In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent need for stability and peace. He remarked, “Israel shot down almost 200 rockets today, but no one should have to live like this,” highlighting the dire situation faced by civilians in the region. Trump asserted that under his administration, the dynamics of Middle Eastern politics would have been vastly different, claiming, “This would have never happened if I were president—we had the Abraham Accords, and even Iran would have joined.”
The Abraham Accords, brokered by Trump’s administration in September 2020, normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Trump expressed confidence that Iran would have eventually joined these agreements, thereby fostering peace throughout the region. He stated, “We had four countries signed, and if I were president, every country in the region would have been on board,” suggesting that his leadership would have prevented the current chaos exemplified by events such as the October 7 attacks and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The former president’s comments come amid heightened tensions following a series of rocket attacks launched from Iran into Israel. The Israeli military has responded with a significant threat to Iran with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling the airstrike a “terrible mistake”. As violence escalates, many are concerned about the humanitarian impact on civilians caught in the crossfire, especially in Lebanon where thousands of people were severely impacted.
Experts note that while the Abraham Accords were hailed as a breakthrough in Arab-Israeli relations, they did not address the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Critics argue that sidelining Palestinian issues may have contributed to increased tensions in the region. The recent violence underscores the fragility of peace agreements that lack comprehensive solutions to underlying disputes.
