The war in Gaza and the developments concerning Iran had a significant impact on the global agenda. The main change that has occurred in the past year is the return—positive from Israel’s perspective—of the United States to being deeply involved in the Middle East. China and Russia are also present, but they don’t take action to defuse conflicts and mostly wait for the Americans to fail so they can take advantage of the situation the day after.
Common among all world leaders, many of whom initially expressed support for Israel in its fight against Hamas, is a desire to see an end to the fighting and a transition to stable reality the day after the war. A striking expression of the change in global public opinion could be seen on the cover of the popular British magazine “The Economist,” which featured a single blue and white flag, barely held by a thin branch, alongside the words “Israel alone.”
It’s worth mentioning the United States, which has steadfastly supported Israel throughout the past months, including in recent days in efforts to prevent the Iranian attack on Israel’s territory. The US president is currently under heavy internal and external pressure to change his administration’s policy.
Now comes the question: What needs to change? To halt the long-term deterioration of Israel’s special relationship with Washington, Israel should make clear decisions that will facilitate a deal for the return of the hostages. This, in turn, will lead to a ceasefire during which the US administration can initiate efforts to establish stability in the Gaza Strip and promote an architecture that includes a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. More than ever, the war and the American conduct before and during the Iranian attack on Israel’s territory have demonstrated the US contribution to Israel’s national security and its reliance on American assistance. Israel’s future conduct, with an emphasis on coordinating its actions with the US administration, will directly affect its ability to preserve this strategic asset.
The war in Gaza and the developments concerning Iran had a significant impact on the global agenda. The main change that has occurred in the past year is the return—positive from Israel’s perspective—of the United States to being deeply involved in the Middle East. China and Russia are also present, but they don’t take action to defuse conflicts and mostly wait for the Americans to fail so they can take advantage of the situation the day after.
Common among all world leaders, many of whom initially expressed support for Israel in its fight against Hamas, is a desire to see an end to the fighting and a transition to stable reality the day after the war. A striking expression of the change in global public opinion could be seen on the cover of the popular British magazine “The Economist,” which featured a single blue and white flag, barely held by a thin branch, alongside the words “Israel alone.”
It’s worth mentioning the United States, which has steadfastly supported Israel throughout the past months, including in recent days in efforts to prevent the Iranian attack on Israel’s territory. The US president is currently under heavy internal and external pressure to change his administration’s policy.
Now comes the question: What needs to change? To halt the long-term deterioration of Israel’s special relationship with Washington, Israel should make clear decisions that will facilitate a deal for the return of the hostages. This, in turn, will lead to a ceasefire during which the US administration can initiate efforts to establish stability in the Gaza Strip and promote an architecture that includes a normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. More than ever, the war and the American conduct before and during the Iranian attack on Israel’s territory have demonstrated the US contribution to Israel’s national security and its reliance on American assistance. Israel’s future conduct, with an emphasis on coordinating its actions with the US administration, will directly affect its ability to preserve this strategic asset.