Biden and the Arab world

Yediot Aharonot

Written by: Mikhail Milstein

In Israel and the Sunni Arab world, fear exists as a result of the term Biden. At the center of this is a common concern about the resumption of dialogue between the United States and Iran on the nuclear issue, which would increase the level of self-confidence in Tehran and encourage it to tighten its conspiratorial approaches in the region.
In addition, there are also special concerns. In the Arab world, they fear American pressure to advance democracy and human rights. They remember Obama’s 2009 “Cairo speech” on carrying out comprehensive reforms in Arab countries, seen as the first crack that led to the outbreak of the Arab Spring. As for Israel, for its part, it is concerned about the US administration’s tough stance on the Palestinian issue, as it is fundamentally different from the comfortable policy Trump has adopted on the issue.
Thus, the Arab countries are trying to reduce regional crises that would lead to friction with the new administration. In addition, Arab countries are working to strengthen or develop pressure groups in the centers of power in Washington and to improve their image in mass and political public opinion in the United States, especially among supporters of the camp. democratic.
However, in addition to the threats, there are also opportunities for Israel and the Sunni Arab world. First, it is true that the incoming administration is charged with a very clear ideology and strategy, but it is still possible to influence the conception of its thinking and the formulation of its objectives. A coordinated or joint political and media effort of Israel and the main countries of the Arab world vis-à-vis the incoming administration, in light of the clarification of the damage that can be caused by a very rapid and widespread displacement to Tehran , is enough to be effective in more than the defensive stance, directing harsh criticism, or imparting a continuing sense of anxiety.
Second, the Arab fear of the new US administration can be used to improve reality in the Palestinian arena. In this context, we recommend convincing the Gulf States to deepen their influence and role in the Palestinian arena, including by providing economic aid. The question is enough to embody their vital role as a forum that pushes the Palestinian arena towards stability, as it is in a multidimensional crisis and in a state of profound lack of clarity in light of the next day’s question. by Abu Mazen. The entry of the Gulf States into the Palestinian arena, which on the one hand contributes to the stability of the Palestinian arena.
Deepening the role of the Gulf States in the Palestinian arena, especially in Judea and Samaria, would create a win-win situation for all parties: strengthening authoritarian stability and the fabric of civilian life in the Palestinian Authority, and create a relatively comfortable environment before the start of potential political negotiations. To ensure relative calm in Judea and Samaria for Israel; And improve the image of Arab actors in the eyes of the international arena.
Israel and the Arab world are united, relatively exceptionally, in the light of the New Testament in Washington. Between them there is a partnership of interests that has deepened in the context of the normalization that has accelerated since the end of 2020 and that is expected to remain and even expand – because not everything follows from Trump’s steps. but rather deep transformations in the Arab world. The new era will be marked by more challenges and constraints than those Israel and the Arab countries have faced in the past four years. However, we must not see the new administration as a threat, and in some problems, especially the Palestinian one, because it is able to help solve problems that are becoming contagious day by day.