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Esther Solomon

As COVID engulfs Israel to the extent of a second nationwide lockdown, and the White House, to the extent of a hospitalized and prematurely discharged president, we take an aerial view of the ‘new Middle East.’   How far have the waves caused by the normalization accords between Israel and the Gulf reached? We travel from Jerusalem to the Palestinian Authority, to the UAE and Bahrain, to Lebanon, to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Armenia and India.   We start in the immediate neighborhood: the last Palestinian ambassador to the U.S., Husam Zomlot, reminds Israel and Arab states that there is no real peace without Palestinian participation. For Khalaf Al Habtoor, likely one of the biggest UAE investors in a post-accords Israel, it’s time for the Palestinians to stop blaming everyone else for their current situation -  and calls for Lebanon to join the peace train.   Yossi Beilin, co-initiator of the Oslo process, calls for the Arab world to drop another ‘bombshell’ like the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. Doron Bar asks how the Palestinian Waqf, Jordan and Saudi Arabia will react to the first busload of Gulf pilgrims turning up at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque.   Jane Kinninmont offers a valuable insight into why Bahrain’s repressive rulers are so enthusiastic about ties with Israel – but Bahrainis are not. Dmitriy Frolovskiy digs into the financial corruption for which the UAE is infamous and asks if it will deter Israeli business partnerships.   Miran Khwais asks if the normalization accords, COVID-19, economic crises, the Beirut blast, public anger at Hezbollah and natural gas are all pushing Lebanon towards the unthinkable.   The next circle covers Turkey and its allies. Louis Fishman explores the dissonance between Erdogan’s loud preaching on Palestine, his denunciation of normalization, and his lack of tangible achievements. Alex Galitsky suggests that with its new Gulf friends, Israel doesn’t need its oil-for-arms alliance with Turkey’s ultranationalist blood brother, Azerbaijan.   The last circle takes in India: the new Mideast cold war requires countries to take sides. Mohamed Zeeshan calls on New Delhi to join the Israel-Gulf axis in against an Iran cosying up to Pakistan and the Taliban.   And an ICYMI: the sharpest ten comments on the signing of the Israel-Gulf normalization agreements.

To the Palestinians and My Fellow Arabs: Your Hatred for Israel Achieves Nothing Khalaf Al Habtoor | 06.10.2020

Arab States Need the Palestinians if They Want Real Peace With Israel Husam Zomlot | 18.09.2020

Bahrain’s Rulers Are Eager for Close Ties With Israel. Bahrainis Are Not Jane Kinninmont | 30.09.2020

How the Emirates' Dark Financial Corruption Threatens Israel-UAE Peace Bonanza Dmitriy Frolovskiy | 30.09.2020

Gulf Muslim Pilgrims Are About to Upset the Fragile Status Quo at Al-Aqsa Doron Bar | 04.10.2020

It’s Time for Arab States to Drop Another Bombshell on Israel Yossi Beilin | 22.09.2020

How Lebanon May Be Forced to Make Peace With Israel Miran Khwais | 15.09.2020

How Erdogan's Turkey Has Failed the Palestinians Louis Fishman | 23.09.2020

Turkey's Trojan Horse and Iran Appeaser Azerbaijan Is No Ally for Israel Alex Galitsky | 07.10.2020

India Must Join the Israel-Gulf Axis in the Middle East’s New Cold War Mohamed Zeeshan | 23.09.2020

A Brave New Middle East? Top Experts Break Down Momentous Israel-UAE-Bahrain Accords Esther Solomon | 16.09.2020

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