The Abraham Accords were promoted as a landmark peace initiative for the Middle East during the first presidency of Donald Trump. In reality, however, the agreements primarily enabled several Arab states to normalise relations with Israel without addressing the central and unresolved issue of Palestine. While the accords produced diplomatic ceremonies and strategic partnerships, they did little to confront the decades-long conflict rooted in occupation, displacement and the denial of Palestinian statehood.
Mr Trump now appears eager to revive and expand the Abraham Accords following the recent tensions involving Iran. Washington is reportedly encouraging more Muslim-majority countries to join the process, presenting it as a pathway towards regional stability. Yet this renewed push appears less connected to genuine peace-building and more aligned with the interests of Israel’s supporters in Washington and the American hard-line pro-Israel right. Attempting to link the Iran conflict with the expansion of the Abraham Accords is both politically convenient and strategically misleading.
The confrontation involving Iran stems from a complex mix of regional rivalries, military escalation and geopolitical competition that has developed over many years. These tensions do not erase the core issue that has shaped Middle Eastern politics for generations — the unresolved Palestinian question. The absence of a sovereign Palestinian state, continued Israeli occupation and the repeated failure of peace efforts remain central sources of instability across the region.
Yet the latest diplomatic effort appears designed to push the Palestinian issue further into the background. Muslim-majority countries are once again being encouraged to normalise ties with Israel while Palestinians continue to live under occupation and without meaningful political rights. Unsurprisingly, many countries across the Muslim world remain unconvinced by the logic of the Abraham Accords. They recognise that sustainable peace cannot emerge from agreements that bypass the very people most affected by the conflict.
Pakistan’s position on the matter has remained consistent for decades. Islamabad has repeatedly stated that recognition of Israel cannot occur without a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue and a clear framework for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. This stance should not be viewed as ideological rigidity or political extremism. Rather, it reflects the practical understanding that long-term peace and legitimacy in the Middle East cannot be achieved while millions of Palestinians remain deprived of basic political and human rights.
Meanwhile, Israel has shown little indication of moving towards a comprehensive and just settlement. Illegal settlements in occupied Palestinian territories continue to expand despite international criticism. Gaza has suffered devastating destruction from war, bombardment and humanitarian collapse, while violence and displacement continue in the West Bank. Under such circumstances, expecting Muslim countries to deepen diplomatic engagement with Israel without demanding accountability or political concessions appears both unrealistic and unjustified.
Mr Trump’s renewed enthusiasm for expanding the Abraham Accords also highlights the growing influence of the Israeli lobby and the American ultra-right in shaping Washington’s Middle East policy. For many of these political actors, the primary objective has never truly been lasting peace. Instead, the focus has largely been on strengthening Israel’s regional acceptance while gradually sidelining the Palestinian cause from international diplomacy.
The United States also risks misunderstanding public opinion across the Muslim world. While governments may pursue diplomatic engagement for strategic or economic reasons, public sentiment continues to regard the Palestinian issue as central to justice and dignity in the Middle East. Ignoring that reality may produce short-term diplomatic victories, but it cannot generate lasting legitimacy or regional stability.
The Palestinian issue cannot simply be erased through diplomatic agreements, economic incentives or symbolic ceremonies. Any political arrangement that ignores Palestinian statehood and self-determination may create headlines and temporary alliances, but it will not deliver genuine peace. Stability in the Middle East requires addressing the root causes of conflict, not bypassing them for short-term geopolitical convenience.
Shafaqna Pakistan
pakistan.shafaqna.com
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article
