Arab world reshuffles alliances — where does Israel stand now

This article analyzes shifts in Israel's relations with Arab countries after October 7, 2023. The UAE and Bahrain maintain security cooperation, while Saudi Arabia conditions normalization on the creation of a Palestinian state. It cites an Israeli official and Arab analysts, but omits Palestinian perspectives and conflict casualty figures, limiting a full regional assessment.

The article examines how Israel's ties with the Arab world have evolved since the events of October 7, 2023. Before that date, Israel seemed to be integrating into the region through the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco, as well as US-mediated talks with Saudi Arabia. However, after October 7, negative attitudes toward Israel intensified, raising the question of whether it can integrate or remain isolated. An Israeli official involved in Arab relations said ties with Egypt and Jordan are mainly security and intelligence-based, and formal peace does not imply political closeness. Bahraini consultant Ahmed Al-Quzai notes that the UAE and Bahrain view Israel as a strategic security and technology ally, while Saudi Arabia is more cautious, linking normalization to the creation of a Palestinian state. UAE official Sultan Al-Ali stresses that relations with Israel are based on shared interests but do not erase disagreements, especially on the Palestinian issue. Saudi commentator Abdel Hamid al-Ghubain states that for Riyadh, the condition of an 'irreversible path' to a Palestinian state is a firm stance. The article concludes that the future of normalization depends on each country's individual calculations, with Saudi Arabia remaining the main test for Israel.