Abraham Deal

Reason for this name:

Hazrat Ibrahim (A.S) being prophet that is equally acceptable and popular Prophet among
Muslims, Jews and Christians.
Deal got signed between Israel and UAE.

Salient Features of Abraham Deal:

The salient features of the deal are

1st Salient Feature:

UAE recognized Israel as a sovereign state

• In return Israel also recognized UAE as a sovereign state.

• Majority of the Arab world countries (Muslim countries as a whole) did not
recognized Israel as a sovereign state.
• Only Turkey (in 1949), Egypt (in 1978), Jordan (in 1994) recognized Israel.
The rest of the Muslim countries specifically Arab nations did not recognized Israel
though Israel was recognized by the west.
It was a huge diplomatic setback for Israel as a state.
UAE recognition of Israel as a sovereign state is a huge diplomatic win for Tel Aviv
(capital of Israel). UAE opened the way for other Arab nations to normalize
relations with Israel. Bahrain, Morocco, Sudan & Lebanon – all recognized Israel
as a sovereign state.

2nd Salient Feature:

Defense collaboration between Israel and UAE, How?
UAE has been facing existential security threats especially from the non-state actors.

Threats:
1. The threats of cyber-attacks
2. The rise of insurgent groups in the middle east hurting the interests of UAE
3. Increasing maritime security threats for UAE because of Iran

What did Israel do to help UAE against these threats?

1. Israel would provide cyber technologies to UAE to counter the cyber-attacks
 2. Would train the UAE military to counter the insurgent groups
3. Naval collaboration
a. Furthermore, US would provide F-35 jet fighters to UAE
It was the deal signed by Trump. Biden withhold this deal.

3rd Salient Feature:

People to people contacts, How?
1. Both the countries (UAE and Israel) opened embassies in each other capitals
2. Visa on arrival would be provided to each other citizens
3. Increasing visits or exchange of visits by the trade or business community

Why Israel signed the deal?

Israel needed diplomatic recognition, How?
The policy of Israel towards the region:
1st Policy:
To strengthen the defense of the country
a. Israel had been facing threats from the Arab world in the past (1948,
1956, 1967 & 1974)
b. The rise of Jihadist organization becoming an existential threat for
Israel
i. Hamas from Palestine
ii. Hezbollah from Lebanon
c. The threat of Iran to conduct aerial strikes/missile strikes in Israel

Strengths of Israel:
a) Largest military power in the region
b) Counter terrorism – Trained army of Israel
c) It has the leading Air force in the region
d) Missile technology
e) Navy
f) Artillery
g) Armored core

2nd Policy:
Territorial expansion
 Territorial expansion of Israel could be divided into two categories
a) The purchase of land from Palestinians
i. Land was bought in the 50s and early 60s from Muslims and
Christians Palestinians
b) Territorial occupation
Majority of the land has been occupied by Israel. Most of the land was
occupied in the war in1967.
Areas that were occupied are
i. Jerusalem
ii. Sanai of Egypt
iii. Golan Hight of Syria
iv. Jordanian territories
3rd Policy:
Alliance with United States of America
US protected the interest of Israel on every forum. Defense interests &
diplomatic interests were being protected by US. On the platform of UNSC, US has
vetoed highest number of resolutions in the favor of Israel.

Why UAE signed the deal?

UAE is faced with existential security threats. Nonstate actors, cyber-attacks, Iran as a
threat. It is explained in the 2nd salient feature of Abraham Deal.
Non-state actors in Yemen is Houthi rebels.

Implications of the Abraham deal:

1. Recognition of Israel as a sovereign state is a huge diplomatic win
2. UAE would strengthen its defense
3. Containment of Iran
Iran has been penetrating middle east by supporting series of proxies in the region
like Houthi Rebels in Yemen, Mehdi Malaysia in Iraq, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas
in Palestine, etc.
The rise of Hezbollah and Hamas has been a threat for Israel while Mehdi
Malaysia, Houthi Rebels has been a threat for Sunni Arab world especially
for UAE and Saudi Arabia.
 Iran has become a common threat for Israel and Arab world
Abraham deal would provide an opportunity to Israel and Arab nations to contain
the presence of Iran in the middle east.
4. Militarization/weaponization in the Middle east
Militarization in the Middle east is an existential threat, How?
Israel in the military power in the region
Iran has been a potential a military power, How?
1. One of the strongest navies belongs to Iran
2. Iran has a vibrant missile technology (especially ballistic missiles)
3. Iran has one of the potential armies especially the revolutionary
guards who have been intervening the middle east (Intervened in
Iraq, Syria and Bahrain)
Saudi an emerging military power too, How?
1. The world largest importer of weapon is Saudi Arabia
2. Strengthening air force
3. Strengthening navy
4. Strengthening Artillery
5. Strengthening Armored core
6. IMCTC (Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Collision) – force of 41
countries is led by Saudi Arabia
Qatar is also striving for strengthening its defense. Bahrain is also doing
that.
Abraham Deal has provided UAE an opportunity to strengthen its defense
muscles.
5. The annexation of the west bank would be suspended
The annexation of the west bank (Jordan valley) would be suspended if not
stopped once and for all.
The Israeli government lead by PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition partner
Ehud Barak both supported the idea of annexing west bank but UAE, Bahrain,
Morocco and Sudan placed a condition in front of Israel that they would recognize
Israel if it would stops the idea of annexing the west bank.
Though Israel has not promised on permanent basis, but it has delayed the process
of annexation of the West Bank.