Europe and the Arabic world both have a common problem: they both have a state neighbouring their region which is belligerent, imperialist and has no regard for the international law and rule-of-law. Europe grapples with Russia’s imperialist belligerence while the Arab world has to contend with Israel’s increasing aggression throughout the region. Both of the leaders of these belligerent nations are wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
The upcoming United Nations Conference on Palestine chaired by France and Saudi Arabia is a major diplomatic coup Europe that strengthens European and trust with the Arab world. Trust is a vital currency to do business in the Arab world, and Europe’s relations with the region remain shadowed by a history of colonialism: something Russian propagandists are eager to exploit to drive a wedge between Europe and Arab countries. Europe is now rebuilding that trust through its diplomacy on Palestine, and it should build on this momentum to forge a strategic partnership that strengthens security and trade from the Mediterranean to the Gulf.
The rulers of Arabia are now waking up to a world where an international-rules based-order is ever more important to guarantee the security and sovereignty of their home countries and the only international entity left which can actually help the Arab world enforce international rules is the European Union. The EU is the only international political entity that is concerned about international rule of law and at the same time has effective power to do something about it: both via economic sanctions, and also by applying military action. More specifically, the international military might of the EU is being extended with the Coalition of the Willing that involves the UK.
Europe has been a major backer of the Syrian people during their fight again Bashar al-Assad whose regime was under strict EU sanctions. If Europe wanted to enforce international law in the region, it could also apply sanctions on Israel. Europe also has a strong case to use military force against Israel to enforce international law. Meanwhile, Israel has also actually been targeting anti-air defence batteries in Syria which have most probably been donated by Turkey.
However, Europe has its own security and existential threat: Russia, which is not only a threat at the European borders but also a threat internally to our democracies and our states via its hybrid warfare, political subversion and propaganda. Saudi Arabia showed no concern whatsoever for our European problem about Russia: Saudi Arabia actually increased their trade with Russia as Europe slapped sanctions on Russia. Qatar kept trading relations with Russia open although trading decreased significantly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Europe has successfully applied sanctions on Russia without incurring long-term negative economic effects but to extend its sanctions regime onto Israel, which is a developed state with strong financial ties with the US, Europe needs to ensure its economic and financial standing in the world to make its sanctions effective while ensuring a strong economy at home. Primarily, sanctioning Israel, needs the backing of its Arab neighbours to make any effective sanctions work – especially Egypt and Jordan.
European and Arab strategic interests may align in supporting one another against the belligerent and imperial states that threaten their sovereignty. Sanctions on Russia would, in turn, be far more effective if the Arab world joined in. Supporting the cause of their fellow Palestinian Arabs may have not been enough for them to consider our security and existential concerns with regard to Russia, but Israel’s latest attack on Doha could begin to push Arab states toward supporting an international rules-based order. In pursuing this, they may find that Europe is their most viable ally.
Newsroom
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