Middle Eastern powers find themselves ensnared by their reliance on the United States and its relationship with Israel.
The Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation convened in Doha on September 15, 2020, for a significant meeting aimed at reviewing and potentially changing diplomatic and economic relations with Israel. The gathering was called in response to an Israeli bombing targeting Hamas negotiators hosted by Qatar.
The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, which normalized their relations with Israel in 2020, were also addressed in the invitation. Notably, Egypt and Jordan, countries that have signed a peace treaty with Israel, were exempt from the meeting, as they were not subject to the cuts in international aid programs under the Donald Trump administration.
The meeting was held amidst ongoing tensions after Israel's bombardment of Hamas negotiators in September 2021, which further escalated the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The UAE currently warns Israel that any annexation of the West Bank would cross a 'red line,' threaten the 2020 Abraham Accords normalization agreements, and end hopes for regional integration and a peaceful two-state solution.
In addition, the meeting discussed possible actions against Israel due to the bombing incident. The behavior of the United States was causing uncertainty among Arab powers, as the instability fueled by the unilateral temptation of a purely security-based Hebrew peace inspires discomfort among Arab states.
The 'Shia arc,' established after the risky neoconservative experiments by the United States in Iraq, has been a significant concern for the region in the past. However, the focus of the meeting was the 'arc' now represents the instability caused by the unilateral actions of Israel that concerns Arab powers. Twenty years ago, the main threat to Arab countries was the 'Shia arc' established by Iran. Yet, the 'arc' today seems to have shifted, with Israel's actions becoming a primary source of regional instability.
Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, gave his approval for the destruction of what remains of the city of Gaza during a tour in the region on September 15, 2020. His visit to Qatar was scheduled after this approval, although it is reported that he spent less than an hour with Qatari authorities during his visit.
Legal proceedings against Israel were also considered as a possible outcome of the meeting. The member countries were invited to review diplomatic and economic relations with Israel and initiate legal proceedings against it, if deemed necessary, to uphold regional peace and stability. The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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