Abraham Accords: Possible Impacts on the Muslim World and Pakistan -

By Shamsul Haq, Former Regional Director Information
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a post on a social media platform, recently urged Muslim countries to join the controversial Abraham Accords in the context of a possible Iran–U.S. deal. According to him, countries joining the accords could gain numerous economic and political benefits. However, President Trump also suggested that if one or two countries choose not to sign the agreement for their own reasons at present, it could be tolerated, while emphasizing that the remaining countries should join the accord as soon as possible.
Below, we examine the history of these agreements and their impact on Middle Eastern and global politics.
The year 2020 proved to be a significant turning point in Middle Eastern politics when, under U.S. mediation, agreements were reached between Israel and several Arab states to normalize relations. These agreements became known as the “Abraham Accords.” The accords not only reshaped the diplomatic landscape of the region but also sparked a new debate across the Muslim world regarding the political, economic, and ideological consequences of establishing—or refusing to establish—relations with Israel.
Under the Abraham Accords, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain were the first to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Later, Sudan and Morocco also expanded ties with Israel through various forms of agreements. The name “Abraham” was chosen in reference to Prophet Abraham (Hazrat Ibrahim A.S.), who is equally revered in Islam, Christianity, and Judaism.
Following these agreements, there was a notable increase in trade, tourism, technology exchange, defense cooperation, and intelligence sharing between Israel and Arab countries. Supporters argue that this process has promoted peace, economic growth, and investment opportunities in the region. Critics, however, believe that the Palestinian issue has been pushed into the background and that pressure on Israel has weakened.
The Abraham Accords have also created a visible political divide within the Muslim world. Some countries prioritized economic interests, American support, and regional security by improving ties with Israel, while others maintained a principled stance, refusing to recognize Israel until the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Iran, along with several other Muslim countries, strongly criticized these agreements.
In the context of Pakistan, the matter holds particular significance. Pakistan has not recognized Israel so far, and its official position remains that no diplomatic relations will be established until Palestinians are granted an independent state. However, after the Abraham Accords, debate intensified within Pakistan regarding whether a future shift in foreign policy might be possible.
According to some experts, if Pakistan were ever to establish relations with Israel, it could potentially benefit from advanced agricultural technology, improved water management, cybersecurity, and trade opportunities. In addition, relations with Western countries, particularly the United States, could also improve.
On the other hand, there is strong opposition to this idea. Critics argue that a large segment of the Pakistani public strongly supports the Palestinian cause. Furthermore, Israel’s anti-Pakistan policies and its growing strategic partnership and closeness with Pakistan’s longstanding rival India are no secret. Likewise, after Israel’s alleged atrocities in Gaza and attacks on Iran, the emotional atmosphere across the Muslim world has become extremely intense. In such circumstances, recognizing Israel could trigger serious political and religious backlash in many Islamic countries.
Some circles also believe that President Trump’s proposal is linked to pro-Israel lobbying efforts aimed at sabotaging any Iran–U.S. agreement and reigniting conflict in the region. Others argue that abandoning the Palestinian cause could weaken Pakistan’s principled stance on Kashmir as well.
According to analysts, the Abraham Accords reflect changing priorities in the Middle East, where several authoritarian governments are giving greater importance to economic and security interests rather than ideological politics. Nevertheless, the Palestinian issue still remains an important emotional and political concern for Muslim populations around the world.
It now remains to be seen which direction regional politics will take in the coming years, and whether, under President Trump’s encouragement, more Muslim countries will establish relations with Israel, or whether a broadly acceptable solution to the Palestinian issue—including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state—will emerge before further countries join these agreements.