Gulf States’ Exceptional Opportunity to Economically and Diplomatically Sanction Israel

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Fueled by rapid economic growth over recent decades, the Persian Gulf rim countries have defined themselves as islands of stability in the West Asia region, developing their glittering capitals with the help of millions of immigrants.

However, this year, two regional powers for the first time carried out direct attacks on Qatari soil, an issue that shattered the security foundations of the Persian Gulf countries. First, Iran targeted the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in response to the US attack on its nuclear facilities, and then last week, Israel bombed residential areas in Doha to assassinate Hamas leaders.

Now, the turmoil and anxiety of the Arab states of the Persian Gulf have peaked, and the war that began two years ago, thousands of kilometers away from their borders in Gaza, is gradually entering their homes.

The Turn of Other Arab Capitals Will Come Too

Qatar and the Arab countries' hands are completely tied regarding a military response to Israel. Consequently, Doha is trying to organize a regional response to Israel. On Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani informed CNN's Becky Anderson of the decision regarding a response to Israel at the Arab and Islamic summit on Monday.

So far, the most significant reaction to the Doha incident has been observed from the UAE, which has the closest relations with Israel. Less than 24 hours after the Israeli attack, UAE ruler Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in Doha with a high-ranking delegation and then went to Bahrain and Oman. On Friday, the UAE summoned an Israeli diplomat and condemned Israel's "cowardly attack."

"Badr Al-Saif, an Assistant Professor of History at Kuwait University, says: 'We must take a stance now; otherwise, the other Persian Gulf capitals will be the next targets.'"

Diplomatic Options

One option could be for the UAE to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Israel or reduce its participation in the Abraham Accords, the normalization agreement between Israel and three Arab countries, which was the biggest foreign policy achievement of Donald Trump during his first presidential term.

Even before the attack on Doha, the UAE had shown its dissatisfaction with Israel. This week, Emirati official Lana Nusseibeh warned that Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank amounted to crossing a "red line" and betraying the spirit of the Abraham Accords.

Hasan Al-Hasan, a Senior Fellow for Middle East Policy at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Bahrain, says: 'The Gulf countries have so far not played a key role in open cases against Israel in international courts, and this situation could change.'

Another option is for Qatar to withdraw from its role as the main mediator between the US and its opponents.

The Peninsula Shield

The Gulf countries have had significant internal disagreements over recent decades but remain bound together through a mutual defense pact signed decades ago.

Abdulaziz Sager, head of the Gulf Research Center in Saudi Arabia, says: 'The Arab states of the Persian Gulf can turn to activating and expanding the Peninsula Shield, a military pact designed in the 1980s to counter attacks on their countries. The clauses of this pact have never been implemented, but now it could be realized through a unified command in the Gulf, integration of air and missile defense systems, and the construction of indigenous and independent equipment.'

All seven Persian Gulf rim countries are dependent on US military hardware and host US military bases, but recent US failures in defending their territory could persuade the Arab countries to change their policies.

However, efforts to achieve regional consensus may fail due to internal rivalries among the Gulf countries, which still fear jeopardizing their relations with the US.

Economic Response

The trillions of dollars in revenue that Arab countries earn from the region's oil and gas exports provide significant soft power, enabling them to exert influence on key global decision-making. Gulf countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE could use their legendary wealth to impose trade restrictions against Israel.

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have jointly committed to investing approximately three trillion dollars in the US economy. Shifting the location of this colossal investment could also be an effective option.