Overview
- In an Oct. 17 Fox Business interview, President Trump said new signatories could join "very soon" after what he called "very good conversations" this week.
- He voiced hope that Saudi Arabia will participate and suggested Riyadh’s move could prompt others to follow.
- The accords currently involve Israel’s ties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain from 2020, with Morocco and Sudan later moving to normalize relations.
- Political headwinds remain significant, with Arab and Muslim leaders condemning Israeli actions and surveys showing strong Saudi public opposition to normalization.
- Riyadh maintains that recognition depends on tangible progress toward a Palestinian state under the Arab Peace Initiative, as U.S. outreach also extends to partners such as Azerbaijan and Central Asian states.