Who Was Abraham, Whom Trump Repeatedly Invoked During Gaza Peace Summit? | World News

Who was Abraham: US President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to Abraham, emphasizing the 2020 Abraham Accords, in his speeches in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) and Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) on the occasion of the Gaza Peace Summit. These agreements established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Beyond politics, Abraham represents a revered figure in three major religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam). Understanding his life and legacy helps explain why he continues to be so important in religious and historical debates.

Abraham is considered the patriarch in all three religions and forms the basis of what are collectively known as the Abrahamic religions. The Hebrew Bible, the Christian Bible, and the Quran all describe his devotion to the same God and recognize him as a messenger. He is known as Abraham in Islam. He is widely respected as a model of faith, obedience and devotion to God. In his book ‘Abraham: A Journey into the Hearts of Three Religions’, Bruce Feiler writes that while every religion claims Abraham, he ultimately belongs to everyone. It also highlights the irony that despite this common heritage, followers of these beliefs often engage in conflict.

According to the Hebrew Bible, God promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation, even though he had no children at the time. He was sent on a journey to lands that currently include Israel, Jordan and Gaza. He had a son named Ishmael from his servant Hagar. Then, miraculously, his old wife Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Hagar and Ishmael were eventually sent away, but after Abraham’s death, Ishmael visited Isaac to pay his respects to his father one last time.

The Book of Genesis in the Hebrew Bible, which is also part of the Christian Old Testament, details the life of Abraham. He lived in Mesopotamia and near Haran about 2000 years before Christ and eventually went to Canaan. God promised that Abraham’s descendants would become a great nation. Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, is considered the ancestor of the Jewish people, as his sons founded the tribes of Israel in Canaan.

Christian tradition traces the lineage of Jesus Christ to Abraham. In Islam, Prophet Muhammad is considered a descendant of Ishmael, the son of Abraham. Thanks to these connections, Jews, Christians and Muslims recognize Abraham as the common ancestor and messenger of God. Muslims also believe that their spiritual history begins with Adam and continues with Prophet Muhammad. They believe that it reached its peak with Muhammad.

Jerusalem remains the focus of both veneration and disagreement for Abraham. Christians believe that Jesus was crucified and resurrected here, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher marks the site. Muslims, Hz. They revere the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, which are linked to Muhammad’s night journey and ascension into heaven (Shab-i Meraj). Jews consider Jerusalem to be the site of the ancient Temple where Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac and where the Western Wall remains a sacred site.

Israel was founded in 1948 and seized control of East Jerusalem in 1967, declaring the city its undivided capital. Palestinians claim that East Jerusalem belongs to them. The religious and political significance of this dispute continues.

Abraham’s legacy bridges faith and history. His story explains why Jews, Christians, and Muslims honor him as an ancestor and messenger, and why leaders invoke his name to emphasize common heritage, dialogue, and peace.