on trade, technology, and tourism were signed. Embassies opened, creating a foundation for friendship.

However, public support for the deals was falling in Arab nations even before the war. Polls showed that many people in Bahrain, the UAE, and Morocco were unhappy with the normalization of ties with Israel.

The situation became more difficult when Israel’s current government, which includes hard-right parties, took power at the end of 2022. High-level visits stopped, and a major regional forum was put on hold.

Still, some positive steps continued. Israel and Morocco strengthened their bond, with Israel recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.

Then, the war in Gaza began. This placed the Abraham Accords under their greatest pressure yet. While Arab partners have strongly criticized Israel’s military actions, most have kept their embassies open. Diplomats continue to work behind the scenes, showing that the channels of communication, though strained, have not been broken.

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