Arab and Islamic leaders meet in Doha.

 REPRESENTITIVES OF 57 COUNTRIES MEET TO DISCUSS ISRAEL

ASIAN, MIDDLEAST, AFRICA AND FAR EAST LEADERS

Yesterday an emergency summit was held in Doha, Qatar prompted by the Israeli attack on Doha, Qatar. These attendees were made of members of Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Gulf Cooperation council. While the complete cooperation statement has not yet been officially released, it seems they have agreed to jointly increase economic pressure on Israel. Some of the major members are expected to have private meetings to form some sort of joint defense agreement, similar to NATO. 

Much of the emphasis was on the continuing plight of the citizens in Gaza and the general chaos and instability caused by this ongoing crisis. Contrary to the existing narrative, while many are not supporters of an Israeli state, they are not advocating the destruction of Israel as has been the situation in decades past. It is clear that like most governments today they are emphasizing economic cooperation and mutual prosperity. The ongoing crisis in Gaza is disrupting those objectives for everyone in the region.

The focus was intense and without redeeming narrative on Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, especially since Netanyahu has publicly stated that Israel will continue attacks on any nation that harbors Hamas. So far, no one is advocating military action against Israel, but they all desire some kind of conclusion to the ongoing crisis. Diplomatic relations between these attendees and Israel are now at an all time low.

Before the Hamas organized attack on Israel 2 years ago, relations may have been at an all time high.  Hamas was becoming increasingly irrelevant and garnered little support by these countries. Even Iran was moving to a more main street position by improving relations with others in the region and focusing more on economic prosperity. That all changed after the Hamas attack and the situation in Israel may be the worst for the state of Israel in its history. The response by Israel has been more damaging to Israel than the attack itself and there is no end in sight.

While some want to declare this situation as an organized and cooperative assault on Israel, all parties attacked Israel after their incursion and destruction of Gaza. It seems now that all parties are committed and cannot find an off ramp. Attacking those who attempt at some sort of negotiations is a bad policy and cannot help end this situation.

Any objective observer must conclude that Israel is in a far more dire situation now than they were before the Hamas attack. Doubling down will not make anything better.