Witkoff teases big Abraham Accords push as Trump eyes expansion

The Abraham Accords, a groundbreaking agreement that normalized relations between Israel and several Sunni Gulf States and North African countries, may soon see new members joining the fold. According to Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, there are potential big announcements on the horizon regarding countries that are considering entering into the Abraham Accords.

One of the top contenders for joining the Abraham Accords, as reported by Israel Hayom, is Syria. Israeli National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi believes that Syria, along with Lebanon, are the most likely candidates to expand the agreement. Hanegbi revealed during a classified meeting with the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Israel is engaged in direct dialogue with Syria’s new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former member of terrorist organizations such as the Islamic State and al Qaeda.

Middle East expert Eugene Kontorovich has expressed optimism about the potential inclusion of Syria and Lebanon in the Abraham Accords. He believes that with Iran’s influence waning, these countries may see the benefits of normalizing relations with Israel and joining the agreement during Trump’s term.

In a recent development, Trump reportedly asked Syrian President al-Sharaa to fully normalize relations with Israel in exchange for sanctions relief. This move indicates the Trump administration’s commitment to expanding the Abraham Accords and promoting peace in the region.

The expansion of the Abraham Accords has stirred excitement among the Israeli media and seasoned Middle East observers. The low barriers to entry for new countries to join the agreement make it highly plausible that President Trump could oversee further expansions during his second term.

Following the success of the Abraham Accords, which saw the normalization of relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan in 2020, there has been anticipation that Saudi Arabia may also join the agreement. However, the Biden administration has faced criticism for not actively working to expand the Accords and for straining relations with states that have made peace with Israel as part of the agreement.

As discussions continue and developments unfold, the potential addition of Syria and Lebanon to the Abraham Accords could mark a significant step towards peace and stability in the Middle East. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving situation.