—— *Dr. S. Baidya
How the world is taking a different turn in the post Covid-19, can be underlined by the ‘Gulf countries’ development. It was not that it all happened all of a sudden. It was brewing for years in the offing. What was surprising was that, the fast pace the diplomatic normalization took – perse speaks volumes.
It’s immaterial understandably who partnered this mega event? It’s altogether a different thing as to how this could become a possibility? The geo-strategist analysts already underscore the fact that this was all overdue. The deficit–trust was long to be executed between the Arabs and the non–Arabs. States if devoid of any defense system in place and turns out to be the parasite on the extraneous factors – understandably leads the same situation which has taken place now. In today’s globalised world who turns winner? Who subdues other’s sovereignty- that who is the custodian of the unparallel or at least dependable defense system? If the country keeps on browbeating for too long, the path is always challenging. Come what may, one can have a number of allies but all undependable, the corridor of power is sure to meet the fiasco. Regarding Palestinian who cares? It has been made just a hapless entity – who can question the world is interested more on temporal things rather than ethics and morality. So what if the living human beings are only to perish? What matters; who controls the ‘power hegemony’ – that is – the one regulates the destiny of others. Alliances and counter alliances are no disturbing trend – rather is a positive perception, nonetheless, it turns out to be a liability when the same neglects the ethical cause of humanity.
But then a billion dollar question is – how does it matter, if a sovereign nation state is free to resort to take its own decision? Why on the earth any other nation state can create a sense of turmoil. After all UAE has every right as to what suits it to move on as a profound foreign policy. Regarding Palestine issue, since Balford Decleration 1917, and 1948 and then 1967 and now 2020, the script of the fate remains the same. There has been a continuous fight over the land that Palestinian lost against Israel. Yaser Arafat – the leader who for the whole life tried to make a different state but he could not do so in his life time. Support from the third world can be academic. There are many countries tried to support Palestine cause – but all in vain. Perhaps, they are forgetting in today’s contemporary world, nothing matters but the temporal things. They are the worshipers of the material aspects rather than ‘ethics and morality’.
Reaction of the Arab world
It was the assumption initially that incase of the greater risks involved against the Palestine, the very Arab states will come to their rescue. But little did they realize that not a single country is there that could be really contemplating even about the assistance in dire need. What is significant is – The Arab world has own chequred history of justifying what suits them. It is also quite appreciative; they are sovereign countries they have their own perceptions to justify any move they tend to procure. Why should they be guided by non Arab world? Why should they lose their hold and luxury lives for others? Why should they lose their friends who they consider are the best in their interests? For that reason, it has not been exaggerated expectations from the non –Arab world from the Arabs?
Palestinian and their voices
Palestinians, who wish to speak on, denounced ‘the Accord’ as a betrayal of the long-held Arab stance that peace needs to be conditional on Israeli withdrawal. According to this agreement, this is about UAE, the third Arab state after Egypt and Jordan to have normalization of relations with Israel. Notwithstanding of the fact, UAE got assurance that Israel will consider about the suspension of her annexation of Palestine. This deal, understandably got USA President Donald Trump materialized was based on the assumption that this brand new axis with the UAE aligning itself with Israel will help in confronting Shi’ite Muslim Iran and will continue supremacy of Sunni Islamist radicals in the region. This is prone to heighten tensions with Gulf region. The defense analysts emphasize that the latest ‘Agreement’ will only jeopardize the interests of the OIC group as an International organization. It will create fissures between the two camps for all practical purposes. Already, Saudi Arabia, and Gulf countries are having tough time with Iran in the region. Iran’s Foreign Minister stated’ the Deal’ aimed at compromising the causes of the OIC block. More so, it will only help to Trump to win the much awaited Presidential election in coming months in November, 2020 – a view echoed by the chief of Lebanon’s Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement.
Irans’ Reaction
Regarding Iran, it has been known for years about his instance there in case of Israel. Iran for long has been opposing any understanding with Israel for all practical purposes in the past. “It’s shameful what Abu Dhabi did … They did not see the Israel as an enemy, but an ally and what’s going down now’s to assist Trump with elections,” so expressed Iran’s Mohammad Javad Zarif informed Al Mayadeen TV. Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a televised speech, described the UAE cross as an “election favour” for each Trump and Israeli top Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and mentioned extra Arab states would put in place go well with to “satisfy” Washington. “It is good, al painful, that the masks own fallen,” he said, describing the deal as a betrayal of Islam and Arabs.
