https://sputniknews.com/20220728/how-israel-is-perceived-in-arab-world-after-normalization-deals-with-uae-bahrain-1097875647.html
How Israel is perceived in the Arab world after normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
How Israel is perceived in the Arab world after normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain
Almost two years have passed since the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords – normalization pacts with Israel – which have inspired others… 28.07.2022, Sputnik International
2022-07-28T09:39+0000
2022-07-28T09:39+0000
2022-07-28T09:39+0000
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A Washington Institute poll found that 71% of Emiratis viewed the normalization pact with the Jewish state in a negative light. Those in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait were also disapproving with 75%, 76% and 81% respectively taking umbrage at the agreement. Complex Reality Loay Al Shareef, a Gulf-based media influencer, says he’s been monitoring social media trends for years, and he says the poll doesn’t fully reflect the situation on the ground. Still, all is not well, and Al Shareef says that when there is fighting, the younger generation in the Gulf tends to sympathize with the Palestinians. This was the case in 2008, 2012, 2014 and during the recent wave of tensions between Israel and Hamas from the Gaza Strip in May 2021. However, when the fog of war lifts, the influencer says, the feeling anti-Israeli subsides. now I see many in the Gulf realizing that Israel is acting defensively,” Al Shareef said. “But [the process] is happening slowly, and that is understandable because this conflict has been on people’s minds for 70 years. So a quick peace will not happen.” The Palestinian issue as the core issue is the Palestinian issue and the lack of progress in the peace talks between them and Israel. These have stalled since 2014 and despite various efforts to renew them, the negotiating Muslim states, led by Saudi Arabia, have repeatedly said they will not normalize relations with the Jewish state unless there is a breakthrough on the Palestinian front, but Al Shareef says it could be a matter of time before the situation unfreezes “Officials in Jerusalem have already started working in this direction. Over the past few years, Israel has held clandestine talks with various Muslim and Arab countries that do not yet have diplomatic relations with it. These talks have yet to bear fruit, but Al Shareef is certain that the Jewish state is moving in the right direction. “Israel should continue to hold talks with the Arab and Muslim world, as it does now. He also needs to engage more with the media and interact with young people through various American organizations. This way, Israel’s acceptance will be inevitable,” the influencer added.
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Nearly two years have passed since the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed the Abraham Accords – normalization pacts with Israel – which inspired others, including Morocco and Sudan, to follow suit. But a recent poll reveals that despite normalization treaties, many in the Muslim world still see these relations in a negative light.
Loay Al Shareef, a Gulf-based media influencer, says he’s been monitoring social media trends for years, and he says the poll doesn’t fully reflect the situation on the ground.
“This survey is more a reflection of the older generation who still despise Israel and reject any act of normalization with it,” he explained. “The younger masses tend to embrace peace with Israel and they believe that peace is the only way forward,” he added.
However, when the fog of war clears, the influencer says, anti-Israel sentiment wanes.
“Right now, I see many in the Gulf realizing that Israel is acting defensively,” Al Shareef said. “But [the process] is happening slowly, and that is understandable because this conflict has been on people’s minds for 70 years. So a quick peace will not happen.”
The Palestinian question at the heart
Part of the problem is the Palestinian issue and the lack of progress in the peace talks between them and Israel. These have been stalled since 2014 and despite various efforts to renew them, negotiations have never resumed.
“The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco recognize the Palestinian issue, but they also believe that their national interests come first. In time, if this conflict is not resolved, other Muslim states may also adopt this position. They will choose to ignore the Palestinian issue and make peace with Israel.”
“Israel should continue to hold talks with the Arab and Muslim world, as it does now. It should also engage more with the media and interact with young people through various American organizations. In this way, the acceptance of Israel will be inevitable,” the influencer added.
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