The official position of Saudi Arabia on the Israel -Hezbollah conflict has receded into the popular characterization of the conflict. Immediately following Hezbollah’s original unprovoked attack , the Kingdom led a contingent of Arab states scolding Hezbollah for undertaking such a reckless gambit. Subsequently, Israel’s aerial bombardment has killed hundreds of Lebanese citizens, compelling Saudi leaders to switch their rhetoric to a condemnation of both Israeli tactics and US indifference.
In the coming weeks, Saudi officials will work with counterparts in Iran , Syria , and western powers to obtain a cease-fire in Lebanon . The Kingdom’s prestige in the Arab world grows weaker with the continuation of the conflict. The success of the Hezbollah resistance and the accumulation of Lebanese civilian casualties is a daily reminder that Saudi Arabia is neither assisting in the fight against Israel nor influential enough to stop it.
A Revised Position
Following the Hezbollah cross-border raid into Israel that ignited the conflict, the Saudi official news agency SPA carried the following statement:
“A distinction must be made between legitimate resistance and uncalculated adventures undertaken by elements inside Lebanon…These elements should bear the responsibility for their irresponsible action and they alone should end the crisis they have created” (source).
As written in these pages , Saudi Arabia’s reaction–along with that of Egypt and Jordan –stemmed from a fear of Shiite Iran’s increasing influence in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia interpreted the Hezbollah attack as part of a broader Iranian campaign to demonstrate its reach and power through regional proxies, including Hamas and Iraqi Shiite militias.
However, as the casualties of Lebanese civilians mounted and support for Hezbollah strengthened in the ‘Arab street’–including in Saudi Arabia–the Kingdom’s position became untenable. Saudi leaders condemned Israeli aggression and set up humanitarian funds for the Lebanese. Moreover, they pressed the US to deliver a ceasefire; King Abdullah sent a personal letter to President Bush requesting his help to reign in Israel. The US government did not act on the Saudi request, prompting the Saudi Foreign Minister to publicly state, “We take issue with the United States that it did not take a position that prevents Israel from striking Lebanon” (source).
Saving Face
Political necessity mandates Saudi Arabia act assertively to help end the crisis, outweighing their desire to see Iran’s proxy disarmed. The Saudi government must counteract the public perception of weakness, echoed by an assistant professor at King Saud University, “They can’t fight and they can’t bring peace. Not only can they not stand up to Israel or the US; they’re not even able to get a cease-fire” (source). With each passing day of conflict, the stature of Hezbollah–as well as their patron Iran–rises in the Arab world. However, when the polemic issues are constrained into a diplomatic framework, Saudi Arabia will be able to play to its strength–economic and diplomatic resources–to shape a settlement and reassert regional influence.
