Gulf Nations Seem Indifferent to Israel's Assault on Palestine, Report Says
As Israel”s furious assault on Palestine intensifies, claiming more than 10,000 innocent lives, including 4,000 children, the Gulf countries appear to be indifferent to the issue, according to an Economist report. This is an unprecedented development, given their long-standing rivalry with Israel.
The report points out that Qatar is the only Gulf country that has extended unwavering support to Hamas, while the UAE and Saudi Arabia openly object to the group. The Gulf countries are more concerned with their economic prosperity than with confronting Israel. Additionally, according to the report, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are more concerned about the growing dominance of Iran in the region.
Even Qatar seems bewildered, as it is forced to act simultaneously as an American ally and a supporter of Hamas. According to the report, Qatar donates up to $30 million a month to support Hamas-ruled Gaza, and this small kingdom has provided a safe haven for Hamas leaders.
However, in a recent incident, Qatar denied that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was residing in the country before the Iranian foreign minister held a virtual meeting with Haniyeh in Doha. According to the report, Qatar wants to maintain its alliance with the United States while also supporting militant groups like Hamas.
Doha”s support for militant groups has provoked fury among Gulf countries, leading them to alienate Qatar by imposing a travel and trade embargo in 2017. The UAE, which was the first Gulf country to recognize Israel in 2020, has sympathized with Israel following the Hamas attack. UAE leaders have made multiple condolence calls to their Israeli counterparts.
According to the author, the UAE despises militant groups, including Hamas. Saudi Arabia follows the same path, intending to avoid confrontation with Iran and wishing to normalize relations with Israel. Saudi Arabia and the UAE want to weaken Hamas in the region while also being concerned about Iran”s nuclear program. In light of these factors, they want to normalize relations with Israel.
Therefore, the report claims that the new escalation will not hinder the newly developed camaraderie between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Israel; instead, it will strengthen it in the near future.
