UAE Synagogue Stays Shut Since Feb. 28 as Abraham Accords Face 6-Year Backlash
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 25
UAE Synagogue Stays Shut Since Feb. 28 as Abraham Accords Face 6-Year Backlash
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jul 25
Summary
The Abrahamic Family House synagogue in Abu Dhabi has remained closed since Feb. 28, pushing many UAE Jews back to private worship as regional war and security fears deepen.
Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel’s subsequent campaigns in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran sharply eroded the openness that followed the 2020 Abraham Accords, with Jewish residents and Israel’s ambassador saying everyone feels less secure.
UAE officials still publicly support normalization because commercial ties have grown and Israeli defense help—including reported Iron Dome support against Iranian missiles and drones—reinforced the relationship during the war.
That split view has turned the UAE into a cautionary case for Trump’s push to add Saudi Arabia to the accords, with analysts and even some supporters saying near-term expansion now looks unlikely.