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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 June 2014
Abstract
This chapter examines the reaction of the Israeli political-military elite to the Arab spring. Israel has always presented itself as an island of democracy in a sea of authoritarianism. One would have therefore expected Israel to welcome the pro-democracy movements that began to sweep through the region in early 2011. In fact, the reaction has been negative at all levels of Israeli society. Two main factors are put forward to explain this negative reaction. The first factor has to do with the politics of identity. Israelis think that their values and their culture make them part of Europe and they have no desire to become part of the Middle East. The second factor is the fear that the transition from dictatorship to democracy will generate instability and undermine Israel’s security. The article focuses more specifically on the impact of the Arab Spring on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It shows how turmoil around its borders has led Israel to stiffen further its terms for a settlement with the Palestinians. It concludes that the Arab Spring has widened the gulf between Israel and its Arab neighbours and deepened its conflict with the Palestinians.
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