Arab world’s stance on Palestinians shifting, says Israel’s ambassador to US

At an embassy function in Washington on Wednesday, ambassador Ron Dermer claimed that the Arab world no longer “reflexively” toes the Palestinian line.

By: World Israel News Staff

Israeli Ambassador to the US Ron Dermer addressed a Jewish New Year reception at the Israeli embassy in Washington on Wednesday, making several key comments regarding the shifting political landscape in the Middle East. Among the attendees at the reception was Jason Greenblatt, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.

In the context of his remarks regarding the US’ decision to move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a move that was completed in May, Dermer commented, “Arab states are no longer dancing to the Palestinians’ tune,” reported Haaretz.

Dermer communicated his view that the Palestinians’ influence over decision-making and policy in the Arab world has waned, which he sees as evidenced by the “silence” with which these nations responded to Trump’s decision to move the embassy.

With regard to the embassy move, Dermer also noted that it had not, as opponents predicted, harmed the US’ standing in the Arab world, nor did it negatively impact the Americans’ relationships with Arab nations. Similarly, Dermer commented that the “widespread violence” some claimed would arise after the embassy move in fact never materialized.

Dermer’s comments regarding a shift in the Arab world’s attitude toward Israel and the Palestinians echo remarks made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the week in Jerusalem at a New Year’s reception for Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

At the event, Netanyahu remarked that the Arab world was brought “closer” to Israel due to the Iran nuclear agreement.

The prime minister didn’t mention Saudi Arabia specifically, but the kingdom has signaled a willingness to change course on its attitude to Israel in comments this year by Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who was quoted as saying that Israelis have a right to their own land in an interview in The Atlantic in April.

In his address on Wednesday, Dermer also commented on the Iran deal, thanking Trump for withdrawing the US from it, which he claimed “dramatically improved Israel’s security.”