Israel Palestine Conflict: Implications of the Political Dynamics in the GCC

Abstract

This study examines the Israel-Palestine conflict with regards to the political dynamics in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Especially issue that deals with the GCC new diplomatic relation with Israel and its implication. Strategically, Israel has been able to gain much rapport with the GCC states as such alliance have successfully tied their security interest and concern towards Iran as a regional foe. On the other hand, Palestinian perceived such development as counterproductive for her political cause as Israel remains and occupying power in the Palestinian territories. Apparently, Israel is using the Palestinian plight as a leverage to increase its relations with the Arab monarchs as the GCC states also encountered overlapping interest with regards to their policy towards Israel and Palestine. The study argues that the relations between Israel and the GCC states will continue to flourish as the latter becomes more dependent on the former in the area of economic and regional security interest. Also, Palestinian would hold a negative perception of the GCC with regards to her national interest. It therefore recommends that the GCC states should imbibe a collective policy towards the Palestinian interest and resolve the crisis within the in order to enjoy relative peace and regional stability.