The Trump administration is continuing in its efforts to bring more Araband Muslim countries into the Abraham Accords, by which the United ArabEmirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco have already agreed to normalisationwith Israel.
The two countries most likely to establish diplomatic relations with Israelin the coming weeks are Oman and Indonesia, a diplomatic source told theJerusalem Post.
The outlet points to the upcoming trip of Mike Pence to Israel in January,with mounting speculation that the American vice-president may announcethat another country is establishing relations with the Jewish state duringhis visit.
The diplomatic source identified Oman and Indonesia as two countries withwhich talks have advanced and normalisation could be announced before USPresident Donald Trump leaves office on 20 January.
Oman has welcomed the announcement of ties between Israel and Morocco,expressing hope that they “will further endeavour to achieve acomprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
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The Abraham Accords initiative launched by the Trump administration earlierthis year has so far seen the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco formaliserelations with Tel Aviv.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 12 December, afterBhutan opened ties with Israel outside the framework of the accords, thatIsrael is “in touch with additional countries that want to join andestablish relations with us.”
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— PM of Israel (@IsraeliPM) December 12, 2020
Netanyahu visited Oman in 2018 and Israel had unofficial trade relationswith the country in 1994-2000. However, Israel and Indonesia do not haveformal diplomatic relations.
Ynetnews reported that Israel is also holding talks with Pakistan,Bangladesh, the Maldives and other countries.
The Jerusalem Post’s diplomatic source said normalisation with Saudi Arabiawas unlikely to take place before US President-elect Joe Biden entersoffice, even though the Saudis have in effect come on board with the otherparts of the Abraham Accords.
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Some took to social media to complain about the growing number of Arabcountries recognising Israel, suggesting that it will do little to help thePalestinians.
