Professor of Political Science, Al-Najah National University - Palestine
The Arab-Israeli conflict, a matter of utmost urgency in the Arab world, demands immediate attention and transcends national and local issues. This strategic analysis delves into various Arab approaches to resolving the conflict, each with its unique perspective: one that challenges the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation, another that perceives the conflict as a clash of civilizations, and a third that advocates for political solutions such as the 'land for peace' equation.
Two main approaches have emerged on the Israeli side: conflict management rather than resolution, with the Israeli right's influence strengthening in recent years in the government and the society.
The Genocidal war in Gaza is an example of this existential conflict, and the "Al-Aqsa Flood" has been considered a threat to Israel's existence by strategists as such. The Israeli Center for National Security Studies defines the existential threat, identifies its benefits and risks, and anticipates future threats. The analysis concluded that the definition of an existential threat could cause significant harm to the State of Israel. In the case of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, the Israelis' security and military failure in dealing with the escalation was evident, as Israel was unable to rescue the prisoners or achieve its war objectives in Gaza.
On the other hand, the analysis underscores that the perception of an existential threat can foster internal cohesion and bolster support for political leadership. However, it also carries risks, such as the potential for irrational positions and the implementation of reckless measures, particularly in the context of Israel's actions in Gaza.
As for future existential threats, the analysis indicated that they include the possibility of forming alliances against Israel, the state's inability to secure its population, the possibility of Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, and the declining chances of building a partnership or alliance with some Arab countries in the region. Israel had hoped to create such a coalition before the Al-Aqsa flood, yet in light of the crimes it is committing and its reluctance to engage in any political settlement with the Palestinian people, such hope is still far from reach.
Keywords: Israel, Israeli occupation, Palestine, United States, peace, the Al-Aqsa Intifada, Arab-Israeli conflict, resistance, Israeli right.
