, Columnist
Israel-Arab Alliance Hangs on Palestinian Peace
Israelis are relying on closer ties with Gulf states. The election next week will help determine how tight they can become.
Something has to give.
Photographer: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
About two years ago, an opportunity emerged to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process by bringing Israel and Gulf Arab countries closer together. It didn’t happen, and the last chance may depend on next week’s election in Israel.
The opportunity for a new strategic partnership was based on mutual antipathy to Iran. Shared Israeli and Arab opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement and Iran’s use of terrorist groups like Hezbollah to destabilize the region started to overcome decades of hostility.