Israel's handling of the Palestinian issue is a strategic asset for Iran - opinion

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: GIL MURCIANO
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Addressing a December 2023 forum in Doha, he emphasized what is obvious to anyone concerned about Iran's growing influence in the region – Israel's refusal to discuss a political solution with the Palestinians is a boon for the leadership in Tehran. It serves as a catalyst for expanding Iran's influence and expelling Israel from the region

This unwillingness poses a major obstacle to seizing the opportunity of the October 7 and April 13 attacks on Israel to forge a regional alliance against Iran.

Iran's combined missile and drone attack on Israel should have dealt a significant blow to Iran and its regional standing. It could even serve as a turning point in regional and global determination to confront the threat it poses, as it stands on the cusp of nuclear capacity. The offensive provides a clear illustration for the United States and the countries of the region of the need for a joint stand against a more aggressive, violent, and destabilizing Iran. This is an opportunity to turn the Iranian proxy network from an asset into a liability for Iran in the regional arena – to further overstretch Iran on multiple fronts.

The Gaza war has exacerbated the clash within the commitment of Iran's Arab allies to Tehran's directives and the interests of these host/captive countries. The growing criticism in Lebanon of Hezbollah's involvement in the Israel-Hamas war, and the Assad administration's refusal to allow an Iranian attack on Israel from its territory clearly illustrate these countries' growing recognition of the price they pay for Iran's intervention in their affairs.

Thus, the April 13 attack should serve as an impetus for an Israeli-regional alliance against Iran with American and international, and especially regional, support. The Gulf states whose airspace was grossly violated by the Iranian missiles and drones were provided with strong evidence of the tangible nature of the Iranian threat. At the same time, the risk of the attack to regional stability is being compounded by Iran's threats to block the Strait of Hormuz and shipping routes to the Red Sea. The Iranian threat thus directly affects the substantive interests of the international community. Iran has become, from an international perspective, a tangible regional threat with ripples that risk the stability in the Middle East and beyond. Ultimately, the attack increases the sense of urgency among the United States and Western countries of the need for a regional coalition.

However, the Gaza...