WHEN NORMALIZATION MEETS ESCALATION: THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS IN THE SHADOW OF THE ISRAEL–HAMAS CONFLICT

Abstract

This review article explores the factors influencing the signing of the Abraham Accords and their implementation since 2020, focusing on the ways in which signatory countries have responded to the 2023 Israel–Hamas conflict. Through analyses of the regional implications of that conflict, the study considers how Iran’s influence and the national interests of signatory countries have shaped diplomatic policies toward Israel. For the UAE and Bahrain, the Iranian threat outweighs the importance of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, while for Morocco and Sudan, other national interests take precedence. Based on such comparisons of these countries’ responses to the Israel–Hamas conflict, this study offers a more nuanced understanding of the dynamic balance between regional security concerns and the implementation of the Abraham Accords, contributing to broader discussions on the future of Middle East diplomacy and the stability of the normalization process in the face of ongoing conflicts.     

Keywords: Abraham Accords, Israel–Hamas war, Gaza, Israeli–Palestinian Conflict, normalization, Iran, Arab–Israeli relations