NEGOTIATION SKILLS

The Abraham Accords

Mobeen Aibak Harris Shahzad Hasaan

Shanawar Arshad Imran Ahmad Mir
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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
What is United States interest in this disputation?.....................................................................................2
How has the U.S. been involved in the conflict?.........................................................................................3
What is the U.S. position on Israeli normalization?.....................................................................................3
Timeline.......................................................................................................................................................4
Zionism....................................................................................................................................................4
Skyes-picot agreement............................................................................................................................4
Balfour declaration..................................................................................................................................4
British rule 1919......................................................................................................................................4
UN partition plan.....................................................................................................................................4
Second Arab Israel war............................................................................................................................4
Six-day war (1967)...................................................................................................................................4
Yom Kippur war (1973)............................................................................................................................4
David accords (1978)...............................................................................................................................5
Israel occupation of Lebanon (1978).......................................................................................................5
Oslo accords (1993).................................................................................................................................5
Abraham accord (2020)...........................................................................................................................5
Analysis using IR theories............................................................................................................................5
Realist......................................................................................................................................................5
Liberalism................................................................................................................................................5
A rights-based approach in practice........................................................................................................6
Conclusion...................................................................................................................................................6
Strategies used during negociation.............................................................................................................7
USA..........................................................................................................................................................7
UAE..........................................................................................................................................................7
Israel........................................................................................................................................................8

Introduction
For several years Israelis and Palestinians have skirmish for the holy land. As it is the most
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critical dissension and the USA being unconditionally supporting Israel still strive to reconcile
the interests of both parties. Multiple US administrations have taken decisions about the peace
process which would result in two states. The solution is highly criticized due to Donald Trump
administration controversial policies revised by Joe Biden but still left with several flaws
A middle eastern region with great religious importance for Semitic religions such as Muslims
Christians and Jews is embedded as the spun-out territorial dispute. In great number, Jews started
emigrating after the Holocaust of World War 2 which resulted in the massacre of 6 million Jews.
UN general assembly in 1947 recommended a two-state resolution declaring Israel as a
sovereign state to which Palestinians had an arduous resistance in response as they thought Israel
has snatched their ancestral land with help of western powers. The dispute took a turning point
when after 6 days of war Israel protectorate the West Bank and Gaza areas. In this scenario of
major conflict, 242 resolution was arrogated by the UN Security Council which legislated
withdrawal of forces from disputed areas.[ CITATION Ric \l 1033 ] Mostly the international
stakeholders are strongly supporting the two-state resolution reverting in the favour of Israel.
Mutual recognition needs to be practiced by both states and the international community. Such
kind of peace agreement should be initiated that would honour protestation of both states, for
future peace of Arab states 

What is United States interest in this disputation?

Many assorted interests of the U.S such as restoration of energy resources, fending off the Soviet
Union and Iranian supremacy, securing Israel's survival and peace with Arab allies, fighting
against terrorism, human rights protection, and reducing refugee flow. The USA has strategically
tried to solve this dispute by addressing border regional stability and supporting its alliance with
Israel. Secondly, US involvement is due to robust pressure of American Jewish and Christian
groups which are fervently supporting Israel. 

How has the U.S. been involved in the conflict?

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The U.S has played the most indispensable role in Israel -Palestine conflict after World War II
and was the first to recognize Israel as an independent state. U.S played a major role in the wars
of 1967 and 1973 when Israel was helped by Britain France Russia and the U.S itself again
Egyptian and Syrian forces. After the war US foreign policy completely interchanged with Arab
states and bought it near to nuclear confrontation.
US President Jimmy Carter in 1978 hosted the Oslo accords that initiated peace talks between
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Palestine. The peace talk’s concentration was to sustain future
diplomacy in Mideast. Bill Clinton administration in 1988 proposed a plan for two-state
resolutions for development and prosperity. Trump administration on the other side took a pro-
Israel stance in august 2020. Abraham accords were signed during the Trump administration
between Israel Arab emirates and the United States in which both countries plighted normalizing
their ties. Further Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco also reconciled. This accord faced extreme
criticism by opponents of normalization as these moves betray the Palestinian cause. Any such
initiative would only be accepted after the creation of an independent Palestinian state. The
Biden administration continued the normalization and peace treaty of Abraham accords.

What is the U.S. position on Israeli normalization?

