By Abdul-Ghani Hassan al-Oraibi
Since the establishment of the Zionist entity in 1948, the Arab-Israeli Occupation conflict has been more than a territorial dispute; it has been a confrontation between two contradictory projects: a troubled Arab project searching for identity, and a cohesive Zionist project steadily working toward “Greater Israel.” Today, this concept does not necessarily imply direct territorial expansion but rather a political, economic, and security hegemony over the Middle East.
From Geography to Influence
The “Greater Israel” project has evolved beyond the old slogans of a state stretching from the Nile to the Euphrates. The modern ambition is smarter and more flexible, focusing on economic and cyber control. The Israeli Occupation aims to be the region’s technological and intelligence hub, exporting military and digital expertise and establishing security networks under the guise of “regional stability.” By integrating itself into regional energy and trade corridors, the Israeli Occupation ensures it remains an indispensable player, achieving dominance without firing a single bullet.
Roots of Decline and the Collapse of Deterrence
The erosion of Arab strength began with the disintegration of the regional system following the 1967 defeat, as national goals were sacrificed for narrow state interests. Ideological divisions between various political currents further weakened the internal front, making domestic power struggles more prominent than external threats.
Furthermore, the Arab deterrence system collapsed incrementally. Egypt’s withdrawal from the military confrontation after the 1978 Camp David Accords created a strategic vacuum. This was followed by the 1991 Gulf War, which shattered the remaining vestiges of Arab solidarity, allowing Washington and Tel Aviv to solidify their military and security presence in the region.
Normalization as a New Reality
In recent years, normalization has shifted from an exception to a cornerstone of regional relations. Peace has become an end in itself, detached from demands for withdrawal from occupied lands or a halt to settlement expansion. Through these agreements, Israel seeks to reshape the political environment to serve its project, positioning itself as the central power managing the Middle East’s technology and economy.
Capitalising on Chaos and the Role of Elites
The Israeli Occupation successfully exploited the regional turmoil since 2011, presenting itself to the West as an “oasis of stability” while Arab nations were consumed by internal conflicts. Simultaneously, Arab political and intellectual elites failed to formulate a counter-narrative, focusing instead on narrow ideological disputes. This has led to a decline in collective awareness and the marginalisation of pivotal issues, such as the Palestinian cause.
The Path to Restoring Balance
Despite this grim reality, restoring the Arab balance is possible through a revival of collective consciousness and a redefinition of national interests. An Arab renaissance project must be based on development, justice, and sovereignty; a strong state is less susceptible to external penetration. Arab-Arab rapprochement is now an existential necessity in a world governed by large blocs.
The “Greater Israel” project is a calculated strategic vision being implemented amidst chronic Arab weakness, but it is not an inevitable fate. The battle today is over technology, economy, and awareness. If the Arab world continues its decline, the Israeli entity will not just be a major state but the “brain” that manages the entire region.
