Israel’s Role as a Regional Stabiliser

January 25, 2025

The Middle East remains a global focal point, with much attention on Israel’s actions in Gaza. A potential war between Israel and Iran threatens not only regional stability but also global economic security, motivating global powers to defuse tensions. Arab states have quietly supported Israeli efforts against Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities; however, the prospect of a full-scale conflict now stirs growing anxiety, as it could destabilise their economies and regimes. Yet, what is often overlooked is Israel’s crucial role as a counterbalance to Iran’s expanding influence and revolutionary aspirations. Despite the immediate risks of an Israel-Iran clash, the greater threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran should be of primary concern to the Arab states.

Looking back, history reveals how even Israel’s adversaries have, at times, recognised the value of its presence in fulfilling their own strategic and geopolitical objectives.

During the Babylonian exile, the Persian administration, under King Cyrus, made a strategic decision to allow the Jews to return to their homeland. This move raises an interesting question: why would the Persians choose to facilitate the return of a group that could be a potential risk of the Jews becoming independent and forming their own army to oppose Persian authority?

The Persians allowed the Jews to resettle in their ancestral land to create a buffer between their empire and regional adversaries like Egypt. Known for their relative tolerance, the Persians permitted diverse cultures within their borders to preserve their customs and religions. This policy fostered goodwill among the Jewish exiles and strengthened stability and loyalty to the Persian crown. By supporting the reconstruction of the Jewish community, including the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, the Persians could ensure a measure of protection in the region.

The reestablishment of a Jewish homeland in Israel in 1948 was shaped by the geopolitical interests of both Britain and the United States, much like the Persian Empire’s strategic considerations centuries earlier. This was largely motivated by Britain’s desire to secure Jewish support during World War I, while also maintaining influence in the strategically important Middle East, especially with the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. American interest in Israel’s reconstitution was driven by a combination of humanitarian concern for Jewish refugees, strategic interests in gaining a reliable ally in the Middle East, and domestic political pressures.

In modern times, a similar strategic alignment is emerging as several Arab states are beginning to view Israel not as a historic adversary but as a crucial ally in safeguarding their own national security interests. Much like the Persians, British and Americans who saw value in allowing the Jews to resettle as a buffer against regional threats, contemporary Arab states recognise Israel’s worth. Israel’s strength, particularly in intelligence and defense, offers a protective shield that could help deter Iranian ambitions, which pose a common threat to many Arab states. The convergence of strategic interests can transform once-hostile dynamics into opportunities for cooperation, with Israel now seen as a stabilising force capable of helping preserve regional security.

As Christians, the biblical promise to Abraham that through his descendants “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 26:4) and “a light to all nations” (Isaiah 49:6) transcends geopolitical alliances and is not limited to states that align with Israel. The role of Israel, in this broader sense, is not confined to serving the interests of friendly states or allies but extends to embodying a standard of justice and righteousness that reaches even those who remain in conflict with it, even the Arab states. It would be in the best interest of Arab states to continue their quiet support of any Israeli plans against Iran. Israel’s mission, then, transcends mere survival or strategic interests; it is about contributing to the greater good of humanity, holding firm as a moral compass even amid unrelenting opposition, and standing as a barrier between good and evil.

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Author

  • Natasha Cumming

    Natasha Cumming is an Honours student, research assistant and teacher at Griffith University in South East Queensland. Holding a Bachelor of Government and International Relations with a double major in Politics and Public Policy and International Relations and a thesis focusing on Israeli and Arab diplomacy and recognition efforts in the Middle East, her expertise places her at the centre of research and academic work pertaining to the regional conflict and diplomacy efforts.

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