Trump Wants More Muslim Nations To Join Abraham Accords But Pakistan Just Said No. Here's Why

Last Updated:May 26, 2026, 12:27 IST

Under the accords, countries agreed to formally recognise Israel, establish diplomatic ties, open embassies, expand trade & cooperate on technology, tourism, security & investment

When US President Donald Trump first unveiled the Abraham Accords in 2020, they were projected as a historic diplomatic breakthrough that could redraw the political map of the Middle East. Now, under Trump 2.0, the accords are back at the centre of global diplomacy, but this time linked to ongoing negotiations involving Iran, Gulf countries and even Pakistan. And Islamabad has already said no.

So, what exactly are the Abraham Accords? Why do some Muslim-majority countries support them while others remain deeply uncomfortable? And why has Pakistan refused despite pressure from Washington?

What Are The Abraham Accords?

The Abraham Accords are a series of US-brokered normalisation agreements between Israel and several Arab and Muslim-majority countries.

The original agreements were signed in 2020 during Donald Trump’s first presidency. Under the accords, countries agreed to formally recognise Israel, establish diplomatic ties, open embassies, expand trade and cooperate on technology, tourism, security and investment.

The name “Abraham" was chosen because Judaism, Christianity and Islam all trace spiritual roots to the prophet Abraham.

The first major signatories included the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. Countries like Egypt and Jordan had already recognised Israel decades earlier through separate peace treaties.

For Trump, the accords became one of the signature foreign policy achievements of his first term because they broke a long-standing Arab consensus that Israel would not be recognised until a Palestinian state was created.

What Does Trump Want Now?

Trump is now attempting something far bigger.

He wants any future peace or nuclear arrangement involving Iran to also include a major expansion of the Abraham Accords. He publicly argued that countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt and Jordan should “simultaneously" normalise relations with Israel.

Trump appears to envision a broad regional bloc where Israel and major Muslim countries cooperate economically and strategically while collectively containing Iran’s influence. Supporters of the idea, quoted by The New York Post, argue that such integration could reduce regional conflict and deepen economic ties.

But critics say Trump is trying to merge several highly sensitive geopolitical disputes into one giant bargain, something diplomats believe could complicate already fragile negotiations with Tehran.

Why Did Pakistan Reject It?

Pakistan’s rejection was swift and unusually direct.

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif publicly said joining the Abraham Accords was “not acceptable" because it clashes with Pakistan’s “fundamental ideologies". He also pointed out that Pakistani passports themselves do not recognise Israel.

The deeper reason lies in Pakistan’s historic position on Palestine.

Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has refused to formally recognise Israel, arguing that diplomatic ties can only happen after the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. This position enjoys broad political, religious and public support inside Pakistan. That makes normalisation politically explosive for any Pakistani government.

Pakistan also sees itself as closely aligned with broader Muslim causes globally, especially the Palestinian issue. Any abrupt recognition of Israel could trigger major domestic backlash from religious groups, opposition parties and sections of the military establishment.

Why Are Many Muslim Countries Hesitant?

The biggest obstacle remains Palestine and, more recently, the war in Gaza.

For decades, much of the Arab and Muslim world followed a principle that Israel should not gain full diplomatic legitimacy until Palestinians receive statehood and sovereignty.

Many governments fear that joining the Abraham Accords without progress on Palestinian rights would look like abandoning the Palestinian cause.

That concern has intensified sharply because of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. A Reuters report indicated that public opinion across many Muslim-majority countries has become far more hostile toward normalisation during the conflict.

This is particularly important for countries like Saudi Arabia. Riyadh had been exploring possible normalisation talks with Israel before the Gaza war escalated, but Saudi officials have repeatedly indicated that Palestinian statehood remains central to any future agreement.

Why Is The Issue So Sensitive For Pakistan Specifically?

Pakistan faces a unique contradiction.

On one hand, Islamabad has recently played a quiet mediator role in some US-Iran diplomatic efforts and wants strong ties with Washington and Gulf allies. On the other hand, recognising Israel would fundamentally alter decades of Pakistani foreign policy and could provoke enormous domestic political fallout.

That is why analysts quoted by The Hindustan Times describe Trump’s proposal as placing Pakistan in a “historic paradox": balancing strategic ties with the United States against ideological commitments and domestic political realities.

Trump’s latest push could become a major test: Can the Abraham Accords evolve into a wider regional framework, or have the Gaza war and regional tensions made further expansion politically toxic for much of the Muslim world?

News explainers Trump Wants More Muslim Nations To Join Abraham Accords But Pakistan Just Said No. Here's Why

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