Publication date: 2024/12/26 (Last updated: 2024/12/26 16:32)
BETHLEHEM – MA’AN – The Wall Street Journal has published a comprehensive analysis of Israel’s strategic position in the regional situation after October 7, 2023.
According to the paper, Israel achieved major military achievements in the face of a series of threats: damaging Hamas military organizations in the Gaza Strip, damaging Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, and while conducting operations in Iranian territory. successfully countered Iranian attacks. .
Abner Golov, a former senior member of the National Security Council and current vice president of Mind Israel, estimates that “for the first time in the history of Zionism, a window of opportunity has opened to solidify Israel’s position as a regional power.” are. However, the paper highlighted the challenges facing Israel, the most important of which is the decline in public support in the Arab world due to the fighting in Gaza.
The newspaper points out that Israel’s military prowess has led to a growing awareness of the need for regional cooperation. She said Iran’s regional influence could weaken, especially as the normalization process progresses with Saudi Arabia. The newspaper points out that although negotiations with Riyadh have slowed down after the war, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia still maintains its position that normalization of diplomatic relations is possible if progress is made on the Palestinian issue.
The report points out that there is a wide gap between the two positions. While the Israeli public currently expresses strong opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state, Golov has laid out a step-by-step blueprint for Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and the West Bank. It is unclear whether this type of proposal would meet Saudi Arabia’s demands.
The newspaper estimates that it will be difficult for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance long-term political moves within the current coalition government, which is committed to continuing the occupation of the West Bank.
Meanwhile, experts in Washington point to long-term challenges. Hussein Ifesh, a senior researcher at the Arab and Gulf States Institute, believes the scale of destruction and high number of casualties in Gaza could lead to future escalation. He said Israel needs to deploy a large military force to protect its borders. William Wexler of the Atlantic Council added that many countries avoid diplomatic contact with Israel, making it difficult to strengthen regional cooperation.
Itamar Rabinovich, Israel’s former ambassador to the United States, predicts that international criticism will diminish once the fighting ends, and he said U.S. support for Israel reflects Israel’s strategic importance, especially in light of the strengthened relationship. It is said that this comes from the understanding of Relations between Iran and Russia and their impact on the international system.
