United States is contemplating forming a military coalition with several Arab allies to counter Iran. Mr. Trump encourages a “regional” solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, backing a proposal for the Jewish state to unite with Arab powers against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel views if Israel can transform its relationship with Sunni Arab nations, they can ultimately lead the way toward a resolution with the Palestinians. Ah . How would this alliance be compulsory and would work to solve the tensions between Israel and Palestine? After decades of hostility, Netanyahu is seeking to engage his country’s former enemies. The old maxim, “Adversity makes strange bedfellows” is highly appropriate for the growing situation of Middle East by having an alliance between Muslims and Jews backed with Christians against another Muslim country due to sectarian rivalry. Iran and Saudi Arabia are locked in an increasingly tense competition for regional influence. Israel is benefiting from the Sunni-Shiite divisions ripping apart the Islamic world.
Alliance, a deeper connection more than a friendship, requires the risk to share the power and economy when it is needed. Last year Saudi Arabia sought to form an ‘Islamic military alliance’ of 34 Muslim countries including Pakistan. Pakistan could be the most important member of this alliance due to its military power and experience and the fact that it is the only Muslim-majority nation with nuclear weapons. All these Muslim countries would cooperate and provide a large number of troops if there would be any threat to KSA’s sovereignty.
Now in this new Arab-Israel alliance, Israel would provide intelligence and targets and would not be involved in training, operation or its execution phase. Other Arab nations who join the alliance, may share intelligence with Israel to counter Iran. The US would offer military and intelligence support to the alliance but neither the U.S. nor Israel would be part of the mutual-defense pact. In such conditions such an alliance would not work in favor of Saudi Arabia, rather it would create infinite tensions giving sectarian color which can lead to the destruction of Muslim countries including Sunni and Shiite. Moreover, would this be possible for all the 34 countries of ‘Islamic military alliance’ to cooperate with Israel with the theory ‘the friend of my friend is my friend’. Where does Palestinians stand in all these policies and alliances where the clash is not for the power but for the human rights? The plan and then the delay to move US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is another smart move of US in this time period to bring Arabs close for an alliance with Israel against Iran.
Saudi Arabia and Iran have been engaged in proxy wars ever since the revolution in Iran, but only Shiite Sunni divergence cannot create hostility to such an extent. In fact, Iran seeks to extend its influence beyond its borders. And Saudi Arabia feels threatened for Iran’s growing strength. Such supposed national interests of these two countries would destabilize all the Muslim nations. A combined effort should be made to break the supply of funds to militant groups rather to play games of proxy wars. Pakistan is desirous of peaceful resolution and always plays a positive role to resolve the tension between both countries. Currently, every Muslim country is fighting terrorism individually. Such co-coordinating efforts sound very important. Undoubtedly, it is a wakeup call for all the Muslims and one of the most complex conflicts of our time.
Islam firmly prohibits Muslim alliance with a Jewish-Christian alliance. “O you who have attained to faith! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for your allies: they are but allies of one another and whoever of you allies himself with them becomes, verily, one of them; behold, God does not guide people who are unjust.” (Quran 5:51)
Much of the meaning depends on how people interpret but this is the general acceptance of the translation of this verse. This understanding is supported by five modern translations of the Quran. Hope it would be clear in near future how Saudi Arabia steps forward having one alliance with Israel and United States and the other with 34 Muslim countries including Pakistan.
The writer is a columnist and Lecturer in English. She can be contacted at [email protected] and twitter: @aishaz99