As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter the White House, pivotal moments in recent weeks make clear that the U.S. and Israeli foreign policy climate will be very different come January.
Israel would do well to understand that it cannot continue to ignore the global call for justice and peace. Led by Saudi Arabia, the region is demonstrating unity and assertiveness unprecedented in years and exerting influence around the world.
Statements by Saudi leaders and results of international summits indicate that the era of uncontrolled Israeli actions is coming to an end. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would do well to pay attention: the geopolitical environment is no longer one he can control through political maneuvering or the goodwill of the United States or other sympathetic allies.
At the Future Investment Initiative summit held last month in Riyadh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan made a strong and unambiguous statement. Asked about the possibility of a normalization deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel, he told CNN's Becky Anderson that such a deal was “out of the question.” This is a message that Israel should interpret as a red line, not a negotiating tactic. The region is unwilling to accept a new round of Abraham Accords that ignore the creation of a Palestinian state.
That Israel still cares about normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Muslim world is irrelevant. Its leaders should understand that with so much blood on their hands, no one will want to shake them: in fact, the current mood is one of punishing Israel for its violations and holding it accountable under international law.
Saudi Arabia again took a public and uncompromising stance against Israeli aggression at this week's Arab-Islamic summit. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has not minced his words in the face of escalating violence in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria. Calling Israel's actions a genocide, the crown prince called on the international community to recognize the devastation caused to the Palestinian people. His condemnation received unanimous support in the summit's final communiqué, which reinforced Saudi Arabia's efforts for a unified position on the Palestinian issue and commitment to the solution of the two States, which, being already accepted by the United Nations, does not legally require the approval of Israel.
For decades, the concept of the two-state solution has been the global consensus for peace between Israel and Palestine. But every year, Israel's expansionist policies and ongoing suffering in Gaza erode that possibility, leaving the region on the brink of perpetual conflict. Saudi Arabia's leadership, however, offers a path forward, not only for the Palestinians, but also for regional stability. The Kingdom's recent steps reflect an effort to build a coalition of nations committed to real solutions, not just words. From Riyadh to Rabat, Cairo to Jakarta, Muslim-majority nations are uniting to insist on Palestinian self-determination and an end to the violence that has plagued the region for generations.
For Netanyahu, the situation could not be clearer. Its long-standing strategy of appealing to Western allies while ignoring the Arab and Muslim world is now under severe test. He can count on the support of a benevolent administration in Washington, but there are limits to what it can give him. The days when the United States could unconditionally veto any international action against Israel are over. A new U.S. government will take office with a united Arab and Islamic world, as well as much of the international community, all pushing for accountability and a concrete two-state solution.
You only need to look at the legal landscape to understand the pressure now being exerted on Israel. Legal proceedings for his actions in Gaza have already been brought before international courts, including the International Criminal Court, with allegations of war crimes and genocide. Mr. Netanyahu and his government may believe that they are immune from such legal repercussions or that international law can be circumvented by powerful allies. However, as Saudi Arabia has shown, the tide is turning. The era of impunity is being challenged and the global coalition forming around Palestine is not one that Israel can simply brush aside.
The undeniable reality of Gaza is at the heart of this change. The horrors that took place there cannot be considered collateral damage or “self-defense”. It is, according to many testimonies and definitions, a genocide, the systematic destruction of a people. The images of suffering children, families torn apart and entire neighborhoods reduced to ruins have mobilized populations around the world. The world, including Israel's neighbors, is saying “enough.” Saudi Arabia's position is not isolated: it is part of a growing demand for accountability. Israel cannot hope to maintain its current trajectory without suffering consequences.
It is worth noting that Mr. Netanyahu's government had the opportunity to forge historic alliances in the Middle East: a future in which Israel coexisted peacefully with the GCC states and the entire Arab and Muslim world was within reach . Instead, by continuing on a path of violence and disrespect for human rights, Israel has alienated potential allies and placed itself under the surveillance of international bodies. The choice of peace or isolation remains in Netanyahu's hands, but the moment to choose is rapidly receding.
For Israel, the writing is on the wall. Saudi Arabia, with its influence as a regional power and religious leader, is making clear that the path to peace lies in respecting Palestinian rights and pursuing a true two-state solution. Israel must abandon its current approach and realize that it can no longer rely on “luck.” As a global coalition forms, Israel has two options: it can either join the path to peace or find itself increasingly isolated on the world stage.
Israel's future now depends on its willingness to embark on the path to true and lasting peace. The Arab world, led by Saudi Arabia, is ready to support this vision, but it will not compromise on the principles of justice and dignity. It is time for Israel to wake up to the new realities, or risk losing far more than it has to gain by continuing its current policies.
Faisal J. Abbas is the editor-in-chief of Arab News.
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Editor's note: The opinion expressed on this page is the author's own and does not necessarily reflect that of Arab News in French.
This text is the translation of an article published on Arabnews.com
