Tensions Between Israel and Arab States: How Have Social Media Platforms Impacted Diplomatic Conflict?
Over the past four decades, Israel has made significant diplomatic strides by normalizing relations with several Arab countries. These relations saw significant development, particularly with the signing of the “Abraham Accords,” which opened up new avenues for cooperation in various fields. However, the attack launched by Hamas in October 2023 disrupted the balance, threatening to revert the region to its previous state of tension. Amid these developments, social media has been ablaze with heated verbal exchanges between influential figures from both sides, such as Israeli journalist Edi Cohen and Saudi Abdul Latif bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, adding a new dimension to this conflict.
Normalization: A Long Journey Toward Mutual Acceptance Israel, which had been seeking to normalize relations with Arab countries for decades, made a significant leap forward with the “Abraham Accords.” These agreements were not just diplomatic steps but marked a real change in relations between Israel and several Arab countries, leading to unprecedented economic and security cooperation. There were high hopes that these relations would lead to long-term stability in the region.
Hamas Attack: The High Cost of Rearranging the Cards Hamas’ attack on Israel in October 2023 was not just a military confrontation but a direct challenge to the normalization process. The movement succeeded in bringing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back to the forefront of global and regional attention, destabilizing the peace that the Abraham Accords aimed to establish. Despite the high cost, Hamas succeeded in influencing the political and diplomatic climate of the region, forcing Arab countries to reassess their positions regarding Israel.
The Exchange Between Cohen and Al Sheikh: Reflecting Deeper Tensions On Twitter, tensions escalated between Israeli journalist Edi Cohen and Saudi Abdul Latif bin Abdullah Al Sheikh in a series of tweets reflecting the deep division beginning to emerge in the region.
من يتطاول على ولي امري اتطاول على ولي أمره.
السعوديين يعتقدون بأنه يحق لهم كل شي . كلا .
بدكن حرب فلتكن حرب يا اوباش.
صدقوني انتم الخاسرون. https://t.co/QfAYJFYsPb pic.twitter.com/Bf2Y1OMVra— إيدي كوهين אדי כהן 🇮🇱 (@EdyCohen) August 19, 2024
Al Sheikh criticized Netanyahu and his media, calling them the “hidden enemy of Israel,” which prompted a sharp response from Cohen, warning that any affront to Israel would not go unanswered. This social media exchange reflects the fragility of the new relations between Israel and Arab countries and the impact of recent events on them.
للأمانة ..
أعتقد أن #نيتنياهو و حزبه و زلماته و إعلامه و اعلامييه هم العدو الخفي لإسرائيل .#سقط_جسر_الموساد pic.twitter.com/KwkXrJ5XO7
— عبداللطيف بن عبدالله آل الشيخ 🇸🇦 (@Alshaikh2) August 19, 2024
Rearranging the Cards: Are Achievements Lost? Following the attack and increasing tensions, many of the achievements Israel has made over the past 40 years seem at risk. Some Arab countries have begun to reconsider their relations with Israel and may reassess their stance on normalization. In this context, the exchange between Cohen and Al Sheikh can be seen as a small model of the deeper tensions simmering in the region.
Conclusion: Between normalization and escalating tensions, Israel finds itself in a complex position, trying to preserve diplomatic gains while facing new challenges. Hamas’ attack and the verbal exchanges between Cohen and Al Sheikh are only indicators of the simmering tension in the region, which could reshape the map of relationships in the Middle East.
