The Saudi-Iran Rivalry and Its Implications for the Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process
The deep-seated rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran undeniably plays a pivotal role in the broader Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape, including the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Their disputes, spanning across religious, ethnic, economic, and geopolitical dimensions, influence their stances on regional matters, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is no exception.
1. Leveraging the Israeli-Palestinian Issue for Regional Influence:
For decades, the Palestinian cause was a unifying issue for many in the Arab and Muslim world. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia, at different times and to varying degrees, have portrayed themselves as champions of the Palestinian cause to gain broader regional influence and legitimacy.
However, the priorities and strategies of each country regarding this issue differ. While Iran has consistently opposed Israel’s existence and backed anti-Israel entities like Hamas and Hezbollah, Saudi Arabia has had a more nuanced approach, especially in recent years, hinting at the possibility of normalization if Israel agrees to a peace plan favorable to the Palestinians.
2. Proxy Power Play:
The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran often plays out through proxies, with both nations supporting different factions in countries like Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. In the Palestinian territories, Iran has been a major supporter of Hamas, the dominant force in Gaza. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has historically been more aligned with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Hamas’s periodic clashes with Israel can be seen in this broader context. Iran’s support for Hamas, both financially and militarily, indirectly fuels these confrontations. Some argue that Iran backs these flare-ups to divert attention from other regional activities or to challenge Saudi and other Arab states’ evolving relationships with Israel.
3. Sabotaging Peace Agreements:
While there is no direct evidence of either country explicitly sabotaging peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, their rivalry creates an environment where trust is scarce, and regional consensus on the peace process is hard to achieve. Iran’s vehement opposition to any normalization with Israel makes Arab states more cautious, fearing potential backlash or escalation in proxy conflicts.
4. Changing Dynamics and the Abraham Accords:
The Abraham Accords, which saw normalization between Israel and several Arab states, marked a shift in regional geopolitics. While Saudi Arabia has not officially normalized relations with Israel, its muted response to the Accords and the increasing behind-the-scenes cooperation indicate a strategic recalibration. This shift can be seen, in part, as a response to the perceived Iranian threat. A common concern regarding Iran might lead to closer ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, sidelining the Palestinian issue.
Iran denounced the Accords, viewing them as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause and an alignment of a potential anti-Iran bloc.
Conclusion:
The intricate Saudi-Iran rivalry complicates the already complex matrix of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. While the Palestinian issue remains pivotal, it is also enmeshed in broader regional geopolitics driven by Riyadh and Tehran’s competing ambitions. As the Middle East continues to evolve, understanding this rivalry and its implications for the Israeli-Palestinian issue is essential for any meaningful approach to peace in the region.