UAE –Israel Understanding
Needless to add, it was definitely expected the reaction could be huge and wide in the post-UAE and Israeli patch up. From cries of “double-crossing” to fears about “falling dominoes”, the arrangement making the United Arab Emirates the Arab state to normalize relations with Israel sent a mixed antipathy and consternation around the Middle East, nonetheless a wary greeting from the UAE’s Gulf partners. Palestinians, who need to build up a state on West Bank an area caught by Israel in 1967, criticized the understanding as a treachery; since quite a while ago held Arab position that synchronization ought to be restrictive on Israeli withdrawal from drawn in region. The understanding, which is set to make the UAE just the third Arab state after Egypt and Jordan to make agreement with Israel, requires an impermanent suspension of Israel’s arranged extension of involved West Bank an area, yet not withdrawal.
The arrangement, which U.S. President Donald Trump assisted facilitating with help from senior advisor Jared Kushner, structures another hub with the UAE adjusting itself to Israel in standing up to Shi’ite Muslim Iran and Sunni Islamist radicals in the region.This is probably going to develop strains in the Gulf, which has in the previous two years seen assaults on big haulers and vitality resources that the United States and Saudi Arabia have accused on Iran – a charge Tehran denies. Iran’s unfamiliar preacher said the arrangement meant to hand Trump a success in front of U.S. decisions in November, a view repeated by the leader of Lebanon’s Iranian-supported Hezbollah development.”It’s disgraceful what Abu Dhabi did … They don’t consider the to be system as a foe, yet a partner and what’s going on now is to help Trump in the decisions,” Iran’s Mohammad Javad Zarif told Al Mayadeen TV.Hezbollah Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, in a broadcast discourse, portrayed the UAE move as a “political favor” for both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and said more Arab states would take action accordingly to “fulfill” Washington.”It is acceptable, however difficult, that the covers have fallen,” he stated, depicting the arrangement as a disloyalty of Islam and Arabs.
Plummet like Dominoes
Much the same way as Egypt, Jordan and now Abu Dhabi, the entire Arab world will begin to fall like dominoes,” said Mohammad al-Sharif, 45, an individual from Israel’s Arab minority. “That Sheik Mohammed Zayed and his filthy canines pay special attention to themselves and their inclinations and all of us can get lost.”Palestine Liberation Organization Secretary General Saeb Erekat illuminated the possible ramifications for his kin if a unified Arab front fragmented.”The entire thing that we put together our system will respect Arabs. It is that the (2002) Arab activity determined that once Israel pulls back, there will be harmony among Arabs and Israelis.”Netanyahu came decided, with Kushner, Trump… to change the equation, that they need Arab recognition of Israel while they proceed with the occupation, and the United Arab Emirates stepped the green light for this,” Erekat said.
Turkey and UAE
Turkey, an implausible regional adversary of UAE policies, said history would not excuse the Gulf nations for making an arrangement which emasculate the 2002 Arab synchronization plan, which had proposed harmony as an end-result of Israeli withdrawal from all occupied region.”We may likewise make a stride toward suspending political understanding with Abu Dhabi initiative or pulling back our Minister,” President Tayyip Erdogan said after Friday prayers, including that he could close Turkey’s government office. Be that as it may, in an area plagued with different difficulties including common wars, readiness and monetary emergency, a few people seemed to have different concerns. At Istanbul’s bold step Hagia Sophia, changed over by Erdogan into a mosque a month ago in a move which he depicted as a stage towards reestablishing “opportunity” to Al Aqsa in Jerusalem.
Analysis
Conclusively, it can be observed that, the current changing dynamics will have far reaching repercussions. The ‘Agreement’ between the two countries UAE and Israel is likely to have greater fallout. The current declaration will bring about big drift in the Arab and the Non-Arab world. With the UAE falling in line with the Israel alignment after Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994, it will set a precedent for the similar minded countries to follow suit. These endeavors may give some momentary political mitigation for Netanyahu, Trump and Gulf regimes that need the help of Israel and the US to address their arch rivals. In spite of tenacious endeavors by these legislatures to persuade the majority, they rule over to acknowledge and normalize Israel’s presence in the vicinity. In the OIC world, many factors are debating about understanding with Israel. They are questioning the legitimacy of the acceptance of Israel. They are also putting questions on the Palestinian issues.
*Dr. S. Baidya – is a West Asian expert at Jawhar Lal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi – India
