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Israel–Arab Relations: from Historical tensions to Modern diplomacy

Author Affiliations

  • 1Amity Institute of Social Sciences, Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 15, Issue (2), Pages 50-56, April,14 (2026)

Abstract

Israel–Arab relations have historically been characterized by conflict, territorial disputes, ideological rivalry, and competing national identities. Since the establishment of Israel in May 1948, relations between Israel and neighbouring Arab states have largely been shaped by wars, diplomatic confrontations, and unresolved political questions concerning Palestinian statehood. Major conflicts such as the Arab–Israeli wars of 1948, 1967, and 1973 significantly influenced regional geopolitics and reinforced long-standing security dilemmas in the Middle East. In recent decades, however, the region has witnessed gradual diplomatic shifts. The Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty of 1979 and the Israel–Jordan Peace Treaty of 1994 represented early milestones in diplomatic engagement. More recently, the Abraham Accords signed in September 2020 marked a new phase of normalization between Israel and several Arab states including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. This study examines the historical evolution of Israel–Arab relations and analyses the transition from conflict to pragmatic diplomacy. Using qualitative analysis of secondary sources, the research evaluates how geopolitical interests, economic cooperation, security concerns, and identity politics have influenced regional diplomacy. While normalization agreements have created new opportunities for cooperation, unresolved issues—particularly the Palestinian question and periodic conflicts in Gaza—continue to challenge the sustainability of long-term peace.

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