“Israel has achieved all it could through military power - now it’s time to translate those achievements on the battlefield into peace and prosperity in the Middle East,” said President Trump in his speech to the Knesset, marking what he considers the next stage: expanding the Abraham Accords and signing normalization agreements between Israel and Arab states.
“Even Iran can join,” the president said this week. In his view, everyone can take part in the celebration - though it’s clear that each country will have its own price tag.
Naturally, these nations have an interest in getting closer to the American president, and that fact alone makes normalization a kind of ‘two-for-one’ deal.
Everyone understands that rebuilding Gaza, introducing an Arab security presence, and discussing the Palestinian future are key steps toward the possibility of a new agreement.
What comes after the first phase of the ceasefire?
On the other hand, it’s equally clear that any discussion about a second phase will be highly volatile for both sides. So, progress won’t be easy.
Even if a ceasefire agreement is signed, the process will remain complicated. Take, for example, the story of the historic planned visit of Indonesia’s president to Israel. The visit, which was meant to remain secret until the last moment, was leaked. This prompted an official Indonesian clarification: “We never planned to visit Israel.” The visit was then canceled.
This incident highlights the core problem. Netanyahu, even after the agreement, is still seen in much of the Arab world as the destroyer of Gaza, making it difficult for Arab leaders to be seen near him. That doesn’t mean we won’t see meetings with Arab and Muslim leaders or new normalization agreements, but it’s certainly not going to be simple.
But on there other hand: there's Trump which had already proven: No one can say no to him.