Mauritania-Israel Ties: An Expected End to a Broken Arab House


Like a clever boxer, Israel, backed by its dedicated ally, the United States, knows how to land punches. Also as a good boxer, Israeli strikes are often unexpected and they are indeed painful.

The establishment of full diplomatic relations between Israel and Mauritania in Washington on Thursday, Oct 28, although shocking to many, was a result of deteriorating Arab solidarity. Arab unity, which was never entirely achieved on a practical level in modern history, has suffered many blows within the last 10 years. Such deterioration makes the Mauritanian step only a small link in a larger and more complicated chain reaction.

Some blame the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait for the lack of trust and cooperation among Arab states. The truth however, which the above claim overlooks, is that the Iraqi invasion was a result of this lack of trust, not the cause.

What hold the "Arab body" together are several factors. Despite the common history, the common religion and language, Arab regimes were also forced to a bashful unity for being faced with a common enemy, Israel. Although many leaders have been less enthusiastic regarding combating this enemy (some were discovered to have a line of communication with Israel several years before Oslo), the spirit of unity amongst the Arab masses has obliged them to take strong stands in defense of Palestine. Most of the time however, the strong stands have been limited within closed hall meetings.

The Gulf-War, though it was not a cause, provided justification for Arab division. The invasion truly enriched the argument, "How can we speak of unity and an Arab is occupying the land of his brother." Surprisingly enough, a similar argument was never used when Palestinian refugees were exposed earlier to even worse treatment and semi-genocide in Jordan and Lebanon.

The signing of Oslo, which was a result of the already weakened and fragmented relationship between Arab states, provided another excuse for those who could not suppress their eagerness to be blessed by American might; even if that meant knocking at the door of the White House through Tel-Aviv or even Jerusalem.

Although, the compromise of Oslo can hardly be justified, it reflects the isolation that the Palestinian Liberation Organization was placed under after its rejection of welcoming foreign powers to the Gulf.

Oslo therefore, provided the green light for those who resent being held "hostage" to the cause of Palestine. Syria's refusal to coordinate with the PNA before final status negotiations was a direct result of the green light granted by Oslo. The new political environment, which was formed within the realm of Arab states in the 1990s, was an indication that a new age of Arab politics was taking shape, the age in which each country becomes in its own, free from its commitments to causes, to Palestine, to unity, and most of all, to its people's ambitions.

The new era was eloquently summed by the Mauritanian foreign minister, Ahmed Ould Sid Ahmed, who said after exchanging diplomatic documents with the Israeli foreign minister, David Levy, "It is a sovereign decision, taken by us, a sovereign state."

Though, Mauritania is the third Arab country to enter into the Israeli diplomatic experience, the relaxed relations between Arabs and Israel makes the signing of a document a less relevant factor. Most Arab countries have indeed accepted the existence of Israel. What becomes alarming however, is that this acceptance was unconditional, as Israel has implemented very little, besides the verbal part, of its peace commitment.

Perhaps the shock of the event is more related to the Mauritanian stand on Arab issues. This northwest Arab and African nation, though far from the stage of political action in the Middle East, has always held strong and unique positions in support of Palestinian rights. Mauritania was one of few states that backed Iraq during the Gulf-War in 1991, sacrificing the substantial aid it received from Gulf countries. Such a bold step makes the Mauritanian's move even more puzzling. Or does it?

Both the United States and Israel are said to have used a tremendous pressure on the financially poor dessert country. Pressure alone as a factor, although effective, is not sufficient. Opposition to Israel is no longer a heroic ideal after which Arab non-Arab states strive. Mauritania has apparently reached such a conclusion. Since closeness to Israel may not be as financially rewarding ten years from now, Mauritania made its move now.

Israel has reminded Arab states through the signing, that Israel's long arm can pick fruits from the farthest trees. The United States, whose next step is to convince European countries to take Israel into their regional group at the United Nations, has demonstrated its willingness to conquer new heights for its eternal ally. Mauritania, which will appear isolated for sometime amongst Arab states, will find that her acts will quickly be forgotten.


  Category: World Affairs
  Topics: Foreign Policy, Occupation, United States Of America
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