The Abraham Accords Palestinian Deprivation Israeli Hegemony

The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, represent a landmark moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Heralded by proponents as a historic step toward peace, these agreements normalised relations between Israel and several Arab states—initially, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, followed by Morocco and Sudan (though Sudan’s ratification remains unsettled). Brokered by the United States under President Donald Trump, the accords promised economic cooperation, security collaboration, and a new regional order aimed at defusing tensions and countering shared threats, particularly from Iran.

The overarching goal of the accords was to defuse tensions in the Middle East by normalising relations between Israel and several so-called moderate Arab states. In return, these nations would gain access to advanced technologies and fresh trade opportunities, motivated by a shared view of Iran as a strategic threat. The plan followed the “Peace to Prosperity” in the Middle East workshop organised in Bahrain in June 2019 by Trump’s son-in-law and then advisor, Jared Kushner. Inspiration for the accords came from the idea that geoeconomics could defuse geopolitical tensions by providing financial and economic incentives to circumvent seemingly intractable conflicts. Here are the complete texts of the Abraham Accords agreements signed at the White House on September 15, 2020, by the United States (as witness), Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain:

The Abraham Accords Declaration trilateral-plus-one

declaration between the U.S., Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain promoting peace, interfaith dialogue, tolerance, and cooperation. Highlights include:

• “We encourage efforts to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue to advance a culture of peace among the three Abrahamic religions and all humanity.”
• “We support science, art, medicine, and commerce to inspire humankind… we pursue a vision of peace, security, and prosperity…” (timesofisrael.com)

Full text is available in multiple formats (PDF/text) via CNN or the U.S. State Department.

Treaty of Peace, Diplomatic Relations & Full Normalisation

A bilateral treaty between Israel and the United Arab Emirates that establishes full diplomatic ties and outlines cooperation across many domains, including:

• Finance & Investment
• Civil aviation (direct flights and visa frameworks)
• Trade, innovation, tourism, culture, energy, environment, healthcare, space, agriculture, water, legal cooperation, and more
• A mutual commitment toward a just, negotiated Israeli–Palestinian peace (palquest.org, sazf.org)

Full PDF/text versions are accessible via CNN and legal archives. Declaration of Peace, Cooperation & Constructive Diplomatic Relations: A bilateral agreement between Israel and Bahrain that formalises diplomatic relations and underscores:

• The beginning of an “era of friendship and cooperation”
• Full diplomatic recognition, security and coexistence
• A shared aim for a “just, comprehensive, and enduring resolution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict” (timesofisrael.com, reddit.com)

• (cambridge.org)

In Summary

• Abraham Accords Declaration: A foundational, visionary commitment to shared peace, tolerance, and cooperation among Abrahamic faiths.
• Israel–UAE Treaty: Far-reaching normalisation with detailed annexes spanning aviation, economy, tech, environment, diplomacy, and more.
• Israel–Bahrain Declaration: A focused agreement establishing diplomatic relations and shared commitment to Palestinian peace efforts.

Yet, beneath the diplomatic fanfare lies a complex and deeply troubling reality: the accords largely sidestep the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leaving Palestinians marginalized, deprived of basic human rights, and trapped under an enduring system of Israeli dominance. This article unpacks the Abraham Accords in full—exploring their origins, signatories, supporters, and critics—while emphasizing the profound hegemonic imbalance that continues to compromise Palestinian independence, dignity, and livelihood.

The Abraham Accords: What Are They?

Officially signed on September 15, 2020, the Abraham Accords constitute a set of agreements that established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states. The UAE and Bahrain were the first Arab countries to recognize Israel since Jordan in 1994, with Morocco and Sudan joining later (though Sudan’s agreement remains unratified as of 2025). The accords were framed as a geo-economic strategy—using economic incentives and technological cooperation to bypass seemingly intractable political conflicts12.

The accords include provisions for embassies, direct flights, trade agreements, security cooperation, and cultural exchanges. They symbolize a break from decades of Arab policy that conditioned normalization on resolving the Palestinian question. Instead, the accords prioritised shared security concerns—especially those related to Iran—and economic diversification for Gulf states eager to reduce their dependence on oil revenues. 15

Who Authored and Supported the Abraham Accords?

The accords were primarily authored by the Trump administration, with Jared Kushner playing a key role in brokering the deals. The signatories include:

• Israel
• United Arab Emirates
• Bahrain
• Morroco

• Sudan (pending full ratification)

The United States positioned itself as the regional security guarantor and diplomatic broker, aiming to solidify its influence and counterbalance rising powers like China15.

Supporters hail from these governments and many Western countries, praising the accords as a diplomatic breakthrough that could reshape the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape.

Top Beneficiaries of Israel and the Gulf States

The accords benefit Israel by breaking its diplomatic isolation in the Arab world for the first time in decades, opening new avenues for trade, tourism, and security cooperation. Gulf states like the UAE and Bahrain gain access to Israeli technology, intelligence sharing, and investment opportunities, which aid their economic diversification efforts25.

