U.S. Extends NATO Summit Invitations to Arab and Israeli Foreign Ministers, Signaling a New Diplomatic Shift

By: Maryam Al Jumaili, Department of Strategic Research and International Relations 02-07-2024

In a surprising move, the United States has extended invitations to the foreign ministers of Arab countries and Israel to attend the NATO Summit scheduled to be held in Washington next month, according to the Financial Times.

The newspaper cited a statement from a NATO representative who mentioned that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has invited the heads of state and government from 32 allied countries, as well as “leaders of their partners in the Indo-Pacific region.”

(As the host country for the anniversary summit, the United States has invited foreign ministers from 31 countries that have partnerships with the alliance, including Japan, Australia, and South Korea.)

 Invited Arab Countries

The invited Arab countries include Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain.

 Arab Reactions

The U.S. invitation has elicited mixed reactions from Arab countries:

– Welcoming:  Some Arab countries, such as Bahrain and Morocco, have welcomed the U.S. invitation, considering it a positive step that enhances security and stability in the region.

– Reservations:  Other countries, such as Lebanon and Iraq, have expressed reservations about participating, demanding the resolution of the Palestinian issue before engaging in broader regional alliances.

– Rejection:  Some Palestinian factions, such as Hamas, have rejected the invitation to Israel, considering it a legitimization of Israeli occupation and an impediment to the peace process.

 Objectives of the Invitation

The 75th anniversary of NATO’s founding offers U.S. President Joe Biden an opportunity to highlight his efforts to strengthen Washington’s international partnerships and alliances.

However, the summit will also reveal contradictions highlighted by many diplomats regarding the U.S. stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the Ukrainian crisis.

Through this invitation, the United States aims to achieve several key objectives, including:

– Enhancing Security Cooperation between Arab Countries and Israel: This aims to address common regional security challenges, especially with the rising Iranian threats.

– Expanding NATO’s Scope: The U.S. seeks to expand NATO’s scope and enhance its international influence, particularly in the strategically important Middle East.

– Supporting Peace Efforts: The U.S. believes that the participation of Arab countries and Israel in the NATO summit could contribute to promoting peace efforts in the region and encourage dialogue and cooperation among the different parties.

 Potential Impacts

The participation of Arab countries and Israel in the NATO summit could impact the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the relations between Arab countries and Israel in the long term. The potential impacts include Palestinian concerns that Israel’s participation might neglect their cause and entrench the occupation.

With the invitation extended to the foreign ministers of Arab countries and Israel to participate in the NATO summit, it is clear that the United States is committed to enhancing international cooperation and deepening partnerships in regions facing complex security challenges.

This move reflects the goal of identifying common solutions to global issues and providing a constructive dialogue platform and mutual understanding among the participating countries.