Alerts

Israel and the Democratic Revolution in the Arab World

The wave of protests in the Arab world that began in Tunisia, and spread to Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen, have underscored the need to develop a unified Western policy toward these movements. Everyone supports the idea of democratic reforms that could lead to the end of authoritarian rule in much of the Middle East.
Share this
Israel and the Democratic Revolution in the Arab World - Arab Spring

Table of Contents

The wave of protests in the Arab world that began in Tunisia, and spread to Egypt, Jordan, and Yemen, have underscored the need to develop a unified Western policy toward these movements. Everyone supports the idea of democratic reforms that could lead to the end of authoritarian rule in much of the Middle East. Over the last number of decades, the lack of democracy in the Arab world actually helped perpetuate the Arab-Israel conflict. Arab rulers, whose were not democratically elected and whose legitimacy was in question, sought to inflame the conflict in order to legitimize their regimes. Democratically legitimized regimes would presumably not have to resort to such strategies.

But democracy is not just holding an election. There are anti-democratic forces in the Arab world today that hope to exploit elections in order to seize power; the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt comes to mind as an example of this challenge. For example, the former Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide Muhammad Mahdi ‘Akef disclosed his view in 2007 that only Islam was “true democracy.” He told the BBC that Western democracy was “unrealistic” and “false.”

In 2006, the elections for the Palestinan Legistlative Council led to the victory of Hamas, which is defined as an international terrorist organization by both the European Union and the U.S. With an electoral victory in its wake, Hamas escalated rocket attacks against Israeli civilians in the following years, resulting in the outbreak of the Gaza War at the end of 2008.

Historically, democracies have sought to defend themselves from such situations by disqualifying those forces that do not accept the ground rules of democracy and will undermine the democratic system if they come to power. The Federal Republic of Germany has laws prohibiting the participation of the Nazi Party  or the Communists in German elections. Actually, the Oslo II Interim Agreement from 1995 stipulated that  any candidates, parties or coalitions will not be permitted to participate if they advocate racism or pursue the implementation of their aims by non-democratic means (Annex 2, Article III). This clause was plainly ignored by some Western powers who pressured Israel to let Hamas participate, nonetheless.

What is plainly needed are agreed criteria for electoral participation, as the West looks at the question of reform in the Arab world. There has been an unfortunate tendency to underestimate the true intentions of extremist groups like the Muslim Brotherhood. This same error of misreading new radical Islamist forces occurred back in 1979, as well, when many analysts presented Ayatollah Khomeini as someone with whom the West could do business. These mistakes were extremely costly in the past and hopefully they will not be repeated in the future. The spread of freedom and democracy in the Arab world is unquestionably a positive development, but it must not assist those who would destroy it.

Amb. Dore Gold

Ambassador Dore Gold has served as President of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs since 2000. From June 2015 until October 2016 he served as Director-General of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously he served as Foreign Policy Advisor to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN (1997-1999), and as an advisor to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
Share this

Subscribe to Daily Alert

The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Related Items

Stay Informed, Always

Get the latest news, insights, and updates directly in your inbox—be the first to know!

Subscribe to Jerusalem Issue Briefs
The Daily Alert – Israel news digest appears every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Notifications

The Jerusalem Center
Canada investigating Israeli-Canadian IDF soldiers?
JCFA senior researcher, Amb. Alan Baker slams the probe as a “political PR stunt with no legal basis.” “This isn’t justice—it’s a betrayal. Canada is siding with PLO propaganda over facts.”
11:29am
The Jerusalem Center
What makes a child believe killing a #Jew is justified?

In PA textbooks, Jews are called liars and frauds; their fate: elimination. This is #indoctrination—not #education. But change is happening. On East to West, @IMPACT_SE CEO Marcus Sheff exposes how #UNRWA-funded schools are fueling extremism—and what real reform looks like.  Listen now on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/2JHqh973U  Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8OkJTGNfVUc

11:43am
The Jerusalem Center
Highlights from the @Jerusalem_Post Annual Conference in NYC:

Dr. @Dan_Diker, President of the JCFA: “October 7 wasn’t just an attack on Israel — it was a blow to the U.S. on Israeli soil. It demands moral clarity and a united front between Israel and the U.S. to defeat jihadist terror.”

2:20pm
The Jerusalem Center
@XAVIAERD says it like it is

Well, @XAVIAERD says it like it is: If you’re part of “#Queers for #Palestine,” he’ll pay for your flight to #Gaza. Go see for yourself how they treat LGBTQ+ people over there. Don’t miss this bold take on the Israel-Hamas war and the woke right.

2:32pm
The Jerusalem Center
“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.”

“This isn’t Israel vs. Hamas — it’s the frontline of the free world.” On Our Middle East by @JNS_org, @Dan_Diker@KhaledAbuToameh (JCFA/@GatestoneInst) break it down: If Hamas isn’t crushed, Iran wins. The jihadis—from #Gaza to your campus—get the green light. Diker: “This war is for the West.” No fluff. No filters. Just raw insight from two insiders who actually know what’s going on.  Watch: youtu.be/4Aq_zcbb4Yo

2:15pm
The Jerusalem Center
5/5 Lt. Col. Kalo on East to West with @smartinezamir:

“This operation showcases Israel’s strategic intelligence superiority both regionally and globally. It demonstrates the moral commitment to recovered soldiers and also strengthens Israel’s position with allies.” youtube.com/watch?v=nIvNNi

2:07pm
The Jerusalem Center
4/5 The operation built on intelligence gathered during the 2019 #Baumel recovery

#Mossad agents operated under cover in #Syria for years, visiting a graveyard multiple times under fire to collect remains for DNA matching. The intelligence community’s evolution combines technology, big data analysis, and human intelligence capabilities.

2:02pm
The Jerusalem Center
3/5 This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander

This recovery coincided with the release of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from #Hamas in #Gaza, significantly boosting national morale amid an ongoing conflict now stretching over 18 months. The dual successes demonstrate #Israel‘s unwavering commitment to bringing all soldiers home.

1:58pm
The Jerusalem Center
2/5 The operation used the power vacuum following #Assad’s fall from #Damascus

Lt. Col. Avi Kalo, former head of IDF Prisoners & Missing Persons Division, calls it “an outstanding event that brings hope and new spirit to the people of Israel.” The operation utilized the power vacuum following #Assad‘s fall from #Damascus, allowing #Israeli intelligence to deploy ground capabilities in #Syria.

1:56pm
The Jerusalem Center
1/5 Israeli forces recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi Feldman

In an unprecedented operation, Israeli forces have recovered the remains of Sergeant First Class Zvi #Feldman, missing since the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub. The complex #Mossad mission was conducted deep within #Syrian territory, 43 years after his disappearance. This follows the successful 2019 recovery of Zachary #Baumel from the same battle.

1:54pm
The Jerusalem Center
A molotov attack on a bus = a “barbecue party”?

That’s what #Palestinian kids are being taught under @UNRWA  — from grade school to graduation. This isn’t education. It’s indoctrination. Marcus Sheff of @IMPACT_SE  breaks it down with @smartinezamir

12:51pm

Close