ABRAHAM ACCORDS

ABRAHAM ACCORDS

Subject : International Relations

Context :Mr. Sullivan described the Quad and the Abraham Accords — deals signed in 2020 to normalise relations between Israel and certain West Asian and North African countries — as examples of Trump administration’s actions that were positive and ones the Biden administration would build on.

Concept :

• The Abraham Accord between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain is mediated by the USA. It is the first Arab-Israeli peace deal in 26 years.
• Previous Agreements: There were the only two peace deals between Israel and the Arab States in more than a quarter of a century.
• Egypt was the first Arab State to sign a peace deal with Israel in 1979.
• Jordan signed a peace pact in 1994.

The Agreement:

As per the agreements, the UAE and Bahrain will establish:

• Embassies and exchange ambassadors.
• Working together with Israel across a range of sectors, including tourism, trade, healthcare and security.
• The Abraham Accords also open the door for Muslims around the world to visit the historic sites in Israel and to peacefully pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest site in Islam.
• In the Islamic tradition, the Kaaba in Mecca is considered the holiest site, followed by the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
• Reason: Bringing Israel, the UAE and Bahrain together reflects their shared concern about Iran’s rising influence in the region and development of ballistic missiles. Iran has been critical of both deals.