For as long as he could recall, Rashad, a Lebanese-Saudi individual, had been at odds with his family over his views on the United States. He asserted that the US played a valuable role as a facilitator of goodwill, often finding himself in fierce debates over the American military initiatives. His retort to accusations that America was enforcing its liberal ethos upon the Arab world was the necessity for someone to champion human rights in a region that was not predominantly liberal. However, his outlook took a complete U-turn post the assault on Israel on October 7th. The unequivocal support shown by the US towards Israel’s retaliation in Gaza signified a pivotal change in his perception of America.
Feeling deceived, the 26-year-old who would not disclose his last name commented, “America doesn’t take human rights into account… It aids Israel in committing what he referred to as genocide and has the nerve to sermonise us about humanity.” His words encapsulate the pervasive anti-American sentiment that is running rampant across the Arab arena, exacerbated by beliefs that Washington is hypocritical, backing Israel’s military actions as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza escalates.
Western and Arab authorities are apprehensive about the potential for America, a historically influential foreign presence in the area, to estrange a substantial portion of the younger Arab populace. Their concern is that the uproar caused by the conflict in Gaza could mirror the regional retaliation following the US-led incursion into Iraq in 2003.
A Western diplomat stationed in the area expressed their anxieties, “Current animosity against the West, particularly the US, is at an all-time high. This surpasses the disillusionment of 2003, jeopardizing our credibility and potentially alienating the younger demographic.”
Israel, however, has staunchly refuted accusations of committing genocide in Gaza that were raised at an International Court of Justice trial, avowing that their military does not intentionally harm civilians. Their stated objective in this war is to dismantle Hamas, the militant group based in Gaza, blamed for the October 7th strike that officials claim led to approximately 1,200 fatalities, and secure the release of the hostages taken that day.
However, the countless young Arabs who have been observing the five-month-long conflict are genuinely shaken by the destruction in Gaza, where Palestinian officials estimate that the demise toll has surpassed 30,000. As the number of casualties increased, so did the depredation caused by famine and disease.
Israel’s assault has left the large proportion of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents homeless and the region devastated. The Israeli government has permitted minimal aid to reach the civilians, resulting in the United Nations agencies cautioning about the likelihood of a starvation crisis.
The American administration under President Joe Biden has extended its backing for the Israeli operations in Gaza. Support has been in the form of military aid and diplomatic protection, despite the escalating international demand for a truce.
However, there has been an evident increase in the expression of concerns by U.S. authorities, alongside escalating pressure on Israel to allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza. Vice-president Kamala Harris voiced her concerns this Sunday, stating the people in Gaza are on the verge of a hunger crisis. This has been one of the most potent statements from the White House on the current conflict. “We must take action in response to these unconscionable conditions,” Harris urged, as she also demanded an immediate truce.
Nevertheless, many Arabs hold the perception that Biden is not putting sufficient pressure on Israel to cease its attacks, with specific concerns regarding ongoing weapons trade with Israel. Ghadi Bou Kamel, a political science student at the American University in Beirut, criticised the administration for verbally supporting freedoms and human rights while also endorsing Israel’s actions.
A recent Arab public opinion study involving 8,000 participants from across 16 nations highlighted record levels of dissatisfaction with the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the US’s response. The poll revealed that 76% of respondents viewed the US more negatively, leading to the conclusion that the Arab population’s trust in the US is deteriorating.
In protest against alleged American support for Israel, young Arabs have initiated boycotts of US franchises such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, abandoned plans to study in the US and declined job offers from American companies. Anti-US demonstrations have been particularly prevalent in Yemen and Iraq, where the US has conducted attacks against groups aligned with Iran.
Both Starbucks and McDonald’s have publicly stated that they do not financially back any government implicated in the conflict.
Senior non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington, Dana el Kurd, observed another ramification of the US’s diminishing moral reputation in the region: it undermines liberal Arabs and activists promoting western democratic ideals and improved human rights in an area dominated by autocracy.
According to Kurd, the West’s recent actions during the war have pushed the dialogue regarding democracy and human rights back by another generation. Rym Momtaz, a research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, claimed that the Arab world’s perspective of the US and the rules-based order began to decay following the Iraq invasion, with the situation in Gaza causing it to completely collapse.
Momtaz further stated that the Arab world perceives western nations, which established the UN system, as supporting Israel in its undermining activities. “Arabs witness these countries halting funding to Unrwa on account of Israel’s claims, without insisting on evidence beforehand. They tried to undermine the International Court of Justice’s efforts when South Africa presented its genocide case,” Momtaz added, arguing that Arabs perceive this as a sign that the global rules-based system and its principles do not apply equally to them.
In terms of Arabs residing in the West, the Gaza conflict has led to a deep-rooted crisis. Dual citizenship has only furthered the feelings of disillusionment. An Arab investment banker in his 30s, living in London, expressed difficulty in identifying with a nation whose foreign policy is utterly unfair towards his home region and religion. So much so, that the banker, also a British national, is contemplating leaving the UK due to his growing frustration.
Original story by The Financial Times Limited 2024
Keep up to date by listening to our Inside Politics Podcast for the most recent analysis and discussion. Sign up for notifications and have top news, analysis, and commentary sent directly to your phone. Follow The Irish Times on WhatsApp to stay current.