Understanding Israel's Legality and the Peace Deal with Saudi Arabia

Introduction

The recent developments relating to the peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia have sparked debates regarding the legality of Israel's status as a nation-state. This article aims to clarify the misconceptions surrounding Israel's legal standing, the current state of relations, and the true purpose of potential diplomatic moves.

Israel's Legality: An Established Fact

The underlying assumption that Israel requires any form of additional legalization is fundamentally absurd. Israel has been a United Nations member state since 1949. To put this into perspective, Germany joined the UN in 1973, and Switzerland in 2002. Since its reestablishment in 1948, Israel has been seen as a legal entity in the international community, with no justification for questioning its legality.

Israel's legal status has been confirmed by the United Nations through a majority vote. This clear and recognized international endorsement underscores Israel's standing as a legitimate actor in global politics. Moreover, Switzerland, despite joining the UN in 2002, was considered a legitimate state long before that. Similarly, questioning the legality of Switzerland in 2001 is as absurd as questioning Israel.

The Current State of Relations

It is important to note that there has been no formal deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia to legalize Israel. The focus of any potential agreement would be on fostering peace in the Middle East. This entails addressing longstanding conflicts and ensuring mutual benefits for both parties.

Saudi Arabia, specifically, has not yet normalized relations with Israel. Recent diplomatic moves, such as the recognition by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, marked significant steps in regional diplomacy but do not represent a comprehensive peace deal. The Saudi foreign minister has made it clear that Saudi Arabia’s normalization of relations with Israel is contingent on Israel recognizing Palestine as an independent state and recognizing East Jerusalem as its capital, within the 1967 borders.

The Misunderstanding of Legalization

Israel does not require anyone's approval to be considered a legal state. The concept of recognizing Israel’s status is more about improving economic and political conditions for the Arab world, rather than legitimizing Israel.

Any move towards legalizing Israel would be a formality, as its status is already established and widely recognized. The international community, including the UN, acknowledges Israel's legality. Furthermore, a state's true legality does not derive from international recognition but from its ability to govern and provide for the needs of its citizens effectively.

Conclusion

The argument for legalizing Israel is a moot point, given its long-standing legal status. As the Middle East seeks to forge a new path towards peace and stability, it is the Arab countries that stand to gain from improved relations with Israel. The emphasis should be on creating a framework that supports mutual growth and peace.