by Zalman Shoval
During Operation
Protective Edge and since, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
recognized the importance of the budding relationship between Israel and
part of the moderate Sunni Arab world, particularly Egypt, with which
Israel shares interests on the Palestinian issue and in the Sinai
Peninsula, among other things. These joint regional interests are based
primarily on a united position against the Iranian nuclear program and
Iran's hegemonic ambitions, as well as the struggle against political
Islam, the product of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Islamic State group is
a most extreme embodiment of this ideology, but other like-minded
groups, including Hamas, also endanger the very foundations of the
existence of most countries in the Middle East.
Other factors in this
equation include concerns and disappointment among countries in the
region about the passivity and disregard displayed by the Obama
administration toward the previously mentioned dangers -- an approach
reflected by Obama's declaration that he was seeking to pivot U.S.
political and military activity from the Middle East to the Far East.
Israel read the map correctly when it preferred the Egyptian cease-fire
proposal during Operation Protective Edge over the one proposed by Qatar
and Turkey, who are supporters of Hamas.
Israel shares the same
worries as many countries in the region, but it also does not want to
turn its back on its traditional and most loyal ally -- the U.S.
However, paving the path toward a strategic alliance with Egypt, Saudi
Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain does not
represent a betrayal of the special relationship with the U.S. Moreover,
interests and alliances can change quickly, particularly in the Middle
East, and as tight as the pragmatic links between Israel and the
moderate Arab axis might become, they will not replace the alliance with
the U.S. or Israel's need to preserve its ability to defend itself by
itself.
As the Palestinian
Authority is supposed to be part of the moderate Arab axis (although the
statements made by some of its leaders over the weekend raised doubts
about how "moderate" it is), it is likely that Egypt and Saudi Arabia,
as well as their allies, will seek a renewal of the diplomatic process
between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Such a move would remove
this ongoing annoyance (the Israeli-Palestinian conflict) from the
agenda and, more specifically, it would weaken Hamas, Qatar and Turkey
and allow for focus to be centered on the fight against extreme Islam
(both in its Sunni and Shiite forms) and treatment of the Syrian, Iraqi
and Libyan abscesses. According to unofficial reports, Egypt even
proposed creative ideas to help resolve the Palestinian problem, and
Saudi Arabia has begun to clarify that "Israel is not an enemy."
Israel certainly has
both a principled and concrete interest in promoting such steps, even if
hopes for their success should not be exaggerated, especially since
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has not shown signs of
willingness to enter into real negotiations with Israel. Even if
pressure from moderate Arab states compels Abbas to decide to change his
rejectionist stance, there is no guarantee that Hamas, which was dealt a
tough blow in Gaza yet maintains strong support in the West Bank, would
allow Abbas to do so. However, a new page may be opening in the
regional diplomatic calculations, and this reality justifies
confidence-building measures.
Meanwhile, an
American-led coalition against the Islamic State has been established.
Even though one U.S. media outlet ironically called this "Obama's
coalition of the willing and unable," the president's decision should
still be welcomed. However, U.S. allies in the Middle East are not yet
convinced that Obama's move represents a true turning point in America's
conduct in the region. As of now, the U.S. is limiting its involvement
in the war against the Islamic State to airstrikes. Similar to Operation
Protective Edge, there will be civilian casualties and Obama will have
to explain that this is a war of no choice against terrorists who use
civilians as human shields.
Despite its growing regional
ties, Israel rightly decided to not join the coalition (even if it will
help in other ways), because, as former Mossad chief Danny Yatom pointed
out, many of the entities that have joined the coalition, based on
their past and their nature, could in the future be part of a terrorist
front against Israel.
Zalman Shoval
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=9979
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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