Quid pro quo

MERE hours after the US signed a landmark civil nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia, American President Donald Trump sprang a surprise: the deal would only go through if the Saudis recognised Israel and signed the so-called Abraham Accords. While Riyadh has remained silent over the demand, media reports indicate that recognition of the Zionist state was not part of the negotiations, and is most likely a Trumpian addition to the deal.

Saudi Arabia must join “the very respected and successful Abraham Accords”, Mr Trump said, championing his pet project dating back to his first term, when the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco officially recognised Israel. To ensure there was no ambiguity about Mr Trump’s announcement, the White House press secretary said “the deal is off” if the Saudis refused to join the Accords.

The American leader has been pressing Saudi Arabia and other Muslim states, including Pakistan, for some time to recognise Israel. However, this remains a morally reprehensible proposition considering Tel Aviv’s genocidal violence in Gaza, and its refusal to accept the idea of an independent Palestinian state. Accepting Israel would mean legitimising its violence against the Palestinians, as well as its neighbouring Arab states and Iran.

The official Saudi position remains that recognition cannot come unless there is a ‘pathway’ to a Palestinian state. Pakistan too — which has resisted earlier American calls to embrace Israel — has clearly stated that until there is a Palestinian state with pre-1967 borders and Al Quds as its capital, recognition is not on the agenda.

Moreover, there is widespread support for Palestine amongst the public, and disgust with the atrocious levels of violence unleashed by Israel on the Palestinian people. This makes recognition highly improbable. As for Tel Aviv’s position, the current Israeli prime minister has said that a Palestinian state will not happen. Even more ‘liberal’ Israeli politicians are steadfast in their opposition to a Palestinian state.

Mr Trump’s eagerness to bring the Saudis on board is understandable. While many OIC members have accepted Israel, due to Saudi Arabia’s role as the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites, its recognition would open the floodgates for wider normalisation with Israel in the Muslim world. Pakistan should remain wary. It must not change its principled position on the Palestine question, and resist all America’s attempts at coercing it to embrace the Zionist state.

The Israel ‘brand’ has become toxic the world over, due to Tel Aviv’s extermination campaign in Gaza, and its aggression against Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iran. Should such a state be embraced by the Muslim world, when it shows zero remorse for its murderous policies, remains committed to resisting a Palestinian state, and when its leaders openly speak of desecrating Al Aqsa?

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2026 ...