Forum Plus: Normalization or Stalemate? Jacob Isaacson’s Middle East Outlook

https://www.ajc.org

Jacob Isaacson, the Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer at the American Jewish Committee, has dedicated his career to advancing peace and understanding in the Middle East. A participant in the 1991–1992 peace talks in Madrid, Moscow, and Washington, he has since taught in Egypt and Jordan, forged key relationships across the region, and led AJC’s outreach efforts, including opening the organization’s office in Abu Dhabi.

In this conversation, recorded on November 11, 2025, in Dallas, Isaacson previews the upcoming Washington meeting between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Donald Trump. He outlines what he believes will be required to achieve “normalization” between Saudi Arabia and Israel and credits President Trump—and Jared Kushner—for establishing and expanding the Abraham Accords.

While cautiously hopeful, Isaacson stresses that significant hurdles remain. Until Hamas is disarmed and there is change in Palestinian — and potentially Israeli — leadership, he argues that other nations, including the UAE, Oman, and Saudi Arabia, are unlikely to commit funds for Gaza’s reconstruction.