On Facebook, Trump supporter Franklin Graham posts: “There is hope that this strategic agreement could also pave the way for peace with other countries in the region. Peace in the Middle East impacts the entire world. I’m very grateful that President Trump sees the importance of working for peace. The Bible tells us to strive for peace, to pray for peace, and to ‘…Seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalm 34:14). Pray for President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed as delegations continue to meet.”
Several world leaders agree the deal is an important step toward peace in the region. United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweets: “The UAE and Israel’s decision to normalise relations is hugely good news. It was my profound hope that annexation did not go ahead in the West Bank and today’s agreement to suspend those plans is a welcome step on the road to a more peaceful Middle East.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, through a spokesman, says he “welcomes this agreement, hoping it will create an opportunity for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to re-engage in meaningful negotiations that will realize a two-state solution in line with relevant UN resolutions, international law, and bilateral agreements.”
Palestinians Call the Abraham Accord a ‘betrayal’
Mahmoud Abbas, president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), rejects and denounces the agreement, calling it “a betrayal of Jerusalem.” Through a spokesman, he says, “This deal is a de facto recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” In response to the deal, the PA says it will immediately remove its ambassador to the UAE.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the militant group Hamas both also reject the accord. PLO executive committee member Hanan Ashrawi tweets: “May you never experience the agony of having your country stolen; may you never feel the pain of living in captivity under occupation; may you never witness the demolition of your home or murder of your loved ones. May you never be sold out by your ‘friends.’”
Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum says the deal is “a stab in the back to the Palestinian cause and will only encourage…more crimes and aggressions against the Palestinian people.”
Mustafa Barghouti, leader of the Palestinian National Initiative, calls the agreement “an effort to support Mr. Trump who is clearly losing the US election.” He adds, “It will not have a big effect on the ground.”
Also unhappy about the Abraham Accord are right-wing Jewish settlers who want to annex the West Bank. David Elhayani, leader of the Yesha Council of settlement mayors, says Netanyahu “deceived us” and “has deceived half a million residents of the area and hundreds of thousands of voters.”
Turkey calls the UAE’s move “hypocritical behavior” that history will neither forgive nor forget. Iran says the agreement is an act of “strategic stupidity” that will bolster resistance against Israel.
Egypt, meanwhile, is cheering the accord. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, a UAE ally, says, “I value the efforts of those in charge of the deal to achieve prosperity and stability for our region.”
