Page 33 - Jewish News_January 2022

COMMENTARY January 2022 33A

Israel and the changing Middle East

By Rabbi Howard A. Simon
or years, the reality in the Mid- ham Accords, through which Israel how vital this outreach is can be seen in
dle East was no relationship normalized relations with the United the fact that Israel recently hosted the can be made to Iraq, China and Saudi
Fwith the State of Israel until Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Blue Flag aerial exercise involving air Arabia. Talks are ongoing and could
the Israeli-Palestinian problems were Sudan. Israel President Isaac Herzog forces of the United States, the United turn into more positive understanding
solved and both Israelis and Palestin- stated, “These accords created an im- Kingdom, Italy, France, Greece, India and support. Israel is no longer alone in
ians found a way to live together in portant regional infrastructure. They and Israel. its part of the world. New friends and
peace. are highly important agreements which Relationships between Israel and new partners exist that pave the way
The thought of Israel are transforming our re- this diverse variety of world powers for a stronger, more integrated State of
having positive relations gion and the dialogue means economic, cultural and scien- Israel. The hope is that these relations
with Arab countries was a with it.” tific relations that enhance each coun- grow and lead other countries to share
dream that many believed This has led Israel try’s life that will bring all parties in what has become a hallmark of care
would never become a re- to reach out to Jordan to closer together. Israel is no longer on and concern for one another and for the
ality. More recently, such repair the relationship the outside looking in. The realities of future of the Middle East.
thinking has changed dra- between the two coun- shared political and social beliefs have Rabbi Howard A. Simon is the found-
matically for one very tries. Positive meetings opened the doors to a host of countries ing chair of the Robert and Esther
important reason, Iran. It have taken place between with which Israel shares positive rela- Heller Community Relations Commit-
has become clear that Iran Jordan’s King Abdullah, tions. In time, it is still hoped, outreach tee, formerly known as the Heller IAI.
wishes to extend its tenta- Herzog and Israeli Prime
cles into the Middle East Rabbi Howard A. Simon Minister Naftali Bennett. Opinions printed in The Jewish News of
and looks to boost this desire by con- The recent visit of India’s Foreign Sarasota-Manatee do not necessarily reflect
tinuing to support and back two of Is- Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,
rael’s most serious adversaries, Hamas and the virtual meeting of U.S. Sec- those of The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-
and Hezbollah. Iran wishes to expand retary of State Antony Blinken, UAE Manatee, its Board of Directors or staff.
its role in all facets of the Middle East Foreign Minister Sheik Abdullah bin
while, at the same time, continuing its Zayed al Nahyan and Israel Foreign
threats and attacks against Israel with Minister Yair Lapid expands the re-
the goal of eradicating the Jewish state lationship of Israel with newfound
from existence. friends and other countries of inter- JEWISH EVENTS!
Middle Eastern countries such as est to Israel. These countries all share
the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Ara- common beliefs and goals. In addi-
bia and Bahrain recognize the threat tion, Greece, France, Egypt, Cyprus,
that Iran represents to their countries Germany and Italy all have joined in 
and their way of life. A second reali- conversation with Israel regarding all P A R TI C I P A TI O N NETWORK LEARN B E L O NG I NG ENJOYMENT ENGAGEMENT
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zation was that the strongest military facets of life.
power in the region that could counter Thus, we see that positive relations
Iran’s wishes was the State of Israel. between countries now stretch from JFEDSRQ.org/Events
This realization has led a variety Washington via Paris and Athens to Je-
of Arab countries to open their doors rusalem, and via the Gulf to New Delhi
to Israel. It all began with the Abra- and on to Australia and Japan. Proof of
FOLLOW
SAM’S
LEAD

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For more information, contact Ilene Fox at 941.343.2111 or ifox@jfedsrq.org.