In the geopolitics of the Middle East where proximity fuels an understanding of the intricate web of relationships, histories and regional dynamics, it is noticeable that the leaders dwelling closest to Gaza are not intensifying their political pressure on Israel. Despite the mounting pleas from Western countries for the acknowledgment of a Palestinian state, Arab nations are shifting gears and pondering over their relationships with Israel. These Middle Eastern leaders have expressed concerns about civilian fatalities in Gaza, yet their diplomatic dialogues with Israel persist, as they choose strategic initiatives over symbolic demonstrations.
When compared to exuberant Western activists, the Arab governments demonstrate a deeper comprehension of the destabilizing doctrines propagated by Hamas and are responsive to the paramount need of conflict mitigation. However, Western countries appear fervently engrossed in a diplomatic chase, steeped in political confusion, as they quietly aspire to normalize relations with Israel. Growing Western discontentment with Israel has been amplified more recently with Britain’s indication that it may recognize a Palestinian state – a sentiment echoed by France and Canada – nearly two years into a conflict provoked by Hamas’ hostility.
While the strife of Gaza garners immense outrage and media attention in Western capitals, a more nuanced narrative is taking shape within the Arab world. Leaders who experience the realities of the geopolitical tussle first-hand, are resisting the urge to escalate political pressures on Israel. Instead, their approach seems to involve a thoughtful rethinking of international relationships, strategically assessing, and in certain instances, even amplifying their ties with the Jewish state.
Like their Western counterparts, Arab nations strongly condemn the humanitarian plight and civilian casualties in Gaza, calling for the establishment of a future Palestinian state. However, they differ fundamentally in the way they view Hamas, the group that sparked the war with an abrupt onslaught in October, 2023. They’ve not allowed the narrative spun by the organization to dictate their understanding of the conflict, nor have they broken off international agreements or recalled their ambassadors from Jerusalem. Deciding upon strategic, long-term paths over ceremonial actions, their choice offers insightful commentary on their understanding of the issue.
Echoing this sentiment in Saudi Arabia, senior officials have openly criticized Hamas over the past year; leadership in Egypt and Jordan have their priorities centered on maintaining regional equilibrium and preventing the exacerbation of the conflict. In a notable revelation, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani shared that his administration had impeded almost 30 potential attacks on Israel and U.S. troops during Iran’s spring offensive. This included the prevention of drone operations from Iraqi terrain, further underlining the lengths some Arab nations are prepared to go to prevent the conflict from escalating.
Why, one might ask, are Western cities engulfed in demonstrations while Arab capitals quietly navigate diplomatic corridors? The answer lies in a clear understanding of Hamas and its ideologies. Arab governments are well-versed in the seismic shifts brought about by Hamas’s destabilizing ideologies, its closeness to Iran, and its staunch defiance to negotiation. They comprehend that Hamas’s objectives extend far beyond peace, statehood, or coexistence. They understand that it thrives on an endless loop of conflict and champions a radical Islamic revolution.
Regrettably, some in the West engage in ideological barrages, often disconnected from the actual realities of the region. The fact that Hamas cannot be pigeonholed as a liberation movement often falls on deaf ears. Instead, it is a jihadist military group that leverages civilian hardship to sway international sentiment. And while this narrative unfolds, it seems easy to forget that Israel stands alone as the only democracy in the Middle East where Israelis and Arabs alike vote, protest and hold parliamentary seats.
These skewed dynamics haven’t escaped Hamas’s notice. It appreciates the stance taken by European governments on Israel. In Ireland, legislators are advocating for trade with Israelis to be considered criminal. With Britain now contemplating recognition of a Palestinian state, alongside France and Canada, Hamas’s tactics of instigation and propaganda appear to be yielding diplomatic benefits.
The emerging picture presents an ironic twist: while Arab states inch towards peaceful coexistence, the Western world appears to veer off into a moral quagmire. What was originally a legitimate defense of human rights now resembles selective indignation, often conveniently oblivious to the region’s realities and manipulated by the most destructive players. Fanning Hamas’s flames risks exacerbating, not ameliorating, the living conditions in Gaza.
This course of action carries with it grave implications which extend beyond the immediate threat to Israeli and Jewish life. It is a precarious trajectory that threatens liberal democracy itself. A selective application of human rights, leniency towards terrorism, and rationalizing Hamas’s calls for the annihilation of Israel as resistance indicate that the very foundations of democracy and human rights are under threat.
Perhaps it’s time the West gaze towards the East, not in search of answers, but in an attempt to gain clearer perspective. The Arab world isn’t rallying behind Hamas, they’re turning a new leaf. They’re engaged in diplomatic dialogues, nurturing normalization, and in certain cases, forming alliances with Israel to jointly counter mutual threats.
The objective should remain clear: a better future can be envisioned for both Israelis and Palestinians. However, merely expressing outrage doesn’t constitute a pragmatic strategy. It is merely a spectacle. Those geographically and geopolitically closest to the conflict seem to have grasped this subtle yet integral truth.
The post Arab Leaders Tread Carefully as Middle East’s Gaza Conflict Ensues appeared first on Real News Now.
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