Israel's labor party started making settlements after the war of 1967 to build up defence in areas
of the West Bank due to the brawl of Arab Israelis wars. The United States refused for years
officially about settlements to avoid international sanctions on Israel. President Ronald Reagan
George Bush, Bill Clinton always spoke in the boon of Israeli settlements in occupied territories.
Obama administration took pre-emptive steps and guarded Israel’s interest against political
movements. This was done by penalizing business operating by the Israeli in the west bank.
Trump administration plan was also set according to which Israel would absorb thirty percent of
the area of the west bank. In July 2020 Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected
to move to continue with expropriation but U.S lawmakers, human rights experts, and leaders
worldwide.
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 Timeline
Zionism
It was an organized political movement in 1897 when the founder of Theodor Herzl convened
the first Zionist congress for a Jewish state in Palestine.
Skyes-picot agreement
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire during World War 1 the sykes picot agreement was
signed between Britain and France in which the territories were decided between them. France
gained the mandate for Syria and Lebanon and Britain granted the mandate for Iraq and
Palestine.
Balfour declaration
The policy bought up by the British government was in the favour of Jewish homeland in
Palestine
British rule 1919
British rule in Palestine was marked by several controversies and violence. The Arabs strongly
oppressed Jews hence they started making rebels local groups called Haganah due to insufficient
protection by the British.
UN partition plan
UN general assembly on 29 November showed extreme abnegation regarding the plan in which
44 pc areas were Arab state and 56 pc was a Jewish state. After the British withdrawal on May
14, 1948, Israel was established and recognized by the Soviet Union UN members but not by
neighbouring Arab countries. 
Second Arab Israel war
In year 1956, this war took place. The reason for this was due to nationalization of Suez Canal
company by the Egypt which took the waterway away from the control of French and British
control. Gaza strip was the base of guerrilla activity for Israel hence Britain and France invaded
Egypt. 
Six-day war (1967)
In 1967, Israel decided and started war strikes against Syria, Egypt, and Jordan. The situation
continued for six days without any intervention from any other country which resulted as Israel
gaining the control of the Gaza Strip. It was a large part of Sinai Peninsula, the west bank and
Golan heights which is known as occupied territories.
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Yom Kippur war (1973)
The surprise attack was launched by Egypt and Syria on the Jewish Day of Atonement. Arab
forces made significant advances before Israel rallied and pushed invaders back beyond ceasefire
lines
David accords (1978)
A framework was designed among multiple parties including President Anwar Sadat of Egypt,
Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel, and President Jimmy Carter US. They signed the
accord which established a framework to prevail peace between Israel and Egypt 
Israel occupation of Lebanon (1978)
In response to cross-border attacks by PLO Israel invaded in 1978 and 1982. They became
occupying force till 2000
Oslo accords (1993)
The intifada (Palestinian uprising against Israeli rule) persuaded Israel to withdraw its forces
from the Gaza strip allowing interim Palestinian government in those areas. Subsequently, that
accord also failed.
Abraham accord (2020)
Abraham's accord is the pact signed between the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and the United
States of America. The accord was signed for the new beginning of the peace process and to
normalization the imperfect relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

Analysis using IR theories

Hegemonic influence can be described by the theories of realism and liberalism:
Realist
A realist believes that military masses and strong use of tools can only protect the interests of
both states. Realists are not in the favour of bilateral relationships. Israel and Palestinian
relationship describe the imbalance of power as Israel has more material and military power.
Here the question arises, who is supporting Israel? How has Israel gained so much military
supremacy in West Bank? it’s all due to the US undoubting for supporting Israel and its heinous
acts.US always wanted Israel's hegemony in the west bank due to fact of its economic interest
but to display itself as a developed nation it adopted diplomacy and acted as mediator in Israel
Palestine conflict.
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Liberalism
Liberals are in favour of solving problems through treaties so that would initiate peace for both
states. These people are not war supporters and understand the limits to use military and armed
forces to prevent threats only. Both the liberals and realists are in the favour of two state
solutions the only difference is that realists use the idea of power and liberals use the idea of
reconciliation and cooperation between the two states. 
A rights-based approach in practice
For understanding the right-based approach first we need to understand US policy towards Israel
and Palestine. The United States is still sequentially worsening the situation. The United States
should scrutinize its bilateral alliance with Israel to stop the domination and violence Israel is
conducting upon palestanians.US should adopt such foreign policy to stop heinous acts of
massacre and Jewish supremacy and follow peace accord policy. 
For right-based approach to be practiced the unbalanced relationship between Israel and
Palestinian people needs to be recognized. Palestinian people who are suffering the domination
and military occupation should be provided surveillance. As per the Fourth Geneva convention,
it is clearly stated that occupied terrorises and they people must not be deprived “in any case or
any manner whatsoever” of the protections secured them under the convention, including in any
agreements they may sign.[ CITATION Pen \l 1033 ] .All these accords attenuate the inequality
of Palestinian people and procure their rights and freedom. In the scenario of territorial disputes,
the U.S has always withdrawn from its stance and Palestine has remained under occupation.
Israel has violated requisition numerous times and has kept the accession o West Bank and Gaza
in its control.
This method also will be used as a testimony if Israel continued the blockade of Gaza the United
States would take an equal stance for the right protection of Palestinians US should end the
policy to support Israel blindly and defend them on international voilations.US endeavours to
protect Israel from international pressures by funding with multilateral bodies. In such
circumstances, neutral policy should be adopted and in case of any violation criminal court
should be persuaded to make decisions.

