In recent years, Israel has forged close ties with Saudi Arabia, a country with a questionable human rights record. This move has worried Palestinians, as they see it as an indicator of Israel’s increasingly imperialistic tendencies. The recent alignment between Israel and Saudi Arabia has been especially concerning to Palestinians because of Riyadh’s close relationship with Washington. Together, these two countries have helped solidify US support for the Israeli government, regardless of its actions towards the Palestinians. Palestinians are understandably concerned about what this alliance means for their future. They see Israel’s ties with Saudi Arabia as a sign that the country is hell-bent on expanding its borders at any cost. If you’re someone who cares about Palestinian rights, then you should be concerned about this development too. Saudi Arabia Has Palestinians
What is the Alignment between Israel and Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia and Israel have a long history of conflict. Saudi Arabia is predominantly Sunni Muslim, while Israel is largely Jewish. The two countries also have significant religious and political differences. For example, Saudi Arabia supports the Palestinian cause while Israel supports the position of the United States in the Middle East.
However, there are some areas of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Israel. One example is their shared opposition to Iran. In addition, both countries are important allies of the United States in the region. As a result, their alignment has Palestinians worried that it will further destabilize the region.
Palestinian Perspectives on the Alignment
Palestinians are worried about the recent alignment between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Palestinians believe that this alliance is a strategic mistake because of Saudi Arabia’s strict policies towards religious minorities and its human rights record. The Palestinian Authority has also expressed concern about the potential for Israeli weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, as well as Israeli involvement in Bahrain’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
Some Palestinians have called for a boycott of Israeli products in response to the alliance, but most people seem to be waiting to see what impact it will have before taking any official actions.
What are Palestinians worried about with this Alignment?
Palestinians are increasingly worried about Israel’s alignment with Saudi Arabia, as the two countries strengthen their ties. Saudi Arabia is a close ally of Israel and has been a major financial supporter of the country. Additionally, Saudi Arabia is one of the few Arab countries that support unilateral Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories. Palestinians see this relationship as a threat to their national security and livelihoods. They worry that the support Saudi Arabia Has for Palestinians for Israel will embolden Israeli leaders to pursue policies that undermine Palestinian autonomy and sovereignty. This alignment has led to increased tensions between the two countries and increased calls for Palestinian independence.
What Alternatives are available to Palestinians?
Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has been aligned with a number of countries that Palestinians view as adversaries. These alliances have often put the Palestinian people in conflict with their government and contributed to the marginalization of Palestinians economically, politically, and socially.
One of the most troubling relationships for Palestinians is their close relationship with Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is one of Israel’s oldest and most important allies, providing both financial and military support. In return for these contributions, Saudi Arabia receives preferential treatment from Israel in trade and diplomatic relations.
This relationship has had a significant impact on the Palestinian people. Saudi Arabian interference in Palestinian affairs has led to poverty, political instability, and social isolation for Palestinians. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi religious doctrine poses a threat to the cultural heritage of Palestinian Muslims.
Today, there are several alternatives available to the Palestinian people that would place them in a better position geopolitically and economically. The first alternative is membership in the Arab League or another regional organization. However, this option is unlikely due to Israel’s dominant position in the organization and its refusal to recognize Palestine as an independent state.[1]
The second alternative is achieving full sovereignty over all territories occupied by Israel since 1967. This will require extensive negotiations with Israeli officials who are unlikely to agree to such a move without assurances that Palestine will be granted equal rights within Israel.[2]
The third alternative is seeking international arbitration or legal action against Israel for its violations of international law.
Israel and Saudi Arabia: A Timeline of Relations
Israel and Saudi Arabia have a complicated and often tense relationship. The two countries have had a turbulent history, with Saudi Arabia often being hostile to Israel. However, since the 1990s they have developed a strong alliance, with trade between the two countries reaching $30 billion in 2017.
The roots of their relationship date back to the formation of Israel in 1948. At the time, Saudi Arabia was one of the Arab nations which supported the creation of Israel as a way of counteracting British control in the region. This led to a long-standing rivalry between the two countries.
Over time, their relationship has improved due to shared interests. Both countries see themselves as regional powers and want to maintain their own autonomy. Additionally, both countries are concerned about Iran’s growing influence in the region.
Tensions Between Israel And Saudi Arabia Date Back To 1948
Israel was established in 1948 when Arabs supporting its creation fought against British forces in what is now known as the Israeli-Arab War. Around this time, Saudi Arabia was one of many Arab states that backed Israel’s establishment as part of a counterbalance against British power in the region. This rivalry has continued over time and has resulted in strained relations between the two countries…
Israel and Saudi Arabia: The Economic Union
Israel and Saudi Arabia have an economic union, cemented by a series of trade agreements and joint projects. The two countries are also working on a mutual defense agreement.
