Middle East expert from Tel Aviv University on the sensational news: "I wouldn't get excited"
Professor Eyal Zisser discussed with Ron Kofman and Aryeh Eldad the reports suggesting that certain regional actors sought peace with Israel to prepare for a covert confrontation. The expert dismissed these claims as "marketing non-news" and urged against overreacting to such narratives.
Middle East expert from Tel Aviv University, Professor Eyal Zisser, spoke with Ron Kofman and Aryeh Eldad on 103fm today (Monday) regarding reports that officials in one regional country recently recommended that another show flexibility toward Israel to move toward an agreement, while simultaneously preparing for a broad confrontation under the radar.
According to Zisser, this is not earth-shattering news.
"This is not a new concept; it is part of a Muslim tradition, like Muhammad's agreement in Mecca with his enemies, which he later violated, or Arafat's agreement in Oslo. I do not attach much importance to this," Zisser noted. — "I assume the discourse was, 'Make peace with Israel and you can gain time.' I see less of a threat or conspiracy here. This is simply discourse between countries in the region—Iran and Arab states, and among the Arab states themselves—and between them and us."
He expressed skepticism regarding the reports:
"First of all, what kind of report is it that claims two leaders sat down and said this or that? Once, Mubarak boasted that he told Hafez al-Assad to sign an agreement with Israel because peace would not come of it later. You don't know the context or who said what to whom. I think they are just marketing non-news and turning it into something far beyond what should be concerning."
The Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan Tripartite Agreement
Regarding the tripartite agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, Zisser emphasized its lack of substance:
"I do not see any practical side to this agreement; it is purely declarative. I do not see Turkey or Pakistan sending forces to protect Saudi Arabia from those attacking it—the Iranians and the Houthis. Even if it were Israel or the USA, they would not send troops. It is essentially declarative and expresses dissatisfaction with the USA, which has turned out to be a straw man that cannot be relied upon."
Touching on the situation in the Middle East and Israel's position, Zisser clarified:
"The face of the Middle East is beginning to take shape, and there are partnerships and security understandings, but we must ensure Israel is included."
He remained critical of regional military capabilities:
"They talk about Saudi power, but there is no such thing—only money. Saudi money has value mainly in the USA where the dollars are spent. What do they know how to do with the weapons they have? Nothing. A decade ago, they launched an attack against the Houthis, but it is not enough to have a plane; you need a pilot who knows how to fly, as well as operational and intelligence capabilities. Arab countries do not have such things."
"The goal of a strong army is first to protect the regime from internal threats. Secondly, it is a demonstration of power that exceeds actual strength. Everything is a question of what you project and what message you transmit," Zisser concluded.
