Arab Reactions to the New Israeli Government

Dr. Edy Cohen
July 11, 2021
Paper No. 2093

Arab states and their leaders do not treat Israel as they treat other countries. This includes even simple greetings on the occasion of a new government’s being installed. The main reason is the sympathy the Palestinian issue enjoys on the street in those nations, though the leaders themselves largely despise the Palestinians. The ascent of a Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated politician to the ruling coalition in Israel attracted much more interest in the Arab press than the ascent of Naftali Bennett to the PM position.

The Muslim Brotherhood Inside the Israeli Government

In an attempt to justify breaking his repeated promises not to form a government with the support of the United Arab List (Ra’am) because of its opposition to Israel’s existence and backing of Palestinian terror organizations, new PM Naftali Bennett is portraying Ra’am as a pragmatic Islamic party seeking to advance the interests of the Israeli Arab sector. But pragmatism must not be confused with moderation.

Saudi Arabia vs. the Muslim Brotherhood

A dispute over the role of religion in government constitutes the main rift in the world of Sunni Islam. This controversy also defines the two main camps in that world with regard to Western countries in general and Israel in particular.

Is the Muslim Brotherhood Helping Iran Skirt US Sanctions?

Many western analysts wonder how much longer the Iranian regime will be able to survive under the weight of backbreaking US sanctions. What they are missing is that the regime has been skirting the sanctions through the aid of long-time collaborators around the world. Evidence strongly suggests that the Muslim Brotherhood is chief among those collaborators.

Israel-UAE Peace Deal Challenges Iranian, Muslim Brotherhood Camps

The peace agreement between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel takes Jerusalem’s cooperation with Sunni Arab states out of the shadows. A boost to regional stability, the agreement will enable expanded cooperation on defense and intelligence issues, trade, investment, and joint technological development, and could foster a positive religious-cultural dialogue. The deal is a setback for Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood, two radical Islamist forces that are determined to destabilize the region and that threaten Israel and Sunni Arab countries alike.

Battleground Africa: The Muslim Brotherhood’s Next Frontier

For the Muslim Brotherhood, the Libyan conflict is an opportunity to flex its muscles in the “weak link” of the Arab Muslim world. Weak African countries have once again become recruiting grounds for Qatar-funded and Turkey-backed Islamist ideologues. For all the criticism of the shortcomings of the governing structure in Sudan, the political alternatives that are emerging thanks to the Brotherhood’s alliance with leftists and Communists may be far worse.

Is the GCC in Peril?

Tension over Qatar’s support for the Muslim Brotherhood has damaged relations between Doha and its Gulf neighbors. The days of the GCC may be numbered.

The Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt-Israel Peace

The movement’s time in power in Egypt provides a rare perspective into the its ideology, influence on Egyptian policy, and relations with Israel. The military coup that removed the Brotherhood from power has cast doubt on its influence on Egypt’s future.

Egypt’s Army Will Not Intervene

Hopes or expectations that the Egyptian military will intervene in the deteriorating political and security crisis are probably misguided.

The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt and Its True Intentions Towards Israel

The Brotherhood sees Israel as a strategic threat and has aggressively lobbied Morsi to strengthen Egyptian military presence in Sinai. The anti-Israel rhetoric emanating from senior Brotherhood leaders must be taken seriously.