Muslim World Report

Arab Sentiment: A Crucial Barrier to Israel's Normalization Efforts

Dr. Anthony Lindsay | Jun 13, 2025 10:15 AM | 6 min read | 1158 words

TL;DR: Recent violence in Gaza has intensified scrutiny of the normalization of relations between Arab nations and Israel. This blog discusses the complex dynamics of Arab public sentiment, the potential backlash against governments pursuing normalization without addressing Palestinian rights, and the geopolitical implications of shifting alliances in the region.

Understanding Arab Public Sentiment in the Context of Israel’s Normalization Efforts

The recent escalation of violence following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has triggered significant international and regional outrage. It has prompted a critical reassessment of the normalization of relations between Arab nations and Israel. The U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, opened a new chapter in Middle Eastern diplomacy, suggesting a shift in priorities for several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. This shift began to reshape the geopolitics of the region, where economic and security considerations often eclipsed the long-standing Palestinian issue (Ayoob, 2012; Yoav & Khalil, 2023). However, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has renewed scrutiny of this normalization process, revealing vulnerabilities and contradictions that have emerged within it.

The situation is particularly delicate for countries like Saudi Arabia, which is reportedly contemplating its own normalization agreement with Israel. In this context:

  • Public backlash may occur if substantial concessions for the Palestinians are not made.
  • Historical animosity towards Israel runs deep across the Arab world.
  • Violence in Gaza, characterized by substantial civilian casualties, has rekindled widespread sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
  • Arab citizens are critically evaluating their governments’ diplomatic strategies, highlighting a disconnect between leadership’s strategic interests and prevailing public sentiment (Jawad, 2014; Cohen & Arieli, 2011).

The Complexities of Public Sentiment

Arab governments often view Israel as a strategic ally capable of countering Iranian influence and mitigating threats posed by increasingly assertive Shiite militias in the region (Appadurai, 1990). However, this pragmatic approach overlooks rising discontent among citizens who vocally oppose any normalization that does not advance Palestinian rights (Masten, 2013).

Implications for Regional Stability

The implications for regional stability are profound. If regimes disregard popular sentiment and advance normalization efforts, they risk:

  • Widespread unrest that fractures the tenuous social contract between governments and their constituents.
  • Public protests and escalating outcry, pressuring governments to retract or reevaluate their diplomatic ties with Israel.
  • Civil unrest that could catalyze opposition groups—including more radical factions—positioning themselves as defenders of Palestinian rights, destabilizing existing regimes.

Consequently, these developments may compel Israel to adopt more aggressive foreign policies, anticipating a more united Arab front against it (Fassin, 2010). Such an evolution risks perpetuating the cycle of violence and exacerbating hardships faced by both Palestinians and the broader Arab populace.

Economic Repercussions

Economic repercussions from civil unrest could further complicate conditions in many Arab states. Regimes increasingly depend on foreign investments and aid that are threatened by instability. Consequently, an upheaval in public allegiance might prompt allies like the United States to:

  • Reevaluate their support for regimes unable to maintain order amid popular dissent.
  • Potentially lead to economic decline and intensified public frustration (Disha, Cavendish, & King, 2011).

The Role of Regional Alliances

Arab governments’ pragmatic approach to normalization often prioritizes economic and security gains while sidelining the Palestinian cause. This alignment with Israel can lead to tension within the Arab populace, particularly as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza unfolds. Citizens across the region have demonstrated increased solidarity with Palestinians, pushing governments to reconsider their diplomatic stances.

Shifts Towards Iran

Should regional alliances gravitate more strongly toward Iran as a counterbalance to Israel’s expanding ties with certain Arab states, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East could witness significant transformation:

  • Such a shift would exacerbate existing sectarian divides and provoke an uptick in proxy conflicts throughout the region.
  • Countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates may recalibrate their foreign policies against a rising threat from a more unified front against Iran (Alqaisiya, 2018).

Increased Iranian influence could:

  • Embolden Shiite militias and factions like Hezbollah.
  • Draw multiple regional players, including the United States, into military interventions.
  • Compel Arab nations to reevaluate their relationships with Western powers, potentially seeking deeper ties with Russia or China (Huber, 2018).

The economic implications of such regional realignments could be profound, further destabilizing already fragile economies in the Middle East.

If Arab governments can strike a middle ground that acknowledges Palestinian aspirations while pursuing normalization with Israel, the implications for regional politics could be transformative. This diplomatic balancing act necessitates that these states:

  • Engage publicly with the Palestinian narrative.
  • Forge strategic partnerships that address both security and economic interests.

Such an approach could cultivate a more sustainable normalization process that resonates with Arab public sentiment, potentially mitigating some of the tensions currently challenging regional peace (Razack, 2005).

Potential Outcomes

Finding a middle ground could lead to:

  • The establishment of a framework for constructive dialogue between Israel and a unified Arab bloc advocating for Palestinian statehood.
  • Arab leaders leveraging their relationships with Israel to push for tangible concessions regarding Palestinian rights—support for statehood initiatives, recognition of rights, or halting settlement activities.

This proactive stance may bridge the gap between geopolitical pragmatism and public sentiment, fostering a climate conducive to genuine dialogue.

Conclusion

As the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve, the interplay between public sentiment, regional alliances, and normalization efforts with Israel remains critical. The delicate balance between addressing Palestinian rights and pursuing strategic interests presents both challenges and opportunities for Arab governments. The ongoing crisis serves as a reminder that the sustainability of diplomatic relations in the region hinges on the voices and aspirations of the Arab populace. Finding a path forward that acknowledges these complexities may hold the key to a more peaceful and stable future for all involved.

References

Ayoob, M. (2012). The Many Faces of Nationalism in the Middle East. International Relations.

Alqaisiya, M. (2018). Iran and Its Influence in the Middle East: A Geopolitical Analysis. Journal of Middle Eastern Studies.

Butler, P. (2008). The Arab League and Regional Security. Middle East Policy.

Cohen, A., & Arieli, T. (2011). Normalization and Its Discontents: The Arab-Israeli Peace Process. Middle East Journal.

Disha, N., Cavendish, W., & King, T. (2011). Economic Impacts of Political Unrest in the Arab World. Economics & Politics.

Fassin, D. (2010). The Humanitarian Politics of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. Critique of Anthropology.

Huber, D. (2018). The Shifting Sands of Middle Eastern Alliances: Implications for Global Politics. International Affairs Review.

Jawad, I. (2014). Public Opinion and Policy in the Arab World: The Case of Israel. Arab Studies Quarterly.

Masten, A. (2013). Public Sentiment and the Arab Spring: A Review of Social Movements in the Arab World. Journal of Arab Studies.

Mepschen, P., Duyvendak, J. W., & Tonkens, E. (2010). Cultural Governance and the Politics of Belonging. European Journal of Cultural Studies.

Razack, S. (2005). Race, Space, and the Law: Unmapping a White Settler Society. Between the Lines.

Yoav, A., & Khalil, A. (2023). Normalization Revisited: The Future of Arab-Israeli Relations in a Changing World. Journal of International Relations.

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