The Joint Economic Commission between the two countries was established in 1954, and has operated ever since with the mandate to “promote closer economic ties between the parties.” Israel exports goods worth over $4 billion to Saudi Arabia every year, while Saudi Arabia exports goods to Israel worth about $2 billion.
In 2015, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding to create a joint industrial zone in the Negev region. The zone will contain a plant that will produce advanced military radar systems for both countries.
The relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia is not only economic; it is political as well. Both states support militant Islamist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which have been declared terrorist organizations by both Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, their strategic alliance may be more important than their disagreements on these groups.
The Future of Israeli-Saudi relations
After years of strained relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, the two countries have embarked on a new era of cooperation. Alignment with Saudi Arabia has traditionally been unpopular within the Palestinian community, as it is seen as legitimizing Israeli occupation and settlement activity in Palestinian territories. However, some Palestinians are now cautiously optimistic about the prospects for improved ties between Riyadh and Jerusalem.
The impetus for improved relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia emerged out of shared concerns over Iran’s regional ambitions. In May 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with King Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh to discuss the threat posed by Tehran’s nuclear program. The two leaders agreed to cooperate on a number of fronts, including efforts to fight Iranian influence in Syria and Yemen. In recent months, reports have emerged that Israel has been cooperating militarily with Saudi Arabia against Houthi rebels in Yemen, raising concerns among Palestinian advocates that Jerusalem may be moving closer to Riyadh despite its longstanding policies towards Palestinians.
Given that both Saudi Arabia and Israel are staunchly opposed to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, any rapprochement between these two countries will likely be limited in scope and duration. However, if relations between Riyadh and Jerusalem continue to improve at their current pace, this could pave the way for more concrete collaboration on issues such as Iranian malignancy in the region.
The Palestinian Response to Israel’s Alignment With Saudi Arabia
Since Israel and Saudi Arabia formed a military alliance in March 2015, Palestinian officials have voiced their worries about the implications of this relationship for their situation. Saudi Arabia Has Palestinians
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has repeatedly called for an end to the alliance, claiming that it benefits only Saudi Arabia and does not serve the interests of Palestine or Muslims. In an interview with Al-Jazeera earlier this year, he said that “the Muslim world is very angry at Israel” because of its ties to Saudi Arabia, and urged Muslim countries to break their ties with the Jewish state.
Some Palestinians have also criticized other Arab states for not condemning Israel more strongly for its alliance with Riyadh.
Background on Israel and Saudi Arabia
Background on Israel and Saudi Arabia:
Israel and Saudi Arabia have a complicated history. Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim, while Israel is Jewish and largely secular.
Despite this conflict, the two countries have cooperated on numerous occasions. For example, in the 1960s and 1970s, they collaborated to fight against Egypt and Syria in the Middle East. More recently, they signed a cooperation agreement in 2014 to share intelligence about terrorist threats.
Palestinians are worried about this alliance because it could lead to increased Israeli aggression against Gaza or other Palestinian territories. They also worry that Saudi financing of extremism could spread into Palestinian areas.
Palestinian Protests Against Israel in response to Alignment
This religious difference has often led to conflict between the two countries.
The campaign has killed thousands of civilians and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
The Israeli-Saudi alliance has been contentious from the start.
Consequences of Alignment for Palestinians
However, many Palestinians regard Saudi Arabia as an unfriendly power that does not share their aspirations for self-determination. They see Riyadh’s support for Israel as tantamount to backing Zionism, which they consider a form of racism.
This criticism has had some effect on Israeli policy. Last month, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman argued that any reduction or withdrawal of support from Saudi Arabia
What the Palestinians Hoped to Achieve with Protests
Since the beginning of the Arab Spring, Palestinians have been anxiously watching to see who their new allies will be. However, that hasn’t been the case – at least not yet.
Despite this setback, Palestinians continue to protest across the Occupied Territories and in exile. Their main demand is for equal rights within a single independent Palestine with an inclusive government on all levels. This has left many feeling disillusioned and cynical about their prospects for liberation. Saudi Arabia Has Palestinians
What Israel Can Do Now to Allay Palestinian Concerns
Since 1967, Israel has enjoyed close ties with Saudi Arabia. The two countries have a shared interest in counterbalancing Iran and its regional influence. Saudi Arabia is also a key investor in Israeli technology companies.
This alliance has caused concern among Palestinians, who see it as evidence of Israel’s pro-Saudi bias. They argued that this alliance undermines the Palestinian cause and compromises Palestinian sovereignty.
Israel should work to appease these concerns by demonstrating greater diplomatic independence from Saudi Arabia.
