Five years ago, Israel stepped into a new Middle East. This week marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords – still one of the most significant breakthroughs in Middle Eastern diplomacy in decades.
By normalizing relations between Israel and several Arab states – initially the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, and later Morocco and Sudan – the accords reconfigured regional politics, offered Israel new economic and security opportunities, and reframed the narrative of Arab-Israel relations.
While challenges remain, particularly as conflict with the Palestinians continues to shape regional perceptions, the Abraham Accords represent a milestone with lasting implications for Israel’s future.
For decades, the Jewish state’s diplomatic presence in the Arab and Muslim world was minimal, mainly limited to covert or unofficial ties. The prevailing assumption after the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative was that normalization could only follow a comprehensive peace deal with the Palestinians.
The Abraham Accords shattered that paradigm. Instead of waiting for an elusive two-state solution, Arab states pursued direct relations with Israel based on mutual interests – geopolitical, economic, and technological.
For Israel, this was more than symbolic. It meant formal acceptance in a region where its legitimacy had long been questioned. Arab embassies in Tel Aviv and Israeli embassies in Abu Dhabi and Manama sent a clear signal: The Jewish state was no longer isolated.
Even if other regional powers such as Saudi Arabia remained cautious, the precedent has been set. The “taboo” of normalizing ties with Israel without first resolving the Palestinian issue has been broken, giving Israel a seat at the tables of regional cooperation.
The Abraham Accords were forged within the context of shared anxieties regarding Iran. Both Israel and the Gulf states view Tehran as a destabilizing force, citing its nuclear program and its sponsorship of proxy groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen.
By aligning more openly with its Gulf partners, Israel is strengthening its strategic depth. Intelligence sharing, military exercises, and defense procurement are already being discussed and, in some cases, implemented.
This cooperation expands Israel’s deterrence capabilities. For decades, Israel has prided itself on defending itself alone; now, it is building a loose but real coalition of regional actors with converging interests.
This enhances Israel’s hand both in dealing with Iran and in engaging the US, whose security commitments in the region remain critical. Washington played an indispensable role in brokering the accords, and America’s support ensures that these new alliances are anchored in a broader strategic framework.
Equally important are the economic dividends. The Gulf states, particularly the UAE, bring immense capital, investment potential, and global reach. Israel contributes significantly to technological innovation in various fields, including cybersecurity, water management, agriculture, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Since 2020, trade between Israel and the UAE has skyrocketed, surpassing $3 billion annually within just a few years. Direct flights have linked Tel Aviv to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, opening the door for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.
Abraham Accords change Arab's perception of Israel
The Abraham Accords also reshaped Israel’s place in the Arab imagination. For a long period of time, Arab discourse cast Israel exclusively as an occupier and adversary. By contrast, the accords have highlighted areas of partnership, particularly innovation, security, trade, and even cultural dialogue.
Moving forward, the Abraham Accords could serve as a springboard for further normalization. Speculation about Saudi Arabia continues, and while Riyadh has not yet joined, it has allowed incremental steps, such as granting overflight rights to Israeli airlines.
A breakthrough with Saudi Arabia – the guardian of Islam’s holiest sites – would constitute a seismic shift, placing Israel firmly within the Arab mainstream.
Even short of that, the accords strengthen Israel’s regional legitimacy, diversify its partnerships, and deepen its integration into the Middle East and beyond. They also send a message to Israelis: Normalization with Arab neighbors is possible; it is not simply a far-fetched utopian dream. This psychological shift may, over time, make peace feel less distant and more achievable.
The Abraham Accords matter for Israel because they represent a diplomatic, strategic, and economic leap forward. They prove that Israel can transcend isolation, forge new alliances, and participate in shaping a more cooperative Middle East.
In a region defined by cycles of war and distrust, that achievement is both historic and fragile, and it offers Israel not just a foundation but a test of whether it can transform normalization into long-lasting regional peace.