The Abraham Accords are facing their most significant test to date as the United Arab Emirates, a key signatory, has publicly condemned Israel for its recent attack in Qatar. By summoning the Israeli envoy, the UAE has signaled that its normalization of ties does not mean silence in the face of actions that threaten regional stability and Arab sovereignty.
The Israeli strike in Doha has forced a reckoning within the new geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. For Gulf states, the attack represented an unacceptable overreach, prompting them to prioritize long-standing regional solidarity over new alliances. The UAE’s declaration that Qatar’s stability is integral to its own security is a powerful rebuke to Israel’s aggressive posture.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s relentless pressure on Qatar has exacerbated the situation, with his remarks being labeled “hostile” by the UAE. This diplomatic rift reveals the underlying tensions in the Arab-Israeli normalization process, highlighting that shared concerns about Iran do not supersede core principles of national sovereignty and collective security.
As Arab and Islamic leaders meet in Doha, the future of the Abraham Accords hangs in the balance. The summit will likely reinforce a united Arab position, demanding that Israel respect the sovereignty of its neighbors. The outcome will be a crucial indicator of whether the new era of cooperation can withstand the pressures of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.