Abraham Accords are not a Betrayal of Palestinians

By Josh Beylinson, 2020–2021 CAMERA on Campus Fellow

For the first time since 1994, several Arab countries have fully normalized their diplomatic relations with Israel.

This wave of normalization started with the Abraham Accords, a joint statement between the United States, United Arab Emirates and Israel that marked the beginning of normalized diplomatic relations between the UAE and Israel. Over the next few years, analysts expect Sudan, Bahrain and the UAE to exchange embassies with Israel, form new social and economic ties and even establish direct flights. Despite this improvement, some Palestinian leaders have claimed that “several … Arab countries have betrayed the Palestinian people and the Palestinian issue.”

Fahmi al-Za’areer — an official from Fatah, an organization led by Mahmoud Abbas, the current president of the Palestinian National Authority, claimed that Arab countries are no longer “defending and helping the Palestinians in their struggle against Israel.”

al-Za’areer’s choice of words to blame the plight of the Palestinians on Israel and cast the normalization of diplomatic relations with Israel as “betrayal” is ironic. It is an attempt at deflection, meant to draw attention away from decades of corruption and repression under the PNA and an attempt to deny Israel the recognition it deserves as a full member of the Middle Eastern community.

The Palestinian leadership may disapprove of Arab-Israeli diplomatic relations, but Israel should not be ostracized by the international community for the Palestinian leadership’s own refusal to make peace. Israel has attempted to make peace multiple times, but Palestinian leaders have crushed every attempt.

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