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Key Factors that Led to the Abraham Accords

(JNS) Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror - The Abraham Accords (March 2020) came about due to a number of factors. First, it became evident to the Arab countries that Israel is here to stay and is only growing stronger. There is no realistic way to destroy Israel, and the Arab states were paying a high price for a dream that had no chance of materializing. Second, after the "Arab Spring," Islamist forces have grown stronger and become a dangerous force internally. The Arab rulers are looking for ways to improve their economies and deal with radical Islamic worldviews. Third, the Palestinian issue moves the world much less than it once did. The Arabs have recognized that the Palestinians failed to capitalize on the agreements reached with Israel beginning in 1993 to establish a functioning state, instead becoming a "beggar entity" that begs for more money while complaining about and criticizing everyone. Many Arab rulers are tired of the Palestinians. For these countries, Palestinians are a burden rather than a genuine political and moral cause. Fourth, Iran has evolved into a powerful, aggressive force that will not hesitate to harm anyone who refuses to cooperate. The Arabs have understood that Shi'ites, a minority of 15% in the Middle East led by Iran, are the main threat to the Arab world, not the Jews. Fifth is the ongoing reduction of American involvement in the Middle East. A ruler of an Arab country who feels that American protection is waning as the Iranian threat increases has two choices: Make a deal with Iran and gradually lose sovereignty, as Lebanon did, or view Israel as a reliable partner that can help strengthen the economy, supply cutting-edge technology, and deter Iran's aggression. The writer was national security adviser to the Israeli prime minister and chairman of Israel's National Security Council.
2022-08-18 00:00:00
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