By: Samuel shay chairman Israel – GCC business forum
The Abraham Accords, a series of normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states, were signed on September 15, 2020, at the White House. The agreements were between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
The agreements have been hailed as a major breakthrough in the Israeli-Arab conflict, and have led to a number of positive developments, including:
* Increased trade and investment between Israel and the Arab states.
* Increased cooperation on security and intelligence matters.
* Increased people-to-people contact and tourism.
* A thawing of relations between Israel and the wider Arab world.
The agreements have also been credited with helping to stabilize the Middle East region.
The Biden administration has pledged to continue to support the Abraham Accords, and has expressed hope that more Arab states will join the agreements in the future.
There is a growing expectation that Saudi Arabia will be the next Arab state to normalize relations with Israel. There have been a number of positive signs in recent months, including:
* The UAE’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed visited Saudi Arabia in April 2022, and met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
* Israeli officials have been quietly visiting Saudi Arabia in recent months.
* Saudi Arabia has allowed Israeli airlines to fly over its airspace.
However, there are also some challenges that could hinder a Saudi-Israeli normalization agreement. These include:
* The Palestinian issue. Saudi Arabia has traditionally been a strong supporter of the Palestinians, and any normalization agreement with Israel would likely require progress on the Palestinian peace process.
* Public opinion. There is still some opposition to normalization with Israel in Saudi Arabia, particularly among the country’s religious establishment.
Despite these challenges, there is a growing sense that a Saudi-Israeli normalization agreement is inevitable. The Abraham Accords have shown that it is possible for Arab states to normalize relations with Israel, and Saudi Arabia is increasingly isolated in its opposition to normalization.
The three-year anniversary of the Abraham Accords is a time to celebrate the progress that has been made, and to look forward to the future. The agreements have the potential to bring peace and stability to the Middle East, and to create new opportunities for cooperation and prosperity.
Here are some of the specific benefits that the Abraham Accords have brought to Israel and the Arab states:
* *Trade and investment:* The agreements have led to a significant increase in trade and investment between Israel and the Arab states. In the first year after the agreements were signed, trade between Israel and the UAE increased by 270%.
* *Security and intelligence cooperation:* The agreements have also led to increased cooperation between Israel and the Arab states on security and intelligence matters. This cooperation has helped to counter the threat of terrorism and other regional challenges.
* *People-to-people contact:* The agreements have also led to increased people-to-people contact between Israel and the Arab states. This has been facilitated by the opening of embassies and consulates, as well as the resumption of direct flights between the countries.
* *Thaw in relations with the wider Arab world:* The Abraham Accords have also led to a thaw in relations between Israel and the wider Arab world. This has been evident in the increasing number of Arab states that have expressed support for the agreements, and in the growing willingness of Arab leaders to meet with Israeli officials.
The Abraham Accords are a historic achievement that have the potential to bring peace and stability to the Middle East. The agreements have already brought many benefits to Israel and the Arab states, and they have the potential to bring even more benefits in the years to come.
As for the prospects of a new agreement with Saudi Arabia, it is too early to say for sure what will happen. However, the growing momentum behind the Abraham Accords and the increasing isolation of Saudi Arabia make it seem likely that an agreement will eventually be reached.
How Africa can benefit from the peace agreements:
The Abraham Accords could have a positive impact on Africa’s economic development in a number of ways.
• Increased trade and investment: The agreements could lead to increased trade and investment between Israel and Africa. Israel is a technologically advanced country with a strong economy, and it could offer Africa new opportunities for trade and investment.
• Joint ventures: The agreements could also lead to joint ventures between Israeli and African companies. This could help to transfer technology and expertise from Israel to Africa, and could help to create jobs and boost economic growth.
• Tourism: The agreements could also lead to increased tourism between Israel and Africa. Israel is a popular tourist destination, and its normalization with Arab states could make it more accessible to tourists from Africa.
• Education and research: The agreements could also lead to increased cooperation between Israeli and African universities and research institutions. This could help to improve the quality of education and research in Africa, and could help to develop new technologies and solutions to Africa’s challenges.
• Security cooperation: The agreements could also lead to increased security cooperation between Israel and Africa. This could help to counter the threat of terrorism and other regional challenges, and could help to create a more stable environment for economic development.
Of course, the full impact of the Abraham Accords on Africa’s economic development will depend on a number of factors, including the willingness of Israeli and African businesses to invest in each other, the level of security cooperation, and the political will to make the agreements work. However, the potential benefits are significant, and the agreements could play a positive role in Africa’s economic development in the years to come.
In addition to the above, the Abraham Accords could also help to promote peace and stability in Africa. This is because the agreements could help to reduce tensions between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and could create a more conducive environment for cooperation on regional issues. This could have a positive impact on Africa’s economic development, as it would create a more stable and secure environment for businesses to operate in.
Overall, the Abraham Accords have the potential to be a major positive force for Africa’s economic development. The agreements could lead to increased trade and investment, joint ventures, tourism, education and research, and security cooperation. This could help to create jobs, boost economic growth, and promote peace and stability in Africa.
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