The challenges of constant instability in the Middle East and the question of whether the region is doomed to repeat history, have analyzed high-ranking politicians, diplomats and academics as part of the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, which takes place in Delphi on 9-12 April. Memories of the past, today’s conflict and hopes of a different future were put on the table.
From the views of the speakers, but also of those who intervened by the public, the gravity as well as the intense complexity of the question became clear: Is the Middle East condemned to repeat history?
Paul Salem, Vice President for International Engagement, Middle East Institute, said clearly: “The Middle East is not doomed to repeat its story.” He referred to the multiannual Palestinian crisis and the influence of Iran since 1979 on the developments of the Middle East, while pointing out the entry of Turkey and the wider Arab world into the geopolitical equation. “History does not repeat itself, but it is constantly penetrating us,” he said, noting that there is no single “endless crisis”, but multiple levels of reality. He emphasized that in countries such as the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia there is progress, while others, such as Yemen and Lebanon, remain in a deep crisis. He referred to the new US-Jran negotiations and developments in Palestinian: “The solution is clear, but the steps are still missing. At this point, yes, the story tends to be repeated. “
He described President Trump’s influence on Saudi Arabia on progress on Abraham’s agreements as “promising”.
Amre Moussa, a former Secretary General of the Arab League, a member of the Board of Directors, Nizami Ganjavi International Center, stressed: “The endless crisis is possible – and politicians like Netanyahu seem to pursue her perpetuation.” He emphasized the next day of Gaza, stressing that “it has no similarities to the rest of the Palestinian world” and that it should be avoided by the political map. He supported the need to revitalize the Israeli and the Arab Peace Movement, while warning: “The idea of leaving the Palestinian debate is unacceptable.” He stressed that “even if Hamas comes out of the equation completely, if the situation remains as it is, under occupation areas, there will be no viable solution”, to add that violent groups on both sides must be put aside.
He welcomed Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a Palestinian state and estimated that the revival of Abraham’s agreements was unlikely after the events in Gaza.
Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President, Emirates Policy Center, argued that the Middle East cannot be treated as a single entity. “There are countries that progress, but also external factors that undermine stability. So the story is repeated in other terms. ” He referred to the role of external forces in ISIS generation and radicalization, noting that many of the problems do not come from the Arab world. For Iran, he estimated that no war with the US was being funded. He stood strongly against the Prime Minister of Israel: “Netanyahu is the problem. As long as it remains in power, there is no prospect of conversation. He prioritizes his domestic policy and Iran. ” “Peace needs two, how will there be peace with existing data?” He asked.
He stressed that without resolving the Palestinian, there can be no progress in the Arab world.
Zaid Eyadat, Regional Adviser for Stabilization and Political Economy, United Nations, Escwa, disagreed with the foundation of the debate in the title “Endless Crisis”, arguing that it is necessary to separate the concepts of the crisis from the idea of condemnation. “It’s not a matter of orientalism, but epistemological. The Middle East is experiencing judgments, but it is not by definition doomed to them. “
He commented that the crisis as a concept is a product of how politics in the Middle East was formed in the 20th century, and not a constant or inevitable phenomenon.
The debate was left not only to the predetermined speakers, but extended to participants from the public, who came from the Arab world and Israel.
