Opinion: Why Arab armies will not help the US secure post-war Gaza

The chief of the Israeli army met his counterparts from five Arab militaries in Bahrain last week, according to a report from Axios. The meeting was held in the presence of US Central Command, amid attempts by Washington to establish a plan for a post-war future in Gaza. 

It is unlikely, however, that anything viable emerged from the meeting, which was held in secret and included army generals from Bahrain, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt. 

Such cooperation between Arab states and Israel is not popular among Arab peoples. Polls show that the vast majority of Arabs, 92 percent, say that the Palestinian question concerns all Arabs, and not just Palestinians.

Most Arabs also describe the US as biased towards Israel, saying Washington’s policy will harm American interests in the region.  

Such polls highlight the gap between Arab peoples and their governments on Palestine and on the US role in the Gaza war. They also show that US policy in the Middle East is delusional for ignoring this gap. 

Indeed, US ignorance of this gap has long been one of the reasons for anti-American sentiment in the region - and it will also be a reason for the failure of its plans for post-war Gaza governance. 

The US has a long tradition of supporting autocracies in the Middle East, while ignoring the rights and ambitions of Arab peoples. This is because US politicians believe that the Arab leaders they support can adopt foreign policies that achieve American interests. 

Opinion: Why Arab armies will not help the US secure post-war Gaza by Feras Abu Helal