Israelis are anxious about the recent trends in Egypt, the Arab world and even in America. Israeli Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, fears that the unrest in Egypt will unravel the 32 year old peace treaty signed with Israel's giant Arab neighbor. The prospect of an Egyptian government that included the Muslim Brotherhood would strengthen Hamas, a Brothers' Palestinian offshoot, whose charter calls for the Jewish states destruction. The Egypt unrest is heightening a sense of encirclement that has not been felt so acutely by Israelis in decades. Lebanon, to the north, has displaced its Pro-western Prime Minister with one backed by Hizbullah, the Shia party-cum-militia that is armed and backed by Iran. Syria, found to the northeast and also on friendly terms with Iran, seems to support Hamas as well. To the east, Jordan is finding itself being shaken by an assortment of Islamists, tribal leaders and Palestinians while being the only remaining Arab country in the region to have a formal treaty with the Jewish state. In addition, relations with Turkey have turned from cool to icy in the past year. Meanwhile, Iran, perhaps Israel's biggest threat in the region, moves steadily towards getting a nuclear weapon. All the while, peace talks with Palestinians have broken down, apparently irretrievably.
Israeli legitimacy and support has also deteriorated within the United Nations and the West. The UN already looks unfavorably on Israel for its decisions during Israel's war in Gaza in 2009. This sentiment could be reinforced soon as a resolution may be aired within the UN Security Council condemning Israel's refusal to freeze the West Bank settlements. One year ago America would be sure to veto it . They will probably do it again. However, Mr. Netanyahu's people do not have a good word for Barak Obama and view the White House as a lost cause. In the end, doubts about America, let alone Europe, may be more menacing than the Islamist governments in Egypt.
The Economist
Dennie Whitlow
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