Strategic Assessment

Among the key questions emerging in the wake of the civil uprising in the Arab world are the impact on Arab-Israeli relations and the effect on existing formal agreements between Israel and its neighbors. These agreements, which have been upheld for years, have helped maintain a sense of relative stability and prevent the recurrence of major hostilities. However, the Arab uprisings have cast doubt as to the robustness of these agreements and their ability to withstand the pressures from political elements that opposed these agreements. This article reviews Israel’s agreements with Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinians, and Syria, and considers if the Arab “street,” which has become a more potent factor in Arab policy, will force a change in any of these agreements.