President Donald Trump deserves praise for brokering peace agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, and Israel and Bahrain.

The agreements build on peace treaties signed by Israel and Egypt in 1979 and Israel and Jordan in 1994. The agreements also build on a consensus among Sunni Arab nations that Iran's terrorist operations pose a greater threat to Middle East peace than the unresolved issue of creating a Palestinian homeland on the Gaza Strip and West Bank of the Jordan River, which Israel annexed following an Arab attack in 1967.

In 2000, the Palestinians shocked the world by rejecting Israel's offer to turn over 95% of the annexed territory to them. After bashing Israel for 30 years, the world finally saw that the Palestinians were a true obstacle to peace. Sporadic negotiations continue, with Israel abandoning the Gaza Strip without conditions in 2005.

The passage of time will force the Palestinians to settle for less territory than Israel's 95% offer in 2000. The United States and Sunni Arab nations are pressuring the Palestinians to reach an agreement with Israel soon. The next president, be it Donald Trump or former Vice President Joesph Biden, must keep the pressure on.

Mark Shea

Moodus