This is based on publicly available information. I do not claim to be an expert on the topic. Some parts may be AI generated.
You’ve probably heard the name “Abraham Accords” pop up in the news for the past few years. It’s often mentioned in heated debates on TV, especially when the discussion turns to whether Pakistan should recognize Israel.
But what are these accords, really? With so much political noise, the actual meaning can get confusing. Let’s break it down in the simplest way possible and understand why this issue is so important for Pakistan.
What ARE the Abraham Accords? The Simplest Explanation
Imagine a street where most of the houses have refused to talk to one particular house for decades. The reason for this boycott is that they believe this house (Israel) has been unfairly occupying the land and mistreating another family on the street (the Palestinians). This united boycott was their main way of showing support for the Palestinian family.
The Abraham Accords, signed back in September 2020, are basically a few of the neighbors deciding to break that boycott.
Specifically, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain signed deals, brokered by the United States, to officially “normalize” relations with Israel. This means they agreed to:
- Recognize Israel as a country.
- Open embassies.
- Start direct flights and tourism.
- Do business and trade openly.
Later, Morocco and Sudan also joined in similar agreements.
So, What Was the “Deal”? What Did Each Side Get?
These accords weren’t just about a sudden desire for peace. They were highly transactional deals where each country got something it wanted.
- For the Arab States (UAE & Bahrain): The main prize was access to advanced American and Israeli technology. The UAE, for example, was promised the chance to buy top-tier F-35 fighter jets from the US. They also gained access to Israel’s world-class cybersecurity and surveillance technology, and opened up lucrative trade and tourism opportunities. Many also saw it as a way to form a stronger alliance against a common regional rival, Iran.
- For Israel: This was a massive diplomatic victory. For the first time, they were recognized by Gulf Arab nations without having to make any major concessions on the issue of Palestine. It broke the long-standing Arab unity on the issue and legitimized their position on the world stage.
The Elephant in the Room: What About Palestine?
This is the most critical part of the whole story. For decades, the collective Arab stance (and Pakistan’s) was based on the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. This basically said: “We will all recognize you, Israel, after you withdraw from occupied lands and allow the creation of a free Palestinian state.”
The Abraham Accords completely flipped this script. The new position became: “We will recognize you now, and we hope our new friendship and business ties will give us some influence to help the Palestinians later.”
Five years on, critics argue that this has been a disastrous failure for the Palestinian cause. The situation in the occupied territories has only worsened, illegal settlements have expanded, and as we saw in the recent (hypothetical) Gaza war and the subsequent sham peace deal, the Accords gave the Palestinians no new leverage. In fact, by breaking the united front, they left the Palestinians more isolated than ever.
The Pakistani Context: Why This Matters to Us
So, why does this matter to Pakistan? Because ever since the Accords were signed, there has been immense pressure on Pakistan to “be pragmatic” and follow suit.
The argument for recognition usually involves potential economic benefits and appeasing powerful allies like the US and the UAE. However, Pakistan’s historical position, dating back to the Quaid-e-Azam, has always been clear: no recognition without a just settlement for the Palestinian people.
For Pakistan, the issue is not just about foreign policy; it’s a matter of principle tied to the Ummah and justice for the oppressed. The failure of the Abraham Accords to bring any meaningful relief or justice to the Palestinians has only strengthened the conviction of most Pakistanis that recognition would be a betrayal. It proved that a “peace” focused on business deals while ignoring the core issue of occupation is not a real peace at all.
Understanding the Abraham Accords is simple: it was a choice by a few nations to prioritize their own national interests over a decades-long collective principle. For Pakistan, watching how it has played out has made our own choice, and the reasons behind it, clearer than ever.