Beginning in 2020, several Arab states established formal relations with Israel without requiring prior resolution of Palestinian statehood. The agreements reversed a long-standing regional formula, and their durability is now being tested.
For decades the Arab League position held that normalization with Israel would follow a settlement of the Palestinian question, not precede it. The Accords inverted that sequence, and were accompanied by security, technology, and commercial arrangements with the United States.
Supporters and critics agree the agreements changed regional alignments. They disagree about whether that change primarily reflects shared concern about Iran, commercial opportunity, or American inducements offered to each signatory.
Subsequent regional conflict has tested the agreements. They have generally survived, though normalization has proceeded unevenly and public opinion in signatory countries has often been less favorable than official policy.