Arshad Mahmood Awan

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a complex and long-standing issue that has its roots in the competing claims of land, identity, and religion in the region. The conflict has been influenced by the involvement of various external actors, such as the United States, the United Nations, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Iran. The role of these actors has varied over time, depending on their interests, alliances, and policies.

Iran and Israel were allies until the Islamic Revolution of 1979, which brought a radical change in Iran’s foreign policy and ideology. Iran became a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and a fierce opponent of Israel, which it regards as an illegitimate and oppressive state. Iran has provided military, financial, and political assistance to various Palestinian factions, such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as to the Lebanese Hezbollah, which has fought several wars with Israel. Iran has also pursued a nuclear program that Israel views as an existential threat, and has engaged in covert and overt attacks against Israeli targets, both in the region and beyond. Israel, on the other hand, has tried to counter Iran’s influence and activities, by imposing sanctions, conducting sabotage and assassinations, and launching airstrikes and cyberattacks. Israel has also sought to form alliances with some Arab states, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which share its concerns about Iran’s regional ambitions.

The Arab-Muslim countries have had a mixed and inconsistent role in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. On the one hand, they have expressed solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinian people, and have condemned and criticized Israel’s actions and policies. On the other hand, they have often failed to translate their rhetoric into effective and practical measures, and have sometimes pursued their own interests and agendas at the expense of the Palestinian cause. The Arab-Muslim countries have also been divided and conflicted among themselves, due to ideological, political, and sectarian differences. Some of them have normalized or improved their relations with Israel, especially after the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, which was brokered by the United States. Others have maintained a hostile or distant stance towards Israel, and have supported the Palestinian resistance and the Iranian axis.

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Will it help the Palestinian cause if the Arab-Muslim countries sever diplomatic relations with Israel? It depends on how the Arab-Muslim countries use their diplomatic leverage and influence. Severing diplomatic relations with Israel could send a strong message of condemnation and isolation, and could pressure Israel to change its behavior and policies. However, it could also reduce the chances of dialogue and negotiation, and could limit the ability of the Arab-Muslim countries to mediate and facilitate a peaceful solution. Moreover, severing diplomatic relations with Israel could have negative consequences for the Arab-Muslim countries themselves, such as losing trade, investment, and cooperation opportunities, and facing retaliation or sanctions from Israel and its allies.

Is there any political will and determination on the part of the Arab-Muslim world to render practical support for an independent Palestinian state? There is some political will and determination, but it is not enough and not consistent. The Arab-Muslim world has provided some practical support for the Palestinian cause, such as humanitarian aid, political recognition, and diplomatic advocacy. However, the Arab-Muslim world has also faced many challenges and constraints, such as internal divisions, external pressures, competing interests, and changing priorities. The Arab-Muslim world has not been able to present a unified and coherent vision and strategy for the Palestinian cause, and has not been able to exert sufficient influence and leverage on the international arena and on the parties involved in the conflict.

Why is there the absence of will and determination among Arab-Muslim countries to take practical measures against Israel and its principal backer, the United States? There are many reasons for the absence of will and determination, such as:

• The fear of provoking a military confrontation or a regional war with Israel and the United States, which have superior military and technological capabilities and resources.
• The dependence on the United States for security, economic, and political assistance and cooperation, and the desire to maintain good relations with the world’s superpower.
• The lack of trust and coordination among the Arab-Muslim countries, and the presence of rivalries and conflicts that undermine their unity and solidarity.
• The emergence of new threats and challenges, such as the rise of Iran, the spread of terrorism, the instability of Syria and Yemen, and the COVID-19 pandemic, that divert the attention and resources of the Arab-Muslim countries from the Palestinian cause.
• The fatigue and frustration with the lack of progress and prospects for a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and the loss of hope and interest in the peace process.

The future of relationship between Israel and Arab-Muslim countries in the context of present Israel-Hamas conflict of october is uncertain and unpredictable, as the conflict has escalated to an unprecedented level of violence and destruction. The conflict has also exposed the deep divisions and contradictions among the Arab-Muslim countries, as some of them have sided with Israel, while others have condemned it or remained neutral.

On the one hand, some Arab-Muslim countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, have normalized or improved their relations with Israel in recent years, especially after the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, which was brokered by the United States. These countries have expressed their support for Israel’s right to self-defense, and have condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel as a terrorist act. They have also called for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the conflict, and have offered humanitarian aid to both sides. These countries have seen Israel as a strategic partner and a potential ally against Iran, which they regard as a common threat and a regional rival. They have also sought to benefit from Israel’s economic, technological, and security cooperation, and to enhance their ties with the United States, which is Israel’s main ally and supporter.

On the other hand, some Arab-Muslim countries, such as Iran, Turkey, Qatar, and Algeria, have strongly denounced Israel’s actions and policies, and have expressed their solidarity and sympathy with the Palestinian people. They have accused Israel of committing war crimes and violating international law, and have demanded an immediate end to its aggression and occupation. They have also provided political, financial, and military support to Hamas and other Palestinian factions, and have called for a comprehensive and just solution to the conflict, based on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. These countries have seen Israel as an illegitimate and oppressive state, and a source of instability and injustice in the region. They have also opposed the normalization of relations with Israel by some Arab-Muslim countries, and have criticized them for betraying the Palestinian cause and the Arab-Muslim unity.

In between these two poles, there are some Arab-Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, that have adopted a more balanced and pragmatic approach to the conflict. These countries have maintained their diplomatic relations with Israel, but have also expressed their concern and criticism over its excessive use of force and its expansion of settlements. They have also played a mediating and facilitating role in the conflict, by trying to broker a ceasefire and a dialogue between the parties, and by urging the international community to intervene and to revive the peace process. These countries have recognized the reality and the necessity of dealing with Israel, but have also reaffirmed their commitment and support to the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution.

The future of relationship between Israel and Arab-Muslim countries will depend on several factors, such as the outcome and the aftermath of the current conflict, the role and the influence of the United States and other external actors, the internal dynamics and the public opinion of each country, and the prospects and the challenges of the peace process. The relationship will likely remain complex and diverse, as each country will pursue its own interests and agendas, and will face different opportunities and risks. However, the relationship will also be affected by the common issues and the shared values that the Arab-Muslim countries have with Israel, such as the need for security, stability, and development, and the respect for human rights, democracy, and coexistence. Therefore, the relationship will require constant dialogue, cooperation, and compromise, as well as mutual recognition, trust, and respect.

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