Morocco and Sudan received specific incentives: Morocco gained U.S. recognition over Western Sahara, and Sudan was removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, unlocking financial aid2.

The Palestinian Predicament: Marginalised and Deprived

Despite the accords’ promises of peace and prosperity, Palestinians were notably excluded from the negotiations and benefits. The accords do not address the core issues of Palestinian statehood, sovereignty, or human rights. This diplomatic sidelining has deepened Palestinian deprivation and underscored Israel’s hegemonic control.

Palestinian Human Rights Under Israeli Policies

Numerous reports from the U.S. State Department, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the United Nations document ongoing Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians, including:

• Military Occupation of the West Bank and Blockade of Gaza.

• Expansion of Israeli settlements, which are illegal under international law and fragments Palestinian territory.

• Restrictions on Movements via checkpoints, the separation barrier, and permit regimes.

• Demolitions of Palestinian homes and infrastructure under restrictive building permit policies.

• Control Over Water Resources, allocating Palestinians a fraction of available water, severely limiting agriculture and livelihoods17.

These policies collectively deprive Palestinians of basic human rights, economic independence, and a respectable livelihood, reinforcing a system described by some as apartheid and persecution10.

Palestinian Sovereignty and the Two-State Solution

Abraham Accords’ failure to pause or reverse settlement expansion undermines the territorial contiguity essential for a viable Palestinian state. Israeli settlements and infrastructure carve the West Bank into disconnected enclaves, denying Palestinians control over their land and resources7.

Moreover, Israel retains ultimate security control over Palestinian territories, limiting Palestinian sovereignty. The Palestinian Authority, weakened and fragmented, functions largely as a security subcontractor enforcing Israeli interests, often repressing its own people10.

The Hegemony of Israel in the Accords

The Abraham Accords reflect a one-sided hegemony favouring Israel, consolidating its regional dominance while Palestinians remain marginalized:

• Normalization without Palestinian inclusion: The accords normalize Israel’s relations with Arab states without requiring concessions on Palestinian rights or ending the occupation.

• Continued settlement expansion: Israel’s settlement policies continue unabated, fragmenting Palestinian land and preempting statehood.

• Security priorities over sovereignty: Israel maintains military control and restricts Palestinian movement, prioritizing its security over Palestinian autonomy.

• Palestinians policing themselves: The Palestinian Authority’s security cooperation with Israel effectively makes Palestinians responsible for repressing their own population, deepening internal divisions and weakening resistance10.

This dynamic entrenches Israeli control and diminishes Palestinian agency, creating a diplomatic environment where Palestinians are excluded from shaping their own future.

Regional Reactions: Support and Opposition

While the Abraham Accords have supporters in the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and parts of the Western world, several key Muslim-majority countries oppose or remain cautious:

•   Turkey has strongly criticised the accords as a betrayal of Palestinians, though recent diplomatic thawing with Israel suggests pragmatic engagement.

•   Saudi Arabia has not joined but remains a focal point for potential future normalisation, conditioned on Palestinian statehood. However, public sentiment and recent conflicts have hardened Saudi opposition.

•  Pakistan and Indonesia firmly oppose normalisation without progress on Palestinian rights and maintain no diplomatic ties with Israel12.

These countries emphasize that any peace must be just and inclusive, centering on Palestinian sovereignty.

Pros and Cons of the Abraham Accords for the Region

The Future of the Abraham Accords: Uncertain and Contingent

The Abraham Accords have survived major regional upheavals, including the devastating Israel-Hamas war in 2023-2024, but their future remains uncertain. Expansion efforts to include countries like Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Lebanon face significant political, public, and humanitarian hurdles13.

For the accords to evolve into a genuine peace framework, progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is indispensable. Without addressing Palestinian rights and ending the occupation, the accords risk becoming a regional realignment that entrenches Israeli hegemony rather than fostering inclusive peace.

https://lumen5.com/user/hmdmahmood55/abraham-accords-pea-30lvt/

Conclusion: A Diplomatic Milestone Shadowed by Injustice

The Abraham Accords mark a historic diplomatic shift in the Middle East, breaking decades of hostility between Israel and several Arab states. They offer new avenues for cooperation, economic growth, and security collaboration.

Yet, this diplomatic milestone is overshadowed by the ongoing deprivation of Palestinians, whose basic human rights, independence, and dignity remain compromised under Israeli occupation and policies. The accords reflect a hegemonic framework that privileges Israeli security and regional integration over Palestinian sovereignty and justice.

For peace to be lasting and just, the international community and regional actors must confront this imbalance, ensuring that Palestinian rights are central—not peripheral—to any future agreements. Otherwise, the Abraham Accords risk being remembered as a chapter of diplomatic progress for some, but continued repression and marginalization of the Palestinian people.

In the words of many Palestinians and observers alike, the accords are like building a grand bridge between nations while leaving the most crucial crossing—the Palestinian right to self-determination—dangling unfinished. Until that gap is bridged, peace will remain elusive, and justice incomplete.