With a great deal of hoopla and self-congratulations, Trump’s son-in-law is taking bows for lining up the third Muslim country in the region to make a pact with Israel.
Peace almost always is a good thing.1
The accord between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), regardless of what it actually entails, should be a good thing for the region.
The Sunni-dominated UAE is a winner in the deal as it, like Israel, is threatened by Shiite-dominated Iran.
The UAE military is smaller (not being threatened by an immediate neighbor is helpful) than Israel’s Defense Force.
For 2020, United Arab Emirates is ranked 45 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. 2
Always in a state of readiness, the nation of Israel fields one of the most capable military forces in the world - despite its size. For 2020, Israel is ranked 18 of 138 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. 3
The UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries—Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. The GCC was established in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in May 1981. The purpose of the GCC is to achieve unity among its members based on their common objectives and their similar political and cultural identities, which are rooted in Arab and Islamic cultures.4
Because the UAE is a GCC member state, it is likely, albeit not assured, that the other member states will either follow UAE’s lead or at least use the UAE as a conduit to Israel.
Qatar currently is the main source of revenue for Hamas, until recently depositing US$15 million-a-month into the terrorists’ pockets. The funds were earmarked by the Qataris for humanitarian aid. Qatar also funds some PLO/PFLP activities.
Qatar recently sent two planeloads of medical supplies to the PLO/PFLP. Abu Mazen and friends rejected the aid since the supplies were landed in Israel sans Abu Mazen’s permission! (The PLO/PFLP lacks an airport to accommodate a modern jumbo jet.)5
Despite funding Hamas and the PLO/PFLP, Qatar apparently has, as do most of the GCC states, a pragmatic relationship with Israel. This is not new; as early as the 1970s Saudi were buying Israeli-made air conditioners; they worked better in Saudia’s climate than the European brands.
Israelis visit GCC states
Netanyahu visits Oman, Oct. 2018 6
Communications Minister Ayoub Kara's trip to Dubai, Oct. 2018 7
Sport & Culture Minister Miri Regev at UAE judo competition, Oct. 20188 Regev, of Moroccan descent, also visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.9
Some concerns
The rapprochement between Israel and the GCC is not without concerns.
For example, Qatar had been at odds with other GCC members and Egypt for some time. 10
Direct Flights Emirates and Etihad already overfly Saudia to deliver aid to the PLO/PFLP. Will Israeli airlines (El Al, IsrAir) be allowed to overfly Saudia? Saudia is a GCC member.
Iran is troublesome for ALL middle eastern countries (and beyond).
Will agreements between Israel and individual GCC states include mutual military assistance? Israel has the strongest and best trained military in the region. While there is military cooperation with Egypt, a mutual assistance agreement to defend against a belligerent state (e.g., Libya) is not part of the public peace deal.
PLO/PFLP & Hamas Will the GCC states abandon the “Palestinians” and would that be good for Israel.
Both the PLO/PFLP and Hamas, with Islamic Jihad at its side, have proven their dependence on Israel, yet all are bent on Israel’s destruction. If the GCC quits funneling funds to the terrorists, if the GCC quits supporting the terrorists politically to the rest of the world (primarily the EU), will the terrorists finally be driven to abandon terrorism and make a true peace with Israel? One that does not have an “expiration date.” Or will the terrorists continue to receive support from the EU, and — like Pharaoh — “harden their hearts” and continue their sworn goal of a Jewish-free “Palestine.”
Sources
1. Peace is not a good thing when it is faux paxcq (see https://tinyurl.com/y4utkrv3) that allows a sworn enemy, e.g., Hamas or Hezbollah, to rearm and prepare for a new aggression.
2. UAE military: https://tinyurl.com/y45g4cy6
3. Israel military: https://tinyurl.com/ya9wppoa
4. GCC: https://tinyurl.com/y47oxzm5
5. Medical supplies to PLO/PFLP: https://tinyurl.com/y2dtsu37
6. Netanyahu in Oman: https://tinyurl.com/yd48z583
7. Ayoub Kara in Dubai: https://tinyurl.com/y6c9yput
8. Mimi Regev at judoka: https://tinyurl.com/yytd8buk
9: Miri Regev outside mosque: https://tinyurl.com/yarefvqx
10. Qatari conflicts: https://tinyurl.com/y4fd63ep
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