The silence of Arab states and its consequences in the face of Israel’s expansionism
Hassan Rezaei
An old Persian proverb says: “You can wake someone who is asleep, but you cannot wake someone who is pretending to be sleeping.” This saying aptly describes the attitude of Arab states toward the crimes committed by Israel against the Palestinian people. Such silence not only reflects indifference to human suffering but also facilitates the expansionist policies of Israel.
Since the occupation of Palestine in 1948 and the establishment of the state of Israel, this regime has persistently pursued expansionist policies and repeatedly violated international law. Under the fourth Geneva convention (1949), an occupying power is obliged to protect civilians during times of war. Israel, however, has repeatedly breached this obligation through blockades, demolition of homes, and the killing of civilians. Despite extensive evidence of these violations, the response of Arab states has been limited to issuing ineffectual statements or maintaining silence.
Open and covert relations between some Arab states and Israel—especially after the signing of the “Abraham Accords” in 2020 under U.S. mediation—have further distanced the Arab states from their historical and Islamic responsibilities toward Palestine. These agreements, encompassing security, economic, and military cooperation, have in effect strengthened Israel’s position in advancing its objectives. Within this framework, certain Zionist political factions have promoted the concept of “Greater Israel,” envisioning borders far beyond the current ones, encompassing parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and all of Palestine.
The Arab indifference to Israeli aggression is not confined to the Palestinian issue. Israel’s repeated attacks on Syria and the destruction of its military and civilian infrastructure illustrate the clear threat to the territorial integrity of states across the region. Yet, reactions are often limited to verbal protests.
The recent 12-day Israeli assault on Iran—with the support of the United States, Britain, Germany, and France—demonstrated the complexity of the region’s security challenges. Iran’s decisive response, i.e. striking some Israeli military and economic centers, proved that contrary to its projected image of strength, Israel is vulnerable to attack. This episode highlighted that the balance of power in the region can shift—provided regional states possess the necessary political will and strategic coordination.
It must be acknowledged that resolutions passed against Israel have had no real impact due to the absence of enforcement mechanisms. This lack of implementation has undermined not only the credibility of these resolutions but also the legitimacy of institutions such as the United Nations. This reality stands in clear contradiction to the principles of the UN charter, particularly its commitment to maintaining international peace and security and upholding human rights.
There is no doubt that the continuation of this trend and the silence of Arab states, will have dangerous consequences. Modern history has shown that expansionism is never confined to the borders of a single country. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 clearly illustrated how a threat can quickly lead to a major security crisis. If Palestine is the victim of such policies today, tomorrow any of the Arab states could face a similar challenge. For this reason, adopting a proactive and coordinated stance against Israel’s expansionist policies is not only a moral obligation but also a strategic necessity for preserving the security and stability of the region. 14 August 2025.
The views expressed in this note are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of TECODH. TECODH (2003) is a private, non-profit research company dedicated to innovation in social sciences. It publishes analytical articles and organizes academic meetings and workshops, and provides a platform for the exchange of ideas.