Conclusion
Over the past two decades, Israel has moved toward a more and more intransigent position on the
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Palestinian issue. The government today is utmost conservative than previous governments
which conducted peace processes to solve the conflict. Israel in its country has liberal democracy
and many people advocate Israel's nationalism and justice for Palestinians. They also argue about
the dignity of the Palestinian people. The only solution for both countries is sovereignty and
depletion of imbalances among both. Biased behaviours by the international community should
be abolished to sustain the peace process. That would be the only resolution for progress and
economic development.

Strategies used during negociation

USA
USA mediated the deal because of its own interests that were involved. Abraham Accords were
signed by the U.S. President Donald Trump, Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid,
Israel Prime Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu, and UAE’s Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed
on September 15, 2020, in Washington. US provided its own soil for the deal to happen as
Presidential Elections were coming in 2020 and President Trump had to show something to get
reelected. Trump needed the deal to be made before the elections that is why the time pressure
was one major tactic in the negotiation that made the deal possible. President Trump and the
USA government also knew that relations between UAE and Democratic government were
horrendous. UAE and the middle eastern countries would like to continue positive relations with
the Republicans, this fact was known by the Trump government, and they took advantage of it
and mediated the deal successfully. Negotiations also involved give and take strategy this is how
the bargaining zone was expanded. As USA did not like China’s strong presence in the middle
east and UAE and middle eastern countries have had issues with Iran. U.S. agreed to sell F35
military plane to the UAE. Abraham Accords would help USA to build pro US block in the
middle east decreasing China’s influence and Iran would be the common enemy of all parties
involved. These tactics helped the US to mediate the negotiations successfully and expand the
bargaining zone.

UAE
Every country has back drop channels to carry the diplomatic process and communicate with
countries which are not fit to be communicated publicly. United Arab Emirates used these
backdrop channels to negotiate the deal with Israel and reach the groundbreaking agreement.
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UAE kept everything secret before the agreement was signed as it wanted to avoid the public
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pressure. As soon as the deal was made public, Palestinians called it a stab in the back and many
habitats of the middle eastern countries and UAE started criticizing the deal. UAE than used
social media and religion to gain the support of the followers. UAE’s government also used
forced against its people who were speaking against their leaders. Government blocked social
media pages of people who were speaking against their leadership. UAE did everything from
secret diplomatic relations with Israel and to use of force against its own people to successfully
make the deal possible. Enemy of my enemy is my friend is an ancient proverb which we all
heard many times. UAE has issues with Israel and Iran both, but UAE also is more inclined to
the US government, so it decided to work with Israel and work against a common enemy which
is Iran. This deal was more beneficial to the UAE as it was already losing friends in the middle
east and had problems with previous US government, so it needed to make new allies elsewhere.

Israel
Israel wanted to show its power to Palestine and Iran by concluding negotiations successfully.
Under the mediation of the Trump government Israel wanted the deal to be concluded before
Israeli elections. Israel made the deal with countries which were never in war with Israel, so it
was not a peace treaty rather it was a diplomatic deal. Israel opened diplomatic office in the UAE
back in 2015 and Mossad chief made secret trips to UAE and both governments cooperated to
fight against the corona virus. Israel to gain confidence of the UAE shared information and
knowledge about coronavirus medication progress. Both countries talked about their common
interests and common enemies and how can they improve their economies. Israel also
encouraged its people to visit UAE from which UAE gained around 1 billion AED. Israel
showed seriousness and showed that it can be trusted which helped made the Abraham accords
possible.

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