Analyzing the Potential of Israeli-Omani Normalization
3 years ago 53
On September 15, 2020, the United States, under President Donald Trump,
mediated an agreement known as the Abraham Accords, which formally
normalized diplomatic relations between the State of Israel, the United
Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Bahrain. What was initially a trilateral
agreement between Israel and two of the Persian Gulf’s wealthiest states
expanded in the subsequent months to also include Morocco and Sudan. As
such, the Abraham Accords marked one of the most significant developments
in the Arab-Israeli peace process in decades. Today, three years since the
Accords’ ratification, rumors have been circulating of other Arab states in
the region either formally signing the agreement or otherwise normalizing
their relations with Israel. Recent developments in the Sultanate of Oman
lead some experts to believe that the Sultanate may be the next Middle
Eastern state to normalize and establish diplomatic relations with Israel.
This article will outline and analyze the recent diplomatic developments
between Israel and Oman and what diplomatic normalization could mean for
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Iran’s evolving role as a regional power,
and Omani domestic society.