The Arab world has shown a weak response to the genocide in Gaza, now in its third year and spilling into the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, and Lebanon. The Arab League, meant to represent shared Arab interests, has issued only statements and symbolic aid.

Post-colonial statehood has left Arab countries weak and dependent on powers like the US and Israel for financial and military support, diluting their sovereignty. This dependence makes independent action costly and risky.

Fragile states across the region—Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan—serve as constant reminders of the costs of defiance. Since the 1950s, Arab states have been under the watch of the US, UK, France, and Russia.

Confronting the US-Israel axis risks sanctions and military attacks that could threaten regime survival. Arab elites prioritize their own incumbency over Palestinian rights, as the authoritarian bargain prioritizes stability.

The Arab League is hobbled by consensus politics, unable to act on substantive issues. The war with Iran has exposed the weakness of the US-Israeli security umbrella, potentially prompting a reassessment of Arab strategies for genuine security and sovereignty.

Source: www.aljazeera.com