As the world’s eyes are on Russia’s savage and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that takes Europe back to the worst hours of the 20thand century, another region is seeing major geopolitical shifts, creating an opening unimaginable not so long ago for lasting peace across this part of the world.
Posted at 2:00 p.m.
On March 27 and 28, the Negev Summit was held in Israel, attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco and Bahrain, as well as the Secretary of State of the United States. This summit could not have taken place without the tacit agreement of this other giant of the Arab world: Saudi Arabia, which adds to the Summit its importance and its significance. These important developments are the fruit of the Abraham Accords, signed in 2020.
The summit comes just days after Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Egyptian President Al-Sissi and UAE Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed met in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
Sde Boker: A Powerful Symbol of Israel’s Acceptance
The Summit took place in Sde Boker, a village known only for its association with the founder of the State of Israel, David Ben-Gurion. The symbol is powerful. How not to see in this summit held, in this specific place, a tribute supported by central actors of the Arab world to the man who, more than any other, is responsible for the rebirth of the Jewish State in the ancestral lands of his people ? Peace can only be envisaged when each recognizes the existence of the other and Israel has never ceased to ask its neighbors to record the reality of its presence.
This meeting, which was attended by the foreign ministers of four major Arab countries, is yet another sign of a significant realignment of forces in the Middle East. The Palestinian lock – which for more than 70 years has prevented any progress – has been lifted. The Arab world has stopped giving Palestinian leaders the self-imposed veto for years on any development towards peace.
Acceptance of this new reality is underscored by the presence of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Abraham Accords, which were seen as a “Trump patent”, are now part of American geopolitical strategy and are supported by both Democrats and Republicans.
The Israeli-Palestinian problem has not disappeared – and it would be a mistake to consider it that way – but it can no longer determine on its own the relationship of forces in the region and the endlessly rehashed theory that only its resolution can bring peace to the Middle East has failed.
This new dynamic can, however, allow the Palestinians to seize the chance to establish a real peace with the Israelis on a model that establishes dialogue between peoples.
This summit also illustrates the confirmation of a certain American withdrawal from the region while Iran displays its power, confirms its hegemonic ambitions, and is probably on the verge of becoming a nuclear power.
Israel at the center of world diplomacy
This intense regional diplomatic activity must also be seen in a more global context, marked by Russian aggression in Ukraine.
The Israeli prime minister is the first world leader to meet Putin after the start of hostilities, which he did in coordination with France, Germany and the United States. Ukrainian President Zelensky openly asked Bennett to continue his mediation efforts.
As a small – but very vocal – group of anti-Israel activists continue their efforts to delegitimize the Jewish state, relying on NGOs with a very biased anti-Israel agenda, world leaders are keenly aware that this small country has an important role to play on the world stage. This is the reason why attempts to isolate it fail one after another.
These Jewish-Arab ties, instead of being considered as damaging to the situation of the Palestinians and their – very legitimate – desire to have their State, should serve as a lever to bring about the solution of two States for two peoples, the only way fair future for these two nations.
Canada must take the turn of the Middle East of the XXIand century
The Negev Summit, like the intense diplomatic activity that preceded it, signals a genuine acceptance of the legitimacy of the Jewish state in the region.
Obviously, the tectonic plates are moving in the Middle East. And Canada must take note of it, be actively involved in it and play a part in it. Not only out of principle in order to support this movement towards peace, but also to protect and develop its interests, particularly economic ones. It’s in all of our interests.