[…] there is no small gap between global public opinion and the policies taken by most governments. Despite the harsh words and token measures, practical actions remain limited and very cautious. The world is waiting for Netanyahu’s response before calculating its next steps – will there be another, more painful collapse, or perhaps the beginning of a recovery? Both Europe and the Gulf States insist on signaling that they have nothing against the people who live in Zion, but only against their leader.
“The Abraham Accords are in critical condition in the emergency room,” Bahraini commentator Abdulla Aljunaid told Haaretz. “But it won’t be the Gulf states that will disconnect the machines.” He called on the Israelis to look at “the day after Netanyahu” and make sure that the Gulf states will not be only ones upholding the accords.
Israeli sources confirm the rulers in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and especially in Bahrain are struggling to mediate between their pragmatism and ambitions for a stable Middle East and their public’s murmurings as they see the continuing killing in Gaza.
Nonetheless, the only red line that the UAE and Saudi Arabia have drawn relates to leaving an opening for the establishment of a Palestinian state. In practice, these monarchies are not applying their full weight to stop the war in Gaza, and neither are the Europeans.
As Netanyahu prepares Israel’s people to live in isolation, the surprising bottom line is that after two years of a bloody war with no diplomatic horizon, a long series of aggressive statements and gestures, and insults or disdain toward its neighbors and partners, the world is still far from burning its bridges with Israel. The UN General Assembly will give Netanyahu another opportunity to make amends. It’s doubtful that he will take advantage of it.