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The Israel-Palestine conflict is one of the world’s most enduring and complex conflicts, marked by a history of violence, displacement, and deep-rooted political and religious tensions. The recent escalation of the conflict in October 2023 has brought the issue back into international headlines. This article seeks to provide a critical analysis of the ongoing crisis, with a focus on the role of the US, its interests, and regional political ramifications.
The conflict rejuvenated when, on the 7th of October, an armed conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. The conflict began when Palestinian militants launched a multi-pronged invasion of southern Israel and fired over 5,000 rockets at Israeli cities. In response, Israel conducted extensive aerial bombardments and launched a large-scale ground invasion of Gaza. The fighting resulted in over 1,400 Israeli and more than 10,000 Palestinian casualties, including a significant number of children. The conflict continues to escalate and has been characterized as the fifth war in the ongoing Gaza–Israel conflict, which is part of the broader Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The reasons cited by Hamas for their attack include issues such as the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the Gaza Strip blockade, Israeli settlements, and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
As the world watches with bated breath, the United States’ response to the 2023 crisis in the Middle East has sparked intense debate and criticism. President Joe Biden’s administration has pledged “rock-solid and unwavering” support for support for Israel, characterizing Hamas’s actions as “unadulterated evil.” The United States’ involvement in the Palestine-Israel conflict has long been guided by a complex web of interests. Beyond the imperative of fostering peace and stability, several key national interests underpin America’s role in the Middle East.
Foremost among these is the preservation of access to energy resources. The Middle East remains a vital supplier of oil and gas, and ensuring the uninterrupted flow of these resources to global markets is critical to U.S. economic and energy security (U.S. Department, 2022). Furthermore, the Middle East is ripe for great power competition. As the U.S. competes with other global powers, maintaining strategic partnerships, such as the one with Israel, becomes an essential element of this global rivalry. Additionally, U.S. military presence in the Middle East safeguards American national security interests and serves as a stabilizing force. This acts as a deterrent against potential threats, securing vital maritime routes and trade.
While the commitment to Israel is longstanding and deeply rooted in U.S. foreign policy, it’s crucial to re-examine whether the current approach is serving the best interests of all parties involved. As John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt in “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” discussed the “special relationship” between the United States and Israel, where Israel receives considerable military and economic aid from the U.S. Moreover, a powerful and influential pro-Israel lobby like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has a significant impact on shaping US foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.
The United States House of Representatives has passed a Republican plan providing $14.5bn in military aid for Israel. The U.S. is by far the biggest supplier of military aid to Israel, contributing around $130 billion since its founding.
The US decision to send additional military aid to Israel, including missiles and fighter jets, without imposing any restrictions on their use, has raised concerns among its citizens. This approach, in the eyes of many, appears to be a “blank check” for Israeli actions. This nuanced shift in public opinion creates a challenging landscape for the White House, particularly as they navigate these complex sentiments in the lead-up to an election year. As the conflict rages on, it’s becoming increasingly evident that the United States may need to reconsider its stance for several reasons.
The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict has introduced a new dimension to Saudi-Israel relations. Recent developments have not only impacted the delicate balance of regional diplomacy but also raised questions about the future of initiatives such as the Israel-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEC).
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has disrupted momentum for a potentially landmark U.S.-brokered deal involving Saudi Arabia and Israel. This deal had it materialized, would have left the Palestinian issue unresolved, and it appears that Hamas’s actions aimed to prevent such a development. Saudi Arabia, a key regional player, now faces the challenge of preserving its stance on the Palestinian cause while navigating the evolving geopolitical landscape. The kingdom’s emphasis on addressing civilian casualties and supporting the Palestinian cause underscores this delicate balancing act of regional-international relations. As to Iran, its stance is simple: Iran leans towards a more confrontational approach against Israel and remains its major foe. Such rapid evolution in geopolitics makes clear that these developments carry profound implications for regional stability. As the sands continue to shift, the future leans towards instability as Israel ignores paths of peace and international norms.
The recent Israel-Palestine conflict has placed significant pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s political survival. Widespread criticism coupled with a sharp decline in public support has raised brows about his ability to handle the conflict. Netanyahu’s response to the crisis has come under scrutiny, with many Israelis blaming him for security failures. (Pietromarchi, 2023) While it’s too early to predict his resignation or an early election, the stakes are high (Sanders, 2023). A change in leadership could potentially reshape Israel’s policy toward the Palestinians during a critical period (Beauchamp, 2023).
To briefly restate, the Israel-Palestine conflict, accentuated by the 2023 escalation, demands an urgent and comprehensive resolution. The U.S.’s role, Saudi-Israel relations, and broader regional dynamics complicate the situation. Prioritizing justice, stability, and lasting peace is imperative, given the human suffering and instability it perpetuates. All stakeholders must rise to this challenge.
References
Beauchamp, Z. (2023, October 31). Could Israel Dump Netanyahu in the middle of a war? Retrieved from Vox media: https://www.vox.com/world-politics/2023/10/31/23938474/netanyahu-benjamin-israel-palestine-gaza-hamas-war-remove-prime-minister-hostage-crisis
Pietromarchi, V. (2023, Oct 31). ‘No one trusts Netanyahu’: Israel’s war cabinet divided amid Gaza conflict. Retrieved from Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2023/10/31/netanyahu-pushes-war-second-phase-but-stuggles-with-the-domestic-front
Sanders, C. M. (2023, November 08). Americans divided over Israel’s response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows. Retrieved from AP News: https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-war-5c30c00637b5cb107dc4c342f307b673
U.S. Department. (2022). National Security Strategy. Washington: The White House.
Mearsheimer, John J., and Stephen M. Walt. “The Israel lobby and US foreign policy.” (2006).
The author is studying International Relations at National University of Modern languages (Rawalpindi). She tweets @amjad_mahn40319
