BICOM

The US National Security Advisor has identified a convergence of interests between Israel and its Arab neighbours as an opportunity to advance peace in the Middle East.

Speaking at the American Jewish Committee Global Forum on Sunday, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster stressed that opportunities for peace and resolution were emerging.

He said: “Today we are witnessing a reassessment of regional relationships, most notably between Israel and a number of our Arab partners, all friends of America but too often adversaries of each other. Today these interests are converging. This is an opportunity.”

Israel and Sunni Arab states share an interest in combatting Iranian influence in the region. Responding to a question from the Knesset plenum yesterday, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman, said “the Arab states also understand that the real danger to the entire region is not Israel, but rather Iran”, and that this convergence of interests could lead to many possibilities for cooperation in the battle against terrorism.

Lieberman added that “Israel is more than open to cooperation”, and hinted at the opportunities created by US President Donald Trump’s efforts to build a coalition against terror.

Improved relations with the Sunni Arab states may prove beneficial to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, and many Israeli leaders from across the political spectrum have emphasised that a regional process could help bring peace.

Yesterday, Zionist Union MK Nachman Shai said: “The Middle East is changing in front of our eyes. The Sunni alliance is strengthening and is drawing strength from the US’‎s position.”
He added: “At this turning point, Israel must do its part, resume the dialogue with the Palestinians and promote an agreement with backing from the Sunni states. Now is the moment for change.”

Palestinians, however, have expressed concerned that a regional peace process would bring Israel closer to the Arab states without resulting in Israel moving towards establishing a Palestinian state.

In his speech, McMaster also reiterated America’s commitment to our NATO allies and Article V, the principle of collective defence that “is at the very heart of NATO’s founding treaty”.