Which countries in the Middle East are on the side of Israel and the United States?

For many in the United States, the Middle East and the political and cultural systems that its residents live under remain foreign, even as their government has been actively intervening in the region for decades. The current moment is an example of how, from time to time, the reality of the government’s intervention cannot be ignored. As bombs drop on Lebanon and Gaza, many in the country cannot forget that those bombs were paid for by their tax dollars. The frameworks most have to work with about the regional politics of the Middle East often lack any grounding in how the governments interact and how they portray themselves domestically. Understanding the complexity of the relationships between governments and those between governments and their people is critical to determining the boundaries of their cooperation with the United States. Also, this is not unique to the Middle East. In Europe, the governments have varying levels of collaboration with the United States, which is, in part, informed by the views of their citizens towards the actions of the US.

A complicated landscape

The United States has been one of Israel’s strongest supporters on the international stage since the 1960s, particularly as relations between the Soviet Union and Israel soured. Though the US has allies in the region, like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, these countries are not allied with Israel. Though leaders in Saudi Arabia worked with the Trump administration on the Abraham Accords, which aimed to begin a process of normalization between Israel and its neighbors, it has effectively fallen apart. In December, a survey conducted by the pro-Israel think tank The Washington Institute for Near East Policy on how Saudi citizens viewed their country’s relationship with Israel highlighted the very negative views of the regime-held by the population. Ninety-six percent of respondents agreed with the statement: “Arab countries should immediately break all diplomatic, political, economic, and any other contacts with Israel in protest against its military action in Gaza.”

What the survey shows is widespread popular support for Palestinian liberation and the necessity of the creation of a Palestinian state where the rights of refugees to return are respected. With that being a core belief in many Arab countries, regardless of the government’s relationship with the US, the government risks its legitimacy with its people if it is not seen as a vocal and active defender of Palestinian rights. More and more, a similar phenomenon is taking hold in the US as the public’s view of Israel is diminished and support for funding the country militarily begins to drop. In June, a CBS poll found that 61 percent of voters did not think the US should be sending arms to Israel.

How Iran fits into the picture

Qatar and Egypt, which are both allies of the US, have been tasked with communicating with Hamas during ceasefire negotiations between the group and Israel. Qatar, though an ally of the US, has been a financial backer of Hamas (with the support of the Israeli government until the attacks of October 7). The Qataris believed sending money to Hamas would help to alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza, who had been living under a blockade for over a decade. Qatar also has diplomatic relations with both Iran and the United States and has served as a mediator and connecter for the two countries since they do not have formal ties.

The US blames Iran for the current outbreak of violence for its funding of proxy groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. However, even in Arab countries that in recent decades have had their conflicts with Iran, support for these groups is strong and, as noted by the Washington Institute, is growing. Saudi Arabia and Iran broke diplomatic relations in 2016. Still, they were restored in March 2023, in a move that was applauded by the United States but criticized by Israeli leaders who saw the China-facilitated deal as placing Israel’s objective of normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia in jeopardy.

Hezbollah is considered to be the strongest para-military group sponsored by Iran. However, recent events, including the infiltration of the group’s telecommunications, attacks on top leaders, and the Israeli ground invasion of the country, have forced the group into new territory as the Israeli army begins a ground invasion. The killing of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah during the final days of the United Nations General Assembly had leaders in the region concerned because it was an act that could provoke Iran into responding directly against Israel, as the regime did in April following the direct attack on military leaders in Iran’s consulate in Damascus.

During Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech at the UN, he made reference to a desire to build relations with Saudi Arabia and its other neighbors. He also spoke out against the Iranian regime and the need for countries in the region to come together against Iran.

Continued escalation is rocking the region

During a press conference with leaders from various Arab countries, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister described Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech as “interesting,” criticizing him for failing to even mention the Palestinians. The Minister made his country’s position clear: a Palestinian state is necessary to “reach the true potential of regional peace and stability.”

Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, also spoke at the press conference and lambasted the international community for neglecting the threat posed by the current Israeli government. “The real danger in the region is the policies of this government of Israel and the actions of the government of Israel,” said the Minister. Though critical, Jordan came to Israel’s defense in the most recent missile attack by Iran by allowing the US air force to shoot down the projectiles over Jordan. The government understands that within Jordan there are forces that do not want to see those sorts of actions taken. Middle East Eye reported that Mohammed al-Absi, who forms part of Jordan’s serves as a Democratic Unity Party (Wehda) warned that government that “America aims to drag Jordan into full participating in defending Israel within a western alliance.” The Jordanian government’s defense that they took out the missiles because they were flying over their airspace with no warning allows them to delay their official position on what sort of aid would be provided to Israel if the situation escalates to a full out war between Iran and Israel.

As reports of an Israeli attack are imminent, the X account of Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry posted a photo of the Deputy Minister meeting with Iran’s Ambassador.

The description of the conversation was vague, stating that the two parties “discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and ways to enhance them in all fields, in addition to discussing the most prominent developments on the regional and international arenas and the efforts made in this regard.”