Affiliation: Freelance Journalist
Author: Lily Galili
Organization/Publisher: Middle East Eye
Date/Place: January 1, 2021/UK
Type of Literature: Opinion
Word Count: 1573
Link: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/why-israel-now-delighted-about-arab-spring
Keywords: Israel, Palestine, Arab Spring, Normalization
Brief:
The article provides detail on why Israel is pleased about the Arab Spring. The author argues that there have been “unintended consequences” of the Arab Spring on Israel. She claims that after a decade, Israeli analysts agree that the Arab Spring has led to increasing the Arab and Muslim states normalizing relations with Israel. Further, the author reminds us that the official Israeli and the public reaction to the Arab uprisings were confused and unclear from the beginning. Public opinion was divided in Israel, between those who considered that these uprisings would negatively impact Israel, and those who believed it would positively affect the state. The author mentions Menachem Klein, a political scientist and advisor for the Israeli government, who asserts that all normalization agreements with Israel have resulted from the Arab Spring and the “dissolution” of the Arab League. Therefore, through normalization, Israel becomes an actor and partner in the alliances and rivalries in the Arab World.
By: Fadi Zatari, CIGA Senior Research Associate
