Consider the following statements:
- Statement-I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.
- Statement-II: The 'Arab Peace Initiative' mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
Statement-I is correct: Israel has normalised relations with several Arab States, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in 2020. Statement-II is wrong: the Arab Peace Initiative was a Saudi proposal adopted by the Arab League in 2002, and Israel never signed it.
- ✓ Statement-I In September 2020 Israel signed the Abraham Accords with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, establishing normal relations. Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994) had earlier made peace with Israel.
- ✗ Statement-II The Arab League summit in Beirut (27-28 March 2002) adopted the initiative presented by Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah. It asks Israel to withdraw from Arab territories occupied since 1967 and offers normal relations from Arab States in return. Israel is the party addressed, not a signatory.
Remember · Arab Peace Initiative (2002): Saudi proposal adopted by the Arab League at Beirut; land for peace and normal relations. Israel did not sign. Abraham Accords (2020): Israel with UAE and Bahrain.
Sources
- UN Security Council meeting coverage SC/14315 (29 September 2020): normalization of ties between Israel and Gulf Arab States ↗ “Citing the agreements — collectively known as the Abraham Accords — between Israel on the one hand and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on the other”
- UN Question of Palestine (UNISPAL): Arab Peace Initiative, Beirut Summit of the League of Arab States, 27-28 March 2002 ↗ “Having heard the statement in which His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, presented his Initiative and called for Israel’s full withdrawal from all the Arab territories that have been occupied since 1967 … 1. Requests Israel to re-examine its policies and to incline towards peace and declare that a just peace is also its own strategic choice”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2023, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·