Israel has pursued normalization agreements with several Arab nations, notably the Abraham Accords, which were signed in 2020. These agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco marked a significant shift in regional dynamics, fostering diplomatic relations, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges. This has altered the traditional Arab-Israeli conflict narrative.
Israel has strengthened ties with Arab states, particularly in areas like security, technology, and trade. Countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt view Israel as a strategic ally against common threats, such as Iran and extremist groups, leading to more cooperative security arrangements.
Israel's efforts to counter Iranian influence in the region have shaped alliances and tensions. The perceived threat from Iran has united various nations, pushing them closer to Israel, while also complicating relationships with groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian factions.
Israel's advancements in technology, particularly in cybersecurity, agriculture, and water management, have made it an attractive partner for many countries in the region. This technological edge has fostered economic collaborations that benefit both Israel and its new allies.
Some Arab nations have begun to prioritize their national interests and economic development over the Palestinian issue, leading to a shift in how they engage with Israel. This pragmatic approach has changed the landscape of Middle Eastern politics, as more countries are willing to engage with Israel without preconditions related to the Palestinian conflict.
The Movement for Greater Israel, also known as the Land of Israel Movement, was a political organisation in Israel during the 1960s and 1970s which subscribed to an ideology of Greater Israel. The recent picture of an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier with a Greater Israel badge on the uniform provoked outrage in Arab countries (Middle East Monitor, 2024). The promised land of Israel, as described in the badge photo, includes regions from the Nile to the Euphrates, from Medina to Lebanon, including territories from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, entire Jordan, and Occupied Palestinian territories.
Prime Minister Netanyahu came under fire on social media for holding up a map at the United Nations General Assembly plenum that placed the West Bank and Gaza within the boundaries of sovereign Israel. After the Six-Day War broke out in June 1967, Syria's shelling greatly intensified and the Israeli army captured the Golan Heights on 9–10 June. On 8 December 2024, Israel invaded the buffer zone between Syria and its Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Israeli military has pounded Syrian military infrastructure relentlessly since Assad fled to Russia — forced out by a shock rebel offensive after a decade of civil war that had largely ground to an apparent stalemate.
The role of the United States in facilitating these changes cannot be understated. U.S. support for Israel and its diplomatic efforts in the region have played a crucial role in encouraging normalization and fostering new alliances.Turkey has denounced Israel’s plan to double the population living in the occupied Golan Heights at the south-western edge of Syria as an attempt to “expand its borders”, as international concern grows over Israel’s actions in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
There is a growing segment of the Middle Eastern population, particularly among the youth, that seeks stability, economic opportunity, and modernization. This demographic shift can lead to more favorable views towards Israel and a desire for cooperation over conflict.
Israel's reshaping of the Middle East is a multifaceted process involving diplomatic agreements, strategic partnerships, economic collaboration, and changing regional attitudes. These developments are contributing to a new geopolitical landscape in the Middle East, characterized by shifting alliances and a focus on pragmatic cooperation.
Editorial comments expressed in this column are the sole opinion of the writer.
