History of Abraham Accords in Timeline

The Abraham Accords are a set of normalization agreements between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, signed on September 15, 2020. Brokered by the United States, the accords represent a significant step towards normalizing relations between Israel and key Arab nations. The initial agreement, announced on August 13, 2020, was between Israel and the UAE, followed by an agreement with Bahrain on September 11, 2020. The formal signing ceremony, hosted by then-US President Donald Trump at the White House, symbolized the importance of these agreements in fostering peace and cooperation in the Middle East.

October 2018: Israeli sports minister attends 2018 Judo Grand Slam Abu Dhabi

In October 2018, the Israeli sports minister attended the 2018 Judo Grand Slam Abu Dhabi. Two Israeli judokas won gold medals, and Israel's national anthem was played during the award ceremonies, a first at Gulf state sporting events.

February 2019: Warsaw Conference Held to Build Coalition Against Iran

In February 2019, the Warsaw Conference, proposed by the US to build a coalition against Iran, was held with representatives from 70 nations. Arab officials and an Israeli leader attended the same international conference focused on the Middle East for the first time since 1991.

August 2019: Israel Announces Military Cooperation with UAE

In August 2019, Israel's foreign minister announced military cooperation with the Emirates amidst rising tensions with Iran.

January 2020: Trump Announces Peace Plan for the Middle East

In January 2020, President Trump announced the Trump peace plan for the Middle East in a joint press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, proposing a unified Jerusalem as Israel's capital and Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley.

May 2020: Netanyahu Hints at Annexation Discussions

In May 2020, after taking office, Netanyahu hinted that his cabinet would begin discussing annexation of parts of the West Bank, as envisioned in the Trump peace plan, in July.

June 12, 2020: Emirati Ambassador Warns Against Annexation

On June 12, 2020, Emirati ambassador to the US Yousef Al Otaiba authored an op-ed in Yedioth Ahronoth, warning that Israel's planned annexation of West Bank territory would halt normalization with the Emirates.

June 2020: Al Otaiba Offers Normalization in Exchange for Annexation Postponement

In June 2020, Al Otaiba told Jared Kushner and Avi Berkowitz that the Emirates would agree to normalization with Israel if Israel announced that West Bank annexation was off the table.

July 2, 2020: Al Otaiba Meets with Berkowitz to Discuss Normalization Plan

On July 2, 2020, Al Otaiba met with Berkowitz to further discuss the plan for normalization between the UAE and Israel in exchange for postponing the annexation of the West Bank.

August 13, 2020: Announcement of Israel-UAE Agreement

On August 13, 2020, the United States announced an agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations, mediated by the US.

August 2020: UAE Establishes Telephone Links to Israel

In August 2020, the Emirates established telephone links to Israel for the first time by unblocking direct dialing to Israel's +972 country code.

September 11, 2020: Announcement of Israel-Bahrain Agreement

On September 11, 2020, an agreement between Israel and Bahrain to normalize relations was announced, following the Israel-UAE agreement.

September 15, 2020: Signing of the Abraham Accords

On September 15, 2020, the Abraham Accords, bilateral agreements on Arab-Israeli normalization between Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, were signed at the White House, hosted by US President Donald Trump.

October 23, 2020: Israel and Sudan Agree to Normalize Ties

On October 23, 2020, Israel and Sudan agreed to normalize ties, with the US removing Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and granting them a US$1.2 billion loan as part of the agreement.

November 3, 2020: Oman Postpones Normalization Decision

On November 3, 2020, Oman postponed a decision to normalize ties with Israel until after the US presidential election.

December 10, 2020: Israel and Morocco Agree to Establish Full Diplomatic Relations

On December 10, 2020, President Trump announced that Israel and Morocco had agreed to establish full diplomatic relations, with the United States agreeing to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara as part of the deal.

December 2020: Emirati and Bahraini Delegation Visits Israel

In December 2020, a delegation from the Emirates and Bahrain visited Israel, the occupied Golan Heights and Jerusalem with the aim of cultural exchange as part of the normalization process and held a meeting with Israel President Reuven Rivlin.

December 22, 2020: Israel-Morocco Normalization Agreement Signed

On December 22, 2020, the Israel-Morocco normalization agreement was signed, with the United States recognizing Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in exchange for Morocco's recognition of Israeli sovereignty.

2020: Secret Oil Deal Struck

In 2020, a secret oil deal was struck between Israel and the Emirates as part of the Abraham Accords.

2020: Israeli Defense Exports Reach $791 Million

In 2020, the value of Israeli defense exports to countries with which it normalized relations reached $791 million, according to Israel's Ministry of Defense.

January 6, 2021: Sudan Signs Abraham Accords Declaration

On January 6, 2021, the government of Sudan signed the "Abraham Accords Declaration" in Khartoum, solidifying their commitment to normalizing relations with Israel.

