Anadolu staff
June 25, 2025•Update: June 25, 2025
BERLIN
Israel's military campaigns in the region and the latest conflict with Iran have altered Arab countries' perceptions, posing a long-term risk to Israel's security, a prominent German expert warned on Wednesday.
Andreas Reinicke, Germany's former ambassador to Damascus, who currently heads the German Orient-Institute, told public broadcaster Deutschlandfunk that despite the ceasefire announced between Israel and Iran, the situation remains dynamic, and what will happen next is still unclear.
“(Arab countries) are now asking the question of what will happen next with Iran. If Iran leaves negotiations (and) starts building weapons somewhere, Israel will attack again. So there will be a permanent wave of attacks,” Reinicke said, adding that Israel's latest military campaigns in Gaza, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen have led to skepticism about diplomatic solutions.
“Israel's acceptance and legitimacy in the region, which would actually ensure the country's security, have been severely damaged. And that's the bigger concern,” Reinicke stressed, adding that while Arab countries do not want a wider conflict, their suspicion toward the West is growing, and they are losing trust in diplomatic efforts.
“They are very concerned that this constant fighting and these ongoing conflicts will hinder that. Gaza remains the main cause of these conflicts from the perspective of the Arab states. So, I'm afraid, until the Gaza and Palestine issue is resolved, Israel's legitimacy—which forms the basis of its security and right to exist in the region—will remain a major problem,” he said.
