Regional Security Meeting
In a surprising development, high-ranking military officials from Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt convened with an Israeli general in Manama, Bahrain. This meeting, coordinated by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), focused on regional security cooperation. The gathering occurred while Israel continues its military operations in Gaza, which have resulted in significant Palestinian casualties, mostly women and children.
Secretive Gathering
This meeting, not publicly disclosed due to the sensitive political context of Israel’s actions in Gaza, featured General Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military chief of general staff, and US General Michel “Erik” Kurilla. Despite public criticism of Israel, this meeting indicates ongoing military dialogue and cooperation between Israel and several Arab nations under CENTCOM.
Public Reaction
The decision by these Arab nations to engage with Israel amidst the suffering of the Palestinian people has sparked considerable criticism. Many view this meeting as an implicit approval of Israel’s actions in Gaza and a focus on regional security over Palestinian welfare.
Expert Commentary
Professor Sami Al-Arian, a descendant of Palestinian refugees from 1948, expressed his outrage, stating, “This shows the complicity of the US, the Zionist regime, and five US Arab allies in the region.” His sentiments reflect the widespread sense of betrayal among many in the Arab community.
CENTCOM’s Involvement
CENTCOM and the Pentagon have been enhancing military cooperation with regional forces, particularly in air and missile defense. It is speculated that CENTCOM had a role in Israel’s recent military activities at the Nuseirat refugee camp. US officials have emphasized that collaboration with Israel and Arab countries facilitated intelligence gathering and early warnings of potential threats.
Collaborative Achievements
US officials have highlighted the successful interception of Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel on April 13 as a significant achievement of this cooperation. This effort involved active participation from Jordan and Saudi Arabia in intercepting threats passing through their airspace from Iran, Iraq, and Yemen.