January 2021: Collaborative Event for 'Business of Peace'

In January 2021, Tel Aviv International Salon, Sharaka, and OurCrowd organized a collaborative event to attain the 'business of peace' between Persian Gulf countries and the state of Israel.

February 2021: US Continues to Urge Normalization with Israel

In February 2021, after Trump left office, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the United States will continue to urge other countries to normalize relations with Israel.

March 2021: Israeli and Emirati Rugby Teams Play First Match

In March 2021, the Israeli and Emirati national rugby teams played their first-ever match, in honor of the Abraham Accords.

March 27, 2021: International Holocaust Memorial Day Commemoration

On March 27, 2021, an event was organized to commemorate International Holocaust Memorial Day, with participation from the Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia.

May 2021: Criticism of Normalization Agreements Increases After Violence

In May 2021, criticism of the normalization agreements increased after violent protests erupted in Jerusalem, Hamas fired rockets into Israel, and Israel retaliated with airstrikes on Gaza, highlighting the failure to resolve the Palestinian conflict.

June 2021: Influencers Visit Magen David Adom

In June 2021, influencers from UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Egypt visited Magen David Adom, Israel's ambulance service, focused on Magen David Adom's "lifesaving work and its technological expertise".

August 14, 2021: Secret Oil Deal Impacts Eilat and Red Sea Reefs

On August 14, 2021, the Associated Press reported that a secret oil deal between Israel and the Emirates, struck in 2020 as part of the Abraham Accords, had turned the Israeli resort town of Eilat into a waypoint for Emirati oil headed for Western markets, endangering the Red Sea reefs.

August 2021: Algeria Cites Agreement as Reason for Cutting Ties with Morocco

In August 2021, Algeria cited the Abraham Accords agreement as one of the reasons for unilaterally cutting relations with Morocco.

September 2021: "Finding Abraham" Film Premieres at UN

In September 2021, "Finding Abraham", a film, premiered at the UN on the anniversary of the signing of the Abraham Accords. The film documented the influencers visit to Magen David Adom in June 2021.

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November 2021: Israel, UAE, and Jordan Sign Letter of Intent for Electricity and Water Exchange

In November 2021, Israel, the Emirates, and Jordan signed a letter of intent for the sale of 600 MW of electricity to Israel annually, produced by solar farms in Jordan built by Masdar (UAE government-owned), while Israel would sell 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water to Jordan each year.

November 2021: Israel and Morocco Sign Joint Security Agreement

In November 2021, Israeli minister of defense Benny Gantz and Moroccan defense minister Abdellatif Loudiyi signed a joint security understandings agreement, formalizing defense ties between the two countries.

November 2021: OurCrowd Arabia Receives License

In November 2021, OurCrowd Arabia became the first Israeli venture capital firm to receive a license from the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), marking a significant step in economic cooperation.

November 2022: OurCrowd Launches Integrated Data Intelligence Ltd.

In November 2022, OurCrowd launched Integrated Data Intelligence Ltd. (IDI) in Abu Dhabi, offering artificial intelligence for business as part of a $60 million joint investment with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. Also in November 2022, fintech company Liquidity Group opened an office as part of a $545 million government incentive program.

November 2022: Saudi Views on Abraham Accords

In November 2022, a poll indicated that 76% of Saudi respondents held negative views of the Abraham Accords.

February 2, 2023: Israel and Sudan Finalize Normalization Agreement

On February 2, 2023, Israel and Sudan announced they had finalized an agreement to normalize relations, with the signing to take place after the establishment of a civilian government in Sudan. Normalization is widely opposed in Sudan, and fighting between rival military factions has delayed the signing.

June 2023: US Warns Israel About Tensions Threatening Normalization

In June 2023, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Israel that rising tensions with the Palestinians threatened the expansion of normalization agreements with Arab nations, particularly Saudi Arabia.

October 7, 2023: Abraham Accords blamed for Hamas attack on Israel

On October 7, 2023, A Fatah Central Committee member said the Abraham Accords, were "one of the reasons" for the attack by Hamas on Israel.

November 2, 2023: Bahrain recalls ambassador to Israel amid Gaza war

On November 2, 2023, in view of the ongoing Gaza war, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Israel and the Israeli ambassador left Bahrain. Israel stated that its relations with Bahrain were stable.

November 2023: Purchase Agreements Removed from COP28 Agenda Due to Gaza War

In November 2023, the purchase agreements, initially scheduled to be signed at the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, for the sale of 600 MW of electricity to Israel and 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water to Jordan were removed from the agenda because of the Gaza war.

December 6, 2023: Saudi Views on Arab Ties with Israel

According to a poll conducted between November 14 and December 6, 2023, 96% of Saudi participants believed that Arab nations should cut ties with Israel, and only 16% of Saudis said Hamas should accept a two-state solution.