Arab States Mum on Iran's Israel Remarks

[Behind the Aegis]

CAIRO, Egypt - Arab governments remained silent Thursday as international condemnation grew over a call by Iran's new president for Israel to be destroyed.

Despite the silence, analysts in the region said Tehran's Arab rivals may quietly be pleased to see the radical regime further isolated by its extremism.

However, some Palestinians — who would have the task of destroying Israel according to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — rejected the remarks.

"We have recognized the state of Israel and we are pursuing a peace process with Israel, and ... we do not accept the statements of the president of Iran," Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. "This is unacceptable."

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[Violet_Crumble]

1. Here's a good question...

Why do you think they stayed mum about his comments regarding Israel? Because they have nothing in common with Iran and want to see the hardliners pushed further to the sidelines, or because they actually agree and haven't got the balls to come out and say so?


Violet...

[Behind the Aegis]

2. IMO...indifference

I find it more than interesting that the Iranian president made these comments on "behalf" of the Palestinians, the ONLY group to condemn the remarks. As for the other governments, here is what I think...

...Egypt and Jordan have peace agreements with Israel, so they are already going to Muslim Hell. (Do Muslims actually believe in Hell?)

...Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are US allies. They are not willing to screw that up, although, I think SA would love for Israel to be gone.

...Indoneisia...they already said something similar, but they aren't a big player, so better to stay quiet.

...the African nations, excluding Egypt, are to wrapped up in there on internal strife and have already kicked out most Jews, so they kind of like Israel because it means the Jews are their and not in their land. Although, Morocco might be a little different.

...the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, and the others....most people don't even know those names, so why should they get involved? Better to stay silent and let people think what they want; then they make no real enemies. Besides, one of those countries has already reached out to Israel.

...Turkey...they like to play both sides, but they REALLY want in the EU, so better to stay quiet.

...Syria and Lebanon hate Israel and probably agree, but considering the world is focused on them now, especially Syria, they are S(ing)TFU.

...finally, Afghanistan and Iraq are occupied by the US, so they dare not agree with Iran or they would stand the chance of being the springboard for an American attack on Iran from their countries. Conversely, if they condemned the remarks, it could cause even more internal strife, if not an attack from Iran because of the American occupation.

At least that is what I am thinking about this.

[pelsar]

3. in general...

i think all of the arab states are afraid of iran....and are not really to 'excited" about its governemental style:

On the other hand most of the arab states dont want to find themselves "defending israel" as they all still use it as a scrapegoat for various aspects of their rule...hence the "quiet"

The palestenians to their credit, denounced it.. (wasnt iran saying that they''ll fight to the "last palestentian".)...Its the palestenains who have the most to gain and to lose with its relationship with israel and are probably the most pragmatic.

and of course the palestenians i think have figured it out that all the arab states posturing to "help the palestenains" is no more than that, hence they dont owe the "arab states" any loyalty in terms of a "political front"....seems they're standing up for their own interests without the BS.

[hiabrill]

4. besides Jordan and Eygpt, with peace agreements

none of the other Arab countries have ceased they hostility towards Israel.

Arab will never condemn the words from Iran and neither will the US condemn any action taken by Israel against the Palestinians.....

Moreover, Arabs are all fearful of Iran, especially in the Gulf. iran is too close for comfort.