Washington, May 25, (dpa/GNA) – US President, Donald Trump, on Monday called for a diplomatic rapprochement between several countries and Israel, urging a broader expansion of the Abraham Accords, as US negotiations with Iran continue over ending the war.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the US president urged Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan, to join the accords, under which countries commit to normalizing their relations with Israel. He said Saudi Arabia and Qatar should be the first of these countries to sign such an agreement, with the others following suit. Trump even suggested that Iran could eventually join the Abraham Accords. If Tehran signs an agreement with the United States, he said, “it would be an Honor to have them also be part of this unparalleled World Coalition.”
The Abraham Accords, initiated by Trump in 2020 during his first term in office, were considered an historic breakthrough in the Middle East. The agreement is named after the biblical figure Abraham, who symbolizes the connection between world religions, and aims to foster security, prosperity and peace across the region.
Following the accords, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan began to normalize their relations with Israel.
The predominantly Muslim country of Kazakhstan later joined the agreement. This was, however, seen as a mainly symbolic step, as the former Soviet republic has maintained diplomatic relations with Israel for decades.
Observers view Trump’s suggestion to expand the Abraham Accords as part of his maximum pressure tactics, in talks with Iran, as it is considered highly unrealistic that any of these states would join the agreement at present.
Saudi Arabia has linked normalization with Israel to irreversible steps towards a Palestinian state, while Qatar positions itself internationally as a neutral mediator, meaning its accession is considered politically out of the question.
Doha also maintains relations with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas and presents itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause.
GNA