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Progress without Peace in the Israeli-Arab Conflict

(Atlantic) Aaron David Miller and Hillel Zand - The most significant period of Israeli-Arab de facto cooperation since the last real peace process, in the 1990s, is now taking place without one. The Netanyahu government is reversing the notion that only peace with the Palestinians can ensure Israel's acceptance in the Arab world. The Arab street may still oppose Israel, but Arab leaders clearly don't. The extent of Israeli contacts both above and below the table are impressive. On Sunday, Sports and Culture Minister Miri Regev became the first senior Israeli official to visit Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The same day, the Israeli national anthem played when the Israeli judo team won a gold medal at the International Judo Federation's Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi. Next week, Intelligence and Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz will visit Oman and Communications Minister Ayoub Kara will visit Abu Dhabi. An Israeli gymnastics team is also currently competing in Qatar. The Arab world's new openness to Israel is driven in part by increasing impatience and annoyance with the Palestinians. The Saudis and Egyptians are frustrated with a weak Mahmoud Abbas and worried about Hamas. Add to this the Arab states' fear of Iran and Sunni jihadists, and a desire to please the U.S. - and suddenly it's obvious that Israel and its neighbors are bound by common interests. Aaron David Miller is a Distinguished Fellow at the Wilson Center and a former State Department Middle East analyst, adviser and negotiator. Hillel Zand is an intern at the Wilson Center.
2018-11-02 00:00:00
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