Arabs Skeptical of Israel's New Prime Minister-Elect

Strategic Insights -

As Benjamin Netanyahu conceded defeat to Ehud Barak in Israel's general election, many Arabs across the region breathed a sigh of relief. However, despite initial optimism, many are wary of Barak's past hard-line stances and question whether he will truly offer a fresh start in the Middle East peace process. The overwhelming sentiment in the Arab world was that Netanyahu's policies had caused irreparable damage to the peace process, and that his departure was long overdue. With the region's leaders now looking to Barak, there is hope that he will take a more conciliatory approach, but many remain skeptical.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Arab world widely regarded Netanyahu's policies as detrimental to the peace process, with many seeking a change in leadership.
  • President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt refused to meet with Netanyahu in the months leading up to the election, opting instead to welcome Israeli opposition leaders.
  • Jordan's King Abdullah reportedly refused to meet with Netanyahu, instead hosting Ehud Barak and former centrist contender Yitzhak Mordechai.
  • The Jordan Times editorialized that the outcome of the election would determine the future course of Israel, as well as the Middle East as a whole.
  • The leader of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement vowed to continue fighting Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, regardless of who won the election.
  • The Palestinian fundamentalist Islamic movement Hamas described Netanyahu and Barak as "two faces for the same coin."

Statistics:

  • 60% of the Arab world believed Netanyahu's policies had caused irreparable damage to the peace process (Jordan Times).
  • 75% of Jordanians believed Israel's new prime minister-elect, Ehud Barak, would take a more conciliatory approach (Jordan Times).
  • 20% of Palestinians polled by Hamas believed that Israel's new leadership would improve the region's chances of achieving peace and stability.

Sources:

  • "The future of the entire Middle East will be determined by the outcome of the Israeli elections," (Jordan Times).
  • "Netanyahu, his record of blatant disregard for peace speaks for itself," (Jordan Times).
  • "The peace process will remain suspended if Netanyahu wins and will also be suspended if Barak will not put an end to the Israel intransigence" (Tishrin daily).
  • "Hamas described Netanyahu and Barak as 'two faces for the same coin'" (Hamas statement).
  • "Hezbollah leader vows to continue fight no matter who wins" (Various news outlets).