The Abraham Accords remain a cornerstone of President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican Party’s agenda. During the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the enduring importance of these accords, highlighting their potential to foster peace and reconciliation between Israel and the Arab world.
Most importantly, he asserted that these agreements serve as a vital step toward ensuring lasting peace across Israel and the Arabian Peninsula.
The Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. The name “Abraham Accords” reflects the shared heritage of prophet Abraham, known as the “father of many nations.” Abraham had two sons: Isaac, the promised son, born to his wife Sarah, and Ishmael, born to Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian handmaiden. Isaac’s descendants became the Israelites. Jacob, renamed Israel, established a promised nation in Canaan, now Israel. In Islamic tradition, Ishmael’s descendants, the Ishmaelites, are considered ancestors of Arab tribes.
The Abrahamic Accords aim to establish and strengthen relationships among Jews, Christians and Muslims. The accords are built on principles of peaceful coexistence, interfaith harmony, religious tolerance, mutual respect and religious freedom, seeking to promote a spirit of unity and collaboration between Israel, the Middle East, the Arab world, other Islamic nations and the global community. These accords represent a significant step toward bridging historical divides and promoting a future of shared prosperity and understanding.
The Israel-Palestine conflict revolves around land, self-recognition and self-determination.
In 1947, the UN proposed a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, supported by 33 states, opposed by 13, with 10 abstentions. Israel accepted the plan, but Arab nations rejected it, launching a war against the Jewish population. This marked the beginning of ongoing tensions — violence and disputes over territory and national identity — which continue to this day.
In 1948, David Ben-Gurion, head of the Jewish Agency, declared the establishment of Israel, with U.S. President Harry S. Truman immediately recognizing it. In 1949, Israel became a UN member, receiving 37 votes, with 12 opposed and nine abstaining. Egypt became the first Islamic state to establish diplomatic relations in March 1979. Jordan followed in 1994. In 2020, the UAE, Sudan, Morocco and Bahrain normalized relations with Israel, signaling a significant shift in regional diplomacy.
As of 2024, 164 out of 193 UN member states, including all G7 countries, recognize Israel as a legitimate state. However, 28 Islamic countries, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, North Korea, Indonesia, Maldives, Qatar, Algeria, Mali, Bangladesh, Iraq, Mauritania, Somalia, Brunei, Kuwait, Niger, Syria, Comoros, Lebanon, Tunisia, Cuba, Libya, Oman, Venezuela, Djibouti, Malaysia and Yemen, still do not recognize Israel.
Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 146 UN member states but holds non-member observer status since 2012. Key nations opposing Israel’s recognition, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea, wield significant geopolitical influence. The U.S. and UN must engage these countries through political, military, diplomatic and economic measures to foster dialogue and promote peace.
Israel is geographically surrounded by 57 Muslim countries, of which 48 have a Muslim-majority population. In the Middle East alone, Israel is bordered by 15 Islamic nations. As of 2024, the global Muslim population stands at approximately 2 billion, making it one of the world’s largest religious demographics. In stark contrast, the global Jewish population is just 15.8 million. The majority of Jews reside in Israel and the U.S., with smaller communities in France, Canada, United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Australia.
Given these statistics, a logical observer might question the narrative surrounding survival and self-determination. Are the 2 billion Muslims, with a vast geographical expanse and influence, truly the ones under existential threat, or is it the Jewish community, with a population of only 15.8 million, striving to preserve its identity and secure its future amidst overwhelming odds?
The Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel resulted in thousands of deaths, widespread injury and displacement. The destruction, including billions in infrastructure damage and the loss of millions of acres of agricultural land, led to economic losses exceeding $53 billion — resources that could have supported vital sectors like human development, trade education and healthcare.
This is a pivotal moment for Muslim leaders and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to reconsider their stance on self-determination. Embracing the Abraham Accords and recognizing Israel’s legitimacy can drive progress in trade, technology and peace. The U.S. and UN must deploy special envoys to initiate comprehensive discussions with key stakeholders — state, military, religious scholars, think tanks, academia, media, journalists and others — to highlight historical insights and mutual benefits, fostering cooperation and lasting global peace.
Efforts should focus on engaging interfaith organizations to initiate dialogue, disarming terrorist groups and sanctioning nations supporting militancy. Protecting religious minorities, upholding religious freedom and normalizing relations between the Islamic world and the global community will pave the way for peace, mutual respect and shared progress.
