Politics
How Israel Is Redrawing The Middle Eastern Map To Its Ambitions, While Dutch Court Rejects Bid To Stall Arms Export To Israel
The Middle East, already embroiled in political and military chaos, is currently witnessing a significant escalation in regional tensions. Israel, under the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has intensified its military actions against neighboring Syria, drawing sharp criticism and raising questions about its long-term objectives.
Continuous Assaults on Syria
Since former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s dramatic flight to Moscow Israel has carried out over 480 airstrikes on Syria. These attacks have targeted strategic locations, including Mediterranean ports in Bayda and Latakia, and areas within the demilitarized zone along the Golan Heights.
The latter, already partially occupied by Israel, has seen further incursions, with Israeli ground forces moving into Syrian territory. Israel has declared the 1974 buffer zone agreement “collapsed,” aiming to establish a so-called “sterile defence zone.”
This is not a new pattern. Israel has been conducting attacks on Syria since at least 2013, often citing threats from Hezbollah and Iran as justification. However, analysts suggest that these actions reflect a broader agenda, blending opportunism with strategic intent.
Netanyahu’s Calculations
Netanyahu has been quick to attribute Syria’s vulnerabilities to Israel’s broader regional offensive. In a statement to journalists, he credited the weakening of the Syrian regime to Israeli strikes on Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. However, observers question whether these actions are part of a cohesive strategy or a chaotic response to unfolding events.
Mairav Zonszein, a senior analyst with the Crisis Group, describes Israel’s approach as a mix of “opportunism and strategy,” suggesting that Israel is exploiting Syria’s defenseless state to neutralize potential threats. Political scientist Ori Goldberg, however, argues that Israel’s actions reflect chaos rather than strategy. “This is our new security doctrine. We do whatever we want, whenever we want,” he remarked.
Israel’s increasing military assertiveness raises concerns about its broader ambitions in the region. While some speculate about a vision for “Greater Israel,” others view these actions as driven by immediate security concerns rather than a coherent long-term plan.
Critics have pointed to a “penchant for destruction,” stressing the humanitarian and geopolitical consequences of Israel’s unrestrained military campaigns.
Yet its leadership appears resolute in pursuing what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describes as a vision of “changing the face of the Middle East.” Over the past 14 months, Israel’s military operations have reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 48,833 people, illustrating the devastating toll of its unrelenting campaign.
A Multi-Front Offensive
Israel’s strikes have targeted multiple adversaries, including Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Syria. At the same time, it continues its controversial assault on Gaza, which several nations and international bodies have deemed genocidal.
The scale and scope of these actions have prompted sharp rebukes from a range of countries, including Egypt, France, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.
On Saturday, the 22-member Arab League accused Israel of exploiting Syria’s internal challenges for its own geopolitical gain.
Meanwhile, the United Nations, tasked with monitoring the buffer zone between Syria and Israel, has condemned Israel’s actions as a breach of international law. Yet, these criticisms appear to have little effect on Israel’s resolve.
Israel’s Defiance
Israeli political scientist Ori Goldberg argues that the country’s actions reflect a broader defiance of international norms. “We want to show the ICJ and the ICC that we don’t give a damn. That we’re going to do exactly what we want,” he said.
This sentiment is echoed in Israeli media. An opinion piece in The Jerusalem Post recently claimed, “In the last year, Israel has done more for stability in the Middle East than decades of ineffective UN agencies and Western diplomats.”
Similarly, The Times of Israel columnist Jeffrey Levine characterized Israel’s recent actions as paving the way for “a New Middle East of Peace and Prosperity.” Levine envisions a region where Syria is free from Assad’s regime, Iran sheds its theocracy, the Kurds establish their own state, and Palestinians find a new homeland in Jordan.
Criticism and Hope for a New Order
While Israel’s aggressive posture has earned it few friends, some analysts see a potential for reshaping regional dynamics.
Nimrod Flashenberg, an Israeli political analyst, noted that while Israel does not expect popularity in the region, it aims for a Middle East with fewer hostile regimes. He suggested that rapprochement might be possible with certain minority groups, such as the Kurds and Druze.
However, critics argue that Israel’s actions have instead heightened tensions rather than promoting stability. The Arab League’s statement and the United Nations’ condemnation outline the growing isolation Israel faces on the global stage.
Dutch Court Upholds Arms Exports to Israel Amid Escalating Gaza Conflict
Meanwhile, in a contentious ruling, a Dutch court in The Hague rejected a plea by 10 pro-Palestinian NGOs to halt the Netherlands’ export of arms to Israel and its trade with illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories.
The decision, delivered on Friday, comes amid a devastating conflict in Gaza, where Israeli strikes have killed tens of thousands and displaced many more.
Court Rationale
The Hague district court emphasized that the Dutch government retains significant leeway in determining its foreign and trade policies.
In its statement, the court said:
“The interim relief court finds that there is no reason to impose a total ban on the export of military and dual-use goods on the state. All claims are dismissed.”
This decision effectively upholds the Netherlands’ current arms trade policies, despite allegations from the NGOs that Dutch-made weapons are contributing to what they term genocide and apartheid in Gaza.
The NGOs’ Case
The coalition of NGOs argued that the Dutch state, as a signatory to the 1948 Genocide Convention, has a legal obligation to prevent acts of genocide. They cited the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) earlier ruling urging Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.
“Israel is guilty of genocide and apartheid,” asserted Wout Albers, the lawyer representing the NGOs. Albers accused the Dutch government of complicity in the ongoing violence by continuing arms exports.
Shawan Jabarin, the director of Al-Haq, described the court’s decision as “an abominable injustice,” adding:
“The Netherlands has abandoned the most basic rules of international law, to prevent colonisation, annexation, apartheid and genocide.”
The NGOs are now considering an appeal.
Wider Context
The court’s decision comes at a time of escalating violence in Gaza. On Thursday, an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed at least 40 Palestinians and wounded dozens more.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other leaders, accusing them of crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
International Outcry
The decision to continue arms exports has sparked outrage among human rights advocates and international organizations. Amnesty International recently accused Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians, a charge Israel vehemently denies.
Critics argue that the Dutch court’s ruling has let down international efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions in Gaza. With famine looming in northern Gaza and civilian casualties mounting, the ruling outlines the growing tension between national interests and global humanitarian responsibilities.
The Verdict
Israel’s pursuit of regional dominance is redrawing the political and humanitarian aspect of the Middle East. While some in Israel view these moves as steps toward a more stable and prosperous region, the human cost and diplomatic fallout paint an entirely different picture.
Nevertheless, Israel’s actions, whether viewed as calculated strategy or reckless aggression, are indeed reshaping the Middle East but at a huge cost!
