In the wake of Hamas' October 7th attacks, we're staring down some tough realities in the region. The fragile peace and growing connections between Israel and its Arab neighbors, particularly Saudi Arabia, has been derailed. This wasn't just another violent incident – it was a strategic play to disrupt the hard-won progress towards peace between Riyadh and Jerusalem. Now, the road back to peace talks looks tenuous at best, as the flood of propaganda from Hamas enrages the Arab street. Hamas isn't being subtle about it; their goal is to shake Arab confidence in building bridges with Israel.
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The disruption of Israel-Saudi peace negotiations has played right into the hands of the Iranian regime. They are the puppet masters of chaos in the region. The Islamic Republic of Iran wants to destroy the balance of power in the Middle East, topple peace initiatives, and remove U.S. influence from the region. Iran's nefarious actions can be thwarted if Middle East leaders determine that cycle of violence, manipulation, and terrorism must end.
Over in the United States, it's high time for a change. The Biden Administration must abandon its failed Iran policy and must reimpose stringent measures like the maximum economic pressure campaign we employed in the Trump Administration. Three years of appeasement policies towards Iran and chasing them around the globe begging them to get back into the JCPOA not only didn't work, it unleashed the fury we see in the Middle East today, including repeated attacks on American military installations and our ships. Iran must be stopped. In addition to reversing their Iran policy, the Biden Administration is also going to need to offer tangible incentives to bring Saudi Arabia back to the negotiating table.
Key decisions early on in the Biden Administration led to the deterrence failure and emboldening of Iran and the destabilization of the Middle East, particularly the delisting of the Houthis in Yemen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. The consequences of this action are evident: increased Houthi aggression towards Israel, U.S. Navy warships, and Saudi casualties. Putting the Houthis back on the terror list would be a win-win for everyone's safety – Americans, Israelis, Saudis, and even folks sailing the high seas.
A second critical measure involves intensifying economic pressure on Iran, specifically targeting its oil exports. This is key to choking off their cash flow to various terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Less money for them means less trouble for Israel and Saudi Arabia. Plus, if Iran's oil sales take a hit, Saudi Arabia might get a bigger piece of the oil market pie. It's a double win.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his deadly IRCG Quds Force have been a catalyst for unity in all this. Their hostility towards Israel and the Arab world played a role in fostering the peace momentum of 2020, as exemplified by the Abraham Accords. It turns out these nations found they had more in common than they thought – a mutual headache named Iran.
The Abraham Accords, a landmark achievement in Middle Eastern diplomacy, stands not only as a symbol of hope but as a strategic necessity in this volatile landscape. They counter Iran's hegemonic ambitions by fostering Israeli-Arab relations. The Accords, once perceived as an improbable aspiration, have demonstrated that progress is achievable. Abandoning the pursuit of peace now would effectively hand a victory to Iran, a nation thriving on regional instability.
The United States, alongside its international allies, must reinforce its commitment to these Accords. This involves proposing new initiatives for cooperation, enhancing security partnerships, and presenting a united front against provocations, such as the October 7 attack.
Saudi Arabia's cautious but pragmatic approach towards normalization with Israel, despite the current climate, reflects a nuanced understanding of the complex regional dynamics. The Kingdom's efforts to balance its pursuit of normalization with support for the Palestinian cause exemplify a commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable peace process. It is imperative that we support Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations in their endeavors to normalize relations with Israel, as this could lead to broader regional de-escalation and a more robust stance against Iranian ambitions.
The October 7 attack serves as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges in this turbulent region. The Abraham Accords are not merely a symbol of peace but a crucial shield against the turmoil fomented by Iran. After October 7th, our commitment to these accords is not merely a choice, but a necessity.
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